How Much Does It Cost to Run a Soundbar?
A typical Soundbar uses 100W and runs about 4 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $2.01/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Soundbar
Standby Power Can Equal Active Power Over 24 Hours
A soundbar draws 30-100W during active use but 5-15W in standby (waiting for Bluetooth/HDMI signal). If you watch TV for 4 hours and the soundbar sits in standby for 20 hours, standby accounts for 50-75% of total daily energy consumption. Enabling auto-off or connecting the soundbar to a smart power strip that cuts power when the TV is off can save $1-2/month.
Soundbar vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Soundbar compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soundbar (this page) | $2.01 | At national average rate, 4hrs/day |
| TV speakers (built-in) | Included in TV cost | No additional power draw. Adequate for casual viewing. |
| Full surround receiver + speakers | ~$4-8 | 150-400W. Better sound but 2-4x the electricity cost. |
| Bluetooth speaker | ~$0.25-0.50 | 5-15W. Cheaper but mono/stereo only, no surround. |
Soundbar Cost by State
What a Soundbar costs to run at 100W for 4 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $1.78 | $21.34 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $3.04 | $36.49 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $1.66 | $19.89 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $1.52 | $18.19 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $3.77 | $45.23 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $1.83 | $21.95 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $3.52 | $42.26 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $1.83 | $21.95 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $1.9 | $22.85 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $1.88 | $22.51 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $1.69 | $20.33 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $5.19 | $62.22 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $1.3 | $15.65 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $1.96 | $23.57 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $1.81 | $21.77 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $1.71 | $20.49 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $1.8 | $21.57 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $1.54 | $18.53 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.25 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $2.74 | $32.93 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $1.93 | $23.21 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $3.45 | $41.41 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $2.25 | $27.01 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $1.84 | $22.09 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $1.65 | $19.81 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $1.57 | $18.89 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $1.49 | $17.93 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.25 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $1.8 | $21.64 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $3.04 | $36.49 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $2.25 | $27.01 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $1.78 | $21.41 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $2.74 | $32.93 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $1.68 | $20.13 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $1.42 | $17.09 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $1.84 | $22.09 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $1.44 | $17.25 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $1.57 | $18.89 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $2.02 | $24.29 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $3.25 | $39.05 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $1.8 | $21.57 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $1.65 | $19.81 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $1.54 | $18.53 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $1.8 | $21.57 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $1.3 | $15.65 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $2.56 | $30.73 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $1.84 | $22.09 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $1.29 | $15.49 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $1.57 | $18.89 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $2.04 | $24.45 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $1.35 | $16.17 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Soundbar
- Enable auto-standby so the soundbar powers down with your TV
- Moderate volume uses less power than maximum
- A soundbar uses far less energy than a full surround sound receiver setup
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standby draw is small but adds up over a year
Frequently Asked Questions
During active playback, a typical soundbar draws 30-100W depending on volume and model. At moderate volume for 4 hours/day, the monthly cost is about $0.60-$2.00. Standby power (5-15W for 20 hours/day) adds another $0.50-$1.50/month. Total monthly cost is $1-3.50 for most households.
If your soundbar draws more than 10W in standby and you only use it a few hours per day, turning it off or using a smart power strip can save $1-2/month. Many modern soundbars have auto-power features that turn them off after 15-20 minutes of no audio signal, which achieves the same savings automatically.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.