PS4 vs. PS5: running cost
A PS4 is cheaper to run: about $17 a year versus $28 for a PS5 at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $11 difference.
| PS4 | PS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 110 W | 200 W |
| Watt range | 70–160 W | 50–230 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 96 kWh | 158 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 2.0¢ | 3.6¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.7¢ | 7.8¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.45 | $2.37 |
| Cost per year | $17 | $28 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $42 | $69 |
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What drives the difference
- PS4: Original PS4 consoles draw about 110 W gaming, the Slim about 80 W and the Pro up to 155 W. Rest mode with USB charging draws 2-8 W.
- 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
Streaming stick
Plays the same streaming apps for about 3 W.
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 PS4 or a PS5?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a PS5 costs about $28 a year versus $17 for a PS4. That's $11 more, or 1.6× as much.
How many watts do PS4 and PS5 use?
A PS4 typically draws 110 W (range 70–160 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.