TechCompare LogoTechCompare
Showing centimeters. Press to switch to inches.Showing inches. Press to switch to centimeters.

How much does a Wi-Fi router cost to run 24/7? Yearly power cost

By TechCompare · Updated · How we check

A router averaging 6 W costs about $9.46 a year at $0.18/kWh and about €15.77 at €0.30/kWh. AVM's 5 to 7 W range spans $3.15 a year.

A Wi-Fi 6 router like the AVM FRITZ!Box 4050 averages 5 to 7 W, according to the maker. This page uses the middle of that range, 6 W. Running all year, that's 52.6 kWh, which costs $9.46 at $0.18/kWh, or $0.79 a month.

The table below prices 6 W at three dollar rates and three euro rates.

Yearly cost at six example rates, for 52.6 kWh a year

Example rateYearly costMonthly cost
$0.12 per kWh$6.31$0.53
$0.18 per kWh$9.46$0.79
$0.30 per kWh$15.77$1.31
€0.20 per kWh€10.51€0.88
€0.30 per kWh€15.77€1.31
€0.40 per kWh€21.02€1.75

Your own rate will differ. Open this scenario in euros and type the price from your bill.

Annual cost
$9.46
At $0.18/kWh, or €15.77 at €0.30/kWh
Monthly cost
$0.79
24 h/day at 100% load
Annual consumption
53 kWh
6 W load baseline
This exact 6 W at 24 h/day scenario, pre-loaded. Change the load, price, or add a second device to compare.
Edit in the full tool

How this is calculated

AVM's FRITZ!Box 4050 specifications list an average power consumption of 5 to 7 W for this Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) router. At the low end that's $7.88 a year at $0.18/kWh, and at the high end it's $11.04. AVM doesn't say how it measured the average, so this page takes the middle of the range.

A router is a device that never sleeps, so the hours are 24 and the average goes in at 100% utilization. A modem, a fiber ONT, mesh nodes and switches are separate devices with their own draw, and each needs its own measurement. Other router models differ, so use the maker's figure for yours if it lists one.

Verdict

A router costs about $9 a year to leave on at $0.18/kWh, and about €16 at €0.30/kWh. Most homes keep it on, because every other device loses its connection when it's off.

Switching it off for 8 hours every night would save about $3.15 a year at $0.18/kWh. Backups, cameras and smart home devices that work overnight would stop with it.

More Always on scenarios

500 W gaming PC, 4 h/day
This example uses a hypothetical 500 W wall-load baseline at 80%, giving 400 W average draw during four daily gaming hours.
View details
850 W gaming PC, 4 h/day
This example assumes an 850 W wall-load baseline at 80%, or 680 W average draw, for four hours daily.
View details
1200 W workstation, 8 h/day
This example uses a 1200 W wall-load baseline at 80%, giving 960 W average draw over eight daily hours.
View details

Related guides

Monitor left on 24/7 power cost
Another small device that's easy to forget about.
View guide
PS5 in rest mode power cost
Standby draw on a game console.
View guide

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run a Wi-Fi router 24/7?
At 6 W it costs $9.46 a year at $0.18/kWh. AVM's range of 5 to 7 W gives $7.88 to $11.04 for the same year.
Is it worth turning the router off at night?
Rarely. Eight hours off every night saves 17.5 kWh a year, worth $3.15 at $0.18/kWh. Anything that needs the network overnight stops working, and the router has to restart in the morning.
What does a Wi-Fi router cost per year in euros?
At 6 W it costs €10.51 a year at €0.20/kWh, €15.77 at €0.30/kWh and €21.02 at €0.40/kWh. Use the euro link under the table to enter the price from your bill.

Related tools

Memory and Storage Throughput Visualizer

Visualize the large speed gap between CPU cache, RAM, and storage.

Use tool

RAM Latency Calculator

Convert DDR3/DDR4/DDR5 timings (CL, tRCD, tRP, tRAS) into true latency in nanoseconds.

Use tool

RAID Calculator

Calculate usable capacity and fault tolerance for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10.

Use tool

Data Transfer Calculator

Estimate transfer times for files over USB, WiFi, Ethernet, and more.

Use tool