The Best Gaming Consoles in 2023

Thanks to a

vast

selection of new AAA and indie titles coming out, now is as good a time as any to buy a new console. As new game bundles and discounts emerge across multiple platforms, it’s becoming more rewarding to play on the console. Moreover, manufacturers continue to update their respective libraries to enhance user experience.

With numerous best gaming consoles offering top-tier performance and specs along with an ever-growing library, picking one is a difficult task. Thankfully, each modern console has its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. This makes it easier to narrow down to a couple of console options, and eventually settle for one.

How to Choose The Right Gaming Consoles in 2023

Before hitting the online or physical store to get a new console, it’s worth learning the extent of its performance. To do this, buyers need sufficient information along with reviews from previous owners to help guide their purchase. Whether the buyer is a hardcore gamer or is shopping for a console for the first time, below are three important factors to consider.

Pricing

: Thanks to market demand, storage, refresh rate, and a few other factors, consoles are priced differently. Therefore, it pays to compare prices across different stores to get the best deal.

Specs

: It’s worth researching a gaming console’s specs (CPU, system storage, GPU, etc.) to get a better idea of how they’ll perform. Reading user reviews along with watching YouTube video reviews to see how consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series S/X handle the same game is strongly recommended.

Game library

: Although some games can be played on different platforms with different frame rates, some titles are exclusive to a console. For instance, The Legend of Zelda games have only been released on Nintendo consoles. It’s worth confirming that a console supports one’s favorite games and offers some irresistible exclusives.

These are the Best Gaming Consoles in 2023

Sony PlayStation 5

The Best Overall Gaming Console

The Sony PlayStation 5 console is one of the most popular gaming machines on offer currently with a fast SSD, a customer

AMD APU

, and 16GB of GDDR6 console memory making it one of the fastest options if you are looking for a living room console experience. It also happens to have a surprising number of console exclusives on offer and currently trades at a discount at multiple retailers nationwide.

4K Capabilities

Yes, Upto 4K 120Hz

Power Source

AC Power

What’s Included

Console, HDMI Cable, Controller, A/C Power, Stand, Documentation

Brand

Sony PlayStation

Processing Power

Upto 10.3 TFLOPS

Storage

825GB

CPU

Custom 8-Core Zen 2

Battery

Built-in with the controller

Weight

12 pounds

RAM

16GB GDDR6

Pros

• Leverages a superfast internal NVME SSD to power next-generation games
• Has excellent exclusive titles that put it ahead of the competing Xbox Series S | X platform for some gamers
• Currently trades at a $50 discount over its competition
• Has user-upgradeable storage that can be done by off-the-shelf components

Cons

• Sticks out like a sore thumb in most home entertainment setups thanks to its unique design
• Has less built-in storage than its immediate competition
• Lacks the Xbox’s quick-resume feature

The Sony PlayStation 5 remains one of the most popular consoles on the market thanks to its stellar catalog of exclusives and 3rd party titles. The newly released exclusive Spiderman 2 has further endeared Sony’s console to fans. Users unsatisfied with the console’s 825GB SSD storage can extend it manually using any off-the-shelf M2 SSD, so long as it’s PCI-E 4.0 and meets a minimum of a 5500MBPS spec.

While it has an excellent look, users might be less thrilled given its tendency to stick out, especially in the living room, unlike the Xbox Series S and X which have an easier time blending in with sound bars and cable boxes. Many users compare it to a larger version of some internet routers. A new “slim model” variant launched in

October 2023

, but rather than come in a less conspicuous build, it brought changes like a detachable disc drive.

Regarding storage, the PS5 comes up a little bit short with its 825GB offering compared to the rival Xbox Series X’s 1TB. Although its SSD is slightly faster than the Series X, it skips on a quick resume feature. That could change soon via software updates. With support for up to 120Hz on 4K resolutions thanks to the HDMI 2.1 interface on the PS5, it can deliver great visuals or high refresh rates, though rarely both. This allows for a built-in performance or graphics and fidelity mode option for gamers, depending on their preferences.

Nintendo Switch OLED Family Gaming Console

The Best Portable Gaming Console

The Nintendo Switch OLED comes with a number of upgrades over the original Nintendo Switch console while retaining most of the same internals when it comes to maintaining compatibility. With a larger 7-inch OLED screen and double the internal storage of the original Nintendo Switch, it doesn’t feel like a new console altogether; That being said, it is an option worth checking out for better display alone.

