Best Game Consoles: The top 7 game consoles you can buy

A new video game generation has only just began, which means it's time to choice your next console. Only what are the best game consoles that you can currently buy?

After reviewing all of the latest and groovy consoles that launched in the past few years, nosotros've decided to rank them in this buying guide. What's the near powerful console? Which is the best on a budget? Which version of the Nintendo Switch is best for y'all? We've answered all of those questions (and more) below.

And if y'all can't find your perfect purchase simply however, keep this page bookmarked as we'll soon be factoring in the Steam Deck. Alternatively, you lot can check out our Best Graphics Bill of fare, Best Gaming CPU and Best Gaming Laptop pages if you fancy yourself a PC gamer.

How we test

Larn more near how we test game consoles

Every game console we review goes through a serial of uniform checks designed to gauge fundamental things including build quality and performance.

Nosotros'll play multiple games on the hardware, while comparison the performance to rival consoles (and predecessors) to encounter whether it's worth the investment.

We'll too evaluate the software, as well as the line-up of games when deciding on a final score.

Xbox Series X

A powerful console, aided past the fantastic value of Game Pass

Pros

• Sleek and premium pattern
• Xbox Game Pass offers a stunning level of value
• Quick Resume is a game changer
• SSD makes games and applications faster than e'er

Cons

• User interface and overall design is very familiar

The Xbox Series X is one of the all-time game consoles that you tin can buy. It's packing some seriously powerful specs, capable of playing games in 4K up to 120fps. The likes of Forza Horizon 5 demonstrate how fantastic games can wait on this panel, while the ultra-fast SSDs too make games load up in a blink of an eye.

But the biggest selling point of the Xbox Series X is the optional Game Pass subscription, which gives you access to big library of games for a reasonable monthly fee. What's more, future kickoff-party games such equally Starfield, Redfall and Scorn will all go far on Game Pass on launch day, then y'all don't demand to miss out by fugitive the expensive upfront cost.

Of course, the Series 10 isn't perfect. Information technology's very expensive and it's not exactly the best look console we've ever seen. But when yous consider that Microsoft has signed upwards the makers of Elder Scrolls and Call of Duty, there's no worry that this console volition have a lack of games compared to its rivals.

Reviewer: Jade Rex
Total review: Xbox Series Ten Review

PS5

A fantastic panel with a wealth of first-party games

Pros

• Absurdly powerful
• User interface is refined, accessible and easy to apply
• DualSense controller feels similar a truthful leap forward
• Backwards compatibility for PS4 games

Cons

• The panel is overly bulky
• Lags backside Series X and S when it comes to loading times

Sony has continued its stiff form into the current generation with the PS5, with the new console capable of a 4K operation while besides packing features such every bit ray tracing. Sony has likewise fabricated a big deal out of the SSD speeds, which can load up massive worlds in a couple of seconds.

The PS5 may non take a killer feature like Game Pass right now, but the haptic feedback of the DualSense controller is still mighty impressive. And there are already plenty of great games hither such every bit Ratchet and Clank: Rift Autonomously, Demon'southward Souls and Miles Morales. Sony is showing no sign of slowing down either.

There's also a PS5 Digital Edition bachelor for £359.99 if you're not fussed about having a disk drive, although information technology's admittedly difficult to find in stock.

Reviewer: Jade King
Total review: PS5 Review

Nintendo Switch

The best value portable console

Pros

• Gaming whenever, wherever yous want
• Vivid and colourful screen
• Versatile Joy-Con controllers
• Some truly incredible games

Cons

• Overpriced accessories
• Expensive games

The Nintendo Switch may have launched 5 years ago, just information technology's nevertheless 1 of the best game consoles, especially for portable play. Information technology'due south cheaper than the OLED model, more than versatile than the Switch Lite and no other visitor has fifty-fifty come shut to rivalling it – at least until the Steam Deck arrives.

The Switch also has an impressive line-upwards of games, including Breath of the Wild, Fauna Crossing: New Horizons and the recent Pokémon Legends: Arceus. And don't forget this console'southward versatility, equally you lot can be used as a portable or fifty-fifty docked up to the TV so you can play the likes of Mario Kart on split-screen.

The Switch is arguably starting to show its age, relying on the cloud to play modernistic third-political party games if you lot've got a fast enough net connection. Simply there are still some heady games in development for the Switch, including Breath of the Wild 2 and Splatoon 3.

