How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch 2?
A Nintendo Switch 2 costs about 0.4¢ per hour, 1.1¢ a day, $0.33 a month and $4 a year at typical use (2 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. The Switch 2 draws roughly 20-30 W docked, about double the original Switch but still far below other current consoles.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld charging | 12 | 0.2¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Docked | 25 | 0.4¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Docked + charging | 35 | 0.6¢ | 1.5¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
At 2 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| 4 hours | 0.11 | 2.0¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| 8 hours | 0.21 | 3.7¢ | $1.14 | $14 |
| 12 hours | 0.31 | 5.5¢ | $1.68 | $20 |
| 24 hours | 0.60 | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
Cost to run a Nintendo Switch 2 in every state
The same Nintendo Switch 2 costs $3 a year in North Dakota and $10 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.35 | $4 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.5¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.45 | $5 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.50 | $6 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.54 | $7 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.1¢ | $0.81 | $10 |
How to cut the cost
- Play handheld when possible; it uses about half the power of docked play.
- Unplug the dock adapter when it is not in use.
- Turn on auto-sleep after 5-10 minutes in System Settings.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Schedules the dock off overnight.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 25 | 2 hours a day | $0.33 | $4 |
| Nintendo Switch | 13 | 2 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| PS5 | 200 | 2 hours a day | $2.37 | $28 |
| Xbox Series S | 75 | 2 hours a day | $0.94 | $11 |
| Cable box / DVR | 25 | 24 hours a day | $3.29 | $39 |
| Soundbar | 30 | 5 hours a day | $1.13 | $14 |
| TV | 80 | 5 hours a day | $2.24 | $27 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch 2 per hour?
A Nintendo Switch 2 drawing 25 watts uses 0.03 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.4¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.3¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.1¢.
How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch 2 per month?
At typical use (2 hours a day), a Nintendo Switch 2 costs about $0.33 a month and $4 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a Nintendo Switch 2 use?
Most Nintendo Switch 2s use 8 to 35 watts, depending on the setting (handheld charging 12 W, docked 25 W, docked + charging 35 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a Nintendo Switch 2 use?
About 0.06 kWh a day and 22 kWh a year at typical use (2 hours a day).
Does a Nintendo Switch 2 use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 22 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a Nintendo Switch 2 or a Nintendo Switch?
At typical use, a Nintendo Switch 2 costs about $4 a year versus $2 for a Nintendo Switch. So the Nintendo Switch is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a Nintendo Switch 2?
- Play handheld when possible; it uses about half the power of docked play.
- Unplug the dock adapter when it is not in use.
- Turn on auto-sleep after 5-10 minutes in System Settings.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.