How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use and Why It Matters

Wondering how many watts does a laptop use? Whether you're trying to charge it more efficiently, cut down on electricity costs, or figure out how much power your setup really needs, it's a smart question to ask.

Of course, laptop power usage isn't one-size-fits-all. It depends on things like the model, how you use it, and even what you've got running in the background. In this guide, you'll get a clear idea of how much energy your laptop actually uses, what factors affect it, how that translates to cost, and a few simple ways you can cut down on unnecessary power use.

How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use?

Most laptops today sit in one of two camps: everyday ultra portables that sip power, and compact gaming rigs that guzzle considerably more.

Everyday ultra portables

Everyday laptops—like a MacBook Air, Dell XPS 13, or Lenovo ThinkPad—typically use anywhere from 5 to 20 watts during normal use. That's about the same draw as a bright LED lightbulb.

Even when you're pushing them a bit harder, like doing a full-tilt compile or 4K export, they usually stay under 40-50 watts. That's why they come with compact chargers rated between 30 to 65 watts, which is more than enough for day-to-day tasks.

Gaming rigs

Now, if you are wondering, how many watts does a gaming laptop use, the answer is much higher. Gaming laptops, like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus series, often include dedicated graphics cards, high-refresh-rate displays, and powerful processors.

These machines often pull 60 to 120 watts during gaming or demanding creative work, and can briefly spike over 150 watts before the fans spin down. As a result, they ship with larger power adapters, usually rated between 180 and 240 watts, to handle those peak loads without breaking a sweat.

Power snapshot of popular laptop models

To give you a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of how much power some popular laptop models use in real-world situations, along with their charger wattage:

Laptop model (2023-24)	Idle / light	Typical workload*	Peak / burst	Charger
Apple MacBook Air M2 13"	3 - 5W	8 - 10W	≈ 20W	30W
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3 Pro)	11 - 13W	24 - 30W	≈ 45W	96W
Dell XPS 13 9310	6 - 9W	32 - 40W	≈ 48W	45W
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11	7 - 8W	40 - 45W	≈ 66W	65W
HP Spectre x360 14	6 - 11W	~ 39W	≈ 69W	65W
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (RTX 4070)	7 - 9W	~ 75W	≈ 161W	180W

*Typical workload includes office tasks, several open browser tabs, and a video call, all while plugged in.

Factors Influencing Laptop Power Usage

So, why do some laptops use just a few watts while others can draw over 150W? Here are the key factors that affect how much power your laptop actually uses:

Processor and graphics hardware

The more powerful the CPU and GPU, the more electricity your laptop needs. High-performance chips (like Intel H-series or laptops with discrete graphics cards) naturally draw more power, especially when they're working at full speed.

Display size, resolution, and brightness

A bigger screen (17-inch) or a higher resolution (like 4K) consumes more power, especially when brightness is turned up. OLED panels also tend to draw a bit more than traditional LCDs at similar brightness levels.

What you're doing on it

The task at hand makes a big difference. Light browsing or writing emails won't demand much from your system. But if you're editing video, gaming, or running simulations, power usage can spike dramatically.

Power settings and performance modes

Most laptops let you switch between performance, balanced, and power-saving modes. Choosing a more efficient setting can noticeably reduce how much power your system draws, especially during light use.

Connected devices and accessories

Plug in an external hard drive, USB-C hub, or even charge your phone through your laptop—and your power draw goes up. Hooking up an external monitor, especially a high-res one, can also increase GPU activity.

Battery charging status

When your battery isn't full, your laptop uses extra power to charge it. This adds around 5 to 15 watts on top of whatever the laptop is using to run your apps.

Temperature and efficiency losses

Hot environments make your laptop's cooling system work harder. Over time, aging batteries and less efficient components can also lead to higher power consumption overall.

How Much Does It Cost to Power A Laptop?

Powering a laptop doesn't cost much, usually just a few dollars a year. But if you're using a high-powered machine for gaming, editing, or leaving it plugged in around the clock, the numbers can start to add up.

Here's a simple formula to estimate your cost:

Cost = (Watts ÷ 1,000) × Hours of use × Your electricity rate

Let's break it down with a couple of examples:

• If you use a lightweight laptop that pulls around 30 watts for 8 hours a day, that adds up to about 87.6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. At an average 2025 U.S. electricity rate of 16.8¢ per kWh, that's roughly $14.70 per year.
• On the other hand, a gaming laptop that uses 100 watts during gameplay for about 3 hours a day comes out to roughly 110 kWh a year. At the same rate, that's around $18.50 annually.

Even heavy users rarely break the $30-a-year mark, unless the laptop is a true desktop replacement that idles above 30W, or electricity prices are unusually high.