4K Capabilities

No

Power Source

A/C Power, built-in battery

What’s Included

Console, Joycons, Dock, misc accessories

Brand

Nintendo

Screen

7-Inch, 720P

Game support

Nintendo Switch Titles, Retro games (emulated)

Processing Power

0.5 TFLOPs (Docked)

Storage

64GB, extendable via microSD

CPU

Custom Nvidia Tegra X1

Battery

Built in batteries in controller and console (4310mAh)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi,

Ethernet

Dimensions

4.13 x 10.24 x 8.19 inches

Weight

3 Pounds

RAM

4GB

Pros

• Offers a gorgeous 7-inch OLED display vs its predecessor
• Effectively doubles internal storage at 64GB vs the older Switch
• Is portable and easy to move around compared to the competition
• Offers slightly better performance in docked mode for users
• Has one of the most innovative controls on offer in current-gen consoles
• Has an excellent game library fleshed out by unique Nintendo-only titles

Cons

• Is significantly slower than the competition from Microsoft and Sony
• Nearly always requires a dedicated memory card purchase if you make any digital buys
• Somewhat struggles to maintain a playable frame rate in certain multi-platform titles despite a lower target resolution

With portability being one of its biggest selling points, the Nintendo Switch performs well both in docked and handheld mode, offering a little more power in the former, but a lot more flexibility with the latter. The Switch is a favorite for many gamers, including younger gamers and users looking to play retro titles or exclusives like Zelda and Mario.

This makes it a one-stop shop for people looking to experience the best that the Japanese manufacturer has to offer. The newer variant delivers on these promises, and then some, with a new gorgeous 7-inch OLED display and double the internal storage of the original Switch. If one does go for the Nintendo Switch or its OLED variant for living room use, the team at GR recommends picking up a Switch Pro Wireless controller as part of the package.

The Nintendo Switch does lag behind the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5, offering a fraction of the processing power of the two beefier home consoles. It makes up for its low processing power in terms of its versatility and excellent game library. Regardless of its lackluster performance, the Nintendo Switch OLED is a stellar option that is hard to beat, despite many attempts by various competitors to crack the handheld gaming market. The fact is, Nintendo currently dominates the handheld world, thanks to its global mass appeal that the Switch OLED model continues to build on.

Xbox Series X – Diablo IV Bundle

The Best Premium Gaming Console

The Xbox Series X is arguably the most powerful console gamers can buy in 2023, and it comes as part of multiple bundles, including Diablo 4. With a built-in multi-volt supply, 1TB of SSD storage, and arguably one of the best stock controllers in the market, it is a gift worth giving to most gamers, but it might appeal to Diablo fans more than others.

4K Capability

Yes, up to 4K 120FPS gaming, up to 8K video

Top Games

Halo, Forza, Gears of War, etc.

Power Source

Built-in power supply unit requiring external power

What’s Included

Console, Controller, Diablo 4 Voucher, Quick Start Guide, Cables

Brand

Microsoft

Screen

Not Included

Game support

All Xbox One, Series S/X Titles

Processing Power

12 TFLOPS Custom RDNA 2 GPU + 8 Core AMD Zen 2 CPU

Storage

1TB custom SSD built-in, expansion slots available

CPU

Custom AMD Zen 2-based Eight Core CPU

Battery

N/A

Connectivity

Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual band

Bands

2.4G, 5G

Ports

3x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x custom expansion slot

Dimensions

5.94 x 5.94 x 11.85 in

Weight

9.8 lbs

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD + Atmos, 7.1 L-PCM

RAM

16Gb GDDR6 320bit shared with SoC

Pros

• Has a state-of-the-art custom Internal SSD storage of 1TB, cutting load times significantly
• Offers up to 12 TFLOPs of computing power, making it the most powerful game console available on paper
• Has a plug-and-play SSD expansion option
• Xbox Game Pass makes this an exceptional value-oriented buy for most gamers with many day-1 exclusives included as part of the package
• Comes with support for AMD FreeSync (VRR) as well as Dolby Vision for TVs, making it, technically speaking, the most up-to-date console offering in the market
• Offers an excellent quick-resume game feature

Cons

• SSD expansion options are considerably pricier than the competition
• Currently the most expensive out of all mainstream console options

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is arguably the most powerful console available to purchase. And while it trades blows with the PS5 and loses the upper hand on some titles, it has more tricks up its sleeve than raw power alone. The Series X offers a larger 1TB SSD with plug-and-play expansion slots, an excellent quick resume feature, and support for the latest standards in both VRR (AMD FreeSync) and HDR tech (Dolby Vision).

Thanks to its 12 TFLOPs of power the Series X is, on paper, the most capable console for home gaming. Add to this the fact that Xbox Game Pass offerings maintain Microsoft’s commitment to publishing all first-party exclusive titles on release day to subscribers. Game Pass is so lucrative to players that competitors such as Sony now push competing memberships, too.

