Add The New York Post on Google As a girl who’s gamed all her life — and whose first console was the PlayStation Portable (sorry, Game Boy lovers) — I’ve tried my fair share of gaming consoles.
Everything from the Xbox Kinect to the Wii has held a place in my home, along with more recent options like the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2.
After spending way too many hours playing games like “Baldur’s Gate 3,” “Pokémon Pokopia,” all the “Zelda” installments (and much, much more), it’s safe to say I know what makes a good gaming console.
From considering playable titles to space and essential hardware, I’ve found the best gaming consoles and listed them right below. You might already own some of these, but here’s hoping that I convince you to try something new.
Pros: True 4K gaming with up to 120 FPS 1TB of storage Works with physical game discs and Blu-rays Strong performance for heavier games Durable console and controllers Access to Game Pass Quick Resume makes it easy to jump back into games Better fit than Series S if you want physical copies Cons: Bulky design Heavier than some other consoles More expensive than the Series S Takes up more space than a handheld or slim console Some games can still have bugs or performance issues I’ve owned my Xbox Series X for almost six years now, which seems crazy to me, and there’s nothing I’d change about it — apart from the bugs in some of the games I play.
I’ve also tried the Series S, which does offer a space-saving design, but I personally love owning physical copies of games and loading them into my Xbox. In fact, the Xbox also works as a DVD player, so you can use it to play any old Blu-rays you have.
Mine has 1TB of storage and streams in 4K, while the Series S can only do 1440p, and games look almost lifelike on my widescreen TV. My console seamlessly runs heavy-duty games like “Forza Horizon 6” or “Baldur’s Gate 3” with little to no issues. One of my favorite features is being able to save games. Even if you unistall, once you’re ready to play again, you can pick up right where you started.
Refresh rates up to 120 frames per second also mean I can play first-person shooter games on the console, like “Halo,” without any lag. I use my Xbox with the included controllers, and the best part is that even though I’ve accidentally dropped them off my bed at least a dozen times, they function just fine and have no visual damage.
I also love the Xbox-exclusive games — yes, I’m going to say “Forza” again — that make the Xbox the gift that keeps on giving. I’m subscribed to Game Pass, which gives access to hundreds of games ievery month, including a ton of new titles, so you never get bored.
The Series X is a little bulky, weighing close to 10 pounds, and it’s a rectangular brick that can’t easily be missed. But for the performance, ease of use and clear durability, it’s well worth its price.
Storage: 1TB SSD | Resolution: True 4K gaming | Frame rate: Up to 120 FPS | Disc drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive | Weight: 9.8 pounds | Dimensions: 5.9 inches. x 5.9 inches. x 11.9 inches.
Pros: Strong exclusive games Easy to switch between streaming apps and games Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive Up to 4K gaming and 120 FPS Easier to clean than some older consoles Quieter performance, according to our tester Cons: PS5 design can be awkward to fit in some media centers. More expensive than the digital edition. Some of the best features, like 4K/120Hz gameplay, depend on having a compatible TV While I don’t own the PlayStation 5, I have gamed on one, and our commerce partnerships manager, Frank Massaro, owns and loves it.
New York Post Review: “My PlayStation 5 is the hero of our media center. The seamless switch from watching Netflix to hopping into the latest gaming title (I’m currently playing ‘Star Wars Bad Company,’ ) means that the PS5 is constantly being used during those essential unwind periods.
“The ability to easily clean the console was an unforeseen perk. I have had many gaming consoles start to sound like airplanes taking off due to wear and tear and dust intake. Sony has made the PS5 easily accessible for those routine cleanings, and my console is as quiet as a mouse.
“Sony has invested heavily into its first-party IPs. With titles like “God of War,” “Ratchet & Clank,” “Astro Bot,” Insomniac’s “Spider-Man” and the upcoming ‘Wolverine,’ the best games are simply available on PlayStation.
“Having a PlayStation and a PlayStation Plus membership means you get a steady monthly cadence of free games, so you will never have a shortage of options for entertainment.”
