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Best Game Consoles 2024: The greatest gaming devices you can buy
In This Article
There are now so many different ways to play video games in 2024 that it can be difficult to know which device is best for your needs. But that’s where we at Trusted Reviews come in; we’ve compiled a list of the best game consoles to highlight the top options we’ve tested.
Not only have we fully reviewed the most popular picks from PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox, but we’ve also tested numerous portable PCs, streaming gadgets and retro-inspired handhelds to give you a better understanding of the options at play.
Every product that we review undergoes strict testing, as we evaluate the performance, features, design and game library. Only the highest-scoring gadgets qualify for this guide, so you can be sure you’re only getting the highest quality.
We’ve included a variety of options on this list, each aimed at fulfilling a specific need. So whether you’re looking for a child-friendly gadget, or the most powerful console possible, we’ve got your back.
Alternatively, you can check out ourbest gaming laptoplist if you’d prefer to stick to PC gaming.
Best game consoles at a glance
How we test
Every game console we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality and performance.We’ll play multiple games on the hardware, while comparing the performance to rival consoles (and predecessors) to see whether it’s worth the investment.We’ll also evaluate the software, as well as the line-up of games when deciding on a final score.
Xbox Series X
Pros
Cons
TheXbox Series Xis one of the best game consoles we’ve reviewed. We found it to be immensely powerful, capable of a 4K output at 120Hz. Console exclusives such asForza Horizon 5andHalo Infiniteparticularly wowed us, while the option for Game Pass provides access to a huge selection of fantastic games for an affordable monthly fee.
Its internalSSDs allowed games to load pretty much instantly, which we found especially useful. Testing,Doom Eternal, for instance, the game loaded in six seconds, which put it firmly ahead of any other next-gen console.
TheQuick Resumefunction also allows for games to be stopped in a suspended state if you decide to open something else. But if you wish to return to your original game, you can pick up right where you left off.
Whilst we found the Series X to look sleek with its matted black shell, it’s also quite a tall console with a non-descript cuboid shape. It’s relatively expensive in the world of consoles, but if you’re looking for the very best gaming experience, then the Xbox Series X is the console to go for.
Reviewer:Matt TateFull review:Xbox Series X Review
PS5 (2023)
Pros
Cons
The PS5 has been available since 2020, but it has seen several improvements since then. Firstly, Sony has refreshed the design with the newPS5 Slimmodel, which is now the default option to buy. It’s also updated the firmware, unlocking new features that weren’t available at launch.
These tweaks have helped establish the PS5 as the leading console choice. It has a solid selection of exclusive titles, incredibly powerful with support for the likes of hardware-acceleratedray tracing, and a blazing fast SSD that loads up games in a matter of seconds.
The PS5 controller arguably steals the show though, with Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, which we found to increase immersion within games tenfold. There are a wide number of accessories that can be paired with the console now too, with thePlayStation Portalallowing you to play remotely and thePlayStation VR 2allowing you to explore incredible virtual worlds.
There’s also aPS5 Digital Editionavailable for £359.99, although it lacks the ability to play any PS4 or PS5 games that you have on disk – not to mention films on Blu-Ray.
Reviewer:Chris SmithFull review:PS5 Review
Nintendo Switch
Pros
Cons
TheNintendo Switchmay be nearing the end of its life cycle, but it still offers excellent value for money if you want the versatility of a home console that you can also take on the go.
We found it to offer a brilliant user experience, with the ability to flit between docked and portable play being particularly joyous. The Switch is also being jam-packed full of classic Nintendo titles includingLegend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,Mario Kart 8 DeluxeandSuper Mario Odyssey.
Nintendo also provides the versatile Joy Con controllers, which we found offered an engaging gaming experience with both conventional and more motion-based titles such as party game 1-2-Switch available to get stuck into. They pack in haptic feedback technology, as well as anNFCreader and a gyroscope, which gives them some serious power.
All in all, the Nintendo Switch is a shining example of how to do a hybrid console right, and if you’re after a fun and engaging gaming experience whether you’re out or at home, this is a great choice.
Reviewer:Stuart AndrewsFull review:Nintendo Switch Review
Steam Deck OLED
Pros
Cons
In the last few years, there’s been a boom in popularity in handheld gaming PCs, allowing you to play PC games on the go without the need for an internet connection. There are plenty of fantastic systems in this new category, but our current favourite is theSteam Deck OLED.
Building upon the fantastic foundations of the originalSteam Deck, the new model sees a smattering of upgrades including a bright OLED panel, improved battery life, enhanced controls and a marginally lighter design. Those upgrades may sound minimal on paper, but they result in a far greater experience.
The Steam Deck OLED isn’t the most powerful option, with the likes of theAsus ROG AllyandAyaneo 2Sboth proving to be faster. Nevertheless, the Steam Deck OLED can still run the vast majority of games at max graphics settings at 720p, and it’s available at a more affordable price. The SteamOS software is also far more slick than the Windows offering on other portables.
