You spend more time with your gaming console than your significant other, job, and any other “thing” you do. So it’s no surprise that picking the ideal console is tough. The market is constantly in flux, new features are constantly being released, and prices are constantly changing. With all those changes, it can be difficult to make a clear selection – especially when you’re tired from playing too much already! Here is an overview of some of the best consoles so that you don’t have to sleep on this decision.
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Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a great console because it provides the best of both worlds: the ability to play games on your TV, and the power to take them on the go. The detachable joy-cons are a genius innovation that make it easy to share play with friends or family, and there are options to buy additional controllers if you want more.
There’s also an incredible range of different versions of the Nintendo Switch available: there’s the traditional console, which comes in grey or red; a handheld only version called “Switch Lite”; two special edition models featuring Animal Crossing and Overwatch characters; and a new version that features a faster chip set called “Switch Pro”. All of these versions come with access to thousands of games from Nintendo’s massive back catalog as well as modern hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Xbox One
Microsoft’s Xbox One is here. You’re reading this article because you want to know about the new system, so we’ll start there. The most obvious and necessary feature for any console is the ability to play games, and the Xbox One has that in spades. It can play all current-generation games (including those on PS3 and PC) as well as all backward-compatible Xbox 360 titles at a sufficient level of quality.
The Xbox One also has a much better controller with an improved D-Pad and analog sticks, a vast variety of accessories (including Kinect 2), 4K video support via HDMI 1.4 output, dedicated voice control through Kinect, Cortana integration for voice command integration, Twitch playback through Game DVR recording functionality, hardware encryption via Bitlocker for file storage protection, built-in TV guide functionality using SkyDrive (the same service used by Windows Phone devices), Kinect support for electronic ticketing in airports (with optional Sticker Pack attachments) to open kiosks/shops without needing physical keys or credit cards—and it has wireless charging capabilities that let you place your controller on a stand while it charges to keep it powered while not playing.
The price of the console is $499 ($100 more than the PS4), but with its superior features over the PS4 I’d say getting the Xbox One was worth it just based on that alone
Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS (Nintendo Dual Screen) is a hand-held device that supports both touch screen and stylus inputs. It has two screens, a rechargeable battery, an SD card for storing game data and pictures taken with the built-in camera.
Basic Features: 256 x 192 pixels, 16.77 million colors, 2.9 inches (72mm), 1.9 inches (48mm)
Dimensions: 4.88 inches (124mm) wide, 8.19 inches (208mm) long, 0.76 inches (19mm) thick; 9 ounces (264g) with battery inserted
PS4 Slim
The PS4 Slim is still a fantastic gaming console for those who don’t mind the lower specs. It’s PlayStation-exclusive content makes it a great option for media buffs. To make the most of your experience, pair it with a 4K TV and premium headphones.
The PS4 Slim is still a fantastic gaming console for those who don’t mind the lower specs. Its PlayStation-exclusive content makes it a great option for media buffs. To make the most of your experience, pair it with a 4K TV and premium headphones.
Xbox One S
For those interested in 4K gaming, the Xbox One S is the console to get. This holds true despite Microsoft’s claim that the newer Xbox One X is “the most powerful gaming console on the planet.” However, it’s also pricier than any other gaming console on this list—and for $500, we think you should expect something more than just 4K resolution!
If you’ve got a healthy budget and enjoy 4K entertainment, then this is your best bet. The Xbox One S boasts a huge library of games as well as an impressive selection of apps, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO and Amazon Instant Video. Of course, if you’re an avid gamer with a lot of money to spend on tech gadgets, then get it all: The Xbox One X comes with upgraded hardware designed to make games look even better and load faster. But unless you’ve got serious cash to spare or are simply obsessed with playing video games at ultra HD resolution, we think most people will be just fine saving some money by opting for the Xbox One S instead.
PS4 Pro
The PS4 Pro is the best gaming console you can buy today. It offers 4K gameplay at 60 frames per second (fps) and high-dynamic range (HDR), which results in sharper, more vibrant images that are more realistic. It’s also more powerful, meaning it’s faster and can handle higher frame rates than consoles like the PS4 Slim, even for games that weren’t specifically developed for the Pro. The PS4 Pro is also VR-ready, so if you want to use your PlayStation VR headset to play virtual reality games, this is the console to get.
In our testing of all current-gen gaming consoles available on Amazon as of June 2021, we found that the PS4 Pro offers superb performance and graphics quality. If you want to play games at a higher resolution with better graphics overall, or you plan on using your PlayStation in combination with a VR headset—and have a 4K TV—the PS4 Pro is worth the extra cost compared with the PS4 Slim.
PlayStation VR
To start, the PlayStation VR can be pricey. The main system retails for $399 (with controllers). If you don’t already own a PS4, you’ll need to add that cost into your budget as well.
How It Works:
The headset is equipped with a high-definition OLED display, which provides smooth and precise images at a high frame rate. It also has 360-degree vision and 3D audio that makes your games feel immersive and real.
What’s in the Box:
- Headset
- Processor unit
- Stereo earbuds
- HDMI cable
- USB cable
- AC adaptor and power cord
- PlayStation VR Demo Disc 2.0
Final Words
Overall, the best gaming console is the PlayStation 4. It has a better selection of games, including exclusive titles like Destiny 2 and God of War, as well as more powerful hardware that allows for 4K HDR output and upgraded hardware features that include an improved dual-shock controller. The Xbox One S is a close second place, but unless you’re interested in VR functionality, we recommend just sticking with the PlayStation 4 for now.
