PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: running cost
An Xbox Series X is cheaper to run: about $25 a year versus $28 for a PS5 at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $3 difference.
| PS5 | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 200 W | 170 W |
| Watt range | 50–230 W | 50–210 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 158 kWh | 140 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 3.6¢ | 3.1¢ |
| Cost per day | 7.8¢ | 6.9¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.37 | $2.10 |
| Cost per year | $28 | $25 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $69 | $61 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- 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.
- Xbox Series X: The Series X draws 150-210 W in games. The default Energy Saver power mode idles around 0.5-2 W; Sleep mode draws 10-15 W around the clock.
Ways to cut either cost
Streaming stick
Uses a few watts for video instead of 60 W.
See options on Amazon Streaming stick
Uses about 3 W versus 70 W for streaming video on the console.
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 PS5 or an Xbox Series X?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a PS5 costs about $28 a year versus $25 for an Xbox Series X. That's $3 more.
How many watts do PS5 and Xbox Series X use?
A PS5 typically draws 200 W (range 50–230 W). An Xbox Series X draws 170 W (range 50–210 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.