Buying a games console can sometimes feel like it means more than it really does - if you'd believe the raging hordes on Twitter and other social media platforms, it's like you're pledging undying fealty to one console above any others. The reality is very different, of course, and owning more than one console is entirely allowed and encouraged. However, if you're looking to pick up a console and only have room or time to get one, which should you go for? That's a big question, so we've gathered the very best around for you to pick from below. See what you think!

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Sony PlayStation 5
1. Best games console overall

The best around

Sony's beast of a console is our current winner.

Pros
  • Great exclusive titles
  • Easy to upgrade NVMe SSD
  • Runs quiet
Cons
  • Still sometimes out of stock

Sony's current-generation machine has a new look that's a little divisive, but we think it's bold and almost beautiful. More crucially, it's already got a great library of exclusive titles and upgraded PS4 greats for you to explore.

The PS5 brings a super-quick SSD to make load times zippy and boosts the graphical performance. Whether you want it or an Xbox comes down to games, for us, and currently, the PS5 edges it. Plus, you can look forward to more titles from the likes of Naughty Dog and Insomniac down the line.

Xbox Series X
Microsoft Xbox Series X
2. Best games console for raw power

A powerful beast

Microsoft's giant console isn't too far behind, though.

Pros
  • One of the most powerful consoles
  • Game Pass is awesome
Cons
  • Seriously chunky

Microsoft has got a really impressive hand to play this console generation, too, though, and the Xbox Series X is its new flagship. It's the most powerful console ever, too.

An SSD and huge power mean it's right up there with the PS5, and the prices are similar too. However, Microsoft's console might be a cheaper one, in the long run, thanks to Game Pass, a membership scheme that makes it affordable to play a huge range of games for a monthly fee.

After buying Bethesda recently, too, Microsoft might catch up on the exclusives front in the next couple of years, making the Series X an equally great choice.

nintendo-switch OLED
Nintendo Switch OLED
3. Best games console for families

The best Switch available

It's the best Switch for our money, offering the best of all worlds.

Pros
  • Gorgeous OLED display
  • Improved kickstand and build
  • Stunning exclusives
Cons
  • Minimal changes from the original

The newest version of Nintendo's handheld is also the best one going, in our opinion - it's got a fancy new screen that really revitalises the many classic games you can pick up for the platform.

The build quality is also much improved, with a better dock, kick-stand and more, so if you're out to get a new Switch now then this is definitely the one to pick.

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Valve Steam Deck
4. Best games console for freedom

A game-changer for PC gaming, the Steam Deck is a joy to use.

Pros
  • Superb performance
  • Comfortable to use
  • Great display
Cons
  • Hard to get
  • Pretty pricey

The definition of a games console is getting blurrier as portables get more popular, and the Steam Deck feels like a game-changer for PC gamers, opening up the world of on-the-go play for them.

It's a really respectably-powerful gaming PC in the palm of your hands, with access to compatible games through your Steam library, and if you can get hold of one it's a joy to use. The display is great however you spec it, and the performance you get is really impressive. It doesn't have endless battery life, though, and it's a little pricey. Still, it feels like a small quantum leap forward.

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Nintendo Switch
5. Best games console for fun

Totally unique

The original Switch is still a simply marvellous bit of kit.

Pros
  • Some of the best exclusive titles around
  • Excellent and versatile design
Cons
  • It's been around since 2017

Of course, even if it's no longer super new, the original Nintendo Switch also has to be part of any console conversation - it's an absolute classic, portable and for home use all in one package.

No one can beat Nintendo's lineup of first-party games from franchises like Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda, and mainline Mario titles, and it's also great for playing older titles bought digitally.

If you've got a family, we think this is the best choice by far - you've got some of the best games ever, in an amazing package, and most of them are family-friendly.

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PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
6. Best games console for efficiency

Digital-only fun

A disk-less version of the PS5. 

Pros
  • Cheaper than the standard PS5
  • Just as powerful
Cons
  • Limits your options when buying games

The PlayStation 5 is here in two variants, and this more affordable Digital Edition could work nicely for a lot of people. It has all the same power and storage as the standard PS5 but simply loses the disk drive.

That makes for a chunky saving on the cost upfront, and if you're happy to buy your games digitally it could be perfect, especially since it makes the console a little smaller, too. However, that lack of disks could be an issue for some people, so consider your approach!

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Nintendo Switch Lite
7. Best games console for portability

Perfect portable

Perhaps the best portable console ever built. 

Pros
  • Cheaper than the Nintendo Switch
  • Same great games and performance
Cons
  • Can't be docked with a TV

Nintendo wasn't done when it released the Switch and followed it up with the absolutely stellar Switch Lite, a portable-only console that holds its own against the big boys.

Being portable makes it a bit different from the others here, but if you don't have space for a full console and want to play some stone-cold classics, it's an affordable and practical way to do so, with a great screen and really comfortable controls. Not being able to dock it to play on a TV is a bit of a drawback, though.

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Xbox Series S
8. Best games console for value

Small but mighty

Great for those who want to spend less for the latest games.

Pros
  • Cheaper than the Xbox Series X
  • Awesome FHD gameplay
Cons
  • No disc drive

Microsoft has another next-generation console - the Xbox Series S is a more affordable, less powerful alternative to the Series X.

It's designed to play games at 1080p or 1440p instead of 4K, which will still satisfy many people, and you'll get all the next-gen games goodness coming to the Series X. If you want the latest games, getting a Series S and an Xbox Game Pass membership is the most affordable way to do it. There's no disc drive here, though, so don't expect your discs to work!

How did I pick the best gaming consoles?

Ranking the best consoles on the market right now isn't a simple task, with the games that you can play on those consoles making up part of the equation along with each bit of hardware's own strengths.

With access to everything on this list, though, it comes down to which consoles I still find myself coming back to regularly (or daily), and which are a little more consigned to niche usage, and that's broadly how the list has been formed.

The PlayStation 5 has access to all the best cross-platform games and the most impressive current-gen lineup of exclusives, which has seen it take the top spot, while Nintendo's roster of unreal first-party titles means it's a shoo-in for second place.

Frequently asked questions

If you're looking for a games console and you're starting from scratch, asking yourself these questions could help you narrow things down as you do research.

What's your budget?

Consoles now span quite a wide range of prices, from under $200 all the way up to north of $500, so you're going to want to figure out what you can spend before you get all your hopes up and pine away for a PS5.

What type of game do you enjoy?

If you know that you love couch-based party games or you're a huge Mario fan, then a Switch OLED sounds perfect for you. Alternatively, if playing Call of Duty is all you're interested in, a PS5 or Xbox will fit better.

Looking into what games each console can play should be a key part of your decision-making process.