What’s the best gaming console? Well, for as long as game consoles have existed, there have been arguments over which is best. We’ll let you in on a little secret… It’s potentially the most subjective discussion in technology right now. Despite that, we’re here to help you narrow down exactly what the best console is.
Granted, that will change depending on your gaming priorities, budget, and who you plan to play with. In particular, if you’re looking for a console to play with the whole family, the best console will likely differ from the one for a solo player, and, if you’re looking for the best handheld gaming console, we’ve got a separate guide for that.
Whatever your intentions, we’ve used all the latest consoles extensively. We’ve combined our experiences and our vast knowledge of gaming knowledge on the whole before highlighting the very best below. We’ve also looked at what you need to know about each of them. Ultimately, whichever one you buy, you’re going to be delighted. Still, some prior knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses will help you get the best from your budget.
What’s the best gaming console?
We think the best console overall is the PlayStation 5 (buy now). It edges out the competition thanks to some great exclusive games that really push the hardware, the PlayStation 5 also has a unique controller in the DualSense, giving you a feeling of more immersion. The console itself has a divisive look, but its system user interface is a delight to use, refining what worked well for Sony consoles before. If you only want to own one console, this is the one to go for.
Other console recommendations
If the PlayStation 5 isn’t quite right for you, here are some other console recommendations:
The best gaming consoles you can buy today:
1. PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 specsInternal storage825GB/667.2GB usableOptical drive4K Blu-ray Drive (disc-less version also available)CPUAMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores at 3.5GHz
Sony retains its reputation for being cool with the PlayStation 5. That exterior takes some getting used to, but there’s no denying it feels futuristic. Alongside that is its DualSense controller, which adds haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, so you feel more in control. It’s a delight to squeeze gently down to fire a gun in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and feel more drawn into the action or leap through the skies of New York as Spider-Man in a more tactile manner.
Other exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok and The Last of Us remind you of the strong storytelling of games, with each looking a delight on the hefty console. Storage could be much better, with only 667GB of usable space, so you’ll have to go through the faff of upgrading the storage yourself. Still, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to usual gaming upgrades.
2. Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X specsInternal storage1TB NVMe SSDOptical drive4K Blu-ray driveCPU8x Cores at 3.8GHz Custom Zen 2 CPU
The Xbox Series X is far from the most stylish console being a literal giant black box. Nor does its user interface stand out being the same as the Xbox One before it. Still, it’s powerful and has Dolby Vision and Atmos support out of the box if your TV can handle it. It has the advantage of working with almost all your previous Xbox One accessories too, but that can mean you feel like you’re using a refined version of your old console rather than something new.
Xbox Game Pass also offers plenty of Xbox One and back catalogue titles, but it’s a fantastic value proposition given you simply pay a monthly fee for dozens of games. Titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 look great, even if exclusives are thin on the ground outside the big hitters. There’s a fond familiarity here that works well for it.
3. Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED specsInternal Storage64GBOptical DriveNoCPUNvidia Custom Tegra SOC 768MHz
Nintendo knows how to flourish while doing something different. The standard Switch is a delight, but the OLED adds even more to it thanks to its large 7-inch display. It’s the perfect size to highlight how bright and vibrant OLED looks with games like Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons looking gorgeous. The console itself can be used either in docked mode, hooked up to your TV or on the move if you don’t mind some lightweight battery life of around 3-4 hours, depending on what you’re playing.
Other upgrades include enhanced speakers and a better kickstand for those rare times you want to play multiplayer without a TV. It’s far from a powerhouse system, but the games available are the kind to stick in your mind for a long time to come, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild which can steal your attention for weeks if not months.
4. Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S specsInternal Storage512GB NVMe (364GB usable)Optical DriveNoCPU8-core 3.6GHz custom AMD 7nm
In every way, the Xbox Series S is the Series X’s little sibling. It’s not as powerful, so you won’t get 4K performance from this device, plus it lacks an optical disc drive. Leaving you reliant on internal storage is a brave move when there’s only 364GB to play with. However, you can upgrade it with some pricey proprietary external storage. Despite those issues, it’s an incredibly accessible way of enjoying Xbox Series X games for less with 1440p resolution keeping most people happy.
It’s also tiny, so you can easily take it between locations, while there’s always Xbox Game Pass to keep you entertained with a never-ending wealth of games. If you’re a stickler for the best graphics, you’ll need to spend the extra for the Series X, but the majority will appreciate the cheaper Series S’s charms. Tag on an Xbox controller from the previous generation, and you have the perfect multiplayer setup for less.
5. Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch specsInternal Storage32GBOptical DriveNoCPUNvidia Custom Tegra SOC 768MHz
The Nintendo Switch is starting to feel a little long in the tooth and less shiny than the OLED equivalent. This is the best option if you’re looking to mainly play Mario Kart 8 on the big TV while partaking in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Bayonetta 3 during some downtime. It has the same battery life as the OLED but without the enhanced speakers or OLED display.
It costs slightly less, so hooking it up to your TV setup is the ideal solution here, so you won’t have to worry about the situational upgrades. You can still always opt to take it with you to make your commute more enjoyable. Either way, the focus here is on the strength of the games over the hardware performance, and that’s just fine with his kind of catalogue of games.
6. Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite specsInternal Storage32GBOptical driveNoCPUNvidia Custom Tegra processor
Realised you’ll probably never dock your Nintendo Switch? If you want a pure portable experience, the Nintendo Switch Lite is it. It’s small and lightweight, therefore easy to toss in your bag, with a wide selection of colours to add a personal touch. It won’t dock with your TV, so its controls are built into the unit. You’ll never see 1080p quality here with the screen sticking to 720p, but the games still look sharp.
It’s particularly well suited for the only child gamer in the household or if you have a regular commute that could be spruced up with Link or Mario. Most Switch games work with the Switch Lite but look out for titles that require the rarely used Joy-Con infrared sensor, as these won’t work. Other than that, this is a cute addition best suited for smaller hands and those who like to play solo.
What to consider when buying the best gaming console?
Choosing a gaming console is a big task – after all, it’s likely you’ll be using the same system for the next ten years or so. That means there are various factors you’ll want to consider to ensure you’re buying the best gaming console for you.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is the gaming library of each console. Look into the exclusive titles available, as well as the variety and quality of games offered. Each console has its own lineup of exclusive titles, so if there are specific games you’re interested in playing, this will heavily influence your decision. Do you like Mario and Zelda games? Then you’ll obviously want a Nintendo Switch, whereas if you like first-person shooters or driving simulators, then you’ll want to go with an Xbox or PlayStation.
Secondly, consider the performance of the console. Look into the hardware specifications, including CPU, GPU, and RAM. Decide whether you prioritize graphics quality and performance, as different consoles may offer varying levels of power and capabilities. This will have an impact on the longevity of the console.
Next, consider the online services offered by each console. Features such as multiplayer gaming are now cross-platform, but digital game purchases and subscription services are still tied to a single platform. Gaming is a social hobby (usually) so the console your friends have is important. Friend lists, messaging, and sharing gameplay footage can enhance your gaming experience.
You’ll want to check whether the console offers backward compatibility with previous generations of games – especially if you already have a large collection of older titles.
Controller design and comfort are important considerations as well. Try out the controllers of different consoles to see which one feels most comfortable and intuitive for you. Consider factors such as button layout, ergonomics, and any additional features such as motion controls or touchscreens.
If you plan on gaming on the go or in multiple locations, consider the portability of the console. Handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck offer the flexibility to play games both at home and on the move. For more information on portable consoles, check out Stuff’s guide to the best handheld gaming consoles.
Now, of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re plugging one of these consoles into one of the best 4K TVs and you’ll probably want to get the best gaming headset to go with it.
