A cost-effective magnetic-coupled AC-PDP sustain driver with low switching loss is proposed. The transformer reduces current stress in the energy recovery switches which affects circuit cost and reliability. The turns-ratio can be used to adjust the sustain pulse slopes which affect gas discharge uniformity. Dividing the recovery paths prevents abrupt changes in the output capacitance and thereby switching losses of the recovery switches is reduced. In addition, the proposed circuit has a more simple structure because it does not use the recovery path diodes which also afford a large recovery current. By reducing the current stress and device count in the energy recovery circuit, the proposed driver may have decreased circuit cost and improved circuit reliability.