The base Steam Deck is still a great option for those on a tight budget, but if you want the perfect blend of price, performance, software, design, screen and battery life, then we reckon there’s no better option than the Steam Deck OLED.
Reviewer:Ryan JonesFull review:Steam Deck OLED Review
Asus ROG Ally X
Pros
Cons
The Stream Deck OLED is a fantastic portable PC that provides access to the Steam library on the go, but it’s not perfect. It runs Linux, for example, so game support (especially outside of Steam) is very hit-and-miss, and it means that you can’t really use the portable PC for cloud gaming when Wi-Fi is available either.
TheAsus ROG Ally Xfixes most of those issues, and a whole bunch more. The Windows 11-equipped handheld console allows for easy access to every PC game storefront on Windows, and supports most games without any issue (as long as they’re supported by the hardware, anyway). It also means you’re free to use it for cloud gaming, and with a Thunderbolt 4 port for accessories, you can even use it as a full-fat Windows machine when connected to an external display.
The ROG Ally X also sports a more powerful chipset than the Steam Deck OLED in the form of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, coupled with a massive 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage as standard. While that’s enough to deliver a smooth gaming experience with ultra-level graphics in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, it’s the battery life that stands out most.
With an 80Wh battery that’s 30Wh bigger than the Steam Deck OLED and one that’s double the 40Wh of the regular Ally, the Ally X has the best gaming longevity of any handheld we’ve used so far, hitting three hours of Horizon Zero Dawn gameplay with ultra-level graphics enabled, and this also means you can use the souped-up 25W Turbo mode for additional performance boosts without worrying too much about battery life.
The ROG Ally X may not feature the same high-end OLED screen tech as the Steam Deck OLED, and at £799/$799, it’s very much a premium purchase, but the experience on offer is one of few to truly rival what Valve offers with its Deck.
Reviewer:Lewis PainterFull review:Asus ROG Ally XReview
Xbox Series S
Pros
Cons
TheXbox Series Sis the best choice for people who want new-gen gaming at a cut price.
It may not be as powerful as the Xbox Series X or PS5, but Microsoft’s more affordable console is still capable of outputting at 1440p complete with ray-tracing. We found it to offer some stunning visuals within games, with sharp images and great lighting.
With the Xbox Series S comes the optional convenience ofXbox Game Passand its vast library of titles that gives you instant access to over 100 games for a reasonable monthly price. In addition, its UI is familiar and easy to navigate.
The console itself is smaller than the Series X by some way, as well as being noticeably dinkier than the older Xbox One S, featuring a sleek white shell. With that smaller stature comes the sacrifice of a disc drive, however, so if you want to play games or any other forms of media via a physical medium, you’ll have to pick up the more expensive Series X.
In addition, the Series S only features a 500GB SSD, which is highly limiting, providing you with space to install only a handful of games at any one time. You can install more storage via a memory card, but that can get pretty expensive.
With that being said, the Xbox Series S is still the best games console available for those on a budget who want to play the latest major games, as long as you can live with the smaller storage and lack of a disc drive.
Reviewer:Ryan JonesFull review:Xbox Series S Review
Nvidia Shield TV (2019)
Pros
Cons
TheNvidia Shield TV (2019)technically isn’t a games console, but more of a premium Android streaming box. With a quick download of Nvidia’s ownGeForce Now, however, the Shield TV transforms into a capable cloud gaming system.
With the Shield TV, you get a few different ways of playing your favourite titles, as you can either download Android games onto it to play locally, stream your PC thanks to integration with your Steam and Epic Games libraries, or utilise a GeForce Now subscription. The latter will grant access to some serious PC power for a monthly subscription to play the latest AAA games at some seriously high settings.
When loading up the likes of Hitman 2, for instance, we found the experience on the Shield TV to be especially smooth and fun. Do note though, that the performance of any game on a cloud gaming platform, such as GeForce Now, depends on how good your internet connection is. As long as it’s stable and quick, you should get a great gaming experience.
The actual device itself features 4KHDRoutput, complete with the powers of bothDolby VisionandDolby Atmos. You do need a supported display and speakers to take advantage of such features, but then games should look and sound fantastic. With its revamped remote, you get access to Netflix via a dedicated button, as well a raft of other movie and TV streaming services.
Reviewer:Ryan JonesFull review:Nvidia Shield TV (2019) Review
Nintendo Switch OLED
Pros
Cons
TheNintendo Switch OLEDis the latest iteration of the firm’s brilliant hybrid console, and represents a great option for anyone wanting to try out the convenience of a Switch combined with the power of an OLED panel.
Its screen is an immense upgrade on the original LCD, even if its resolution is capped at 720p. We found it to look brighter than the original LCD, with especially bright and vivid colours. During testing, playing Breath Of The Wild revealed the extra punch of the OLED panel with more detailed skies and forests, alongside better contrast when switching between a shadow-laden cave and daylight.
