UK households with a PlayStation 5 could be spending almost £47 a year on energy under the current price cap, according to estimates from energy supplier Utilita.
The Sony PS5 is the highest selling console of the current generation, with more than 95 million units sold as of June 30, 2026, according to the Sony Interactive website. Consoles range from around £520 for base models up to £780 for the highest spec PS5 Pro, with recent price rises linked to the ongoing computer component shortage crisis that has also affected Xbox, PCs and iPad prices.
Energy cost breakdown
Utilita's Power Price List allows users to select from a variety of household appliances and devices, providing an estimated cost per use under the current Ofgem price cap standard variable tariff. According to the tool, a PS5 costs roughly 0.13p per use, which comes to an estimated £46.94 over a typical year of use.
Actual usage will depend on how much the console is used and will vary between different models. The estimate does not include the energy cost of the television used for gaming.
Energy saving features
Energy can be conserved using the power saver feature for supported PS5 games, which Sony Interactive says allows "performance to scale back as needed, reducing power consumption." The PS5 is also more energy efficient than the PS4, using 11-17% less energy for its launch model than the PS4 launch model, according to Sony.
The maximum limit on unit rates and standard charges is reviewed by the regulator every three months and does not remain in place for a full year, so the estimates give an illustrative sense of costs when projected over a longer period.
Environmental impact
Utilita's tool also shows the estimated environmental impact of appliances over time. The firm said: "Utilita has updated its Power Price List – the UK's only live database that translates Ofgem's price cap into the real‑world cost of powering everyday household electrical items."
"The update reflects Ofgem's latest direct debit price cap, effective from July 1. The Power Price List breaks down the cost of running more than 100 common appliances and activities, from heating and cooking to laundry, lighting, entertainment and more."
"The less energy we use, the better it is for the planet," it adds. "That's why the Power Price List also shows how the usage of common electrical items compares to the miles driven by a car – households may be shocked!"
For a PS5, Utilita says the environmental impact equates to 0.50 miles driven per use and 184.19 miles driven per year.