And what about chargers that are always plugged in? Most newer USB-C or GaN laptop chargers barely draw any power when they're not in use, often less than 1 watt. Older barrel-style chargers might draw 3-4 watts when idle, but even then, the cost adds up to just a few cents a month.

Tips to Reduce Laptop Power Consumption

If you want to save energy or just squeeze more out of your battery, there are plenty of small adjustments you can make that add up over time. Here are some of the most effective ones:

Turn down the screen brightness.

Your display is often one of the biggest power draw, especially when you're not doing much else. Dimming it just a bit can instantly lower energy use.

You can also enable auto-brightness or adaptive brightness, which adjusts based on your surroundings.

Switch to power-saving modes.

Whether you're using Windows, macOS, or Linux, most systems let you pick a lower-power mode. These cut background activity and reduce how aggressively your processor boosts, without making your laptop feel sluggish for everyday tasks.

Close apps you're not using.

Even idle apps like open browser tabs or paused games can prevent your system from entering low-power states. If you're not using them, close them down.

Be mindful of accessories.

Peripherals like external hard drives, USB hubs, and your phone (if it's charging) all add to your laptop's power draw. External monitors, especially 4K displays, can bump things up even more.

Unplugging these peripherals when they are not needed can reduce unnecessary energy consumption over time.

Charge smart.

Keeping your battery somewhere in the 20%-80% "green zone" limits the chemical stress that shortens lithium-ion life and avoids the energy waste that happens when your system hovers at 100%. Once your battery's topped up, unplugging it can cut down the extra 5-15 watts often used to maintain full charge.

Using a modern GaN (gallium nitride) charger makes this even more efficient. GaN chargers convert power more effectively than older silicon-based ones, staying cooler and drawing less idle power. They're also more compact and travel-friendly.

A single, well-chosen pick is the Anker Laptop Charger (140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1) with USB-C Cable. It supports the latest USB Power Delivery 3.1 standard, meaning either of its top USB-C ports can deliver a full 140 watts—enough to charge even power-hungry laptops like a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

With three USB-C ports and one USB-A, it can handle your laptop, phone, and other gear at the same time. Power is intelligently distributed so each device gets what it needs, no micromanaging required.

It also includes a small display that shows real-time wattage and temperature, which makes it easier to spot when your laptop's dropped to low-power trickle charging—so you know when it's a good time to unplug. Despite all that power, the charger is compact (about 2.7 inch per side) and lightweight, with a foldable plug for easy packing.

Keep it cool.

Heat makes your components work harder. Make sure your laptop's vents aren't blocked and try to use it on a hard, flat surface to help airflow.

Schedule heavy tasks for off-peak hours.

If your utility offers a Time-of-Use (TOU) plan, simply plugging in, rendering videos, or scheduling big downloads after 10 p.m. can cut the rate in half.

Southern California Edison, for example, lists "super off-peak" prices on its latest TOU-D plans.

Keep your software up to date.

Software updates often include performance and power efficiency improvements. Keeping your operating system and drivers up to date ensures your laptop runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible, preventing unnecessary power draw caused by outdated code or bugs.

Conclusion

So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer depends on what you're using and how you use it—but now you've got a solid idea of what to expect. Whether you're trying to save energy, manage costs, or just be more efficient, small changes like adjusting settings, using the right charger, and paying attention to your usage can make a real difference.

Laptops are already among the most power-efficient devices we use, so with a little awareness, you can keep yours running smarter, longer, and greener.

FAQs

How much power does a laptop use when plugged in?

When plugged in, a typical laptop consumes between 30 to 90 watts, depending on its size and performance level. For instance, a standard 14-15-inch laptop usually uses around 60 watts during regular use. However, power consumption can increase during activities like charging the battery or running intensive applications. High-performance or gaming laptops may draw more power, especially under heavy workloads.

Is 200 watts a lot for a laptop?

Yes, 200 watts is considered high for a laptop. This level of power draw is usually found in gaming laptops or high-performance workstations under full load. Most standard laptops rarely exceed 70 watts during normal use. If your device consistently uses around 200 watts, make sure it has proper ventilation and use a charger designed for that output.

How many watts does a 17-inch laptop use?

A 17-inch laptop generally consumes more power than smaller models due to its larger screen and often more robust components. On average, these laptops use around 70 to 90 watts during typical use. If it's a gaming or high-performance model, power consumption can be higher, especially under heavy workloads.

How many watts does a laptop use in 8 hours?

The total energy consumption over 8 hours depends on the laptop's power usage:

• Standard laptop (50 watts): 50 watts × 8 hours = 400 watt-hours (0.4 kWh)
• High-performance laptop (100 watts): 100 watts × 8 hours = 800 watt-hours (0.8 kWh)

At an average electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh, running a standard laptop for 8 hours would cost about 6 cents, while a high-performance laptop would cost around 12 cents.