Best Gaming Console Review: Which Ones to Buy in 2024?
Having the best gaming console is important for a seamless gaming experience. A gaming console also comes in handy if you have a tight budget and can’t buy a gaming PC. But which tiny gaming system is best for you in terms of features and value for money? Let’s find out in this article and start gaming.
What to Look for in a Gaming Console?
Before jumping to the list of best handheld consoles, let’s first take a look at what to look for in an ideal console.
Internal Components: A gaming console is only as good as its internal components. Therefore, while choosing a handheld gear, look for a powerful CPU and GPU. For utmost power, you might want to take a look at PlayStation 5 Pro, which comes with AMD Zen 2 and AMD RDNA.
Features: Make sure your console has the features you are looking for. For example, if you are looking for portability, Ninetdo is a better choice, but if you want some cutting-edge features such as a DualSense controller, PS5 beats everything else.
Extensive Library: Make sure your console has an extensive gaming library so you can play your favorite titles. Some games are available on one console but not on others, so always check if your console supports your favorite current or upcoming titles before buying.
Price: look for a console that fits your price range while offering a decent refresh rate, storage, resolution, etc, so that you can get value for a money deal.
Reviews and Testimonials: Lastly, read reviews and watch YouTube videos to understand how a gaming console works and if it is good enough for your needs. It will help you make an informed decision.
1. PlayStation 5:
Tech Specs
- CPU: AMD Zen 2
- GPU: 10.28 TFLOPs
- Memory: 16 GB
- Storage: 825 GB
- 4k capabilities: yes
- weight: 12 pounds
- Battery: built-in
Pros
- 4k @ 120 fps
- sleek UI
- Fast storage
Cons
- Internal storage is less than the competitors
- Bulky size might be uncomfortable for some
Quick Review
PS5 has an incredible and latest library of games. Most of the gaming community considers it the best game console of all time, which is true in some aspects. You can play titles like Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us Part 1, and more, so it does lead the industry in gaming library options. Moreover, you get 4k and ray tracing features with some titles, which even improve the overall gaming experience. I really enjoyed the immersive audio and visuals on my 4k TV.
However, the storage fills up pretty quickly, and you might not be that comfortable with a large console. I mean, as much as I enjoyed playing, my hands were in literal discomfort while using it for just a few hours.
2. Xbox Series X
Tech Specs
- CPU: Custom Zen 2 CPU
- GPU: 12 TFLOPs
- Memory: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB
- 4k capabilities: yes
- weight: 9.7 lbs
- Battery: 2 AA LR6
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- easy to set up
- 4k capabilities
- Dolby Vision and Atmos supported
Cons
- Less exclusive gaming library than PS5
- UI is not that solid
Quick Review
Remember when Sheldon Cooper was unable to decide if he should go for PS or Xbox? Well, I went through almost the same indecisiveness while choosing the best gaming console for personal use (I have used all for testing though). While the PS5 made my hands throb with pain, the Xbox was much more comfortable to use.
It’s relatively small, easy to set up, and has Dolby support, which makes it remarkable in terms of audio-visual performance. However, the library is not as exclusive as the PS5 because you would get most of the latest and future releases on the PS5 earlier than Xbox. Therefore, you might miss some of the titles here, such as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, God of War: Ragnarok, etc. However, the monthly subscription is cheaper and still provides enough options to play.
3. Xbox Series S
Tech Specs
- CPU: Custom AMD
- GPU: 4 TERAFLOPS
- Memory: 10 GB
- Storage: 512 GB
- 4k capabilities: No
- weight: 7.06 lbs
- Battery: 2 AA
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Large game library
- small and comfortable
Cons
- No 4k
- small storage
Quick Review
Xbox Series S is one of the best gaming consoles if you are on a budget. While it is powerful enough to provide a great gaming experience, it does come with some budget cuts. For starters, the storage and memory are small, which hinders the performance a bit. It also does not support 4k. I used it on my 4k TV, and I didn’t like it that much.
If you want to use gaming consoles with 4k devices, look somewhere else. Despite these issues, it is an excellent choice at a small price that allows you to access an extensive Xbox gaming library, provides 1440p resolution, and is small so your hand muscles won’t fatigue.
4. Nintendo Switch OLED
Tech Specs
- CPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra
- GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra
- Memory: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- 4k capabilities: No
- weight:
- Battery: Built-in
Pros
- 7-inch screen
- lightweight and portable
- Fantastic Library
Cons
- No 4k
- Slower than exclusive gaming consoles
- less storage
Quick Review
Nintendo OLED is the best gaming console for beginners. If you want a family-friendly console for casual gaming, Nintendo is for you. It has a 7-inch OLED screen that makes the handheld experience really great. I have used a few Nintendo consoles, but this model is my current favorite.
The Switch’s performance is decent, no matter which mode you are playing in. However, there will be some compression when playing in docked mode. The Switch also has a huge library, and it supports third-party games too. Another great thing about this console is its perfect size for small hands. I also find Nintendo OLED very portable, making it an even greater choice for younger gamers.
5. Nintendo Switch Lite
Tech Specs
- CPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra
- GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra
- Memory: 4 GB
- Storage: 32 GB
- 4k capabilities: No
- weight: 0.61 lbs
- Battery: Li-on battery
Pros
- Very Compact and durable
- Decent gaming library with some retro titles
- Affordable gaming
Cons
- No docked mode
- less storage
Quick Review
Switch Lite is the best gaming console for kids, but casual gamers interested in playing retro titles will also find Nintendo Lite quite a performer and value for money. It’s compact and portable, but its build does not feel cheap. I really like Lite for its small size, so your kids can play games while on the go.
You might find the screen a little too small, but if you are a casual gamer, it won’t bother you a lot. Besides, its 720p resolution and sharper color choice make it a delight for the eyes. The battery life also runs well. I could use it for 5 hours on the fight (though not continuously).
Overall, it has a solid performance that gives you access to the most popular titles, such as Mario, Apex Legends, Assassin’s Creed, etc. However, the biggest con of Nintendo Lite is that it can’t be docked, so if you want something that can work with your gaming system, look somewhere else.
Bottom Line
The best gaming console is the key to seamless gaming. It also provides a portable and cheaper solution to buying expensive gaming Pc’s to enjoy gaming. However, before opting for a console, make sure it has the latest features and supports popular and best console games so you can keep on gaming without stopping.
FAQs:
1. Which version of PS4 is best?
PS4 Pro is more powerful than PS4 if you have a 4k TV and want to enjoy more effortless gaming. You can also go for PS4 Slim if you are on a tight budget.
2. Which game console is better than PS5?
PS5 Pro is considered a more powerful gaming console than PS5, but it is expensive. Moreover, the Xbox Series X is also neck to neck with PS5 in terms of specs and features.
3. Which is the best gaming system to buy?
PS5 is one of the best gaming systems to buy if you can’t afford expensive gaming PCs. It has amazing features and supports exclusive titles, making it top the charts in most gamers’ lists.
