How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch?
A Nintendo Switch costs about 0.2¢ per hour, 0.7¢ a day, $0.20 a month and $2 a year at typical use (2 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. A docked Switch draws about 10-15 W, one of the lowest-power consoles. Handheld play only costs the energy to recharge the battery.
Calculate your cost
Add as many devices as you like to compare them side by side. Search again to add another, or use Duplicate to compare two settings.
Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld charging | 7 | 0.1¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Docked | 13 | 0.2¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Docked + charging | 18 | 0.3¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
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 | 0.02 | 0.4¢ | $0.13 | $2 |
| 2 hours | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| 4 hours | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| 8 hours | 0.11 | 2.0¢ | $0.61 | $7 |
| 12 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.89 | $11 |
| 24 hours | 0.31 | 5.6¢ | $1.71 | $21 |
Cost to run a Nintendo Switch in every state
The same Nintendo Switch costs $2 a year in North Dakota and $6 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¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.14 | $2 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.15 | $2 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.16 | $2 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.17 | $2 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.18 | $2 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.19 | $2 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.20 | $2 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.21 | $2 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.2¢ | $0.21 | $3 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 0.3¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 0.4¢ | $0.37 | $4 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 0.6¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
How to cut the cost
- Unplug the dock's power adapter when not in use; it draws about 0.5 W idle.
- Play in handheld mode, which uses roughly half the energy of docked play.
- Lower screen brightness to extend battery life and reduce charging.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Cuts the dock's idle draw on a schedule.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 13 | 2 hours a day | $0.20 | $2 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 25 | 2 hours a day | $0.33 | $4 |
| 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 |
| Smart speaker | 3 | 24 hours a day | $0.39 | $5 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch per hour?
A Nintendo Switch drawing 13 watts uses 0.01 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.2¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.2¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 0.6¢.
How much does it cost to run a Nintendo Switch per month?
At typical use (2 hours a day), a Nintendo Switch costs about $0.20 a month and $2 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 use?
Most Nintendo Switchs use 4 to 18 watts, depending on the setting (handheld charging 7 W, docked 13 W, docked + charging 18 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 use?
About 0.04 kWh a day and 14 kWh a year at typical use (2 hours a day).
Does a Nintendo Switch use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 14 kWh a year it's a small share (0.1%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a Nintendo Switch or a Nintendo Switch 2?
At typical use, a Nintendo Switch costs about $2 a year versus $4 for a Nintendo Switch 2. 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?
- Unplug the dock's power adapter when not in use; it draws about 0.5 W idle.
- Play in handheld mode, which uses roughly half the energy of docked play.
- Lower screen brightness to extend battery life and reduce charging.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.