A typical 3D printer uses between 100 and 300 watts while printing, which costs roughly $0.01 to $0.03 per hour to run
The actual power draw depends on three things: the printer's size, what it's printing, and how hot it needs to get. A small resin printer might use 50 watts. A large industrial FDM printer could hit 500 watts. Most hobbyist machines — the kind people buy for home use — fall in the middle range and draw somewhere between 150 and 250 watts during active printing.
To put that in perspective: a 3D printer uses less electricity than a microwave (which pulls 600 to 1000 watts) but more than a laptop (which typically uses 30 to 100 watts). If you run a 200-watt printer for 10 hours a week, you're adding roughly $2 to $3 to your monthly electricity bill, assuming an average US rate of about $0.13 per kilowatt-hour. That varies by region — California and Hawaii pay more, while Louisiana and Oklahoma pay less.
Key Takeaways
- Most home 3D printers draw between 100 and 300 watts while actively printing, which costs less than $0.03 per hour to run.
- The printer's size, the material it uses, and the temperature it needs to reach all affect power consumption — resin printers typically use less than FDM machines.
- A printer left idle or in standby mode still draws 5 to 20 watts, so turning it off completely saves more money than leaving it plugged in.
- Your actual cost depends on your local electricity rate, which you can find on your utility bill or the utility company's website.
How to measure your printer's actual power use
The easiest way to know what your printer draws is to use a plug-in power meter — a device you plug into the wall outlet, then plug the printer into the meter. They cost $15 to $40 and show you real-time watts and total kilowatt-hours used. Brands like Kill-A-Watt and P3 are common and widely available.
Plug in the meter, run a normal print job, and watch the wattage. You'll see it spike when the printer heats up, then settle into a steady draw while printing. Note the peak and the average — the peak tells you whether your outlet can handle it safely, and the average is what you use to calculate monthly cost.
If you don't want to buy a meter, check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's spec sheet. Look for "power consumption" or "rated power." The number listed is usually the maximum draw, not the average, so your actual use will be somewhat lower.
Why FDM and resin printers use different amounts of power
FDM printers (the kind that melt plastic filament) need to heat the nozzle to 200–250°C and often heat the bed to 60–100°C. That heating is the biggest power draw. A typical FDM printer uses 150 to 300 watts while printing because it's constantly maintaining those temperatures.
Resin printers use a UV light source to cure liquid resin, and they don't need to heat anything. A resin printer typically draws 50 to 150 watts — less than half what an FDM machine uses. The trade-off is that resin printers require more ventilation and produce fumes, so they're less convenient for home use even though they're cheaper to run electrically.
Larger machines of either type use more power because they have bigger heating elements or more powerful light sources. A large industrial FDM printer might draw 400 to 500 watts, while a small desktop resin printer might use only 40 to 60 watts.
Idle and standby power — the hidden cost
Most 3D printers don't turn completely off when you're not printing. They stay in standby mode, keeping the bed warm or the electronics powered, and draw 5 to 20 watts continuously. If your printer is plugged in 24/7, that idle power adds up.
A printer drawing 10 watts in standby for a full month uses about 7.2 kilowatt-hours, which costs roughly $0.90 at average US rates. Over a year, that's about $11. If you print only a few hours a week, the idle cost might actually exceed the printing cost. Turning the printer off completely when you're not using it for several hours saves that power.
Some newer printers have a true power-off mode or can be controlled by a smart plug, which lets you cut standby power entirely. If your printer doesn't have that, a basic smart outlet ($10 to $20) lets you turn it off remotely or on a schedule.
Calculating your monthly electricity cost
To estimate what your printer costs to run, you need three numbers: the power draw in watts, the hours you print per month, and your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour.
Find your rate on your electricity bill — it's usually listed as "price per kWh" or "rate." If you can't find it, call your utility company or check their website. Then use this formula: (watts ÷ 1000) × hours per month × rate per kWh = monthly cost.
Example: a 200-watt printer running 40 hours a month in an area with a $0.12 per kWh rate costs (200 ÷ 1000) × 40 × 0.12 = $0.96 per month. Add idle power if the printer is plugged in when not in use: 10 watts × 720 hours (30 days) ÷ 1000 × 0.12 = $0.86, bringing the total to about $1.82.
Comparing 3D printer power use to other devices
| Device | Typical Power Draw | Cost per Hour (at $0.13/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Small resin printer | 50–100 watts | $0.007–$0.013 |
| Hobbyist FDM printer | 150–250 watts | $0.020–$0.033 |
| Large FDM printer | 300–500 watts | $0.039–$0.065 |
| Microwave oven | 600–1000 watts | $0.078–$0.130 |
| Space heater | 750–1500 watts | $0.098–$0.195 |
| Laptop computer | 30–100 watts | $0.004–$0.013 |
Ways to reduce your printer's electricity use
If you want to lower the cost, the most effective step is to turn off the printer completely when you're not using it. Unplugging it or using a smart outlet to cut power entirely eliminates standby draw, which can be 10 to 20 percent of total monthly use for a printer that runs only a few hours a week.
You can also reduce printing time by optimizing your models — smaller prints, fewer support structures, and faster print speeds all mean less time the heater is running. Some printers let you lower the bed temperature slightly without affecting print quality, which saves power. Resin printers are inherently more efficient than FDM if you're considering a new machine.
Grouping prints together so you run longer sessions rather than many short ones is slightly more efficient because the printer spends less time heating up and cooling down. The difference is small — maybe 5 to 10 percent — but it adds up if you print frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 3D printer use a lot of electricity compared to other home devices?
No. A 3D printer uses less power than a microwave, space heater, or air conditioner. It's roughly equivalent to a laptop or a few LED light bulbs. Unless you're running it 24/7, it won't noticeably increase your electricity bill.
How much does it cost to run a 3D printer for 8 hours?
At average US rates, an 8-hour print on a typical 200-watt FDM printer costs about $0.21. A resin printer drawing 100 watts would cost about $0.10. Exact cost depends on your local electricity rate and the printer's actual power draw.
Should I unplug my 3D printer when I'm not using it?
Yes, if you're not printing for several hours. Unplugging it or using a smart outlet to cut power saves the 5 to 20 watts it draws in standby mode. If you print daily, the convenience of leaving it plugged in probably outweighs the small cost of idle power.
Why does my printer use more power than the manual says?
The manual lists peak power draw, not average. Your printer uses less power during printing than during the initial heat-up phase. Also, older printers and those with worn heating elements may draw more power than newer models. A power meter will show you the real average.
Is a resin printer cheaper to run than an FDM printer?
Yes, resin printers typically use 50 to 150 watts versus 150 to 300 watts for FDM machines, so they cost less per hour to run. However, resin requires ventilation and produces fumes, which may add other costs like a fume extractor or dedicated space.