electronics · 8W typical
Running a smart display (echo show / nest hub) costs about $0.95/month.
That's the typical smart display (echo show / nest hub) at 8W, run 24 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
Full-power draw for 24 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same smart display (echo show / nest hub) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
always-on photo frame
$0.95
per month
ambient mode
active use
$0.08
per month
video calls and video playback
Where you live
$1.72 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $2.37 | $28.87 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $1.81 | $22.01 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $1.77 | $21.58 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $1.65 | $20.11 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $1.61 | $19.55 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $1.42 | $17.24 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $1.40 | $17.03 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $1.28 | $15.63 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $1.27 | $15.49 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $1.24 | $15.07 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $1.11 | $13.53 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $1.10 | $13.39 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $1.06 | $12.89 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $1.04 | $12.68 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $1.03 | $12.47 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $1.00 | $12.19 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.99 | $12.05 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.97 | $11.84 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.96 | $11.63 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.94 | $11.42 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.91 | $11.07 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.90 | $11.00 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.90 | $10.93 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.89 | $10.79 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.88 | $10.65 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.88 | $10.65 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.87 | $10.58 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.85 | $10.37 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.85 | $10.37 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.85 | $10.30 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.85 | $10.30 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.84 | $10.23 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.82 | $9.95 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.81 | $9.88 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.80 | $9.74 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.78 | $9.53 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.77 | $9.39 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.77 | $9.32 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.76 | $9.25 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.75 | $9.18 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.75 | $9.18 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.73 | $8.90 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.71 | $8.69 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.70 | $8.55 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.70 | $8.48 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.70 | $8.48 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.69 | $8.34 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.67 | $8.13 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.66 | $8.06 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.66 | $7.99 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.65 | $7.92 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $24.57/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
3W
$0.36 per month
$4.34 per year
Typical
8W
$0.95 per month
$11.56 per year
High draw
20W
$2.38 per month
$28.91 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Constant use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Disable photo frame/ambient mode screen — biggest draw source
Saves 30-50% of continuous watts
- 2
Use sleep/bedtime schedule to dim screen
Cuts nightly watts 50-70%
- 3
Lower screen brightness during the day
Saves 15-25%
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Echo Show 8 (2nd gen) | 8W |
| Nest Hub (2nd gen) | 5W | |
| Amazon | Echo Show 15 | 18W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13