The Nintendo Switch 2 is the best gaming console in 2027: a 7.9-inch handheld with 256 GB of storage that also plays on a TV, at a U.S. price of $499.99. The Nintendo Switch Lite is the best value at $229.99.
Price: $499.99 (up from $449.99 on September 1, 2026)Display: 7.9-inch LCD, 1920x1080, VRR up to 120 HzStorage: 256 GB (UFS)Battery life: About 2 to 6.5 hoursWeight: About 0.88 lbs, or about 1.18 lbs with Joy-Con 2 attached
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch LCD at 1920x1080 with VRR up to 120 Hz and 256 GB (UFS) of storage. Nintendo lists about 2 to 6.5 hours of battery and a weight of about 0.88 lbs. Nintendo of America moved the U.S. price from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026.
Go ifPlayers who want one console for the TV and for handheld play
Skip ifYou want the most storage for the money
Why #1 over #2: It is the only pick here that is both a TV console and a handheld at $499.99, the same price as the Xbox Series S.
2
PlayStation 5 (1TB, disc)
Answrs VerdictThe disc-based PlayStation.
Price: $649.99 (price changes effective April 2, 2026)Storage: 1TB SSDMedia: Plays PS5 and PS4 games on Blu-ray DiscSize: Volume reduced by more than 30% versus the previous model
The PlayStation 5 has a 1TB SSD and plays PS5 and PS4 games on Blu-ray Disc. Sony says its volume is reduced by more than 30% versus the previous model. The PlayStation Blog lists $649.99, with price changes effective April 2, 2026.
Go ifTV players who own discs or want PlayStation exclusives with a 1TB drive
Skip ifYou want to spend under $649.99
Why #2 over #3: Its 1TB drive and disc drive beat the 825GB Digital Edition, though it costs $649.99.
3
Xbox Series X
Photo: Der. Bellemer / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Xbox performance pick.
Price: $799.99 (1TB disc drive, estimated retail price; 1TB all-digital $749.99)Storage: 1TB (2TB Galaxy Black model also listed)Graphics: 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPUOutput: True 4K, up to 120 FPS
The Xbox Series X lists a 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU, True 4K and up to 120 FPS. The 1TB disc-drive model is $799.99 and the 1TB all-digital model is $749.99, both as estimated retail prices; a 2TB Galaxy Black model is also listed.
Go ifPlayers who want a 4K, 120 FPS console with a disc drive and an all-digital option
Skip ifYou want to spend under $749.99
Why #3 over #4: It lists 12 TFLOPS and up to 120 FPS, but at $799.99 it costs more than the PlayStation 5 at $649.99.
4
Steam Deck OLED
Answrs VerdictThe Steam handheld.
Price: $789.00 (512GB); $949.00 (1TB)Display: 7.4" 1280 x 800 HDR OLED, up to 90HzBattery: 50Whr; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAMStock note: Valve says it may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages
The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4" 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display up to 90Hz, 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 50Whr battery rated 3-12 hours of gameplay. Valve lists $789.00 for 512GB and $949.00 for 1TB, and warns it may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages.
Go ifPC gamers who want their Steam library in a handheld with an OLED screen
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #4 over #5: It plays a Steam library in a handheld, but $789.00 is well above the Switch 2’s $499.99.
5
PlayStation 5 Pro
Answrs VerdictThe PlayStation top tier.
Price: $899.99 (price changes effective April 2, 2026)Storage: 2TB SSDUpscaling: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) for 4K TVsFrame rate: Support for 60Hz and 120Hz displaysEnhanced games: Over 100 PS5 titles enhanced for PS5 Pro
The PlayStation 5 Pro has a 2TB SSD, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) for 4K TVs and support for 60Hz and 120Hz displays. Sony says over 100 PS5 titles are enhanced for it. The PlayStation Blog lists $899.99, with price changes effective April 2, 2026.
Go ifTV players who want the most powerful PlayStation and 2TB of storage
Skip ifYou want to spend under $899.99
Why #5 over #6: Its 2TB SSD doubles the PS5’s 1TB, at $899.99 versus $649.99.
6
ROG Xbox Ally X
Answrs VerdictThe premium Xbox handheld.
Price: $999.99Display: 7-inch 1920 x 1080, 120Hz, 500 nits, touchscreenMemory and storage: 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSDBattery: 80WhWeight: 715 g (1.58 lbs)
The ROG Xbox Ally X has a 7-inch 1920 x 1080 touchscreen at 120Hz, 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD and an 80Wh battery. It weighs 715 g (1.58 lbs). The ASUS Store lists $999.99.
