QUESTION

Which gaming system should I buy?

18 upvotes0 downvotes

Asked May 21, 2026Answers can change over time.

Answer78% confidence

Best pick for most gamers: PlayStation 5 Slim if you want big-budget exclusives, easy couch gaming, and strong performance without building a PC.

If you mostly want Nintendo games or portable play, get the Nintendo Switch OLED—but be aware Nintendo’s next system may affect what feels like the best buy in 2026, so check the current lineup before purchasing. If you want the most powerful traditional console and Game Pass value, choose Xbox Series X. If you want one device for PC games and handheld play, choose Steam Deck OLED.

Our pick

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Best for most console gamers

Maars picked this for most gamers who want a straightforward, high-quality console: it has strong performance, a large game library, and popular exclusives.

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At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	PS5 Slim	Xbox Series X	Switch OLED	Steam Deck OLED	Xbox Series S
Best for	Most console gamers	Power and Game Pass	Nintendo games and families	PC games on the go	Lower-cost current-gen gaming
Portability	TV-focused	TV-focused	Handheld and TV	Handheld first	TV-focused
Game library strength	Strong exclusives and major third-party games	Strong third-party games and subscription value	Nintendo exclusives and local multiplayer	PC library compatibility varies by game	Same Xbox ecosystem, lower hardware power
Main tradeoff	Costs more once you add games, storage, and subscriptions	Fewer must-have exclusives for some players	Less powerful than PS5 or Xbox Series X	More setup and compatibility checking than a console	Less storage and weaker performance than Series X

Also compared

Best for competitive/performance-minded players

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Microsoft Xbox Series X

Best for game pass players

Maars picked this for players who want a powerful Xbox and strong subscription value: it is the better Xbox choice if performance matters.

Search on Amazon

Best family system

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Nintendo Switch OLED

Best for families and handheld play

Maars picked this for families and handheld players who want fun, simple gaming: it is excellent for Nintendo exclusives and local multiplayer.

Search on Amazon

Search on Google

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Best for PC gamers on the go

Maars picked this for PC gamers who want their Steam library in handheld form: it offers more flexibility than a console.

Search on Google

Cheapest good choice

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Microsoft Xbox Series S

Best for budget xbox buyers

Maars picked this for budget-focused players who want access to current Xbox games without paying for the higher-end model.

Search on Amazon

Alternatives

Xbox Series S is usually the budget-friendly current-gen option, especially if you mainly play digital games.
Cheapest good choice
It costs less than the higher-end consoles but has lower storage and performance headroom.
Nintendo Switch OLED is the easiest recommendation for families, local multiplayer, and Nintendo exclusives.
Best family system
It has approachable games and works both handheld and on a TV.
Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 Slim, or a gaming PC are better than Switch if you care about high frame rates and modern multiplatform games.
Best for competitive/performance-minded players
They are better suited to graphically demanding games.

What could change this answer

New console releases or refreshes could change the best buy.
Current prices, bundles, and subscriptions can change the recommendation.
Your game library, portability needs, and multiplayer preferences may point to a different system.

Found this helpful?

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May include affiliate links

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Our pick

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Best for most console gamers

Maars picked this for most gamers who want a straightforward, high-quality console: it has strong performance, a large game library, and popular exclusives.

Search on Amazon

At a glance

Compared picks

Swipe to compare

	PS5 Slim	Xbox Series X	Switch OLED	Steam Deck OLED	Xbox Series S
Best for	Most console gamers	Power and Game Pass	Nintendo games and families	PC games on the go	Lower-cost current-gen gaming
Portability	TV-focused	TV-focused	Handheld and TV	Handheld first	TV-focused
Game library strength	Strong exclusives and major third-party games	Strong third-party games and subscription value	Nintendo exclusives and local multiplayer	PC library compatibility varies by game	Same Xbox ecosystem, lower hardware power
Main tradeoff	Costs more once you add games, storage, and subscriptions	Fewer must-have exclusives for some players	Less powerful than PS5 or Xbox Series X	More setup and compatibility checking than a console	Less storage and weaker performance than Series X

Also compared

Best for competitive/performance-minded players

Search on Amazon

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Best for game pass players

Maars picked this for players who want a powerful Xbox and strong subscription value: it is the better Xbox choice if performance matters.

Search on Amazon

Best family system

Search on Amazon

Nintendo Switch OLED

Best for families and handheld play

Maars picked this for families and handheld players who want fun, simple gaming: it is excellent for Nintendo exclusives and local multiplayer.

Search on Amazon

Search on Google

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Best for PC gamers on the go

Maars picked this for PC gamers who want their Steam library in handheld form: it offers more flexibility than a console.

Search on Google

Cheapest good choice

Search on Amazon

Microsoft Xbox Series S

Best for budget xbox buyers

Maars picked this for budget-focused players who want access to current Xbox games without paying for the higher-end model.

Search on Amazon

Alternatives

Xbox Series S is usually the budget-friendly current-gen option, especially if you mainly play digital games.
Cheapest good choice
It costs less than the higher-end consoles but has lower storage and performance headroom.
Nintendo Switch OLED is the easiest recommendation for families, local multiplayer, and Nintendo exclusives.
Best family system
It has approachable games and works both handheld and on a TV.
Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 Slim, or a gaming PC are better than Switch if you care about high frame rates and modern multiplatform games.
Best for competitive/performance-minded players
They are better suited to graphically demanding games.

What could change this answer

New console releases or refreshes could change the best buy.
Current prices, bundles, and subscriptions can change the recommendation.
Your game library, portability needs, and multiplayer preferences may point to a different system.

Found this helpful?

More buying options

May include affiliate links

Search Amazon Search eBay

Which gaming system should I buy?

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

What could change this answer

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

What could change this answer

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Tags

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

What could change this answer

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

What could change this answer

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Compared picks

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Nintendo Switch OLED

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Microsoft Xbox Series S

Alternatives

What could change this answer

Ask Maars another question

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Ask Maars another question

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