Reviewer: Stuart Andrews
Full review: Nintendo Switch Review

Xbox Serial S

The best budget games console

Pros

• Major operation upgrade on Xbox Ane S
• Small and stylish blueprint
• Next-gen SSD reduce loading times dramatically
• Incredible value because the specs

Cons

• 500GB storage is far too small
• Lacks a disk drive
• No back up for Wi-Fi vi

If you lot're concerned about the rise toll of game consoles, then the Xbox Series S is your best selection. It supports a 1440p resolution and ray tracing, and fifty-fifty has speedy SSDs for instant loading times. It may be incapable of hitting a 4K resolution for well-nigh games, and lacks a disk drive if you like to buy physical games, but those are fair compromises considering the inexpensive price.

It also benefits from the absurdly good value of Game Laissez passer, sharing the exact same library of games as its more powerful sibling. Aye, that means you'll be able to play the likes of Halo Infinite, Starfield, The Elder Scrolls and all of the upcoming Call of Duty games.

However, its stingy 500GB of storage space tin can't be ignored. In social club to install multiple games on the drive, you're going to accept to invest in a memory card, and that certainly isn't cheap. Merely fifty-fifty with that added to the shopping cart, this is still one of the best game consoles available for those on a upkeep.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Total review: Xbox Series S Review

Nvidia Shield TV (2019)

A cloud-streaming TV box for PC gamers

The Nvidia Shield TV (2019) is a left-field choice on this listing, equally it isn't technically a gaming console. Instead, this is a premium Android streaming box that lets you watch all of your favourite TV apps in 4K. But with Nvidia's GeForce Now app integrated, it'southward also capable of streaming PC games via the cloud.

GeForce Now is a free to sign upward to, linking up to the likes of your Steam and Epic Games Shop accounts in order to access your game library. At that place's a modest list of games that are actually supported, but there are some big hitters here including Fortnite, Cyberpunk and Control. Of grade, you'll need a fast internet connection in order to ensure a fast operation, which is the platform'southward greatest limitation.

You lot tin can also choose to pay £eight.99 per calendar month to the upgrade the performance to 1080p at 60fps, or £15 per calendar month (£89.99 per half-dozen months) to become games running in 4K HDR. Those subscription costs aren't exactly cheap, but it's decent value when you consider you're getting the performance of £2000+ gaming PC.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Nvidia Shield TV (2019)

Nintendo Switch OLED

A premium Switch with a jaw-dropping screen

Pros

• OLED screen offers a huge upgrade
• Bigger screen, but still very portable
• Stand up is a lot sturdier now
• Increased storage chapters

Cons

• No functioning upgrade
• No substantial upgrades for docked style

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the latest iteration of the popular portable console, with a brand new OLED panel taking the visuals to new heights. Colours await far more brilliant and natural here compared to the standard Switch, making the likes of Breath of the Wild and Metroid Dread look outstanding.

Unfortunately, the Switch OLED isn't more powerful than the OG hybrid console, which ways at that place's no existent reason (bated from a new Ethernet cablevision on the dock) to buy this version if you lot mainly play via the TV.

Only for those who love portable play, the Nintendo Switch OLED is definitely worth considering, despite the never-ending rumours an incoming Switch Pro.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Nintendo Switch OLED Review

Nintendo Switch Light

The all-time budget-friendly portable games console

Pros

• Design is robust, attractive and easy to use
• Already boasts a fantastic library of games
• Increased battery life compared to the base model

Cons

• Nature of console ways certain games are no longer supported
• Local multiplayer is far harder to achieve without docking

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the cheapest portable games console on this list, making it an ideal option for children. It loses the power to dock to a Boob tube similar the standard Switch, but it's nevertheless a great pick for on-the-get gaming.

Since the Joy-Cons are fused to the sides of the handheld panel, it'southward not capable of playing select games that require complex movement control, but it otherwise shares the same game library as the Switch and Switch OLED. Yup, that means y'all tin can play all of the all-time Mario, Zelda and Pokémon games hither.

But it's worth remembering that its inability to connect to the dock means you won't be able to play multiplayer games such as Mario Kart and Blast Bros on the TV for some split-screen activeness.

Reviewer: Jade King
Full review: Nintendo Switch Lite Review

FAQs

What is the nigh popular gaming console?

The Nintendo Switch has the most sales out of all of the game consoles on this list, but that's an unfair metric since information technology'south been out for a longer length of time. The PS5 and Xbox Series Ten are seeing lots of sales, merely have been impacted past the ongoing GPU shortage.

Which games console is best for families?

The Nintendo Switch arguably has the best library of family-friendly games, with the likes of Mario Party and Mario Kart bachelor. Although the Xbox Series Southward is a good pick too, since it'south available at a low cost and can be paired with Game Pass to access a big library of games.

Which console has amend graphics?

The Nvidia Shield Television set technically offers the best graphics if y'all subscribe to the nearly expensive GeForce Now tier. But if we're talking about traditional consoles, it will be between the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

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Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/best/best-game-consoles-3605765

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