When the next-generation PlayStation and Xbox were released in the fall of 2020, it was difficult to choose what to buy if you weren’t previously anticipating a specific model. Which console is best for you depends on a number of factors, including the games you enjoy playing, how much graphics performance you value, how you play online, and even which system is now for sale.
Even pre-owned PlayStation 4 and Xbox One last-generation consoles are fetching high prices on online auction sites like eBay due to the ongoing stock difficulties that afflict both current console lines. We don’t believe you should spend more than $200 on a used system, despite the fact that there are hundreds of fantastic titles available for those last-gen consoles. Unfortunately, used last-gen consoles frequently sell for $300 or more at the time of writing, and new ones aren’t being produced.
The console that is currently the simplest to find is also the most well-liked. The Wirecutter staff, including both casual players and video game professionals, love the Nintendo Switch because it’s a wonderful console with entertaining games and minimal drawbacks. More information about the Switch (including the latest OLED Model) and the reasons why it is so popular can be found there.
We advise sticking with the console brand they most recently owned if you’re buying one for someone else (and saving the receipt). By sticking with one brand, users can continue to play their current games and communicate online with their old friends. Additionally, it means they’ll be able to enjoy any beloved platform-exclusive titles’ sequels. The PS5 and Xbox Series X, meanwhile, will still be hard to come by long beyond 2022. Be prepared to act quickly if one of those consoles becomes available without being overcharged. However, it has been a little bit simpler to locate the Xbox Series S, and we believe it to be a fantastic substitute.
For the rest of you, we’ve been testing both for more than a year and can help you understand the differences if you’re ready to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 (disc or digital) or the Xbox Series X or Series S.
