Measure the computer at the wall while it runs the stream workload you actually plan to use. A plug-in electricity meter that reports true power in watts and accumulated energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) gives you a more useful figure than a power-supply label or a one-time reading. Average the result over a representative interval, then use your electricity tariff to estimate the cost.
What to measure—and what the result means
A PC’s power-supply rating describes its capacity, not the amount of electricity the computer draws during your stream. To estimate your own setup, measure AC power at the mains while the PC runs the intended streaming workload.
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Set the measurement boundary first. A meter measures only what is electrically downstream of it: if you want to include a monitor, router, capture hardware, audio equipment or lights, include those devices in the measured setup or account for them separately. Record exactly what was included.
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#1 Best Overall
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD Display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Measure the actual streaming setup
- Choose the boundary. Decide whether you are measuring just the PC or the whole streaming setup. List included equipment so you can compare results consistently.
- Choose a suitable meter. Use a plug-in electricity usage meter between the wall outlet and the load. Look for true-power measurement in watts and accumulated energy in kWh, or an average-watts function. Check that its outlet and voltage suit your location and that its maximum current and wattage ratings cover the connected equipment. Follow the meter manufacturer’s instructions.
- Connect the load. For an ordinary home measurement, use the meter as directed and keep within its electrical ratings. The EPA/ENERGY STAR Version 4.0 computer procedure describes a laboratory setup with the computer connected directly to the meter, without a power strip or UPS between them. Treat that as a protocol for its specified tests, not a universal instruction to bypass equipment in your own setup. (EPA/ENERGY STAR computer procedure, Version 4.0)
- Run the intended workload. Use the streaming software, output settings, encoder, scene, game or media you expect to run. Let boot-up and one-off background activity settle if those are not part of normal operation. Note any display or peripherals included in the measurement.
- Measure over a representative interval. If the meter records energy, note the kWh increase and elapsed time, then divide energy by time to find average power. If it reports average watts directly, record that reading and the interval. DOE FEMP’s summary says stable power varies by less than 5% from the mean over five minutes; that is a stability cue from standby-measurement guidance, not a guarantee that five minutes characterizes every stream. For changing loads, use an interval that captures the variation you expect.
- Record the conditions. Write down average watts, accumulated kWh, elapsed time, included devices, workload and material settings, and the date. Measure different scenes or configurations separately and label them rather than combining unlike results.
Choose a meter for the job
- True-power watts: useful for the instantaneous draw and for calculating energy when averaged over time.
- Accumulated kWh or average watts: lets you integrate fluctuating use instead of relying on a single display reading.
- Resolution: choose a display suited to the expected load. DOE FEMP’s summary of IEC 62301 gives examples of 0.01 W or better below 10 W and 0.1 W or better above 10 W through 100 W. These are examples for low-power measurement conditions, not a blanket consumer-meter specification for every PC.
- Electrical fit: confirm local plug and voltage compatibility and check the meter’s rated maximum current and wattage against the computer and any attached devices.
The official guidance supports these measurement criteria; it does not establish that a particular consumer meter is suitable for every configuration or endorse a specific model. A plug-in electricity usage meter with kWh tracking is the relevant product category, but no individual model or listing is established here.
Turn the reading into an electricity-cost estimate
Use the average draw and the actual number of hours you expect to run:
Rank #2
- Multi-function power monitor: Our electric usage monitor can monitor the power (W), electricity(kWh), voltage(V), frequency(Hz), current(A), power factor(PF), unit price($/kWh), total cost($) of your appliances. By switching 8 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The “electricity” mode can calculate and display how much power your appliance uses. And the “total cost” mode will show how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Overload protection: When the loading power of the appliance is over the default overload threshold 1800W, the whole display with backlight and the word “OVERLOAD” will keep flashing to warn the users. Please turn off the appliance for safety concern
- Premium Material: The whole body of our energy meter is made of high-quality ABS material. It makes our home electricity usage monitor more long lasting, fireproof and anti-drop. The standard US socket and plug is suitable for all US standard appliances
- Backlight Display: With white backlight and black words, the LCD display of our home power monitor can display the data clearer and help you to read the data easier no matter day or night. The backlight will only lights up when the device is connected to AC power. If no button is pressed, the backlight turns off automatically after 10 minutes. You can also press the "UP" button to turn off the backlight manually, and press any button to turn on backlight again
- Easy to reset: No reset tool needed, our appliance power usage meter is easy to reset. You can press the “M” button for 5 seconds directly to reset the device. After reset, all cumulative data (electricity quantity, cost) will be cleared, and all settings will be restored to factory settings
Energy (kWh) = (average watts ÷ 1,000) × hours
Estimated energy cost = kWh × your applicable electricity price per kWh
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For example, if your measured average is W watts and you intend to operate for H hours, calculate (W ÷ 1,000) × H kWh, then multiply by your local rate. DOE-hosted educational material gives the relationship as “kWh = kW x hrs” and advises using the local electricity price. (DOE: “Watt Does It Cost to Use It?”)
Rank #3
- ✓ Backlit LCD Display: The watt meter features an upgraded backlit LCD display with a 160° wide viewing angle, providing clear and distinct data readings from any angle, day or night. (Note: To conserve energy, the backlight will automatically turn off after 15 seconds of continuous use.)