The Series X has its own value proposition that is nothing to scoff at, even as it remains a distant second in terms of raw console sales to the PS5. However, Microsoft’s proprietary SSD expansion slots do result in much costlier upgrades for end users who are already forking over nearly $500 for the most expensive current-generation console. This makes it a less appealing prospect than getting a cheaper SSD upgrade for, say, a PS5.

Note

: The above product tag is the Xbox Series X bundle with Diablo IV. The standalone console is available on Amazon and online stores.

Nintendo Switch Lite

The Best Budget Portable Gaming Console

The Nintendo Switch Lite was released in 2019 as a low-cost, handheld-only game system. It’s designed specifically for handheld play, offering a lightweight design as part of its portable offerings. The controllers are built into the system for handheld play, unlike the larger Switch models. The console itself retains full functionality as a standard switch but does not support docked mode of play.

Screen

5.5” Touch Screen

Processing Power

0.

Storage

32GB

Dimensions

2.76 x 7.8 x 7.09 in

Weight

0.61 lb

4K Capabilities

No

Power Source

AC Power and Battery

Brand

Nintendo

CPU

Custom Nvidia Tegra X1 processor

Battery

Li-on battery (3570mAh)

RAM

4GB DDR4

Screen Resolution

1280 x 720 (720P)

Pros

• Offers the most cost-effective current-gen gaming console experience currently
• Plays all Nintendo Switch titles that the original console can play
• Is much more compact than the original Nintendo Switch

Cons

• Can not be used in docked mode unlike the original Nintendo switch
• The smaller screen might not be ideal for all users, many of which prefer the larger screen on the original Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch Lite offers gamers with a tight budget the chance to play diverse titles on the go. Unlike the regular Switch or OLED variant, the Lite’s Joy-Cons are built into the console. This build style seems to present less problems with stick drift compared to older Joy-Cons that overwhelmingly experienced drift issues.

Clocking in at just about $200, the Switch Lite is essentially a smaller, more portable version of the Nintendo Switch. As such, it’s no surprise that it can play all the titles that the main console typically runs in handheld mode. Offering between 3 and 7 hours of battery life, the Switch Lite is a fine handheld companion.

While it does not offer a docked mode, its affordability is a decent compensation. While not all users are a fan of its smaller display, it does make for sharper image quality due to higher PPI and its denser pixel counts. These visual upgrades make it a formidable and cheap way to access Nintendo’s burgeoning game library that houses famous franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Fire Emblem, and more.

Microsoft Xbox Series S

The Best Budget Gaming Console

The Xbox Series S is a digital-only game console that offers the same processor as its more powerful Xbox Series X sibling but cuts down on memory, storage, and the GPU while removing the disc drive to offer a next-generation console experience at a fraction of the cost while targeting gamers at lower Full HD or 2K resolutions instead.

4K Capabilities

No (Upscaling available)

Power Source

AC Power

Brand

Microsoft

Processing Power

4 TFLOPS

Storage

1TB SSD SSD

CPU

Custom AMD Zen 2 8-Core CPU

Battery

2 AA batteries required.

Dimensions

11.5 x 14.17 x 5.04 inches

Weight

7.06 Pounds

RAM

10GB

Pros

• Allows access to all current-gen Xbox Titles
• Makes for a very cost-effective purchase bundled with Xbox Game Pass
• Comes with 512GB of fast SSD storage

Cons

• Significantly cuts down on the memory and GPU side of things compared to the Series X
• The 512GB SSD storage might be a limiting factor with costly storage upgrades required to extend it

The Xbox Series S is a powerful console in its own right, engineered alongside the more powerful Xbox Series X. This Xbox console dials down on the memory, storage, and GPU on offer, but retains compatibility for all the latest titles. For lack of a better word, many consider it the “Xbox Game Pass” console thanks to the strong value proposition of Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate combined with the fact that the Xbox Series S has no disc drive on offer.

With a fast 512GB SSD, a capable AMD Zen 2-based CPU, and a price tag that makes it considerably more appealing than its nearest competitor, the Series S offers great value. Priced far lower than the Xbox Series X and PS5 Disc editions, the Xbox Series S is one of the best gaming consoles money can buy.

Steam Deck

The Best Handheld Gaming Console For PC Gaming

Valve’s long-awaited portable console is here, and it’s taking the handheld gaming market by storm. Valve partnered with AMD to create Steam Deck’s custom APU, optimized for handheld gaming. It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope.

