How much electricity a coffee maker uses varies based on the type and size. Drip coffee makers typically use between 550 and 1200 watts. Single-serve pod coffee makers (like Keurig or Nespresso) use 900 to 1500 watts of power. An automatic espresso machine uses up to 1500 watts.
Make yourself a cuppa and settle in to read more about how much power your cup of joe takes.
HINT: Wattage matters a lot less than the amount of time you use the device, when it comes to total cost and total electricity use. Find out more about watts vs. kWh in our article on that topic.
How Many Watts Does a Drip Coffee Maker Use?
Drip coffee makers are popular for their ease of use and efficiency, especially if you’re making coffee for a crowd. Wattage ranges between 500 and 1200 watts, depending on the cup capacity and power of the heating element.
A large 8-12 cup coffee maker uses 750-1200 watts and will typically shut off after 2 hours of warming. That means on average each pot of coffee will use around 2.4 kWh. Used daily, your coffee maker will use around 72 kWh per month, costing you around $10.08 monthly (assuming 14¢ per kWh). That’s way more affordable than the daily run to the corner shop.
Appliance: Drip Coffee Maker
Number of Watts: 1200 watts
Hours used per day: 2 hours (including time on the warmer)
1200 watts X 2 hours = 2,400 watt-hours per day
2,400 watt-hours per day / 1000 = 2.4 kWh per day
2.4 kWh per day * 30 days in a month = 72 kWh per month
How Many Watts Does a Keurig Use?
You can use less electricity for your favorite beverage if you use a single-serve brewer (like Keurig or Nespresso) and shut it off after each use. These machines use 900-1500 watts of power. But more wattage doesn’t mean more money.
Let assume you make 2 cups of coffee a day in your 1500 watt Keurig and it takes 5 minutes each time. Your single-serve pod coffee maker will use just 7.5 kWh a month, costing (assuming a rate of 14¢/kWh) just $1.05 per month.
Appliance: Kuerig Coffee Maker
Number of watts: 1500 watts
Hours used per day: 10 minutes (.167 hours)
1500 watts X .167 hours = 250 watt-hours per day
250 watt-hours per day / 1000 = .25 kWh per day
.25 kWh per day * 30 days in a month = 7.5 kWh a month.
How Many Watts Does an Espresso Machine Use?
Espresso machines require higher wattage to quickly heat water for their concentrated coffee extraction. A typical espresso machine uses 1000 to 1500 watts.
But, as with your single serve pod coffee maker, you’re using the machine for a limited amount of time. Electricity usage for an espresso machine is similar to that of a Keurig, around 7.5 kWh a month if you make 2 cups of espresso a day.
How to Calculate Electricity Usage for a Coffee Maker
Now that we’ve shown you the math on wattage, use this energy calculator tool to see just how much electricity your favorite java maker uses.
Calculate electricity usage for your appliances.
| Wattage | |
| Hours Used Daily | |
| Energy Rate (¢/kWh) |
Your energy usage and cost for this appliance is :
| Usage | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Usage | ||
| Monthly Usage | ||
| Annual Usage |
You may not even have to calculate the electricity usage for your coffee maker. Look for the power information label, typically found on the box or on a label attached to the cord. This may tell you the average operating cost for your unit.
Find out more about how much electricity your appliances use in our article on that topic.
>You can learn more about America’s caffeine habits in this EnergyStar report.
