entertainment · 10W typical
Running a record player / turntable costs about $0.05/month.
That's the typical record player / turntable at 10W, run 1 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 1 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same record player / turntable can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
listening session
$0.05
per month
1 hour per day averaged
Where you live
$0.09 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¢ | $0.12 | $1.50 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.09 | $1.15 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.09 | $1.12 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.09 | $1.05 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.08 | $1.02 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.07 | $0.90 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.07 | $0.89 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.07 | $0.81 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.07 | $0.81 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.06 | $0.78 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.06 | $0.70 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.06 | $0.70 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.06 | $0.67 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.05 | $0.66 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.05 | $0.65 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.05 | $0.64 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.63 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.05 | $0.62 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.05 | $0.61 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.05 | $0.59 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.05 | $0.58 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.05 | $0.57 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.05 | $0.57 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.05 | $0.56 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.05 | $0.55 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.54 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.04 | $0.53 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.52 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.04 | $0.50 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.04 | $0.49 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.04 | $0.49 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.48 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.04 | $0.46 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.04 | $0.45 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.04 | $0.45 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.44 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.04 | $0.44 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.04 | $0.43 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.03 | $0.42 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.03 | $0.41 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $1.57/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
4W
$0.02 per month
$0.24 per year
Typical
10W
$0.05 per month
$0.60 per year
High draw
30W
$0.15 per month
$1.81 per year
When it hits hardest
year-round peak
Steady hobby use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Unplug when not in use — some draw 1-2W standby
Saves 5-10 kWh/year
- 2
Use a smart plug with the amplifier chain
Whole stack shares one kill switch
- 3
Wet cleaning records prevents re-plays from skips
Avoids wasted amp watts
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica | AT-LP120XUSB | 7W |
| Crosley | C100 | 5W |
| Pro-Ject | Debut Carbon EVO | 5W |
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