4K Capabilities

Yes

Screen

7″ diagonal 1280 x 800px (16:10 aspect ratio) 60Hz

Storage

64 GB – 512 GB

CPU

AMD APU Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz

Battery

40Whr battery. 2 – 8 hours of gameplay

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual-band Wi-Fi radio, 2.4GHz and 5GHz

Ports

1x USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, 1x USB 3.2 ,1x Micro SD slot, 1x 3.5 audio jack

Dimensions

298mm x 117mm x 49mm

Weight

Approx. 669 grams

Audio

Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience and Dual Microphone Array

Pros

• Comes in multiple storage capacities out of the box
• Has a user-upgradeable SSD or a MicroSD card depending on your use case
• Considerably more powerful than the Nintendo Switch
• Has a healthy emulation and modding community that allows it to play many retro titles that would otherwise be unplayable on handhelds

Cons

• Does have limited battery life compared to some of its competitors when running at max speeds
• The internal fan can get noisy while gaming
• less portable than most of its direct competitors

Much like most current-gen gaming consoles, Valve’s portable Steam Deck is closer to a PC than many from the last-gen. This makes it a powerful gaming computer for PC gamers who want to run their favorite titles in handheld mode. It runs a custom build of Linux as part of its SteamOS offerings while providing multiple storage options and upgrades (SSDs or MicroSD cards), depending on user needs.

It comes backed by an extensive Steam game library, with many titles being ported over or certified for the console over time, running at its custom sub-HD resolution with ease thanks to its faster hardware on offer compared to most of its competition. At the same time, the Steam Deck sees considerable competition from a faster, but pricier ASUS ROG Ally that runs a customized version of Windows.

The Steam deck is plagued by some issues including a noisy fan, and some game problems with titles that do not have certification by Valve. There’s also the fact that its large bezels make it a less portable option than Nintendo’s smaller Switch Lite. It makes up for this by offering better options for retro gamers, more customizability out of the box, and the ability for modders to play custom titles that are not possible on any other console on offer in the market currently.

ASUS ROG Ally

The Best Premium Handheld Gaming Console For PC Gaming

The Asus ROG Ally is the ultimate handheld system for PC gamers. Relying on the new AMD Ryzen Z1 series of processors, the ROG Ally can handle any game thrown at it. The 7-inch 1080p Full HD display with FreeSync Premium on the system provides gamers with a crystal clear and smooth gaming experience. The advantage of the ROG Ally is that it can run most Windows-compatible games and is compatible with Xbox Game Pass titles. It also comes with 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate. The ROG Ally also features an ergonomic design that makes gaming fo long periods enjoyable.

Dimensions

2 Speakers with Dolby Atmos

Playing Time

1.3-4+ hours

Brand

Asus

Weight

1.34 lbs

Chipset

AMD Ryzen Z1 / Z1 Extreme

RAM

16GB LPDDR5

Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Headset Compatibility

Wired, Wireless

Display

7-inch LED IPS

Output resolution

1080p

Pros

• Delivers excellent gaming gameplay thanks to AMD Ryzen Z1 processors
• Can play games from different libraries
• Great ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold the console for long periods

Cons

• Battery life is poor
• Windows experience needs improvement

Despite being barely a year old, the ASUS Rog Ally has made quite an impression in the handheld console market. While the segment features competition from the likes of Valve’s Steam Deck and the Ayaneo 2, the Ally stands out thanks to AMD’s Z1 series processor. The Ally’s powerful processing power along with access to more PC gaming libraries like Nvidia GeForce Now, Cloud Gaming from Xbox, and even Steam. It retails for $700, making it more expensive to purchase than the competition.

Built to allow users to game with great ease, the Ally features a great ergonomic design that makes reaching each button an effortless act. Although the Ally packs a disappointing battery life compared to the Steam Deck, owners can go from 0-50% in 30 minutes thanks to the console’s fast charging feature. In GameRant’s hands-on review, the Rog Ally was deemed to be a console that can deliver a premium handheld gaming experience with minimal shortfalls. That’s if buyers are willing to overlook its inferior battery life and underwhelming Windows experience.

More: The Best Console To Buy If You Like Open-World Games (2023)

FAQ

Q: What is the best console for 2023?

The PlayStation 5 takes the prize for the best console in 2023. It packs a sizable amount of exclusive games that make it incredibly difficult to not want this console.

Q: Which has sold more units, Xbox Series X or PS5?

According to multiple reports, the PS5 has sold 40 million units. Meanwhile, current estimates put the Series X/S units between 20 and 25 million.

Q: Do PS4 games work on PS5?

Thanks to the backward compatibility feature that the PS5 ships with, most PS4 games will work on the newer-gen console just fine. However, some functionalities offered by the PS4 may be absent for use in the PS5.