The purchase price is always a major consideration when it comes to buying a new laptop. But what about the ongoing running costs? It might not be something we often think about, but charging a laptop uses electricity, and electricity costs money – but how much exactly?
Canstar Blue seeks to answer that question in this guide. We look at some leading laptop models, break down how much electricity they require to charge, and explain what this adds to your electricity bill.
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How much does it cost to charge my laptop?
According to Canstar Blue data, completely charging a laptop will cost around 1 to 3 cents in electricity usage, depending on the size of the specific laptop’s battery, as well as your electricity usage rate. Small laptops, such as notebooks, generally have a 40-50Wh battery capacity, costing 1.5 to 2 cents to charge. On the other hand, larger laptops with greater processing power requirements, or HD displays, often have batteries in excess of 70Wh, costing upward of 2.5 cents to fully charge.
The below table lists the battery capacity and associated charging costs of popular laptops. We have calculated this data for single charging sessions to 100% charge, as well as for the total annual charging costs.
Laptop charging costs by model
| Laptop Model | Battery Capacity (Watt-hours) | Cost to 100% charge | Annual charging costs |
| Apple 13 M1 Macbook Air (2020) | 49.9 Wh | 1.83c | $6.68 |
| Apple 15.3″ M2 Macbook Air (2023) | 66.5 Wh | 2.44c | $8.91 |
| Apple 16″ M2 Macbook Pro (2023) | 100 Wh | 3.67c | $13.40 |
| Dell XPS 13 | 51 Wh | 1.87c | $6.83 |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i | 71 Wh | 2.60c | $9.49 |
| Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 11 | 57 Wh | 2.09c | $7.63 |
| HP HP 14 | 41 Wh | 1.50c | $5.48 |
| HP Pavilion x360 | 43 Wh | 1.58c | $5.77 |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ | 46 Wh | 1.69c | $6.17 |
| Asus Zenbook 15 | 67 Wh | 2.46c | $8.98 |
| Asus ROG Strix G713 | 90 Wh | 3.30c | $12.05 |
| Razer Razer Blade 16 | 95.2 Wh | 3.49c | $12.74 |
Source: www.canstarblue.com.au – 05/09/2023. Based on a sample of laptop models. Average electricity usage rates are based on single-rate, non-solar only plans on Canstar’s database, available for an annual usage of 4,347kWh. Electricity usage cost estimates based on the average electricity usage rate of 33c/kWh. Assumes a 90% laptop charging efficiency. Annual charging costs based on laptop being charged from 0% to 100% everyday.
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Unlimited NBN 100 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 50 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 25 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 25 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 12 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
What affects a laptop battery’s life?
If you find your laptop’s charge is draining quicker than it should be, it could be due to one of the following factors:
- Stress: The harder your laptop has to work, the more electricity it consumes. Activities such as streaming TV content and playing video games are particularly notorious for chewing through a laptop’s battery charge.
- Battery condition: Lithium batteries deteriorate over time meaning its maximum storage capacity falls with age.
- Temperature: Extreme temperature can accelerate charge loss and capacity deterioration. Avoid leaving laptops in hot cars or directly in the sun.
- Aging components: Depending on the type of laptop and your computer savviness, upgrading your components may reduce your laptops overall demand for electricity. Adding more RAM or upgrading to an SSD may make it a lot easier for your laptop to pull stored data which can help to reduce its power usage.
Remember, the more frequently your laptop battery needs charging, the more you will spend on electricity to charge it. If your laptop battery is only lasting a few hours and needs to be recharged repeatedly throughout the day, you may find yourself spending a lot more on electricity in the long run.
Worried about rising power bills? See if you are missing out on a better deal with one of theses cheap plans
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3911kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4613kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer’s website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Can I still use my laptop while it’s charging?
Provided your laptop or charger is in reasonable condition, you will still be able to charge your laptop while using it, albeit at a slower rate. If you’re using your laptop while it’s on charge, it will continue to charge as usual, the only difference is that some of this charge is now being immediately used. This means it will cost you more in electricity and take longer to charge.
Picture credits: G-Stock Studio/shutterstock.com
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