Live UK electricity rates · since 1 October 2026

What does your gaming really cost to run?

Pick your console or PC, add your TV or monitor, say how long you play, and see the electricity cost per hour, month and year at today's rate for your region.

Cost per hour of play

8.2p

Per day–

Per week–

Per month–

Per year–

Cost per hour, side by side

Device only, no screen, at 26.32p per kWh (UK average).

Guides

Running costs for every console and PC, plus ways to cut your bill.

PS5 running costsPer hour, per month, and how the Slim and Pro compare.Xbox running costsSeries X and Series S, using Microsoft's own measurements.Switch 2 running costsDocked costs, and how it compares with Steam Deck.Gaming PC running costsMid-range vs high-end, and what drives the cost.Laptop vs PCWhich is cheaper to run per hour and per year.PS5 vs XboxWhich costs less to run over a year.Rest mode & standbyWhat PS5, Xbox and Switch use when they're "off".Gaming at nightEconomy 7 day and night rates for your region, live.Cut your costsSettings and habits that actually make a difference.PS4 & Xbox One costsOlder consoles compared with PS5 and Series X.Switch running costsOriginal, OLED and Switch 2: the cheapest consoles to run.Handheld PC costsSteam Deck and ROG Ally per hour, charging included.Graphics card costsRTX 5090, 5080, 5070 Ti and 5070 per hour and per year.Monitor & TV costsMonitors and TVs: the hidden half of your gaming bill.Cost per yearEvery console and PC per year at 1, 3 and 5 hours a day.Measure your power useUse a plug-in energy monitor to get your real figure.PS5 vs Switch 2The Switch 2 uses about a tenth of the power.Switch 2 vs Steam DeckBoth cost pennies. Here's which costs fewer.RGB lighting costsLess than you'd think, unless it stays on all day.Streaming costsWhat a streaming setup adds to your gaming bill.Quest 3 charging costA full charge costs about a penny.Laptop vs consoleWith the TV counted, it's closer than you'd think.

Common questions

How much does a PS5 cost to run per hour in the UK?

A PS5 uses about 200 to 220 watts while gaming. At today's average UK rate of 26.32p per kWh, that's about 5.5p an hour, or about £5.04 a month if you play 3 hours a day. A TV adds about 2.6p an hour. More on PS5 costs.

Is Xbox Series X cheaper to run than PS5?

Yes, a little. Microsoft measures the Series X at 154 watts during gameplay, about 4.1p an hour. The Series S uses 74 watts, about 1.9p an hour. See the full comparison.

Why is my number different from my energy bill?

Your bill also includes a daily standing charge and everything else in your home. This calculator only counts the electricity your gaming uses while you play.

Are the prices up to date?

Yes. The calculator reads the current standard variable rate for your region each time you visit, so it changes as soon as a new Ofgem price cap starts. You can always type in your own rate from your bill.