Key takeaways
- Best overall: Nintendo Switch 2 ($449 – $499).
- Pick the console your friends and favorite game series are on.
In this article
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There are hundreds of game consoles on sale, and many look the same on paper. We compared the models that matter in the US and gave each one a clear verdict: buy, consider or skip.
Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. The button on each pick opens the current price.
Quick answer
- Best overall: Nintendo Switch 2 ($449 – $499)
- Premium pick: PlayStation 5 Console (Slim) ($449 – $549)
Game consoles compared
| Product | Verdict | Score | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Buy | 9.1/10 | $449 – $499 |
| PlayStation 5 Console (Slim) | Buy | 9.0/10 | $449 – $549 |
| PlayStation 5 Pro | Consider | 7.8/10 | $699 – $749 |
| Xbox Series S | Consider | 7.4/10 | $379 – $399 |
| Xbox Series X | Skip | 6.6/10 | $599 – $649 |
Our picks in detail
Nintendo Switch 2
Families and handheld play · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.1/10 · Typical price: $449 – $499
Why we like it: Play on the TV or on the go.
Pros: Plays at home and handheld · Larger 1080p screen · Plays most Switch 1 games · Great for local multiplayer
Cons: Games are rarely discounted · Less powerful than PS5
Buy it if you want Mario, Zelda and Pokémon, love playing on the couch and on the go, or game with kids.
Skip it if you want the best graphics for big third-party games.
PlayStation 5 Console (Slim)
Most gamers · Verdict: Buy · Score: 9.0/10 · Typical price: $449 – $549
Why we like it: Biggest exclusive games and great value.
Pros: Huge library including PS4 games · Fast SSD loading · DualSense controller with haptics · Disc or digital versions
Cons: Prices rose in 2025 · 1 TB fills up quickly
Buy it if you want the console with the biggest blockbuster exclusives and a huge game library.
Skip it if you mostly play Nintendo franchises or want to play on the go.
PlayStation 5 Pro
Enthusiasts with a high-end TV · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.8/10 · Typical price: $699 – $749
Why we like it: Sharper, smoother PS5 games.
Pros: Better graphics and frame rates in supported games · 2 TB storage · Wi-Fi 7
Cons: Very expensive · No disc drive included
Buy it if you own a large 4K TV with 120Hz and want the sharpest PS5 graphics.
Skip it if you play on an ordinary TV; the standard PS5 looks almost as good for far less.
Xbox Series S
Budget Game Pass · Verdict: Consider · Score: 7.4/10 · Typical price: $379 – $399
Why we like it: Small, digital-only Xbox.
Pros: Small and quiet · Works with Game Pass · Lower price than Series X
Cons: No disc drive · Small 512 GB storage
Buy it if you want the cheapest way into Xbox Game Pass on a 1080p or 1440p TV.
Skip it if you want 4K gaming or physical discs.
What to check before you buy
- Pick the console your friends and favorite game series are on.
- Subscription services add online play and game libraries; include their cost in your budget.
- Check storage: large games fill 1 TB quickly.
What to skip
Common mistake: Buying a console for one exclusive game you could play elsewhere.
We would also skip these at their usual prices:
- Xbox Series X ($599 – $649) – Skip it if you want value; after 2025 price rises it costs more than a PS5, and most Xbox games now come to PC and PlayStation.
When to buy
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. Bundles with a game are often the best deal during big sales.
Compare more options
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What are the best game consoles in the US?
Our top pick is Nintendo Switch 2 (typically $449 – $499).
What should I check before buying game consoles?
Pick the console your friends and favorite game series are on. Subscription services add online play and game libraries; include their cost in your budget.
When is the best time to buy game consoles in the US?
The deepest discounts usually arrive during the big summer sales in July, the October sales events and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November.
What is the most common mistake when buying game consoles?
Buying a console for one exclusive game you could play elsewhere.