How Much Electricity Does a Microwave Use?

As an essential kitchen appliance, microwave ovens are the unsung heroes of many households, making it easy to defrost frozen meals, reheat leftovers, and more. But have you ever wondered how much power a microwave uses and how it impacts your electric bill?

In this quick guide, we’ll discuss typical microwave wattage, power consumption, and ways to save money on your monthly electric bill by improving your appliance’s energy efficiency.

Do microwaves use a lot of electricity?

That depends on the microwave in question. For example, commercial microwave ovens use more power than the smaller microwaves you’ll find in most homes. And, even with a standard microwave, energy consumption varies as a higher-wattage microwave will consume more electricity than lower-wattage models. Plus, total energy usage differs significantly between households. However, even though frequent microwave use can add up on your utility bill over time, the average microwave doesn’t use as much electrical energy as larger appliances like ranges and dishwashers.

How many watts does a microwave use?

The wattage of a microwave varies based on size and heating capacity. Here’s a generalized breakdown of average microwave wattage:

Compact microwaves: 600-800 watts
Standard microwaves: 800-1,200 watts
Commercial microwaves: 1,200+ watts

As with other appliances, microwave usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. To calculate total electricity usage and convert that to a dollar amount for monthly and yearly costs, you’ll need to run a quick calculation—which we’ll cover in the following sections. But, if you’d prefer to avoid the math, a good ballpark based on normal microwave wattage is around $0.20 per hour.

How to find your microwave wattage

The average wattage of a microwave is 800-1000. However, some models go as low as 600 and as high as 1700. If you’re unsure, you can determine the input wattage of your appliance using one of the following methods:

Check the user manual or manufacturer’s label (usually on the back or inside the door).
Use the “Time to Boil” method by microwaving 1 cup of water on high and noting the time it takes for the water to start bubbling:

Less than 2 minutes: Very high electricity consumption of 1000+ watts.
2½ minutes: High wattage level of 800-1000 watts.
3 minutes: Low microwave energy of 600-700 watts

Once you know how much energy your microwave uses, estimating the overall effect on your electricity bills is easier.

How much electricity does a microwave use?

Before we answer that definitively, let’s recap what we’ve learned and review a few frequently asked questions about microwave power consumption and cooking power:

How do microwaves heat food? They use electromagnetic radiation to heat the water molecules within food, causing them to vibrate and become hot.
How much energy does a microwave use in an average household? The average family-sized microwave consumes 700-1000 watts.
Are microwaves more or less energy-efficient than other kitchen appliances? They are usually more energy-efficient. For example, coffee machines, convection ovens, and dishwashers all use more watts.
How much does it cost to run a standard microwave? The precise figure depends on your electricity rate and your microwave’s power rating, but the average is around $0.20 per hour.

That’s the basics covered. But, how much power does a microwave use every week, month, or year in your in your home, specifically? Let’s examine annual microwave electricity flows in more detail to find out.

Average microwave power consumption per year

It’s easier to calculate weekly total energy figures first, then multiply by 52 to get your yearly costs. Here’s how it’s done.

To calculate how many kWh of electricity you use, multiply the relevant wattage for microwave use by the number of hours you use it, and divide by 1,000. Let’s say you use your 1000-watt microwave for around 2 hours per week. The calculation would be: 2000 ÷ 1,000 = 2 kWh.

To turn kWh into a dollar amount, simply multiply the total by the rate shown in the energy usage breakdown section of the monthly bill you receive from your utility provider. The average electricity rate in Texas is $0.15 per kWh. So, 2 kWh would equal around $0.30 per week, with an estimated yearly cost of $15.60.

Here’s a quick reference table to help you estimate yearly costs based on a 15c per kWh electricity rate.

Microwave Wattage	Hours per Week	Hours per Year	Annual Cost
600	1	52	$4.68
	1.5	78	$7.02
	2	104	$9.36
	2.5	130	$11.7
	3	156	$14.04
700	1	52	$5.46
	1.5	78	$8.19
	2	104	$10.92
	2.5	130	$13.65
	3	156	$16.38
800	1	52	$6.24
	1.5	78	$9.36
	2	104	$12.48
	2.5	130	$15.6
	3	156	$18.72
900	1	52	$7.02
	1.5	78	$10.53
	2	104	$14.04
	2.5	130	$17.55
	3	156	$21.06
1000	1	52	$7.8
	1.5	78	$11.7
	2	104	$15.6
	2.5	130	$19.5
	3	156	$23.4
1100	1	52	$8.58
	1.5	78	$12.87
	2	104	$17.16
	2.5	130	$21.45
	3	156	$25.74
1200	1	52	$9.36
	1.5	78	$14.04
	2	104	$18.72
	2.5	130	$23.4
	3	156	$28.08

Of course, these estimations only apply if you’re buying energy from the grid rather than using a solar generator. If your home is fitted with solar panels, even running a higher-wattage model could cost you nothing!

What to look for in an energy-efficient microwave

If you’re in the market for a new microwave oven, look for these energy-saving features to maximize efficiency:

ENERGY STAR certification: ENERGY STAR-rated appliances use less electricity than non-certified models.
Inverter technology: Inverter models use less energy by maintaining a steady power level to cook food gently and evenly.
Lower wattage: A larger microwave may cook faster. However, if you only need to heat small meals for 1-2 people, a 700-900-watt microwave might be all you need.
Eco mode: By turning off the display when the microwave is not in use, standby power consumption is reduced.
Sensor Cooking: Built-in sensors detect the moisture released from food and automatically adjust cooking power to ensure you only use more heating capacity when it’s really required.

These handy features will help you increase efficiency—even on powerful microwaves–without sacrificing convenience, cooking performance, or taste.

Tips for reducing your microwave’s electricity usage

If you’re not quite ready for a new microwave just yet, there are still some practical ways you can save money on your electric bill by reducing power consumption. Here are a few top tips and best practices:

Use the correct wattage: If your microwave allows you to adjust the wattage, choose a lower setting when you’re not in a rush or heating a smaller plate.
Cover food while heating: Using a microwave-safe lid traps moisture so your food cooks faster.
Don’t overcrowd the microwave: Leave adequate space between food items for proper heat distribution.
Cut food into smaller pieces: This allows for more even heating, equating to shorter cooking times.
Unplug when not in use: Every little helps! Unplugging your microwave when not in use can save 5-10 watts per year on standby power draw.

Implementing these tips will help you cut down on unnecessary energy use, lower your electricity costs, and extend the lifespan of your microwave.

Save on electricity plans with BKVE

Understanding how much power your microwave uses is a good step toward smarter electricity consumption. But why stop there? If you’re looking to make even bigger savings, switching to a more cost-effective energy plan could help save money—without changing your daily habits.

At BKVE, we believe you deserve a transparent, gimmick-free electricity plan that fits your household’s unique energy needs. Check out our popular Bluebonnet plan today, or enter your zip code to compare rates and find the best plan for your family.

Written by Graham Lumley

Graham Lumley is the Growth Product Manager at BKV Energy, a retail electricity provider in Texas' deregulated market, where he has worked since 2023. He analyzes customer usage and billing data, helps develop BKV's fixed-rate plans, and creates tools to simplify Texas electricity shopping. He has written over 200 articles on Texas electricity rates, delivery charges, plan types, energy generation, and more to help Texans understand their bills and pay less. With over 10 years of experience in consumer products, marketing, and energy, he explains the Texas electricity market in plain language.