As we wrap up another massive year for the gaming industry, we look at the top 4 gaming consoles. The gaming industry is constantly evolving and growing, expected to hit a market size of over $47 billion by 2033. This consistent growth is in no small part thanks to the success that gaming consoles have had.

Whether you prefer home video game consoles or hand-held gaming consoles, there are plenty of options. In this review, we go over the top 4 gaming consoles by industry titans like PlayStation, Nintendo, and Valve. So, check out our individual reviews and pick your favorite!

1. Sony PlayStation 5

We have to start our foray into the gaming console world with the PS5. Sony PlayStation has been the go-to console for players since the 1990s, and it remains a favorite. The PS5 guarantees 4K video resolution with up to 120fps, backward compatibility with PS4 games, and haptic feedback through the controller. The standard model has 825 GB of built-in storage that you can expand up to 8 TB with NVMe drives. And these features are all available with the standard version of the console.

Since the first Sony PlayStation 5 launched in 2020, including disc and digital-only versions, the company expanded its roster. Now, you can purchase the PS5 Slim, which is smaller and lighter, with up to 1TB in storage. In late 2024, Sony dropped the PS5 Pro model too. This model has a 45% stronger GPU, the PSSR technology, and a built-in memory of 2TB.

Several legendary games have already dropped for the PS5. Its roster includes Ghost of Tsushima and Ghost of Yotei, all three Spider-Man games, and God of War: Ragnarok.

2. XBox Series X

The XBox Series X is Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s PlayStation 5. This console has AMD 64-bit x86-64 CPU and GPU with 4K resolution up to 60fps. The Black and Halo editions of the console offer up to 1TB in built-in storage. On the other hand, the Galaxy Black Special Edition offers 2TB.

 

The XBox Series X weighs around 4.45kg (9.8lbs), which is only slightly lighter than the standard PS5. This console was meant to stand upright, but you can set it up horizontally if you prefer it that way. The best XBox-exclusive games you can play on this console are South of Midnight, Jump Space, and Forza Motosport.

3. Steam Deck OLED

Steam Deck OLED is Valve’s second handheld gaming console with the SteamOS, which is a Linux-based operating system. The Steam Deck OLED has a Zen 2 4c/8t 2.4-3.5GHz CPU and 16GB RAM. It has built-in storage options of 512GB and 1TB with a MicroSD slot of up to 1TB.

This hand-held console has a 7.4-inch display. Its battery life is a major improvement from the LCD version, with 2-7 hours of active gaming, depending on the type of game. Steam Deck OLED doesn’t have exclusive games as one of the gaming consoles, but it lets you play PC-exclusive games. Our favorites are Lethal Company, Ready or Not, and Euro Truck Simulator 2.

4. Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the newest console on our list, having dropped in June, 2025. The Switch 2 is so popular because you can use it both as a handheld console and as a home console. This sets it apart from the other gaming consoles we’ve reviewed so far. It has a 7.9-inch display with a resolution of up to 4K in 60 Hz. It also boasts a built-in cooling fan.

 

This console has a built-in storage of 256GB, which you can expand up to 2TB with a MicroSD. Its battery life is between 2 and 6.5 hours, depending on the games you play. Since Nintendo games are exclusive to Nintendo consoles, this console is worth the investment. On it, you can play titles like Survival Kids, Fast Fusion, and Mario Kart World.

Gaming Consoles Price

The list below offers you insight into the gaming console prices you will encounter.

Console	Model	Price
PS5	Disc Version (1TB)	$549
PS5	Digital Edition (825GB)	$499
PS5	Pro (2TB)	$799
XBox Series X	Disc Drive (1TB)	$649.99
XBox Series X	All Digital (1TB)	$599.99
XBox Series X	Disc Drive (2TB)	$799.99
Steam Deck	OLED (512GB)	$549
Steam Deck	OLED (1TB)	$649
Nintendo Switch 2	Standard	$449
Nintendo Switch 2	Lite	$299

 

Best Gaming Consoles For You

Gaming is an endlessly entertaining pastime for people of all ages. So, whether you’re looking for a gaming console for yourself or for a loved one for Christmas, it’s a solid investment. To decide which console is the best fit, read through our reviews of gaming consoles and compare their features. In our experience, you can’t go wrong with any of the options.