How to Choose a Console: PS5, Xbox Series or Switch 2

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 serve different needs. So the question is not which console is “better,” but what you plan to do: play on a big screen, take a game with you, or get specific games. Below are five steps to help you choose. All data comes from the manufacturers’ official pages as of October 15, 2026. We don’t list prices: they depend on the country, the store and the moment, so check separately whether the console and its services are available in your country.

Decide where you’ll play

Switch 2 is a hybrid. According to Nintendo, it works in TV, tabletop and handheld modes, has a 7.9-inch screen with 1920×1080 resolution, and supports HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz. Battery life is roughly 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game.

PS5 and Xbox Series are designed to connect to a TV or monitor. For PS5 there is a separate device, PlayStation Portal: it has a built-in 8-inch screen that lets you play games from your own PS5 over home Wi-Fi.

Make a list of games and services

Consoles differ above all in their games. Nintendo says Mario Kart World can be played only on Switch 2, and also that the console runs compatible Nintendo Switch games, although some may not be supported or may not work fully.

PlayStation notes that PS5 plays PS5 and PS4 games. Microsoft says Xbox Series X is compatible with thousands of games from four Xbox generations, and that access to Xbox Game Pass is purchased separately. Online features on Switch 2, including GameChat, require an internet connection, a Nintendo account and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Compare the specs

The table below shows what the manufacturers publish about the hardware. Teraflops of different architectures shouldn’t be compared head to head, but the order of magnitude is clear: Series X has 12, PS5 has 10.3, and Series S has 4. Nintendo does not publish graphics figures: Switch 2 is built around portability.

What the Manufacturers Say

Console	CPU and GPU	Memory and storage	Video
PS5	Zen 2, 8 cores and 16 threads, up to 3.5 GHz; RDNA 2, up to 10.3 TFLOPS	16 GB GDDR6; 1 TB SSD (Digital Edition — 825 GB)	4K 120 Hz, 8K, VRR
PS5 Pro	PSSR AI upscaling, enhanced ray tracing	2 TB SSD	Support for 60 Hz and 120 Hz displays
Xbox Series X	Zen 2, 8 cores, up to 3.8 GHz; RDNA 2, 12 TFLOPS	16 GB GDDR6; 1 TB SSD (2 TB version available)	“True” 4K, up to 120 fps
Xbox Series S	Same processor; RDNA 2, 4 TFLOPS	10 GB GDDR6; 512 GB or 1 TB SSD	1440p, up to 120 fps
Nintendo Switch 2	Custom NVIDIA processor	256 GB (UFS) and microSD Express up to 2 TB	7.9″ 1080p screen; on TV up to 4K 60 fps

Sources: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo. As of October 15, 2026.

Choose a format: disc or digital

PS5 comes in two versions: with a disc drive (1 TB on the PlayStation page) and the Digital Edition without one. You can buy a drive for the Digital Edition separately; it reads 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD.

Xbox Series X comes with a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive and is also available as a digital-only version. Series S has no disc drive and doesn’t play physical discs. Switch 2 accepts Switch 2 and Switch game cards, and also runs digital games.

Check your TV and storage

Microsoft says Series X outputs “true” 4K, and that Series S is designed for 1440p with the option to upscale to 4K; 120 fps requires supported content and a display. According to PlayStation, PS5 supports 4K 120 Hz TVs, 8K and VRR. In TV mode, Switch 2 outputs up to 4K 60 fps, while 120 fps is available at 1080p or 1440p resolution.

You can expand storage: Xbox supports Storage Expansion Cards, while Switch 2 supports only microSD Express cards up to 2 TB. Cards from the original Switch that don’t meet this standard won’t work.

Who Each Console Suits

PS5. For people who want PS5 and PS4 games and a choice between disc and digital versions. For sharper images on a 4K TV, there is the PS5 Pro with PSSR AI upscaling.
Xbox Series X. For people who want a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, “true” 4K and compatibility with thousands of games from four Xbox generations. Series S is for people who are happy with digital games in 1440p.
Nintendo Switch 2. For people who want to play both at home and on the go, to run Nintendo games, including Mario Kart World, and to play compatible games from the original Switch.

Prices and availability. Manufacturers change prices and promotions, and the availability of consoles and services depends on the country. Before buying, open the manufacturer’s and store’s pages for your region and check what is included in the package.

Tip. Write down three things: the games you’re waiting for, who you play with (alone, with one other person or with a group) and where (at home, on the go). Compare them with the steps above, and the choice usually becomes obvious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Xbox Series S different from Series X?

According to Microsoft, Series X shows games in “true” 4K, has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive and a 1 TB or 2 TB SSD. Series S is designed for 1440p without a disc drive, and its SSD is 512 GB or 1 TB. Series S’s graphics unit delivers 4 TFLOPS, while Series X’s delivers 12 TFLOPS.

Can I play games from the original Switch on Switch 2?

Nintendo says Switch 2 plays both physical and digital Nintendo Switch games, but some of them may not be supported or may not work fully. Check the game you need on Nintendo’s compatibility page.

Do I need a special TV for 120 fps?

Yes, you need supported content and a display, Microsoft says. Nintendo adds that 4K, HDR and VRR in TV mode are available in supported games and require a compatible display.

Can I buy a disc drive for PS5 later?

Yes, but only for new-model PS5 Digital Editions: the PlayStation page says the drive is made for the CFI-2000 and CFI-2100 models and is sold separately.

Sources

Data was checked against live official pages on October 15, 2026.

How to Choose a Game Console: PS5, Xbox Series or Switch 2

In short

What you will need