Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: running cost
An Xbox Series S is cheaper to run: about $11 a year versus $25 for an Xbox Series X at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $14 difference.
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 170 W | 75 W |
| Watt range | 50–210 W | 30–90 W |
| Typical use | 2 hours a day | 2 hours a day |
| Energy per year | 140 kWh | 63 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 3.1¢ | 1.3¢ |
| Cost per day | 6.9¢ | 3.1¢ |
| Cost per month | $2.10 | $0.94 |
| Cost per year | $25 | $11 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $61 | $27 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- 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.
- 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
Uses a few watts for video instead of 60 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, an Xbox Series X or an Xbox Series S?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an Xbox Series X costs about $25 a year versus $11 for an Xbox Series S. That's $14 more, or 2.2× as much.
How many watts do Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S use?
An Xbox Series X typically draws 170 W (range 50–210 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.