Storage: 1TB custom SSD | Resolution: 4K gaming | Frame rate: Up to 120 FPS with 120Hz output | Disc drive: Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Dimensions: 14.1 inches. x 3.8 in. x 8.5 inches.
Pros: Works as both a handheld console and traditional TV console Supports up to 4K output when docked Larger 7.9-inch display than the original Switch Joy-Con 2 controllers attach magnetically, which feels more streamlined Built-in microphone for GameChat Most Nintendo Switch games are compatible with Switch 2 Cons: LCD screen is not as vivid as the Nintendo Switch OLED Battery life can vary a lot depending on the game Some older Nintendo Switch games may not be supported or fully compatible 4K output requires a compatible TV and game I got the original Nintendo Switch the second it launched, and since then, I’ve also owned the Nintendo Switch OLED and now, as of this February, the Nintendo Switch 2.
The reason the Switch 2 stands out for me is simple: Nintendo completely redesigned the way the Joy-Con controllers attach to the device, not just increasing their durability, so gaming on it a much more streamlined experience.
I love how the Switch has the ability to easily transform from a handheld device to a traditional console, which now supports 4K when docked. It also has a built-in mic for GameChat, which lets you speak to your friends no matter where they are while you game. The display is wider than before, though unlike the OLED, the screen here is LCD, so you miss out on the clarity when the device is in handheld mode.
That said, most older games are still compatible on the Switch 2, though some titles are Switch 2-specific, like “Pokémon Pokopia.”
Storage: 256GB UFS | Resolution: 4K gaming in TV mode; 1920 x 1080 handheld | Frame rate: Up to 120 FPS with 120Hz output; 4K capped at 60 FPS | Disc drive: None | Weight: 1.18 pounds with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached | Dimensions: 10.7 in. x 4.5 inches. x 0.55 inches.
I had a chance to check out the Steam Deck while visiting my brother-in-law in India, and I was immediately impressed by the screen quality and portable design, plus the ability to play hundreds of games on the go.
After spending a few hours gaming on it, I asked my brother-in-law, Nishant, a lawyer by day and gamer by night, what he thought about the Steam Deck.
“As a working man, I was never able to get into console or PC gaming again since I spent most of my time either at work, in commute or on the couch watching TV with my better half,” he shared. “I couldn’t hog the TV or spend time in front of a PC after a day at work.
“Then I got the Steam Deck and NGL it changed my life. The Steam Deck gave me the ease of console gaming with the economics of PC gaming. I play during commute, I play while watching TV, I play on vacation and sometimes, I play at work.
“I have spent around 900 Hours in almost 3 years on my steam deck and have fully completed 38 titles. And I had a blast playing each and every one of them. I don’t know what fps I was getting, all I know is that I haven’t had this much fun gaming since I got the PS3 in school.
I find myself thinking this almost constantly: The steam deck made me fall in love with gaming again.”
Storage: 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD | Resolution: 1280 x 800 HDR OLED | Frame rate: Up to 90 FPS with 90Hz refresh rate | Disc drive: None | Weight: 1.41 pounds | Dimensions: 11.7 in. x 4.6 in. x 1.9 in.
This wireless gaming headset works for PC, Xbox and PlayStation, and connects to up to five devices at once. It also offers active noise cancellation for full immersion.
This responsive mouse is extremely sensitive and works well for first-person shooters and games that require split-second reactions.
If you love racing games, a racing wheel and pedals make it feel more immersive. While this option is for PlayStation, Logitech also sells one for Xbox.
The Switch is more fun if you have multiple people gaming together. While you could buy an extra Joy-Con controller, you can also buy a more traditionally shaped controller for a more comfortable gaming experience.
This article was written by Nishka Dhawan, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Nishka reports on the latest tech launches, innovations and trends to separate the best new products from the “AI slop.” Taking the latest technology for a spin, Nishka tests home appliances and tech products that actually improve your life, from vacuums to headphones to gaming gadgets and more – all while finding the best deals and lowest prices. Before joining The Post in 2026, her work appeared in Rolling Stone, ABC, NBC Select, Reviewed and Digital Trends.
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