Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026
How much does a hair dryer cost to run?
About $1.49 a month
for a 1,600 W hair dryer used 10 minutes a day in No match. Pick "Another country" to type your own price. , at 18.31 cents per kWh.
Type your electricity price to see the cost.
- Draws while on
- 1,600 W
- Costs per hour
- $0.29
- Needs at start-up
- about 1,900 W
A hair dryer is one of the most power-hungry things most people plug in at home: the watts on its label, often 1,600 W or more, are what it draws on full heat. It's only on for minutes, though, so the monthly cost stays small. If you're on generator or solar power, that high draw is the thing to plan for.
Work out your own hair dryer
Draws about 1,600 W
Look on the label or plug for a number followed by W.
What it costs in other countries
For a 1,600 W hair dryer used 10 minutes a day, at each country's official average electricity price.
| Country | Price per kWh | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 18.31 cents | $1.49 | $18 |
| United Kingdom | 26.32 pence | £2.13 | £26 |
| Germany | 36.18 cents | €2.93 | €35 |
| Ireland | 38.71 cents | €3.14 | €38 |
| France | 24.85 cents | €2.02 | €24 |
| Spain | 25.09 cents | €2.04 | €24 |
| Italy | 31.42 cents | €2.55 | €31 |
| Netherlands | 24.40 cents | €1.98 | €24 |
Prices from the U.S. EIA, Ofgem and Eurostat; see Sources below. To see another country, pick it at the top of the page; we cover 51.
How to cut the cost of running your hair dryer
-
Dry for five minutes less
Towel-drying first cuts the time on full heat. For a 1,600 W dryer used every day, five minutes less adds up over a year.
Saves about $8.92 a year
-
Use a cooler setting near the end
Cool settings draw far less than full heat.
Savings use the electricity price you set above and figures from this page's sources.
What can power it
For a generator, Honda's guide suggests allowing about 1,800 W running and 1,900 W at start-up for a 1,600 W hair dryer, a little above its label to leave a margin. A power station needs a continuous output above the hair dryer's rating.
Common questions
How many watts does a hair dryer use?
About the figure on its label while it's on full heat, often 1,600 W or more. For generator sizing, Honda's guide suggests allowing about 1,800 W running and 1,900 W at start-up for a 1,600 W model, which leaves a margin.
How much does it cost to run a hair dryer per hour?
About $0.29 an hour in the United States, at the average price of 18.31 cents per kWh, or about £0.42 in the UK at 26.32 pence, for a 1,600 W hair dryer drawing 1,600 W.
Sources
- Honda Power Equipment, generator wattage estimation guide
- Eurostat, Electricity prices for household consumers (nrg_pc_204): consumption band 2,500–4,999 kWh, all taxes and levies included, January–June 2026 (updated 13 October 2026)
- Ofgem energy price cap: average Direct Debit electricity unit rate, England, Scotland and Wales, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electricity Monthly Update: average residential price, July 2026 (released 24 September 2026)
Last checked 15 October 2026. How we get our numbers.