PS4 vs. Xbox Series S: running cost
An Xbox Series S is cheaper to run: about $11 a year versus $17 for a PS4 at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $6 difference.
| PS4 | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 110 W | 75 W |
| Watt range | 70–160 W | 30–90 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 96 kWh | 63 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 2.0¢ | 1.3¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.7¢ | 3.1¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.45 | $0.94 |
| Cost per year | $17 | $11 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $42 | $27 |
Compare at your rate and settings
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.
- Xbox Series S: The Series S draws 65-85 W in games, less than half a Series X or PS5.
Ways to cut either cost
Rechargeable controller batteries
Avoids disposable batteries; charging adds well under 1 kWh a year.
See options on Amazon Streaming stick
Plays the same streaming apps for about 3 W.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a PS4 or an Xbox Series S?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a PS4 costs about $17 a year versus $11 for an Xbox Series S. That's $6 more, or 1.5× as much.
How many watts do PS4 and Xbox Series S use?
A PS4 typically draws 110 W (range 70–160 W). An Xbox Series S draws 75 W (range 30–90 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.