Cost to run a gaming console
Short answer
Running a gaming console (~150W, ~3 hrs/day) costs about $0.08/day, $2/month, or $28/year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh.
Wattage
150 W
Per day
$0.08
Per month
$2
Per year
$28
Figures assume ~150W for ~3 hours a day at the U.S. average 16.8¢/kWh. Your state's rate and your real usage change the total — enter both in the calculator.
What makes a gaming console cost what it does
A gaming console draws about 150W and runs roughly 3 hours a day in a typical home. Run the standard formula — watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × your electricity rate — and at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh that's about $0.08/day, $2/month, or $28/year.
Two things move that figure most: how many hours it actually runs and what you pay per kilowatt-hour. It sips power but runs many hours, so standby and always-on time dominate its cost. A gaming console nominally at 150W but used half as often costs roughly half as much — usage, not the nameplate rating, decides the bill.
Your electricity rate does the rest of the work. The same gaming console costs about $17/year in a low-rate state like Idaho (10.5¢/kWh) but $69/year in Hawaii (42¢/kWh) — roughly a 4× swing for the identical appliance.
What determines the cost
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Wattage | A gaming console pulls about 150W while running |
| Hours of use | Typically ~3 hr/day — double the hours and you double the cost |
| Electricity rate | What you pay per kWh (U.S. average 16.8¢) scales the whole bill |
| Efficiency & age | Newer, Energy-Star models draw less for the same job |
| Settings & duty cycle | It sips power but runs many hours, so standby and always-on time dominate its cost |
| Standby draw | Many devices keep sipping power even when idle or 'off' |
Cost by electricity rate
Yearly cost to run this gaming console at a low, average, and high state electricity rate.
| Rate | Yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Low rate (Idaho, 10.5¢) | $17/yr |
| U.S. average (16.8¢) | $28/yr |
| High rate (Hawaii, 42¢) | $69/yr |
How to cut what a gaming console costs
- Cut runtime first: every hour you don't run the gaming console is the cleanest saving, since cost is hours × watts × rate.
- Check your actual electricity rate — if you're above the 16.8¢ U.S. average, the gaming console costs more than the headline figure here.
- Put the gaming console on a smart plug or power strip to kill standby draw when it's not in use.
- Enter your own wattage, hours, and rate in the calculator for a gaming console figure tuned to your home.
Your rate & usage
Open the cost calculatorOther appliances
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a gaming console?
About $0.08 per day, $2 per month, or $28 per year at the U.S. average of 16.8¢/kWh, assuming ~150W for ~3 hours a day.
How many watts does a gaming console use?
A typical gaming console draws about 150 watts when running. Your model may differ — check its label or a plug-in power meter and enter the real number in the calculator.
How can I cut the cost of running a gaming console?
Run it less, use a more efficient model, and check whether your utility offers cheaper off-peak (time-of-use) rates. Costs also vary 4× by state, so your local rate matters a lot.