Monitor Wattage Explained: How Many Watts Your Monitor Uses & How to Reduce It

Part 1: What Is Monitor Wattage & Why It Matters

Monitor wattage is the electrical power consumed (W). While often overlooked, the power usage of one or more monitors accumulates significantly in terms of **electricity costs and battery drain**. Higher wattage does not guarantee better performance; it is often driven by factors like panel type, peak brightness, and high refresh rates.

Part 2: Typical Wattage by Panel Type (2026 Standards)

Modern monitor consumption is primarily determined by the panel's backlight technology:

• LED (IPS/VA): Highly efficient, using **15–30W** for standard 24-inch models.
• OLED: Consumption varies widely; it uses less power with dark content but can exceed **60W** at max brightness due to high pixel drive requirements.
• Portable Monitors: Most draw **5W–10W** directly from the host laptop via USB-C, making them highly efficient but taxing on the laptop's battery.

Panel Type / Size	Average Power (W)	Primary Factor
Portable (15.6")	5W – 10W	Laptop USB Power Draw
Standard LED (24")	15W – 25W	Backlight Brightness
Gaming IPS (27" 144Hz)	35W – 55W	High Refresh Rate
4K OLED (32")	40W – 80W+	Brightness & Pixel Density

Part 3: Calculating Energy Cost

To estimate your monthly power cost, use this simple formula:

(Watts × Hours Per Day × Days Per Month × Local kWh Rate) ÷ 1000 = Monthly Cost

A simple check: A 30W monitor used 8 hours/day costs approximately $0.90 to $1.20 per month, depending on your local energy rates.

Part 4: Factors That Affect Monitor Power Usage

• Brightness: The single biggest factor. Reducing brightness from 100% to 50% can easily cut power draw by 30%.
• Refresh Rate & Resolution: 4K and 144Hz+ settings require more computing power and higher backlight, increasing consumption.
• Panel Type: OLED usage is content-dependent; dark themes use far less power than bright, all-white screens.

Part 5: How to Reduce Monitor Power Consumption (Actionable Tips)

Tips to save energy without compromising your remote work setup:

• Lower Brightness: Calibrate to 120 Nits (optimal for desk work) instead of maximum.
• Enable Eco Mode: Use your monitor's built-in power-saving settings.
• Use Power Strip: Manually shut off the power strip for zero standby draw overnight.
• For OLED Users: Switch to **Dark Mode** on your operating system.

Part 6: Power Consumption in Portable & Multi-Monitor Setups

Portable monitor usage introduces the factor of **laptop battery drain**. Most portable screens draw between 5W and 10W directly from the host laptop. This can reduce battery life by 15–30%.

Cevaton Solution: Look for monitors with **Passthrough Charging**. Models like the Cevaton S6 and Z2 allow you to plug your laptop charger into the monitor, which then powers both the monitor and the laptop, reducing clutter and ensuring stable voltage.

Part 7: FAQ: Power-Saving & Monitor Life

Q: Does a monitor use power when in standby mode?

A: Yes, minimal power (typically less than 1W) is still used to keep the circuitry active for wake-up signals.

Q: Can turning off a monitor save real money?

A: Yes. A 25W monitor left off for 8 hours/day will save you approximately $9 to $12 per year—money better spent on an upgrade!

Q: What causes screen flickering related to power?

A: Insufficient power supply (often from a weak USB-C port) causes the voltage to dip, leading to noticeable screen flickering or dimming.