With the Xbox Series X standby sleep mode enabled, your console will boot up almost instantly by running at reduced power when off, letting it also do some things in the background. However, since the console isn't totally off, this obviously draws a bit more power compared to the energy-saving Shut-down mode. Both of these Xbox Series X power and start-up settings have their pros and cons - Sleep mode is great for installing game updates even when you're not using your console but the power consumption can be over 20x higher compared to the Shut-down mode - but ultimately, you're deciding between convenience and saving a bit of money. If you've found yourself a great Xbox Series X price and are setting it up, here's everything you need to know about the Xbox Series X Shut-down and Sleep modes.
Xbox Series X instant-on standby mode explained
- Console boots up in a matter of seconds.
- You can install game and system updates while the console is off.
- You can use remote features via the Xbox mobile app.
- Power consumption while the console is off is higher - around 10W-15W - so it'll cost you more on energy bills.
If you're looking for lightning-fast start up and don't care all that much about your electricity bill, then the Xbox Series X instant-on Sleep mode will be what you're looking for.
Xbox Series X Sleep mode is like a regular standby mode and will ensure that your console goes from off to signed into Xbox Live in fewer than five seconds. Along with Quick Resume and the console's SSD, it means you can go from sitting on the couch to moving a character around in a game in potentially no more than 20 seconds.
With Sleep mode, you'll find that your games and applications will continue installing and automatically update, even when you turn the console off - although you can turn this function off under the 'Customize power options' menu within the general 'Power options' menu. You'll even be able to play, install, and manage console games from your mobile device through the app – if you're after guidance on that one, here's how to set up the Xbox mobile app.
Of course, you can also dial in a greater degree of precision with the Xbox Series X Sleep mode. From that Power Mode and Startup menu in Settings you'll be able to have it so that when the Xbox is off it will also turn off storage, which means that games installed on the Seagate Storage Expansion Card won't automatically update. From here, you can also order a full Xbox Series X shutdown or run a restart cycle, should you need or want to – remember kids, it's always good to clear your cache once in a while.
Xbox Series X energy saver Shut-down mode explained
- Offers minimal energy consumption so it's environmentally friendlier and saves money on energy bills.
- Game and system updates can be installed while the console is off, sometimes.
- Slower console start-up time, though still pretty quick.
- You can't use remote features via the Xbox mobile app.
You've just spent a lot of money on a brand new console, games, and accessories, so the last thing you want to do is feel the weight of that decision on your electricity bill. The Energy saver sleep mode is the default setting on the Xbox Series X, but if you've switched to Standby and want to switch back, you'll need to open the settings menu. Pressing the Xbox button on your Xbox controller to open the guide, navigate to the 'Profile and System' tab, and select the 'Settings' option from the list. From there, look for 'Power options' under 'General'. You'll find that you can choose from Shut-down (energy saving) or Sleep. You can customize your console's power options further in this menu too, allowing you to choose whether your console automatically updates itself and games.
Xbox Series X Shut-down mode will mean that your console powers down pretty much fully when you turn the console off. It offers the lowest power consumption - around 0.5W - making it a more environmentally friendly and economical, which is definitely something to consider in this day and age. You obviously won't get the rapid start-up like the other mode, but you'll only have to wait around 20 seconds for the console to boot up from cold every time, and any games you left in a suspended state through Xbox Quick Resume will still be there.
System and game updates can now also go head while the console is in its energy-saving state (previously, this was a big plus for using the Instant-on standby mode). While this is great in theory, it seems to be bit unreliable in practice based on our experience. Game updates will sometimes stop downloading after switching the console off, leaving you with a half-downloaded update when you turn your console back on - just make sure you manually check for updates fairly often so you don't get a massive backlog of downloads!
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