How many amps and watts do household appliances use?
The domestic appliance power ratings shown below are indicative only. We've used the highest that we could find for popular household appliances.
Electrical power is measured in watts, W, a unit of power. Electrical current is measured in amps, A, the rate at which it flows.
Ratings of commonly used household appliances
| Domestic Portable Appliance | Amps Used | Watts Used | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Laptop |
<0.5 |
Up to 100 |
|
|
Mobile phone charger |
<0.5 |
Up to 75 |
Since the introduction of USB 3 these devices are now typically 20W but can be as high as 75W for multiple fast charging |
|
Chargers for battery operated devices |
<0.5 |
Up to 75 |
Wide range of devices ranging from 7W for simple usb powered chargers to 75W for multiple charging devices |
|
Battery chargers for tools |
1.5 |
Up to 350 |
Typically, 50-350W the faster the charger the higher the power |
|
Electric blanket |
Up to 1.3 |
Up to 300 |
Typically, 90-300W. Double controller types are generally higher powered |
|
Fridge (under counter type) |
0.75 |
100 |
|
|
Freezer |
0.75 |
100 |
Applies to upright and domestic chest type freezers generally the larger the freezer the higher the power |
|
Mini Fridge |
0.5 |
100 |
|
|
Fridge Freezer (Standard) |
1.5 |
150 |
|
|
American Style Fridge Freezer |
2.5 |
250 |
|
|
Kettle |
Up to 13 |
Up to 3000 |
Typically, 2200 – 3000W |
|
Satellite TV box/ Streaming devices |
<0.5 |
30 |
|
|
Printer |
<0.5 |
50 |
|
|
Radio |
<0.5 |
15 |
|
|
Radiator or Fan Heater |
Up to 13 |
Up to 3000 |
Typically, 2000 – 3000W |
|
Desk lamp (with 60 W lamp) |
<0.5 |
60 |
|
|
Desk lamp (with LED lamp) |
<0.5 |
5 |
|
|
DVD/Blu-Ray player |
<0.5 |
20 |
|
|
Hair dryer |
10.0 |
2200 |
|
|
Hair straighteners |
<0.5 |
Up to 100 |
Typically, 60 – 100W |
|
Landline cordless telephone charger |
<0.5 |
10 |
|
|
Computer monitor |
<0.5 |
25 |
|
|
Desktop computer |
1.3 |
Up to 300 |
Generally, the higher the specification the more power it needs, gaming computers tend to be highest |
|
Television 55” UHD |
<0.5 |
120 |
|
|
Games console |
0.86 |
200 |
|
|
Washing machine |
10 |
2200 |
|
|
Toaster (4 Slice) |
9.0 |
2000 |
|
|
Toaster (2 Slice) |
4.0 |
900 |
|
|
Tumble dryer (condenser or vented) |
11.0 |
2500 |
|
|
Tumble dryer (Heat Pump) |
3.5 |
800 |
New technology tumble dryers that have much lower consumption figures |
|
Dishwasher |
10.0 |
2200 |
|
|
Iron |
13 |
3000 |
|
|
Microwave |
6.5 |
1500 |
Standard microwave with no grill or oven function |
|
Vacuum cleaner |
9.0 |
2000 |
Pre 2014 |
|
Vacuum cleaner |
7.0 |
1600 |
Pre 2017 |
|
Vacuum cleaner |
4.0 |
900 |
Post 2017 |
|
Cordless vacuum cleaner |
0.75 |
Up to 175 |
Typically 20-60W cordless vacuums using power tool batteries and chargers are higher |
|
Wi-Fi router |
<0.5 |
15 |
|
|
Single oven |
13.0 |
3000 |
|
|
Electric Vehicle (Slow Charge) |
Up to 13 |
Up to 3000 |
Not to be used with an extension lead Dedicated circuit required and ideally an EV rated socket-outlet |
|
Portable air conditioner |
Up to 9.3 |
Up to 2000 |
Typically, 900 – 2000W the higher the BTUs the higher the power |
|
Patio Heater |
Up to 13 |
Up to 3000 |
Typically, 1200-3000W |
|
Extension lead |
- |
- |
Does not draw any current by itself. However, has the potential to cause overloads if daisy chained |
|
Alarm clock radio |
<0.5 |
Up to 6W |
Average |
|
E-cigarette |
<0.5 |
Up to 65W |
Based on phone charger as most |
|
Slow cooker |
<0.5-1.1 |
Up to 250W |
Typically 75-250W |
|
Portable Speaker (Bluetooth/wi-fi) |
<0.5 |
Up to 65W |
Based on phone charger as most |
|
Toothbrush charger |
<0.5 |
Up to 2.5W |
Most modern chargers are <1W. |
How do you convert watts and amps?
We have two calculator tools to help you convert Watts To Amps and Amps To Watts.
How to check if your household appliances are safe
It’s a good idea to check plugs and wires regularly, as your household appliances can be damaged with use.
Find out how to check the plugs on your household appliances here.