Wi-Fi Router & Modem Power Use: Watts, Cost per Year
Your internet gear runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Fortunately, these silent workers are highly efficient. Here's exactly how much power your router and modem use.
The Low-Power Profile of Internet Gear
Unlike appliances that generate heat or use large motors, networking equipment like modems, Wi-Fi routers, and network switches rely entirely on low-voltage solid-state electronics. Consequently, they consume very little power.
On average, a standard Wi-Fi router consumes between 5 and 15 watts of power. A standalone cable or fiber modem consumes roughly 5 to 10 watts. If you have a combination modem/router unit (often provided by ISPs), it generally draws between 10 and 20 watts.
Factors That Affect Router Wattage
While the baseline power is low, several features can push your router toward the higher end of the spectrum (15W - 25W):
- Wi-Fi Standard: Modern Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 6E routers have more powerful processors and multiple radios, drawing slightly more power than older Wi-Fi 5 models.
- Mesh Systems: If you use a mesh network (e.g., Google Nest Wi-Fi, Eero), you must multiply the power draw by the number of nodes. Three nodes drawing 7W each equals 21W total.
- Wired Connections: Active Ethernet ports, especially if providing Power over Ethernet (PoE) to cameras or access points, will significantly increase total wattage.
Calculating the Annual Cost
Because networking gear runs constantly, calculating the yearly cost is straightforward. Let's assume a standard combo modem/router using a continuous 12 watts, and a national average electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh.
12 Watts × 24 hours = 288 Watt-hours / day
288 Wh × 365 days = 105,120 Wh / year = 105.1 kWh / year
Cost = 105.1 kWh × $0.15 = $15.76 per year.
That breaks down to just over $1.30 per month. Turning your router off at night to save electricity is generally not worth the inconvenience of waiting for the network to reboot every morning, nor the potential disruption to overnight device updates and smart home functions.
Comparison Table: Networking Gear
| Device Type | Typical Wattage | Annual kWh | Annual Cost (at $0.15/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Cable Modem | 6W | 52.5 kWh | $7.88 |
| Standard Wi-Fi 5 Router | 8W | 70.1 kWh | $10.51 |
| High-End Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router | 18W | 157.6 kWh | $23.64 |
| Mesh Network (3 Nodes) | 21W (7W x 3) | 183.9 kWh | $27.58 |
Backing Up Your Network During Power Outages
Because routers use such little power, they are incredibly easy to keep online during blackouts. A small UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) rated at 400VA to 600VA can keep a 12W modem/router combo running for 2 to 4 hours. A larger portable power station (like a 500Wh Jackery or EcoFlow) could easily power your internet for over 30 hours.