- ✓ 9 Types of Data Display: This energy meter plug accurately monitors a wide range of electrical parameters, including power (W), apparent power (VA), energy consumption (kWh), usage time (hours), power frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), voltage (V), current (A), and electricity cost. The user-friendly interface allows you to easily read and navigate through 9 types of data with a single button.
- ✓ Save Money and Energy: By toggling through the 9 display modes, you can gain insights into various operational parameters of your devices. The home energy monitor also calculates and displays the electricity consumption and cost over time, helping you save on your electricity bills by monitoring and managing energy usage.
- ✓ Data Storage: The plug-in electricity meter stores all non-real-time data, ensuring no information is lost in the event of a sudden power outage. If data exceeds the screen’s maximum display range, the screen will flash as a reminder. Pressing and holding the reset button for 3 seconds will reset the cumulative data to zero.
- ✓ Safe to Use: Rated voltage 125VAC, 60Hz, 15A maximum 1875W resistor and tungsten wire, 1/2HP. Clean and tidy interface, very simple to use.
A continuous schedule over an ordinary 365-day year is 8,760 hours (24 × 365). That is calendar arithmetic, not a measured PC consumption figure. For that assumed schedule, annual energy is average watts × 8.76 kWh per watt-year; multiply by your applicable rate for an energy-cost estimate. Use actual operating hours for shorter schedules, leap years or downtime.
Your bill may not equal this estimate exactly. Tiered rates, time-of-use periods, fixed charges, taxes and other adjustments can change what you pay. Use the rate or tariff that applies to your usage and treat the calculation as an estimate where your bill structure is more complex. Do not substitute a generic national rate for your own tariff.
Rank #4
- Various Monitoring Parameters: The power meter plug can monitor the power (W), energy (kWh), volts, amps, hertz, power factor, cost, minimum and maximum power (W), cumulative days and time of your appliances. By switching 7 display modes, you can easily know the various parameters while the appliance is working. The home energy monitor can also calculate and display how much power your appliance uses and how much electricity bill it cost in cumulative time
- Upgraded LCD display: With large screen size 2.36 inch x 1.85 inch, clearer monitor backlit, our electrical usage monitor can display the data clearer and more visible no matter day or night. 180°full wide viewing angles is great for reading and recording the data in any angles. No need to stand on the front of the display and bend over to read the numbers
- Adjustable Backlight Time: Our upgraded watt meter has 5 options of backlight time. The default backlight time duration is 10 minutes(bL-0). If you want to change the backlight time, you can press and hold "UP" and "DOWN" button at the same time to enter backlight time setting, then press "UP" and "DOWN" to select the backlight time (bL-0 =10 minutes, bL-1=1 hour, bL-2=4 hours, bL-3=8 hours, bL-4=always on), finally press the "COST" to save the backlight time settings
- Overload protection: When the power of the appliance exceeds the overload power, the LCD will display “OVERLOAD” to warn the user. All the buttons will quit working and can only be workable when you lower or remove the load power. The default overload power is 3680W and is adjustable from 0 to 3680W. In general, you need to set the overload power to 1800W before using. Just press the "function" button for more than 3 seconds to enter the setting
- Data Memory Function: The wattage meter will record your power consumption data when you remove it from socket, or remove appliances from the electricity monitor. You can directly see the last data when you use it next time. This function can also automatically save the data when there is a sudden power failure
Make comparisons that are meaningful
To compare streaming setups, measure them with the same workload and settings, for the same duration, and with the same equipment boundary. Compare average draw with average draw, energy with energy, and costs calculated using the same tariff. A peak reading is not comparable to an average, nor is a PC-only reading comparable to a full-room setup.
ENERGY STAR’s current Computers page covers desktops, integrated desktops, notebooks, tablets, thin clients and workstations, and identifies an effective date of October 2025 for its criteria. Those efficiency criteria and controlled idle tests do not establish what an individual PC draws while streaming; measure the actual configuration for that answer.
Best Value
- 【Insightful Energy Tracking】Track your plug's energy use with clear and easy-to-understand statistics and intuitive charts, helping you optimize power usage.
- 【Estimate Your Energy Bill】 Enhance energy management by integrating with billing systems for clear cost visualization (both single and periodic readings). Additionally, programmable scheduling allows automatic operation of high-consumption devices during off-peak hours with lower electricity rates, resulting in cost savings.
- 【Smart Charging for Devices】Automatically cuts power once your device reaches the low-battery limit you set, preventing overcharging.
- 【Auto-Shutoff】Prevents electrical overload by automatically shutting off devices that use too much power.
- 【Voice & Remote Control】 With built-in support for both Alexa and Google Assistant, issue simple voice commands to adjust settings, turn devices on or off, or even access specific functions without lifting a finger. Manage Tapo P115 and its connected devices from anywhere with the user-friendly Tapo app.
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is a continuously running YouTube stream of uploaded videos, StreamNeo is an alternative to leaving a PC on. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud. Nothing has to stay on at home. Each slot streams uploads as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers; it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
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