Best Game Consoles of 2026: 5 Picks Worth Buying (and 1 to Skip)

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Choosing between the best game consoles is mostly about games, not hardware. Each platform has exclusive series you cannot play elsewhere, and those franchises should drive the decision more than teraflops or storage size. After that, think about where you play (TV, handheld or both), who plays (adults, kids or both) and how much you want to spend on games over the console’s life, not just on the box.

Our picks are based on specs, manufacturer documentation, warranty terms, independent review consensus and owner-feedback patterns.

Quick picks

Product	Best for	Our verdict	Typical price
Nintendo Switch 2	Families and handheld play	Buy	about $449–$499
PlayStation 5 Console (Slim)	Most gamers	Buy	about $449–$549
PlayStation 5 Slim	Most gamers	Buy	about $450–$500
PlayStation 5 Pro	Enthusiasts with a high-end TV	Consider	about $699–$749
Xbox Series S	Budget Game Pass	Consider	about $379–$399
Xbox Series X	Game Pass fans	Skip	about $599–$649

Console prices changed several times in 2025, so check the current price before you buy.

The best game consoles in 2026

The Nintendo Switch 2 is our top pick because it does something no other console here can: it plays on your TV and then comes with you in your hands. Docked, it outputs up to 4K to a television. Undocked, it uses a larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen than the original Switch had. It ships with 256 GB of storage, and it plays most original Switch games, so families upgrading from a Switch keep much of their library.

It is the console for Mario, Zelda and Pokémon fans, for couch co-op and party games, and for parents who want something the whole family can share. Local multiplayer is a real strength. The trade-offs are power and price of games: it is less powerful than a PS5, so big third-party games often look better elsewhere, and Nintendo’s own games are rarely discounted. Skip it if you want the best graphics in blockbuster cross-platform releases.

It also makes a strong second console. Many households pair a Switch with a PlayStation: the PlayStation handles big cinematic games on the TV, while the Switch covers family games, travel and quick sessions in bed. If you can only buy one and your home has young kids, this is the one to start with.

The PlayStation 5 (Slim) is the best home console for most gamers. It has the biggest library of blockbuster exclusives, it plays most PS4 games, and its fast SSD makes loading quick. The DualSense controller, with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, is a genuine highlight that many games use well. It outputs up to 4K at 120Hz and comes in disc and digital versions; the digital model can add a disc drive later.

The trade-offs are cost and storage. Prices rose in 2025, PlayStation games are expensive at launch, and the 1 TB SSD fills quickly once you install a few large games. You can expand storage with a compatible M.2 drive, such as a PS5-compatible M.2 SSD with heatsink. Skip it if you mostly play Nintendo franchises or want to game on the go; the Nintendo Switch 2 fits that better.

The PlayStation 5 Slim is the same PS5 Slim console as the pick above, listed under a slightly different name. You get the same huge exclusive library, fast loading and excellent DualSense controller, and the same caveats about expensive games and storage that fills fast.

It is here so you can compare listings. Typical pricing runs about $450–$500. Buy whichever PS5 Slim listing is cheaper when you shop, and check two details on the listing before you pay: whether it is the disc or digital edition, and whether any game is bundled. Bundles can be good value if the included game is one you would have bought anyway. It is a great gift console for families who want big action, sports and adventure games, but skip it if you need to play away from the TV.

The PlayStation 5 Pro is the most powerful PlayStation, aimed at enthusiasts with a large 4K TV that supports 120Hz. In supported games it delivers sharper images and steadier frame rates than the standard PS5. It also doubles storage to a 2 TB SSD and adds Wi-Fi 7, both useful upgrades for people with big digital libraries.

The catch is value. At about $699–$749 it costs far more than a PS5 Slim, and it does not include a disc drive, so disc owners have to buy one separately. On an ordinary TV, the standard PS5 looks almost as good for far less. Buy the Pro only if you own a high-end TV and care about getting the best possible picture from PlayStation games. Everyone else should get the PS5 Slim and spend the difference on games.

A useful way to decide: if you have already spent real money on a premium TV and you play PlayStation games most evenings, the Pro’s extra polish is noticeable and the 2 TB drive saves you from buying storage. If you play a few hours a week, or your TV is a few years old, you will get far more enjoyment from putting that extra money toward a second controller and several new games.

The Xbox Series S is the cheapest current-generation console here and the easiest way into Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription that gives access to a large rotating library. It is small, quiet and fits anywhere, which makes it a good kids’ room or second-TV console. It outputs up to 1440p, which matches 1080p and 1440p TVs and monitors well.

The compromises are real. There is no disc drive, so every game is digital, and the 512 GB SSD is small for modern game sizes. It is not built for 4K gaming. Skip it if you want 4K or physical discs. Buy it if you want Game Pass on a budget and your TV is not 4K, or if you want a simple console for younger players. For bigger exclusives, a PS5 Slim is the better long-term buy.

The Xbox Series X is a fast, powerful console with a 1 TB SSD, 4K output at up to 120Hz, Game Pass access to hundreds of games and backward compatibility with older Xbox games. Hardware is not the problem. Value is. After sharp 2025 price increases it typically costs about $599–$649, more than a PS5 Slim, and Microsoft now brings most of its games to PC and PlayStation, so there are fewer reasons to own an Xbox to play them.

Buy it only if you are committed to Game Pass and already own an Xbox library you want to keep playing at 4K. Otherwise, get the PlayStation 5 (Slim) for the bigger exclusive library at a lower price, or the Xbox Series S if Game Pass on a budget is all you need.

