Buying guide
Which Console Should You Buy in 2026? PS5, Switch 2, Xbox and More
Best for most people: PS5 Slim. Best for families: Switch 2. Best for Game Pass: Xbox Series X. Every pick, specs side by side, with live prices.
For most people, the best console to buy is the PlayStation 5 Slim. For families and playing on the go, get the Nintendo Switch 2. For Game Pass, get the Xbox Series X, and for kids, the Switch Lite.
Find your console in 3 taps
Where will you play?
What's your budget?
Who is it for?
Our picks
- 4Kup to 120fps
- 1TBstorage
- Discdrive option
Buy it if you play on a TV and want PlayStation's exclusives in 4K.
Skip it if you want to play away from the TV.
Why we picked it
It plays games in up to 4K at up to 120fps with ray tracing, has 1TB of storage, plays most PS4 games and comes with a detachable disc drive on the Disc model.
- 7.9"120Hz screen
- 4Kon your TV
- 256GBstorage
Buy it if you want one console for the TV and on the go, with Mario, Zelda and Pokemon.
Skip it if you play for hours away from a charger. Nintendo rates it at about 2 to 6.5 hours.
Why we picked it
It has a 7.9-inch 120Hz HDR screen, outputs up to 4K on a TV, has 256GB of storage and plays most original Switch games.
- 4Kup to 120fps
- 1TBstorage
- Discdrive
Buy it if you want Game Pass and to keep playing your Xbox One games.
Skip it if you play mostly PlayStation exclusives.
Why we picked it
It plays in 4K at up to 120fps with ray tracing, has 1TB or 2TB of storage and plays many Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games.
- 2TBstorage
- Wi-Fi 7wireless
- Advancedray tracing
Buy it if you have a high-end TV and want the sharpest, smoothest PlayStation games.
Skip it if you play physical discs. The disc drive is an add-on.
Why we picked it
It has 2TB of storage, advanced ray tracing, Wi-Fi 7 and up to 8K output on an 8K TV, and it boosts most PS4 games.
- 1.9 kgweight
- 1440pup to 120fps
- Digitalonly
Buy it if you want a small, quiet console for a bedroom or a 1080p or 1440p TV.
Skip it if you buy game discs. It has no disc drive.
Why we picked it
At about 1.9 kg it is the smallest home console here. It plays at up to 1440p and 120fps, upscales to 4K, and runs the same Xbox games as the Series X.
- 7.0"OLED screen
- 64GBstorage
- 4.5-9 hrsbattery
Buy it if you mostly play handheld and want a vivid OLED screen and long battery.
Skip it if you want 4K on your TV or Switch 2 games.
Why we picked it
It has a 7.0-inch OLED screen, 64GB of storage, a dock for 1080p TV play and about 4.5 to 9 hours of battery.
- 275 gweight
- 5.5"screen
- 3-7 hrsbattery
Buy it if you want a light, handheld-only Switch for a kid.
Skip it if you want to play on the TV. It has no TV output.
Why we picked it
It weighs about 275 g, has a 5.5-inch screen and plays every Switch game that supports handheld mode.
- 7.4"HDR OLED
- 90Hzscreen
- Wi-Fi 6Ewireless
Buy it if you already own PC games on Steam and want to play them anywhere.
Skip it if you want Nintendo or PlayStation games.
Why we picked it
It has a 7.4-inch 90Hz HDR OLED screen, 512GB or 1TB of storage, Wi-Fi 6E and about 3 to 12 hours of battery depending on the game.
Every pick side by side
| Console | Type | Max output | Built-in screen | Storage | Disc drive | Weight | Released | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 Slim | Home console | Up to 4K (HDR) | None | 1TB | Yes (detachable) | About 3.2kg (Digital 2.6kg) | November 2023 | $939.99 |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Hybrid | 4K TV, 1080p handheld | 7.9-inch LCD, 120Hz, HDR | 256GB | No (game cards) | About 534g (with Joy-Con 2) | June 2025 | $609.99 |
| Xbox Series X | Home console | 4K (8K HDR capable) | None | 1TB or 2TB | Yes (1TB Digital: no) | About 4.4kg (Digital 3.6kg) | November 2020 | $869.99 |
| PlayStation 5 Pro | Home console | Up to 8K (needs 8K TV) | None | 2TB | Optional add-on | About 3.1kg | November 2024 | $1,779.99 |
| Xbox Series S | Home console | 1440p, upscales to 4K | None | 512GB or 1TB | No | About 1.9kg | November 2020 | $659.99 |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | Hybrid | 1080p TV, 720p handheld | 7.0-inch OLED | 64GB | No (game cards) | About 420g (with Joy-Con) | October 2021 | $299.99 |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | Handheld only | 720p (built-in screen) | 5.5-inch LCD | 32GB | No (game cards) | About 275g | September 2019 | $139.99 |
| Steam Deck OLED | Handheld PC | 8K60 / 4K120 on external | 7.4-inch HDR OLED, 90Hz | 512GB or 1TB | No | About 640g | November 2023 | $719.99 |
How to pick a console
- Pick the games first. Each maker has games you can only play on its consoles, and Nintendo's own games (Mario, Zelda, Pokemon) only come out on Switch.
- TV or handheld? PlayStation and Xbox play on a TV only. The Switch 2, Switch and Switch OLED do both. The Switch Lite and Steam Deck OLED are handheld.
- Disc or digital? Disc consoles let you buy, sell and borrow used games. Digital-only saves space but every game is a download.
Online play costs extra. PlayStation needs PlayStation Plus, Xbox needs Game Pass Essential or higher and Nintendo needs Nintendo Switch Online for most online multiplayer. Free-to-play games are the usual exception.
Questions people ask
What is the best console to buy right now?
The PlayStation 5 Slim for most people who play on a TV. It plays in up to 4K at up to 120fps, has 1TB of storage and plays most PS4 games. Families who want to play on the go should get the Switch 2.
PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Pick by the games. Both play in 4K at up to 120fps. Pick Xbox if you use Game Pass. Read PS5 vs Xbox Series X.
PS5 or Switch 2?
The PS5 is the stronger TV console. The Switch 2 also works as a handheld and has Nintendo's games. See PS5 vs Switch 2.
Which Switch should I buy?
The Switch 2 for 4K TV play and new games, the Switch OLED for the best handheld screen, and the Switch Lite for kids. Compare them in every Switch compared.
PS5, PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro?
The Slim is the best fit for most people. The Pro adds 2TB, advanced ray tracing and Wi-Fi 7 for high-end TVs. See PS5 vs PS5 Slim vs PS5 Pro.
What is the best console for kids?
The Nintendo Switch Lite for younger kids: it is light, handheld-only and plays most Switch games. For the whole family, the Switch 2.
Can I play my old games?
PS5 plays most PS4 games. Xbox Series X and S play Xbox One games and many Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Switch 2 plays most original Switch games.
Is a pre-owned console a safe buy?
Every console we sell is inspected and tested. You get up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only, so every grade plays like new.
How did we pick?
We compared each maker's published specs for every console we sell (output, storage, screen, disc drive and backward compatibility) and weighed them against price and release date. Prices on this page are live from our store.
Shop all consoles. Trading in your old console? See what it's worth.
Évitez le prix du neuf
Procurez-vous le PlayStation 5 Slim d'occasion à partir de $939.99, testé par de vrais techniciens, avec une garantie d'un an et des retours sous 14 jours.
