Being an avid gamer, I love checking out the latest gaming consoles that allow me to experience different things and discover new worlds. The best gaming consoles have amazing graphics and great online capabilities that provide a fun and immersive experience.
I love the Sony PlayStation 5 because it’s fast, looks great, and has some great exclusive games.
My only pet peeve is its bulky design, but that issue has been addressed with its successor, the PS5 Slim model, which is 30% smaller than the original and has more storage space, but otherwise offers the same experience.
Photo: Amazon Photo: Target
Strong Points
A fast and smooth playing experience
Comfortable DualSense controller
Plenty of exclusive games
TL;DR: Sony’s latest console has great exclusive games, extensive media capabilities, is fairly fast, and is slimmer than the original.
Why we recommend these
The Sony PlayStation 5 is everything you want in a gaming console: easy to boot up and play games on, and the menu system is easy to understand and not confusing.
While some consoles can have cluttered screens or ads, the Sony PlayStation 5 has a clean layout.
It only takes a few seconds to find the game you want or switch between the extensive media options, including every streaming app you can think of and the ability to play 4K Blu-rays.
Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
The games are varied and there is something for everyone to enjoy, there are some great exclusive titles as well, my favourites being God of War: Ragnarok and The Last of Us series.
While some games are also available on the PlayStation 4, buying the newer console will give you much faster load times and better graphics.
The gap between the two is steadily widening, so now is the time to upgrade your older games with a quick check.
Playing the game with the PS5 DualSense controller was a real pleasure.
Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
With haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, pulling the trigger feels much more satisfying than with a traditional controller, without putting strain on your hands or joints.
It also means you feel more in control, which is especially satisfying when playing a game like Spider-Man 2, where every time you swing your web you feel more in control than just pressing a button.
Most games require you to sign up for PS Plus to play online (excluding free-to-play titles like Fortnite), but the seamless way it works makes the annual membership worth it.
Who else is recommending it? Digital Trends, Popular Mechanics, TechRadar and Wirecutter all recommend the Sony PlayStation 5.
What do buyers say? 91% of nearly 8,000 Amazon reviewers rated the Sony PlayStation 5 five stars.
Photo: Walmart
Strong Points
Ultra-portable
Various color options
Comfortable construction
TL;DR: Cute, colorful, and packed with games, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a great gaming console that’s easy on the wallet.
Why we recommend this
The Nintendo Switch Lite is an incredibly cute looking handheld gaming system.
It’s designed to be more kid-friendly than the Switch, and with a thicker plastic case it’s far more durable.
This means you can choose from fun color schemes (I like yellow and aquamarine blue), and it also means that the Nintendo Switch Lite is comfortable to hold. As someone with joint problems, the console fits perfectly in my hand even after extended periods of use.
Although it has a smaller screen than the standard Nintendo Switch, games still run at 720p and still look pretty good – there’s no loss in performance, just a smaller size.
I played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and it was a very fun and immersive game. The console is easy to use and has a clear layout, so even beginners and kids can quickly figure out what to do.
Games can be purchased digitally or as physical cartridges, and the console has 32GB of internal storage that can be upgraded at any time via microSD card.
Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
That’s not to say there aren’t any concessions here: the Nintendo Switch Lite can’t be docked like the larger version, so it loses one of the reasons it’s called a Switch.
As such, you can’t detach the Joy-Con controllers, meaning you’ll need to buy separate controllers to play multiplayer on the smaller screen.
It also doesn’t come with Joy-Con controllers, meaning you can’t use motion controls, which could impact many games.
Nonetheless, the Nintendo Switch Lite is easy to use and makes an ideal entry-level console for getting started in gaming.
Who else is recommending it? TechRadar, Digital Trends, GamesRadar and Wirecutter all recommend the Nintendo Switch Lite. (You can read their reviews here.)
What do customers think? 90% of the 54,000 reviews on Amazon give the Nintendo Switch Lite five stars.
Lifewire / Jennifer Allen
How we tested
I have reviewed all the gaming consoles based on the following attributes:
Setup Daily Use Available Games Supported Accessories User Friendly
I purchased all of the consoles I tested for my own personal use, and I’ve spent dozens of hours comparing them while using them.
This included seeing how quickly each console loaded and how quickly you could play games, and how easy it was to do so.
We also looked at how many games are available for each system, the advantages they offer, and whether the controllers are comfortable and intuitive to use.
We also took into account perhaps the most important factor: how much fun each console is to play and whether it makes you want to play more.
What to look for
Buying a gaming console is never a cheap purchase, so it’s important to avoid making mistakes and buy the right one for you and your needs.
To help you decide which gaming console is best for you, consider these key points before purchasing:
Who’s playing?
Every gaming console has a wide range of games aimed at different age groups, but some games are better suited for certain players than others.
For example, PlayStation has a lot of strong single player games with storylines that deal with adult themes, games like Bluey and Lego titles, but PlayStation’s strength lies in its more mature titles.
Alternatively, the Nintendo Switch has the very family-friendly Mario series, with many couch co-op and multiplayer titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offering a more sociable experience.
compatibility
Already have a console? It might influence what you buy next.
Nearly all Xbox One accessories will work with Xbox Series X/S, so if you already have a controller or headset, it makes sense to stick with the same ecosystem.
And if you have digital or physical copies of the games, it’s worth checking if you can play them on the new console.
While the PS5 can play PS4 games and the Xbox Series X/S can play Xbox One games, the Switch is not backwards compatible with the Nintendo Wii U.
Convenience
Some consoles are easier to transport than others. Some, like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, will end up sitting under your TV or next to your monitor, so you can’t easily take them elsewhere.
The Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck are portable and can be docked to a screen, so it’s worth thinking about how important portability is to you – consoles that only work through a TV or monitor are generally more powerful but less portable.
While modern consoles are expensive, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an exciting gaming experience: Nintendo consoles, for example, are, on average, about $100 cheaper than their competitors’ consoles, and you can still get great deals on classic systems.
If you’ve owned a gaming console before, you should probably consider buying a new one that’s compatible with your collected game library.
For example, you can’t play games from older Sony consoles on the new PlayStation, but you can access hundreds of older PlayStation titles using the PS Now streaming service.
Xbox consoles, on the other hand, have much better backward compatibility and also feature a digital redemption scheme that allows you to download new versions of existing games for free.
How important is it to you to be able to play your favorite games in true 4K? If the answer is “very much,” then you’ll need a console that supports 2160p or higher, but if it’s “not very much,” then you can compromise with something else. The same goes for virtual reality, where not all systems support it.
For more advice, check out our gaming console buying guide.
Other consoles considered
Nintendo Switch OLED is the ultimate Nintendo Switch. Connect it to your TV for big-screen fun with your family or play portable on the high-end OLED screen. Valve Steam Deck lets you play PC games on the go via Steam or connect it to your TV to play without having to tweak lots of settings. Xbox Series X is a high-end console with exclusive titles like the Halo and Forza series, and the Netflix-like Xbox Game Pass service.
FAQ
Do I need a stable internet connection to use these consoles?
Gaming consoles rely on an internet connection for many functions, but a stable connection isn’t essential. However, not having your console connected will severely limit the functionality and overall enjoyment of your console. Not only will you not be able to play with your friends online, but you will also not be able to get console and game updates, buy or download games digitally, or access the many free games that are typically offered over the life of your console.
Can I upgrade my console?
Modern gaming consoles have limited upgrade capabilities, usually limited to storage and appearance. Unfortunately, there’s no way to install minor upgrades like you can with a gaming PC, but you can increase the storage capacity or change the color to something more to your liking.
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