The 6 Best Gaming Consoles of 2024

Uniquely, the Nintendo Switch OLED offers three gameplay modes: It can be connected to a TV, positioned on a tabletop, and used without a TV with its built-in OLED display, or played as a handheld gaming system. It also has the most diverse selection of games for all ages, including an ever-growing selection of exclusive games featuring iconic characters.

Compared to the original Switch, this one features a larger, seven-inch OLED touchscreen with enhanced stereo sound quality and other improvements. It also comes with a docking station to connect the system to a TV. One set of Joy-Con controllers (for one player), is included. Battery life in handheld mode is between 4.5 and 9 hours.

We highly recommend this console to parents with younger children, since a vast library of non-violent and age-appropriate games is available. However, Switch’s game library also includes many titles targeted to older players who appreciate high-action combat, hand-to-hand fighting, sports simulations, RPGs, action/adventures, and other more complex games. For all of these reasons, it's the best gaming console available overall.

The PS5 offers all the popular games for teens and adults, including genres that feature lots of action and violent combat. You can also discover ultra-realistic sports simulations, immersive RPGs, and challenging action/adventures. In addition to offering games from top franchises, the PS5 has truly impressive graphics and sound that teens and adults will appreciate, as well as an ultra-fast SSD for internal storage.

Most games are controlled using a DualSense controller, which provides players with accurate and lag-free control over on-screen action. These controllers also offer haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in speaker.

In summary, this gaming console provides a gaming experience that often more closely replicates what’s possible using a high-end Windows PC. The PS5 is also currently the only console that offers an optional VR headset. The Blu-Ray player that accepts physical PS5 games and that’s able to play DVD and Blu-Ray content is also a plus. The genuine PlayStation accessories for the PS5 are expensive, however.

The main difference between the PS 5 Standard Edition and the PS 5 Digital Edition is that the Digital Edition lacks a Blu-Ray player. This means that all games need to be downloaded and stored within the console’s internal storage or on an optional external SSD. And without the Blu-Ray drive, any multimedia content such as movies can only be streamed via the internet. However, because game and TV/movie distribution is quickly moving online, the lack of a Blu-Ray player likely won’t be missed by most people.

The AAA titles available for the PS5 look truly amazing and offer more detailed and immersive experiences than what’s ever before been possible from a game console. For games like “Fortnite,” “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare,” “Hogwarts Legacy,” “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” “Minecraft,” “Apex Legends,” “Madden NFL 24,” “Mortal Kombat 1,” or “Grand Theft Auto V,” for example, either configuration of the PS5 is the console to experience them on.

For several years, Xbox has been going head-to-head against the PlayStation consoles – both offering a broad range of games that appeal to older gamers. However, while Xbox Series S and Series X consoles are less expensive than the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation systems are the most powerful and have a bigger selection of AAA games.

The Xbox consoles do offer optional access to the Xbox Game Pass online service, which for a relatively low monthly fee provides an ever-changing selection of 100+ game titles. Other console features include Quick Resume (allowing players to switch between games and pick up where they left off), faster load times, and a higher frame rate than previous Xbox consoles. This Xbox also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

For someone who’s already a long-time Xbox fan, upgrading to the Series S is an affordable option. Our contributor Jason Rich found this to be a good all-around gaming console, but don’t feel it should be a top pick for highly experienced gamers. For that audience, he recommends the PS 5.

Unlike the Xbox Series S, the Series X offers more advanced gaming hardware (including a better processor and GPU), plus 1 TB of internal storage that’s expandable up to 2 TB using a Seagate Storage Expansion Card.

The CPU/GPU combo offers 12 teraflops of graphics processing power, compared to just 4 teraflops offered by the Series S. Perhaps most importantly, the Series X can display true 4K graphics. This console also comes with a built-in Blu-Ray player that supports access to physical Xbox games and can play DVD or Blu-Ray content.

While the Series X is a bit larger, both the Series X and Series S have a lot of similarities, including the same port and connectivity options. They also use the same Xbox wireless controller. Both the Series X and Series S play the same games and are backward-compatible with older Xbox systems. Plus, both offer optional access to the Xbox Game Pass online service.

If a gamer is looking to upgrade to one of the newest generation Xbox consoles, we recommend the Series X over the Series S; our contributor Jason Rich found that the Series X's faster processors and 4K resolution make a huge difference. Plus, you can play games and movies on the Blu-Ray player.

This latest version of the Steam Deck offers an enhanced HDR display with a longer-lasting battery and faster wireless capabilities. The system also comes with up to 1 TB of internal storage. The built-in 7.4-inch HDR OLED display offers a 1,280 x 800 pixel resolution with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Maximum brightness is up to 1,000 nits. All of this means that, for a handheld console, games look great.

Where the Steam Deck shines is its seamless integration with Steam (a popular online gaming platform, digital storefront, and social platform for PC gamers). Plus, if you place it in its dock, you can connect it to your TV, transforming it from a handheld system into a traditional gaming console.

Since this system is compatible with the Steam cloud-based gaming service that supports Windows PC gaming, you can start playing on your Steam Deck and pick up exactly where you left off on a PC (or vice versa) when playing compatible games. With the Steam Deck, your Steam game library is accessible anywhere and anytime, without having to lug around a high-end gaming laptop.

Dozens of AAA PC games, including “Apex Legends,” “Elden Ring,” “Diablo IV,” “Mortal Kombat 1,” and “Hogwarts Legacy,” have been “Stream Deck verified” to work flawlessly on this gaming console. If you’re going to invest in this high-end version of the Stream Dock, we recommend adding the dock. This system will mainly appeal to more serious PC gamers who want an easy way to experience popular PC games from a handheld system or on their TV.