How many watts does a PS5 or Xbox use?
By Tom Calder · Figures checked 4 November 2026 · Costs at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026)
A PS5 averages about 197W to 219W while gaming, by Sony’s measurements; an Xbox Series X about 122W across games, and 169W on average for 4K, 60fps titles with HDR and VRR, by Microsoft’s. An hour of gaming costs about 3p to 6p at 26.32p per kWh.
The numbers
- Running watts
- 122W to 219W
- Amps at 230V (most)
- 0.95A
- Energy an hour of gaming
- 0.12 to 0.22 kWh
- Makers’ measured gaming averages: Xbox Series X 122W, PS5 models 197W to 219W.
- Cost an hour of gaming
- 3p to 6p
- On a 1kWh power station
- 3.5 to 6 hours
- On a 2kWh power station
- 6.5 to 12 hours
Costs use 26.32p per kWh, the Ofgem price cap's average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate is on your bill; on a fixed or time-of-use tariff it will differ.
How it’s used, and what that costs
Sony publishes measured gaming power for each PS5 model: 196.9W for the original disc model (CFI-1016A) up to 219.2W for model CFI-71 with its disc drive attached, and 215.2W for the PS5 Pro (CFI-7021). Rest mode is about 0.3W. Microsoft gives the Xbox Series X a global average of 122W in games, 169W on average for 4K 60fps HDR and VRR titles, and 51W in apps, and the Series S 61W.
Microsoft measures the Series X at 51W in streaming and other apps, on top of what the TV draws, so for films alone the TV’s own app is the cheaper route.
In a power cut: how long a power station would run it
A 1kWh power station: 3.5 to 6 hours. A 2kWh power station: 6.5 to 12 hours. These use the same planning method as our power station pages: capacity × 90% usable depth × 85% inverter efficiency, divided by the load plus about 10W the unit uses itself (BLUETTI’s UK formula).
Output matters as much as capacity. The 7 units around 1kWh we list supply 1,500W to 2,000W continuously, and the 6 around 2kWh supply 2,200W to 3,000W, so check a unit’s rated output covers 219W before you rely on it.
To size one for everything you’d want to keep running, use the sizer on our power stations comparison.
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Start free →Sources (7)
- Sony PlayStation ecodesign information: PS5 active gaming averages 196.9 W (CFI-1016A) to 219.2 W (CFI-71 with disc drive); PS5 Pro CFI-7021 215.2 W; rest mode about 0.3 W
- Microsoft Learn, global platform baselines: Xbox Series X 122 W average game power, 51 W apps, 169 W average for 4K 60fps HDR + VRR titles; Series S 61 W
- Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges, 1 October to 31 December 2026electricity 26.32p per kWh, Direct Debit; no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027
- BLUETTI UK — Elite 200 V2 (runtime formula: DoD 90%, η 85%, self-consumption about 10W)
- BLUETTI UK — Elite 100 V2 (self-consumption about 10W)
- Jackery UK — runtime formula (capacity × 0.85 ÷ watts)
- EcoFlow — test runtime before an emergency0.80–0.90 for AC; DC ports for routers and phones
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