There isn’t too much new stuff around here internally, as the Switch OLED packs the same power as its older sibling, which ensures a great all-round performance, especially when used in portable mode. The older internals do lead to a dicier performance in docked mode when connected up to larger displays, with images looking noticeably fuzzy. You do get some improved storage capacity here though, which is especially handy for installing more games on the main drive, and Nintendo’s selection is superb, as the Switch OLED works with every single original Switch game, as well as those found on theSwitch Lite.
There has been a small redesign, with a new and sturdier kickstand present that spans the entire back of the device. We also found the plastics used on this new model to feel sturdier than the original, and its speakers sound noticeably better with more volume and detailed sound. The dock has also been redesigned and features an Ethernet port alongside handy cable channels for those after a cleaner setup.
All in all, the Switch OLED is a useful choice for those wanting a Nintendo Switch with a much better OLED display. Beyond that, it’s much the same experience as the original. For those who want a capable home console though, you may want to look elsewhere, given the fact there have been no performance upgrades for the Switch OLED.
Reviewer:Ryan JonesFull review:Nintendo Switch OLED Review
Nintendo Switch Lite
Pros
Cons
TheNintendo Switch Liteis the cheapest portable console on our list, which makes it an ideal choice for those on a budget, as well as for children.
It looks particularly bright and fun, with a funky yellow plastic outer shell. And if this isn’t to your taste, the Switch Lite is available in a couple of other colours, including turquoise and grey. This is a much smaller footprint console than the full-fat Switch, which we found made it nicely portable. Its lighter 275g weight also made it easier to hold, especially for younger children.
The display on the Switch Lite is a denser 5.5-inch panel with the same 720p resolution as the original. Generally speaking, you won’t be losing anything in terms of picture quality, even with a 0.7-inch reduction in overall size.
It’s worth noting that the Switch Lite isn’t fully compatible with every Switch game, since the Joy-Cons aren’t detachable. This means a select few titles (such as 1-2-Switch) that need motion controls won’t work, unless you shell out on extra Joy-Cons. Other than that, the entire library is open to you, meaning all the best Mario, Zelda and Pokemon games are all within reach.
In addition, the console features decent battery life, ranging from four to seven hours, depending on the game. At the top end, it means you’ll get roughly a working day’s worth of playtime out of the Switch Lite before it needs to be charged. If you’re only playing for a couple of hours a day, it’s likely you could get several days’ worth of charge out of this little guy.
While it may not have detachable Joy-Cons and slightly shorter battery life than the standard Switch, the Switch Lite is a great option for those who want the fundamentals of Nintendo’s latest console with a fun gaming experience, complete with a sturdy and colourful outer shell and a great selection of games.
Reviewer:Jade KingFull review:Nintendo Switch Lite Review
Playdate
Pros
Cons
ThePlaydateis the best retro-inspired games console, despite being the most recently-released console on our list.
It’s a homage to the retro game consoles of old, with its yellow plastic frame an obvious nod to the iconic original Game Boy. Weighing just 86g, we found it to be incredibly portable. The Playdate features just two buttons, a D-pad, as well as a crank on the side that we found to add an interesting mechanic to the games that support it.
The selection of games available with the Playdate is varied, with there being 24 in total that we found to offer a fun experience, whether it’s the Asteroids-inspired Hyper Meteor, the crank-driven Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure, or the side-scrolling detective thriller Saturday Edition. There’s sure to be a title that everyone will enjoy, especially given how captivating we found the gameplay to be.
There is also the ability to make your own games with the clever Playdate Pulp feature, and means anyone (even those with basic coding knowledge) has the potential to make a game.
The only major issue we had with the Playdate was its display. While its dinky 2.7-inch screen is perfectly serviceable for the most part, the fact there isn’t a backlight means you can’t really make use of the console if you’re playing in the dark. While the Playdate is a great retro-inspired console, the lack of a backlight does feel like it brings the old experience a little bit too close to home at times.
Reviewer:Thomas DeehanFull review:Playdate review
We also considered…
Is the VR headset still worth a buy in 2023?
A capable VR headset, but does it do enough to justify its premium price?
A fantastic throwback to one of gaming’s most beloved consoles
Calling it the PlayStation Classic is half lying, really
A brilliant little machine for nostalgic fans
We’ve reviewed
481
Consoles
FAQs
The Nintendo Switch arguably has the best library of family-friendly games, with the likes of Mario Party and Mario Kart available. Although the Xbox Series S is a good option too, since it’s available at a low price and can be paired with Game Pass to access a large library of games.
The Nvidia Shield TV technically offers the best graphics if you subscribe to the most expensive GeForce Now tier. But if we’re talking about traditional consoles, it will be between the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
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Lewis is the Mobile Editor of Trusted Reviews with plenty of phone experience, from the Nokia 3210 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max. He has been in the tech industry writing about phones, headphones, tablets,…
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
