PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and handheld PCs, compared on the games your household plays and what they cost to run.
Buying guide
Start with the games your household actually wants, then decide whether discs, portable play or a paid game library matter most.
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Head to head
Choose the Switch 2 for newer games and better TV play if you mostly play near a charger. Choose the Switch OLED for longer handheld battery life if the games you want are on the original Switch.
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Amazon product listing imageSony's smaller PlayStation 5 with a disc drive and 1TB of storage. It keeps the strong game library and fast loading, but storage, paid online play and the disc choice affect the real cost.
Amazon product listing imagePlayStation Portal is a handheld screen for a PlayStation 5 you already own. It streams your PS5 games over home Wi-Fi to an 8-inch screen, so you can play when the TV is busy, but it needs a strong home network. With PlayStation Plus Premium it can also stream selected games from the cloud, even when your PS5 is off or you are away from home on Wi-Fi.
Amazon product listing imageA small, digital-only Xbox with a 512GB SSD that aims for 1440p pictures. You save money up front, but there is no disc drive and the storage fills quickly.
Amazon product listing imageMicrosoft's disc-drive Xbox Series X with a 1TB SSD, 16GB of memory and 4K gaming at up to 120 frames a second. Games and extra storage add to the running cost.
Amazon product listing imageNintendo's original hybrid console plays on a TV or as a handheld, with two detachable Joy-Con controllers. Its 720p screen, 32GB storage and age all weigh on the price.
Amazon product listing imageA small, light Nintendo Switch made only for handheld play. It has built-in controls and a 5.5-inch screen, and it cannot connect to a TV.
Amazon product listing imageThe Nintendo Switch OLED is a hybrid console with a 7-inch OLED screen for deeper blacks and richer colour, and 64GB of storage. It plays on a TV or as a handheld, and suits handheld play best.
Amazon product listing imageThe PlayStation 5 without a disc drive, with an 825GB SSD and 4K gaming. Every game must be bought or downloaded digitally, and storage fills quickly.
Amazon product listing imageA PlayStation 5 with a 2TB SSD and a powerful graphics chip, for players who want sharper detail and smoother games. It is a digital console; the disc drive is sold separately.
Amazon product listing imageAn all-digital Xbox Series X: fast, quiet and built around Game Pass, but with no disc drive, so no used games, physical gifts or Blu-ray films. It costs around £449.99 with 1TB of storage.
Amazon product listing imageValve's handheld PC with an OLED screen, a 90Hz refresh rate and access to your Steam library. The £479 512GB model suits players who accept occasional tinkering.
Amazon product listing imageNintendo's console with a 7.9-inch 1080p screen, smooth games and up to 4K on a TV. Battery life of about 3 hours with demanding games in TechRadar's testing matters if you play mostly on the move.