Xbox Series S vs. PS5: running cost
An Xbox Series S is cheaper to run: about $11 a year versus $28 for a PS5 at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $17 difference.
| Xbox Series S | PS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 75 W | 200 W |
| Watt range | 30–90 W | 50–230 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 63 kWh | 158 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.3¢ | 3.6¢ |
| Cost per day | 3.1¢ | 7.8¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.94 | $2.37 |
| Cost per year | $11 | $28 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $27 | $69 |
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What drives the difference
- Xbox Series S: The Series S draws 65-85 W in games, less than half a Series X or PS5.
- 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
Rechargeable controller batteries
Avoids disposable batteries; charging adds well under 1 kWh a year.
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, an Xbox Series S or a PS5?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a PS5 costs about $28 a year versus $11 for an Xbox Series S. That's $17 more, or 2.5× as much.
How many watts do Xbox Series S and PS5 use?
An Xbox Series S typically draws 75 W (range 30–90 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.