How much does a games console cost to run?

One session costs about 7.9p

A typical games console costs about 7.9p per session to run. At 5 sessions a week that is 39.5p a week, or £20.53 a year, based on 150 W for 2 hours (0.30 kWh) at 26.32p per kWh.

Adjust for your games console

Power150 W

Current consoles draw roughly 100 to 220 W while playing and far less in menus or when streaming video. 150 W is a middle figure.

Time per session2 hours

Sessions per week5

Electricity rate (pence per kWh)

Set to the Ofgem price cap average. Use the rate on your own bill if it differs.

Energy per session0.30 kWh

Cost per session7.9p

Cost per week39.5p

Cost per year£20.53

Worked example

150 W is 0.15 kW. Running for 2 hours uses 0.15 × 2 = 0.30 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs 7.9p.

Five two-hour sessions a week costs £20.53 a year. That is the console alone, so add the TV from its own page for the full evening cost.

How to cut the cost

Switch the console off fully, not to rest mode, when you will not use it for a few days. If it also drives a TV, that screen is often the bigger part of the evening bill.

Questions

How much does it cost to run a games console?

At 26.32p per kWh, a typical session costs 7.9p. Change the power and time to match your own console.

Does leaving it on standby cost much?

Rest mode draws a few watts, so it costs pence a week, but a console left running a game or video all day costs far more.

Other appliances

Electricity rate: Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, Great Britain average, Direct Debit, default tariff: 26.32p per kWh. Your own tariff and region may differ, so change the rate above to match your bill. Appliance figures are typical estimates; your appliance's energy label or manual is more accurate. Last checked 2026-11-03. Next review: January 2027, when Ofgem announces the next quarter's cap.