The Best Consoles for Gaming

What to Look For

Although ranking PlayStation consoles is controversial, we wanted to find the best options for the modern gamer. We used three questions to guide us: Is it available at a fair price? Does it support a worthwhile selection of video game titles? Can the hardware perform at its peak for hours of gameplay without overheating or breaking down? Our favorite is the latest and greatest from Sony, the PlayStation 5. It’s truly the pinnacle of console gaming, as it boasts insane hardware specs and a slew of modern features like haptic feedback and 3D audio. But if you’re happy to take advantage of an established library of games, then the PlayStation 4 is sure to please. Read on for our comparisons and recommendations.

PlayStation 5 Console

The cutting edge

This console is renowned for its sweet graphics, amazing titles, and top-notch hardware.

Best Overall

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With the PlayStation 5, Sony has proved its right to dominance in the modern console world. This beauty is a tank of a machine with hardware specs that outshine even those of many PC gaming rigs. For example, the advanced GPU can produce insanely high-def and smooth graphics, including those for VR experiences. Better yet, the SSD improves upon the relatively sluggish storage hardware of the past by offering wicked-fast game load times. Heck, even the look of the console is beautiful, so it’s a gaming machine that we’re happy to display in our media centers.

Pros:

• The PS5 controller is a marvel of engineering, with an ergonomic feel and super responsive buttons. It’s a bit chunkier than its predecessor, so Xbox fans can make the switch between systems without struggling to adjust.
• The 3D audio enhances the immersion even further, placing you in the game environment. It’s also an important technology for gaining an edge in multiplayer shooters, where hearing enemy footsteps is crucial.

Cons:

• With a premium price tag and high demand, the PS5 can be a challenge to get your hands on.

PS5 Console – God of War Ragnarök Bundle

Dive right in

With all the accolades from the original vanilla edition, this bundle includes a game that will likely impress gamers from all walks of life.

Best Special Edition

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Whether you’re looking to score a PS5 to give as a gift or for yourself, this bundle is an excellent choice. Too many times have we obtained a console and then had to anxiously wait for a separately-ordered game to arrive. With this console, however, you can get right to gaming with the included God of War Ragnarök. It’s the full game, and the PS5 runs it beautifully.

Pros:

• The game itself is the perfect title for showing off the capabilities of the PS5 since it sports cutting-edge graphics, engaging gameplay, an enchanting score, and an immersive audio design.
• Thanks to the included hardware like the SSD, games not only load up super quickly, but they also download quickly, as well.

Cons:

• The console doesn’t come with any special God of War design; it’s just the regular PS5.

Microsoft Xbox One X 1Tb Console With Wireless Controller

The complete package

This renowned console includes everything you need to game, with a massive harddrive and one of our favorite controller designs.

Runner Up

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For those of us that grew up playing Halo and Call of Duty, the Xbox will always be a winner. And because this edition includes advanced hardware, including a 1TB hard drive and a long-lasting wireless controller, it’s our top pick from Microsoft. And although new consoles are being announced, the Xbox One X will likely keep serving dedicated gamers for years to come.

Pros:

• The disc drive can also play 4K Blueray discs, so it’s a versatile console that does more than just gaming. You can also access streaming services like YouTube and Netflix.
• Thanks to the “6 teraflops” of processing power, graphics look smooth, and load times are wicked fast.

Cons:

• With so many digital games these days, you may eventually have to expand the memory with an external hard drive.

Sony Playstation PS4 1TB Black Console

Still holds up

With a massive library of compatible games and a legacy for excellence, this fourth-gen console still has plenty of gaming to do.

Best Earlier Generation

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The PS4 has a comfortable place in our hearts, as this console is where we played some of the best games ever, like Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3, and the sleeper hit Spider-Man. Thus, it should come as no surprise that we still recommend this console years after its release. It makes for a great gift, too, since the library of tried-and-true games is as exhaustive as could be. Best of all, accessories like VR sets and controllers are easy and affordable to obtain, so you can spruce up your PS4 with a full kit without spending an arm and a leg.

Pros:

• The included DualShock 4 sports one of (if not the) best controller designs ever released, with excellent haptic feedback, a long-lasting battery life, and responsive inputs.
• We love the overall design of the console itself since it can be laid flat, stood up vertically, and even stacked with other consoles. The sleek, discreet style can fit just about any media center.

Cons:

• With the PS5’s release, we wish the price of the PS4 had dropped more than it did.

PS5 Digital Edition – God of War Ragnarök Bundle

The future is online

With this bundle, you can download the game to save space on your media shelf.

Best Digital Edition

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The PlayStation 5 console was released in a climate of increasingly-digital content, where the physical game discs of the past are slowly being phased out. This couldn’t be more timely since this generation of gaming consoles, sports SSDs, and internet downloads that eliminate the need for extra plastic. With the PS5 Digital Edition, you’ll notice that the disc slot is absent. In its place, you’ll receive a digital code to download God of War Ragnarök, a download that completes shockingly quickly and brings all the excellence of the PS5 to light.

Pros:

• Because there’s no disc slot, this console is considerably slimmer and more lightweight than its disc-compatible contemporaries.
• The Digital Edition price is significantly lower than PS5s with disc slots.

Cons:

• The console doesn’t come with any extraordinary God of War design; it’s just the regular PS5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the PlayStation 5 come with all the necessary accessories?

The PS5 includes all the wires necessary for setting it up, and it also comes with a controller. That being said, with all the excellent multiplayer games out there, we recommend buying at least one additional controller. Unfortunately, few third-party controllers are available at the moment, so your best bet is to buy the name-brand Sony model.

Can I play PS4 games on the PS5?

For the most part, the answer is yes. Many digital games can be transferred for download to the PS5, and even many PS4 game discs can be run on the PS5. This is thanks to the “backward compatibility” of the new generation of consoles.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

Why Trust Us

With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.