Key takeaways
- 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.
In this article
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This buying guide is for anyone shopping for game consoles in the US who wants a straight answer rather than a spec sheet. Work through the checks below and you will know what to buy and what to skip.
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.
How much to spend
The game consoles we rate range from about $379 (Xbox Series S) to about $749 (PlayStation 5 Pro). Bundles with a game are often the best deal during big sales.
The mistake to avoid
Buying a console for one exclusive game you could play elsewhere.
Our shortlist
If you want to skip the research, these are the game consoles we would buy in the US:
- Nintendo Switch 2 ($449 – $499) – Check Price on Amazon
- PlayStation 5 Console (Slim) ($449 – $549) – Check Price on Amazon
See every pick, with pros and cons, in Best Game Consoles (2026): What to Buy and What to Skip.
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.
Compare more options
Search game consoles on Amazon See top-rated game consoles on Amazon
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right 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.
How much should I spend on game consoles in the US?
The models we rate range from about $379 to about $749. Bundles with a game are often the best deal during big sales.
What is the biggest mistake when buying game consoles?
Buying a console for one exclusive game you could play elsewhere.
When should I 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.