APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a PS5 cost to run?
A PS5 uses over 200 W while gaming, more than twice the 55-inch TV on our television page. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a PS5 costs about 5.7p an hour at full power, or 11p for a typical 2-hour session.
PER HOUR
5.7pat 216.8 W, full powerPER SESSION
11p0.43 kWh over 2 hoursPER WEEK
80p7 sessions a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£42158 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
3 kWh over 7 days · about £0.11 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Sony publishes 216.8 W for active gaming on the PS5 (model CFI-2016) and 196.9 W for the launch model (CFI-1016A).
- The same PS5 uses 46.4 W on the home menu and 0.31 W in rest mode with the default low-power setting.
- We have not found an official active-gaming figure from Microsoft for Xbox Series consoles, so this page covers the PS5 only.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per session | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 196.9 W | 5.2p | 10p | £38 |
| Typical | 216.8 W | 5.7p | 11p | £42 |
Usage assumption: Two hours of gaming a day. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Hours played.
- Rest mode settings: powering USB ports and staying connected to the internet in rest mode uses more.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games console (PS5) | 1 session, 2 hours | 0.43 kWh | 11p |
| Television | 1 day, 4 hours | 0.34 kWh | 8.8p |
Ways to spend less
- Use the console’s auto power-off so it does not sit on the home menu for hours.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a PS5 cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a PS5 rated at 216.8 W costs about 5.7p an hour at full power. Models from 196.9 W to 216.8 W cost 5.2p to 5.7p an hour.
How much does a PS5 cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is two hours of gaming a day. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £42 a year (158 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- PlayStation: energy efficiency information ↗PS5 (CFI-2016) 216.8 W active gaming, 46.4 W home menu, 0.31 W rest mode; launch model CFI-1016A 196.9 W gaming.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →