How Much Electricity Does a 3D Printer Use?
Measured average power for Bambu Lab printers, what that costs per hour, per print and per month, and why it is far below the power supply rating.
By CalciTools · Published · 5 min read
Every number on this page is calculated with the same formulas as our calculators. How we build and check them
A modern desktop 3D printer uses about 80–110 W on average while printing PLA, according to Bambu Lab’s measurements. At the US average electricity price of about $0.18 per kWh, that is roughly $0.02 per hour — $0.11 for a 6-hour print.
Measured averages by printer
| Printer | Average while printing PLA | Per hour | Per 6-hour print |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab A1 mini | 80 W | $0.01 | $0.09 |
| Bambu Lab A1 | 95 W | $0.02 | $0.10 |
| Bambu Lab P1S | 105 W | $0.02 | $0.11 |
| Bambu Lab P1P | 110 W | $0.02 | $0.12 |
| Bambu Lab X1 / X1C | 105 W | $0.02 | $0.11 |
| Bambu Lab X1E | 185 W | $0.03 | $0.20 |
| Bambu Lab H2D | 197 W | $0.04 | $0.21 |
Bambu Lab’s published averages; costs at $0.18/kWh. Bambu Lab also lists standby draw of roughly 4–10 W for the A1, P1 and X1 models.
How to work out your own cost
Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh. For printers without published figures, plug the printer into an inexpensive energy meter for one typical print and divide the kWh by the print time. The 3D printer electricity cost calculator does the rest, including monthly and yearly totals — 25.2 kWh a month for a P1S printing 8 hours a day.
Where electricity fits in the total cost
For most PLA prints, electricity is the smallest cost — filament, printer wear and your own time are all larger. See how much it costs to 3D print something.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 3D printer use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 100 W, a desktop printer uses roughly as much as a bright incandescent bulb. Printing 8 hours a day every day costs about $4.54 a month at $0.18 per kWh.
Why does my printer’s power supply say 350 W or more?
The supply is sized for heating the bed and nozzle from cold, which takes a few minutes at high power. Once hot, the heaters cycle on and off, so the average is much lower.
Do ABS and ASA use more power than PLA?
Yes, because the bed and nozzle run hotter. Bambu Lab’s measurements show roughly 140–200 W for ABS on the P1S, X1C and A1, against about 95–105 W for PLA.
Sources
Estimates for planning. Results depend on the numbers you enter — use the gram, hour and ml figures from your slicer, and your real material and power prices. Material densities are typical values; check your spool or bottle datasheet for exact figures.