Go ifHandheld players who want Windows 11 and Xbox games with the largest battery here
Skip ifYou want to spend under $999.99
Why #6 over #7: Its 80Wh battery and 1TB SSD beat the ROG Xbox Ally’s 60Wh and 512GB, at $999.99 versus $599.99.
7
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
Answrs VerdictThe all-digital PlayStation.
Price: $599.99 (price changes effective April 2, 2026)Storage: 825GB SSDDisc drive: None; optional disc drive sold separately
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition has an 825GB SSD and no disc drive, though a disc drive is sold separately as an option. The PlayStation Blog lists $599.99, with price changes effective April 2, 2026.
Go ifPlayers who buy games digitally and want a lower PlayStation price
Skip ifYou want a disc drive in the box
Why #7 over #8: It saves money against the $649.99 disc PS5 but has less storage than the 1TB model.
8
Xbox Series S
Photo: AsmodeanUnderscore / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest Xbox.
Price: $499.99 (512GB); $599.99 (1TB)Storage: 512GB, or 1TBType: All-Digital, Robot WhiteFrame rate: Up to 120 FPS
The Xbox Series S is an all-digital, Robot White console listed at $499.99 for 512GB and $599.99 for 1TB, with up to 120 FPS.
Go ifPlayers who want an all-digital Xbox at the lowest Xbox price
Skip ifYou want a disc drive
Why #8 over #9: At $499.99 it is the cheapest Xbox, but its 512GB is smaller than the Series X’s 1TB.
9
ROG Xbox Ally
Answrs VerdictThe lighter Xbox handheld.
Price: $599.99Display: 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120Hz, 500 nitsMemory and storage: 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSDBattery: 60WhWeight: 670 g (1.48 lbs)
The ROG Xbox Ally has a 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz display, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, a 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD and a 60Wh battery. It weighs 670 g (1.48 lbs). The ASUS Store lists $599.99.
Go ifHandheld players who want a lighter Windows and Xbox handheld at $599.99
Skip ifYou want more than 60Wh of battery
Why #9 over #10: It weighs 670 g against the Ally X’s 715 g and costs $599.99.
The Nintendo Switch Lite has a 5.5" LCD touch screen, 32 GB of storage and Nintendo lists approx. 3 - 7 hours of battery. It weighs approx. .61 lbs and is listed at $229.99 on Nintendo’s site.
Go ifHandheld-only players and kids who want the lowest price on this list
Skip ifYou want to play on a TV
How we ranked these
This is a tier list, not a strict spec sort. Systems that play on a TV and in the hand rank first, followed by high-storage home consoles and handhelds, then price. Every number and price is the maker’s own figure from its official page; console prices have moved this year, so check the price at checkout. Nintendo’s page states the Switch 2 price rose from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026, and Sony’s blog states PS5 price changes took effect April 2, 2026. The Xbox pages list estimated retail prices. The Lenovo Legion Go 2 was left out because Lenovo’s page did not state a clear U.S. price, and the Switch OLED was left out because Nintendo’s page did not list one. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best gaming console in 2027?
The Nintendo Switch 2 leads this list: it plays on a TV or as a 7.9-inch handheld with 256 GB of storage, at a Nintendo-announced U.S. price of $499.99.
Which gaming console is the best value?
The Nintendo Switch Lite is listed at $229.99 on Nintendo’s site, the lowest price here; among TV consoles, the Xbox Series S is $499.99.
How much is a PlayStation 5 now?
The PlayStation Blog lists $649.99 for the PS5, $599.99 for the PS5 Digital Edition and $899.99 for the PS5 Pro, with price changes effective April 2, 2026.
How much is an Xbox Series X?
Xbox lists the Series X 1TB disc-drive model at $799.99 and the 1TB all-digital model at $749.99, both as estimated retail prices.
Official price (US dollars, entry model as published) at a glance
Nintendo Switch Lite229.99 USD
Nintendo Switch 2499.99 USD
Xbox Series S499.99 USD
ROG Xbox Ally599.99 USD
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition599.99 USD
PlayStation 5 (1TB, disc)649.99 USD
Steam Deck OLED789 USD
Xbox Series X799.99 USD
PlayStation 5 Pro899.99 USD
ROG Xbox Ally X999.99 USD
Official price (US dollars, entry model as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
