Nintendo Switch 2 vs. PS5: running cost
A Nintendo Switch 2 is cheaper to run: about $4 a year versus $28 for a PS5 at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $24 difference.
| Nintendo Switch 2 | PS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 25 W | 200 W |
| Watt range | 8–35 W | 50–230 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 22 kWh | 158 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.4¢ | 3.6¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.1¢ | 7.8¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.33 | $2.37 |
| Cost per year | $4 | $28 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $10 | $69 |
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What drives the difference
- Nintendo Switch 2: The Switch 2 draws roughly 20-30 W docked, about double the original Switch but still far below other current consoles.
- PS5: A PS5 draws about 200 W in demanding games, around 70 W streaming video and 0.3-1.5 W in rest mode depending on USB and network settings. Two hours a day of gaming is about 150 kWh a year.
Ways to cut either cost
Smart plug
Schedules the dock off overnight.
See options on Amazon Streaming stick
Uses about 3 W versus 70 W for streaming video on the console.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a Nintendo Switch 2 or a PS5?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a PS5 costs about $28 a year versus $4 for a Nintendo Switch 2. That's $24 more, or 7.1× as much.
How many watts do Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 use?
A Nintendo Switch 2 typically draws 25 W (range 8–35 W). A PS5 draws 200 W (range 50–230 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.