Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our recommendations or editorial integrity. Learn more

Gaming Consoles

Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Gaming Consoles

PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or PC? We compared every major gaming platform—comparing game libraries, performance, and where your money actually goes furthest for the games you want to play.

Last updated: January 28, 2026
Share:
Best Overall Our top recommendation
Best Overall
PlayStation 5 Slim

Sony

PlayStation 5 Slim

4.8 (45,678 reviews)

Gaming's best exclusive library—Spider-Man, God of War, Horizon.

Storage

1TB SSD

Pros

  • Best exclusive games
  • DualSense haptics
  • Fast SSD

Cons

  • Limited storage
  • $70 exclusives

Head-to-Head Comparison

ProductRatingPrice Action
PlayStation 5 Slim
PlayStation 5 Slim Best
Sony
4.8
$449 View
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X Value
Microsoft
4.7
$499 View
Switch OLED
Switch OLED
Nintendo
4.8
$349 View
Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S
Microsoft
4.5
$299 View
Steam Deck OLED
Steam Deck OLED
Valve
4.8
$549 View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall
PlayStation 5 Slim

Sony

PlayStation 5 Slim

4.8 (45,678 reviews)

Gaming's best exclusive library—Spider-Man, God of War, Horizon.

Storage

1TB SSD

Pros

  • Best exclusive games
  • DualSense haptics
  • Fast SSD

Cons

  • Limited storage
  • $70 exclusives
Best Value
Xbox Series X

Microsoft

Xbox Series X

4.7 (38,234 reviews)

Raw power with Game Pass—hundreds of games for $15/month.

Power

12 TFLOPS

Pros

  • Game Pass value
  • Most powerful

Cons

  • Fewer exclusives
Switch OLED

Nintendo

Switch OLED

4.8 (52,345 reviews)

Play Zelda on the couch then on a plane.

Screen

7" OLED

Pros

  • Portable AND docked
  • Nintendo exclusives

Cons

  • Weakest hardware
Budget Pick
Xbox Series S

Microsoft

Xbox Series S

4.5 (28,456 reviews)

Entry-level next-gen at $299.

Storage

512GB

Pros

  • Cheapest next-gen
  • Full Game Pass

Cons

  • 1440p not 4K
Premium Pick
Steam Deck OLED

Valve

Steam Deck OLED

4.8 (12,345 reviews)

Your Steam library goes everywhere.

Screen

7.4" HDR OLED

Pros

  • Steam library portable
  • Stunning OLED

Cons

  • Heavy

Buying Guide: How to Choose Gaming Consoles

Gaming Platforms

PS5: Best exclusives. Xbox: Game Pass value. Switch: Portable, families. Steam Deck: PC gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming Consoles

PS5 vs Xbox?

PS5 has better exclusives. Xbox has Game Pass value.

Was this guide helpful?

Why Trust Our Recommendations?

We analyze thousands of real customer reviews, compare product specifications, and curate recommendations so you can make an informed decision without the research hassle.

Curated Recommendations
Real Customer Reviews
Specs Compared
No Paid Placements