The 5 Best Video Game Consoles of 2026
Video games are the number-one family entertainment: kids play, parents play, even grandparents join in. In 2026 there are more options than ever, from the new Nintendo Switch 2 to the powerful PS5 and Xbox. This guide helps you pick the right console based on who will play and how.
How to choose a console: what really matters
- Who will play: for kids and family, Nintendo is unbeatable; for teens and adults who want the most powerful graphics, PS5 or Xbox.
- Handheld or home console: Switch 2 and Steam Deck play anywhere; PS5 and Xbox need a TV but deliver more power.
- Exclusive games: each console has games you can't get elsewhere. If your kids ask for Mario or Zelda, the answer is Nintendo.
- Total cost: beyond the console, count games and the online subscription (Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, Game Pass).
- How many will play: if several play together in the living room, check how many controllers are included and what extras cost.
- Storage: modern games are huge; check internal storage and whether it can be expanded.
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Price | See deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 ⭐ our pick | Gaming at home and anywhere | check current price | Check price |
| Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) | The best exclusive games | check current price | Check price |
| Xbox Series X | Power and Game Pass | check current price | Check price |
| Steam Deck OLED | Playing your PC library handheld | check current price | Check price |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | The cheapest family option | check current price | Check price |
Our pick
1. Nintendo Switch 2 — gaming at home and anywhere
Price: check current price
The Nintendo Switch 2 is Nintendo's new console and the most versatile on this list: it docks to the TV for family play and goes anywhere in handheld mode. With Nintendo exclusives — Mario, Zelda, Pokémon — it's what kids ask for most and what families play together.
If there are kids at home or you want one console that works for everyone, this is the safest buy. It's the best-selling console right now for a reason.
- Hybrid: TV and handheld in one console
- Nintendo exclusives, the family favorites
- Best-selling: huge community and game library
2. Sony PlayStation 5 — the best exclusive games
Price: check current price
The PS5 is for those who want the best experience on the TV: spectacular 4K graphics, lightning-fast loading, and top-tier exclusives. The DualSense controller's haptic feedback makes games feel different.
If teens or adults play and want the most impressive titles out there, the PS5 is the answer.
- The most awarded exclusives (God of War, Spider-Man, Horizon)
- 4K graphics and ultra-fast loading
- The DualSense controller is an experience on its own
3. Xbox Series X — power and Game Pass
Price: check current price
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's most powerful console, and its secret weapon is Game Pass: a subscription giving you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee, including new releases. It's like Netflix for video games.
If you want to play a ton without buying each game separately, Game Pass makes Xbox the most economical console long-term.
- Game Pass: hundreds of games by subscription
- Very powerful, great for 4K
- Excellent backward compatibility with older Xbox games
4. Steam Deck OLED — playing your PC library handheld
Price: check current price
The Steam Deck OLED is a handheld gaming mini-PC: it runs your Steam library anywhere, with a gorgeous OLED screen and strong battery life. It's the favorite of PC gamers who want to play on the couch, in bed, or on trips.
More technical than the rest — it needs some setup — but in return you get access to thousands of PC games, many dirt cheap on sale.
- Stunning handheld OLED screen
- Access to the full Steam library and its sales
- Very versatile for PC-savvy users
5. Nintendo Switch OLED — the cheapest family option
Price: check current price
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the previous Switch with an OLED screen: it still plays Nintendo's huge catalog, it's perfect for kids, and it costs less than the Switch 2.
If budget rules and the kids just want to play Mario and friends, this delivers for less money.
- The cheapest on this list
- Beautiful OLED screen in handheld mode
- Huge family-friendly game catalog
In-depth buying guide
The most common mistake is buying the most powerful console when there are kids at home: the PS5 is amazing, but if your kids ask for Mario, happiness is Nintendo. Second: budget the total cost — the console is just the start; games, extra controllers, and the online subscription add up. That's where Xbox with Game Pass shines. Third: think about where it'll be played; with no free TV, a handheld (Switch 2, Steam Deck) gets used far more. As a rule: family and kids → Nintendo Switch 2; max graphics → PS5; lots of gaming for little → Xbox Series X with Game Pass; PC library handheld → Steam Deck OLED; tight budget → Switch OLED.
Frequently asked questions
Which is best for kids?
Nintendo Switch 2 (or the Switch OLED on a tighter budget). Nintendo games are family-friendly, controls are simple, and it has parental controls.
PS5 or Xbox Series X?
PS5 if you want the most awarded exclusives and the best controller. Xbox Series X if you prefer Game Pass and playing tons of games by subscription.
Do I need internet to play?
For solo play, no. For online play with others, yes — you need each platform's subscription (Nintendo Switch Online, PlayStation Plus, or Game Pass).
Does the Switch 2 replace the regular Switch?
It's the successor: more powerful with new games. The Switch OLED is still valid and cheaper, but new games will increasingly target the Switch 2.
Final verdict
The best buy for families? Nintendo Switch 2: handheld and docked, with the games everyone wants. Max graphics? PS5. Tons of gaming for little money? Xbox Series X with Game Pass. Have a PC game library? Steam Deck OLED. Tight budget? Switch OLED.