The PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Xbox Series X are both excellent gaming consoles, with the best choice depending on individual preferences12. The Nintendo Switch is also a good option, especially for family gaming due to its portability and exclusive games2.
Here's a comparison of the consoles:
: Has a strong library of exclusive titles, such as Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Horizon: Forbidden West, and God of War Ragnarök1. It also provides access to next-gen virtual reality tech via the PS VR2 headset1.
: Has more raw power, better design, and better backward compatibility compared to the PS51. Xbox Game Pass offers excellent value, with flagship exclusives available on the service from day one1. It also supports Dolby Vision gaming7.
: Less powerful than the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but offers portability and exclusive games2.
Key differences between PS5 and Xbox Series X:
| Feature | PS5 | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499 (Standard), $399 (Digital Edition) | $499 |
| Key Exclusives | Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Horizon: Forbidden West, God of War Ragnarök | Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Halo Infinite, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5 |
| Backwards Compatibility | Almost all PS4 games | All Xbox One games / Select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games |
| CPU | 8-core 3.5 GHz AMD Zen 2 | 8-core, 3.8 GHz AMD Zen 2 |
| GPU | 10.3 teraflop AMD RDNA 2 | 12.0 teraflop AMD RDNA 2 |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 825 GB custom SSD; 1TB (PS5 Slim) | 1 TB custom NVMe SSD |
| Optical Disc Drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray (Standard PS5 only) | 4K UHD Blu-ray |
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer 4K gaming with high frame rates and support hardware-accelerated ray tracing4.
The PS5 has faster loading times, but in-game performance is similar on both consoles1.
:
The PS5 Pro is a mid-cycle upgrade that offers enhanced graphics and more fluid gameplay13. It is designed to provide a better experience for big TV gaming, with a souped-up GPU for more ray-tracing and fluid 4K and 60-frames-per-second gaming3. Upgrading to the PS5 Pro may not be worth it for everyone, especially since the original PS5 is still a capable gaming console3. However, it could be a good option for new PlayStation gamers or those looking to upgrade their TV setup3.
Whether to buy a console used depends on your budget and risk tolerance. Buying used can save money, but there's also a risk of hidden issues or lack of warranty3.