Best Products > Games & Consoles 134 134 people found this article helpful The Best Gaming Consoles of 2024 PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, and more By Alex Williams Alex Williams Writer Diablo Valley College Alex Williams is an experienced tech writer with an interest in wearable technologies. He focuses on everything from gaming headsets to headphones. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 16, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Games & Consoles PC PS4 Xbox One Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch Accessories The latest console generation boasts excellent graphics, powerful specs, and many games. The three big dogs are Sony with the PlayStation 5, Microsoft with the Xbox Series X and Nintendo with the Switch. All three consoles fit into their particular niches, with the PS5 having an advantage in exclusives at launch, the Series X being power graphically potent on paper, and the Nintendo Switch being the ideal portable device. in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For in a Gaming Console FAQ Best Games Sony PlayStation 5 Best Buy View On Amazon $410 View On Walmart $579 View On Verizon Pros Gorgeous 4K graphical output DualSense controller is a huge step forward Ultra smooth playing experience Cons Not quite as powerful as the Xbox Series X Sony’s PlayStation 5 represents a significant boost in visual quality over its predecessors, with more than five times the graphical output of the original PlayStation 4 and more than double that of the half-step PS4 Pro revision. The result is smooth, crisp, and ultra-detailed game worlds delivered in native 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second on supported screens, with 8K content compatibility also available. It also provides a much smoother play experience thanks to its speedy SSD storage, dramatically reducing load times. Beyond the power boost, the DualSense controller is an exciting innovation, packing in precise haptic feedback and adaptive, resistance-providing trigger buttons for a more immersive play experience. The PS5, available with or without a disc drive, had a solid array of launch games, including excellent exclusives like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls. The rival Xbox Series X is a bit more powerful on paper and sports a more compact, entertainment center-friendly design along with other perks. Sony is now selling a PS5 Slim model, which is 30% smaller than the original and has more storage. GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2 | CPU: AMD Ryzen | Storage: 825GB SSD | Optical Drive: Yes | Dimensions: 15.4"x4.1"x10.2" | Weight: 9.9 Lbs Lifewire / Andrew Hayward Sony PlayStation 5 Review Best for Mobility Nintendo Switch Walmart View On Amazon $298 View On Walmart $269 View On Best Buy $300 Pros Extremely portable Great for local multiplayer Relatively low cost Cons Graphics aren't as good as other consoles Lackluster online service No Ethernet port, Wi-Fi only Upon its first reveal, the Nintendo Switch marketed itself as a mobile gaming system that could be played at home on your television and carried around and playable wherever you go. Nintendo’s innovative console makes playing on the go easy and comes with a disassembling controller with split-screen options to play with friends. The Nintendo Switch has 50 third-party publishers in partnership for developing its future games. Hits like Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Mario Odyssey have given it a strong lineup. The Switch makes for an excellent system for parties with its mobile snap-off joy-con controllers–once out of its docking station, it acts like a tablet with its dedicated screen that can be shared with others through split-screen multiplayer games. GPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra Processor | CPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra Processor | Storage: 32GB Internal | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 4"x9.4"x.55" | Weight: .88 Lbs Lifewire / Jordan Provost Nintendo Switch Review Best Graphics Microsoft Xbox Series X Amazon View On Walmart $449 View On Best Buy $500 View On Xbox.com Pros Beautiful 4K graphics Fast loading and menus Most powerful console Extensive backward compatibility Runs quiet and cool Cons Lacks big exclusives No rechargeable controller battery Extra storage is expensive The Xbox Series X is the most powerful home console ever created, powering up to 12 teraflops of graphical performance for hyper-detailed 4K games at up to 120 frames per second on supported screens. Just as impressively, the super-fast custom SSD enables rapid loading of games and lets you swap between open games in mere seconds thanks to the unique Quick Resume feature. Microsoft’s console is compatible with a wide array of past Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games but lacks exclusives to warrant the $499 asking price. Lifewire / Andrew Hayward Xbox Series X Review Best for Affordable Gaming Microsoft Xbox Series S Amazon View On Amazon $350 View On Walmart $288 View On Best Buy $300 Pros 1440p next-gen gaming Plays all Xbox Series S/X games Backwards compatible Tiny form factor Great price Cons No 4K graphics Underpowered for a next-gen console No disc drive Limited storage Can't play physical discs from previous generations If you have to pick just one gaming console from this list, the Xbox Series S is likely the most lucrative option for most people. It's an excellent low-cost alternative to the Series X, bringing much of the same experience, albeit with some limits. The console can