How to choose game consoles

Pick the games first

Every console here plays popular cross-platform games such as sports titles and big shooters. The difference is exclusives. If your household loves Mario, Zelda, Pokémon or party games, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the only way to play them. If you want Sony’s big cinematic exclusives, you need a PlayStation. If your favorite games are already on Game Pass, an Xbox can make sense, though many Xbox games now arrive on PC and PlayStation too. Make a short list of the five games you most want to play and see which console runs them.

TV, handheld or both

The Switch 2 is the only hybrid here. It plays docked on a TV and as a handheld on its own screen, which makes it ideal for travel, shared TVs and kids who want to play while someone else watches. PlayStation and Xbox consoles need a TV or monitor. If the main TV is often in use, a handheld-capable console avoids a lot of arguments.

Match the console to your TV

A 4K TV with 120Hz support gets the most from the PlayStation 5 Pro, the PS5 Slim and the Xbox Series X. On a 1080p TV, the expensive consoles lose much of their advantage, and the Xbox Series S looks nearly as good for far less. Our TV buying guide explains what 4K, HDR and 120Hz really mean if you are upgrading both.

Plan for storage

Game sizes keep growing, and storage fills faster than most buyers expect. The Series S has 512 GB, the PS5 Slim and Series X have 1 TB, the PS5 Pro has 2 TB, and the Switch 2 has 256 GB. Switch 2 storage expands with a microSD Express card, and the PS5 accepts a compatible M.2 SSD. If you buy mostly digital games, budget for extra storage from the start.

Count the total cost, not just the box

The console is only part of the bill. Factor in a second controller, online subscriptions for multiplayer, and the games themselves. Nintendo games are rarely discounted, PlayStation games are expensive at launch, and Game Pass trades ownership for a monthly fee. If you plan to play with a second person, see our picks for the best game controllers, and for late-night sessions the best gaming headsets.

Disc or digital

Discs let you buy used games, resell finished ones and lend games to friends. Digital is more convenient and saves shelf space, and digital-only consoles often cost less up front. The PS5 Slim offers both versions, and the digital model can add a drive later. The Xbox Series S and PS5 Pro ship without a disc drive. If you like buying used games, get a disc version.

Buying a console as a gift

Gift buyers should confirm three things before checking out. First, which consoles the recipient’s friends play on, because online play with friends is a big part of the fun for older kids and teens. Second, whether the household already has a TV free for gaming; if not, the handheld Switch 2 avoids the problem. Third, what is in the box. Some bundles include a game, while others are the bare console, and a single controller may not be enough for siblings. Adding a second controller and one game the recipient already wants turns a good gift into one that gets used on day one.

Think about the next few years

A console is a multi-year purchase, so think about where your gaming is heading. The PS5 and Switch 2 both have deep libraries and strong lineups of exclusive franchises. Xbox’s strategy of bringing its games to other platforms means Xbox hardware matters less than it once did, which is part of why we suggest skipping the Series X at current prices. If you also game on a PC, that overlap is another reason a PlayStation or Nintendo console adds more variety than an Xbox.

Quick rules

• If you have kids or travel, buy the Nintendo Switch 2.
• If you want the biggest exclusives, buy the PlayStation 5 Slim or whichever PS5 Slim listing is cheaper.
• If you own a premium 4K 120Hz TV and care about graphics, consider the PlayStation 5 Pro.
• If you want Game Pass for the least money, buy the Xbox Series S.
• If you are eyeing the Xbox Series X, buy it only for an existing Xbox library.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game console for kids?

For most families, the Nintendo Switch 2. It has the largest selection of family-friendly series like Mario and Pokémon, it is great for local multiplayer, and kids can play handheld when the TV is busy. It also plays most original Switch games. The Xbox Series S is a cheaper option for older kids who want Game Pass, but it needs a TV and has no disc drive.

Should I buy the PS5 Slim or the PS5 Pro?

Buy the PS5 Slim unless you own a large 4K TV with 120Hz support and care a lot about graphics. The Pro gives sharper images and steadier frame rates in supported games, plus 2 TB of storage and Wi-Fi 7, but it costs far more and has no disc drive included. On an ordinary TV, the standard PS5 looks almost as good.

Is the Xbox Series X still worth buying?

For most people, no. After sharp price increases in 2025, it costs more than a PS5 Slim, and most Xbox games now come to PC and PlayStation. It is still a fast, capable console with excellent backward compatibility. Buy it only if you are committed to Game Pass and already own an Xbox library you want to keep playing in 4K.

Can the Switch 2 play original Switch games?

Yes, it plays most original Switch games, which is a big help for families upgrading with an existing library. A small number of titles may have compatibility issues, so check Nintendo’s compatibility information for any specific game you care about. Digital purchases are tied to your Nintendo Account, which makes moving over easier.

Do I need an online subscription?

You need one for most online multiplayer on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo consoles, though many free-to-play games are exceptions. Single-player games and local multiplayer usually do not need a subscription. Game Pass is different: it is a library subscription that also includes online play on its higher tiers. Factor any plan into your yearly gaming budget.

The bottom line

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the best game console for families and anyone who wants to play anywhere, and the PlayStation 5 Slim is the best pick for gamers who want the biggest exclusives on a TV. The Xbox Series S is a sensible budget way into Game Pass, the PS5 Pro is only for owners of high-end TVs, and the Xbox Series X is a skip at current prices.

Check price on Amazon: Nintendo Switch 2
Paid link. Typical price about $449–$499; check the current price on Amazon.