Find the ideal console based on your real needs — from retro games in your pocket to the best visuals in the most demanding titles.

For everyday gaming in the living room

The PlayStation 5 Slim Digital is the console you connect to your living room TV and play every evening, from PlayStation exclusives to online matches with friends. Buy games digitally and download them directly to the console, with no discs cluttering your shelves.

The 825GB of storage leaves around 667GB available for games. The new design has a matte finish that doesn’t show fingerprints and scratches like the old glossy surface. If you buy games on disc, there’s also a PS5 Slim version with a Blu-ray drive. It has remained a popular choice among users for quite some time.

For the best visuals in the most demanding games

The PlayStation 5 Pro plays the same games as the PS5, with sharper visuals and smoother performance in graphically demanding titles. Players who have upgraded from the standard PS5 report more clearly defined shadows and colors, as well as more consistent frame rates in titles such as Elden Ring.

To see the full difference, you’ll need a TV or monitor that supports all its features, such as 120Hz. With 2TB of storage, you can keep plenty of large games installed at once. It’s a digital edition, so you’ll need a separate disc drive to play disc-based games. It costs considerably more than the PS5 Slim, and you can see the difference on screen.

For family play, on the TV and on the go

The Nintendo Switch 2 connects to the TV when everyone’s gathered at home and becomes a handheld console as soon as you take it out of the dock. The bundle includes Mario Kart World, so you’ll have races for all ages from day one.

If you’re upgrading from the original Switch, you can transfer your data and games to the new console. The 256GB of storage leaves room for plenty of games, and the screen brings vibrant color to Nintendo’s colorful titles. You’ll notice its solid build as soon as you hold it.

Steam games on the go

The Steam Deck OLED brings your Steam library to a handheld console. Pick up your PC games on the couch, in bed, or while travelling, away from your desk.

The OLED display delivers deep blacks in dark scenes. With 1TB of storage, you can keep several large games installed at once. It’s the most expensive handheld option on the list—and the only one that brings PC games to your hands.

For children

The Nintendo Switch Lite, shown here in the special Hyrule Edition, is designed for handheld play. The controls are built into the console, so there are no detachable parts to lose. It’s smaller and lighter than the standard Switch and fits comfortably in small hands.

It doesn’t connect to a TV, so games are played on the console’s screen. With parental controls, you can set limits on screen time and content. Owners report around 4 hours of battery life at medium brightness. The 32GB of storage fills up quickly, so an SD card provides room for more games.

For retro gaming

Nintendo’s Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda is a small handheld console that comes with classic Zelda games from the NES and Game Boy already built in. No cartridges or internet connection needed: just turn it on and play.

It fits in your pocket, and its case doubles as a stand, so it can also sit on a shelf as a collectible. It’s the cheapest option on the list and a gift that takes anyone who grew up with these games back in time.

The right console depends on where you’ll play and who you’ll play with: in the living room, on the go, with the kids, or with your all-time favorite game series. Choose the section that suits you and check the current prices on the product cards.

This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed and edited by the Skroutz team.