entertainment · 15W typical
Running a vr headset (charging + play) costs about $0.15/month.
That's the typical vr headset (charging + play) at 15W, run 2 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
Full-power draw for 2 hours at 16.5¢/kWh.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same vr headset (charging + play) can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
charging session
$0.15
per month
charging between sessions
active play
$0.07
per month
average play time
Where you live
$0.27 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $0.37 | $4.51 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $0.28 | $3.44 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $0.28 | $3.37 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $0.26 | $3.14 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $0.25 | $3.06 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $0.22 | $2.69 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $0.22 | $2.66 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $0.20 | $2.44 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $0.20 | $2.42 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $0.19 | $2.35 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $0.17 | $2.11 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $0.17 | $2.09 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $0.17 | $2.01 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $0.16 | $1.98 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $0.16 | $1.95 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $0.16 | $1.91 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $0.15 | $1.88 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $0.15 | $1.85 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $0.15 | $1.82 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $0.15 | $1.78 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $0.14 | $1.73 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $0.14 | $1.72 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $0.14 | $1.71 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $0.14 | $1.66 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $0.14 | $1.66 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $0.14 | $1.65 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $0.13 | $1.62 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $0.13 | $1.62 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $0.13 | $1.61 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $0.13 | $1.61 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $0.13 | $1.60 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $0.13 | $1.55 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $0.13 | $1.54 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $0.13 | $1.52 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $0.12 | $1.49 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $0.12 | $1.47 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $0.12 | $1.46 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $0.12 | $1.45 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $0.12 | $1.43 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $0.12 | $1.43 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $0.11 | $1.39 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $0.11 | $1.36 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $0.11 | $1.34 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $0.11 | $1.32 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $0.11 | $1.32 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $0.11 | $1.30 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $0.10 | $1.27 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $0.10 | $1.26 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $0.10 | $1.25 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $0.10 | $1.24 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $3.01/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
5W
$0.05 per month
$0.60 per year
Typical
15W
$0.15 per month
$1.81 per year
High draw
30W
$0.30 per month
$3.61 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Heavier winter/indoor use.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Unplug headset once fully charged — lithium batteries don't benefit from trickle
Saves 5-10 kWh/year
- 2
Use a smart plug with timer for overnight charging
Stops draw after 2 hours
- 3
Lower refresh rate in settings when not needed
Cuts headset watts 10-20%
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Meta | Quest 3 128GB | 15W |
| Sony | PSVR2 | 28W |
| Pico | 4 256GB | 12W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13