tackle 1440p gaming at 60fps or 120fps, but not 4K. Storage is limited to 512GB, but you can expand it with the expansion card. The real value of the console comes from its ability to play all the same games as the Xbox Series X. It's also backward compatible, giving you a wide range of games. Xbox Series S and X Backwards Compatibility The most cost-effective feature might be that you can use the Series S with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, giving you access to an extensive library of games for a monthly fee. GPU: AMD Custom Radeon RDNA 2 | CPU: AMD Custom Ryzen Zen 2 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Optical Drive: Yes | Dimensions: 5.9"x5.9"x11.9" | Weight: 9.8 Lbs Xbox Series S Review Best Handheld Nintendo Switch Lite Walmart View On Amazon $197 View On Walmart $187 View On Best Buy $200 Pros Great price Ultraportable size True D-pad rather than buttons Cons Only offers 720p No motion controls No TV hookup option The Nintendo Switch Lite is a cheaper, more portable option for gamers who want to experience all the best Nintendo titles on a budget. It ditches the dock and Joy-Con from Nintendo's original Switch, establishing itself as a handheld-only device. It comes in multiple colors, like bright turquoise or banana yellow. There's a much lower entry barrier at two-thirds the price of a standard Nintendo Switch, but it comes with a few sacrifices. Most notably, the Switch Lite doesn't dock to a television, meaning you can only play games in handheld mode. The lack of a built-in kickstand severely limits local multiplayer, but there are a handful of improvements over the OG Switch as well. The form factor feels better in the hands, and the smaller size makes it easier to take with you on the go. There's an actual directional pad that works better than the OG Switch's directional buttons, especially for platformers or fighting games. These upgrades make the Switch Lite perfect for anyone who plays exclusively in handheld mode and's looking for a better option on the go. GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | CPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | Storage: 32GB Internal | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 3.6"x8.2"x.55" | Weight: .61 Lbs Lifewire / Zach Sweat Nintendo Switch Lite Review Best Re-Release Nintendo Super NES Classic Amazon View On Walmart $280 View On Newegg.com $300 Pros Classic nostalgic games Supports HDMI out and powered by USB Includes two controllers Cons Difficult to find in stock Gamers rejoiced when news dropped that Nintendo would be re-releasing updated classics of its former consoles like the NES and Super NES Classic. The Super NES Classic resurrects the glorious gaming era of the 1990s with 21 games, including Starfox 2. With the original look and feel of the 16-bit home console (only smaller), the Super NES Classic is a timepiece for when gaming was reaching its peaks. Some of the best two-player games of its era are included and ready to play, such as Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II Turbo. Defining games such as Megaman X, Earthbound, Kirby Super Star, and Super Mario RPG return, too. Any gamer wanting to relive their youth or introduce gamers to a simpler time when the Internet was first starting should get the Super NES classic. Included are two wired Super NES Classic controllers for multiplayer action. GPU: Mali-400 MP | CPU: ARM Cortex-A7 | Storage: 512GB Flash Storage | Optical Drive: No | Dimensions: 10"x2.68"x8" | Weight: 2.12 Lbs The Best Gaming Accessories & Consoles for Kids What to Look For in a Gaming Console Price The newest gaming consoles can be pricey, but you don’t have to spend much for an exciting gaming experience. For instance, Nintendo’s consoles, on average, cost about $100 less than many of its competitors. You can also find great deals on classic systems. Compatibility If you’ve previously owned a gaming console, you should consider buying a new one compatible with the library of games you’ve likely collected. For example, newer PlayStations won’t play games from older Sony consoles, but you can still access hundreds of older PlayStation titles using the PS Now streaming service. On the other hand, Xbox consoles have much better backward compatibility, not to mention a digital redemption scheme that lets you download newer versions of your existing games for free. 4K or VR support How important is it to you to be able to play your favorite games in true 4K? If your answer is “very,” you’ll want a console that supports 2160p or higher, but if your answer is “not really,” you can settle for something else. The same goes for virtual reality, as not all systems will support it. FAQ Do you need a stable internet connection to use these consoles? While gaming consoles rely on an internet connection for much of their functionality, having a stable connection isn't essential. However, not connecting your console will severely hamper its features and your overall enjoyment. Besides being unable to play with your friends online, you won't get updates for your console or games, purchase or download games digitally, or access the multitudes of free games that typically become available over a console's lifetime. Can you upgrade your consoles? Modern consoles have a limited upgrade capacity, usually restricted to storage and aesthetics. Unfortunately, there is no way to install granular upgrades like you would see with a gaming PC, but you still have the option to increase your storage space or swap its color for something more palatable. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit