Cost per hour of gaming at 26.32p per kWh (UK average), the live standard variable rate since 1 October 2026. Per day = 24 hours of standby.
What each console uses on standby
| Console and setting | Watts | Per year (24/7) |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 rest mode, nothing switched on | about 0.3 W | 69p |
| PS5 rest mode, stay connected to the internet | about 1–1.3 W | £2.77 |
| PS5 rest mode, supply power to USB | about 3–4 W | £8.53 |
| Xbox Series X/S, Sleep mode | about 10–15 W | £27.67 |
| Xbox Series X/S, Shutdown (energy saving) | about 0.5 W | £1.15 |
| PS4 rest mode, all features on | about 5–8 W | £14.99 |
The yearly figures assume the console sits on standby 24 hours a day, which overstates it slightly, since it's not on standby while you're playing.
PS5: the settings to check
Go to Settings → System → Power Saving → Features Available in Rest Mode. Two options add to standby power:
- Supply Power to USB Ports charges your controllers. Set it to 3 hours rather than Always, or Adaptive on newer models.
- Stay Connected to the Internet lets games update overnight. It adds about a watt.
In the same menu, Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode stops the console sitting on a menu at full power if you walk away.
Xbox: switch off Sleep mode
Sleep mode keeps the Xbox ready to start instantly, but it uses about 10 to 15 watts all the time. Shutdown (energy saving) uses about 0.5 watts. Change it in Settings → General → Power options.
Is it worth turning consoles off at the wall?
For a PS5 or an Xbox in energy-saving mode, the saving is pennies a year. It's not worth the hassle, and the console can't install updates. For an Xbox left in Sleep mode, or an older PS4, changing the setting saves more.
Sources: PlayStation eco-design figures, PlayStation power-saving guide, Tom's Guide, NRDC, Octopus Energy tariff data.