Best Gaming Consoles Recommendations

Best gaming consoles in 2025: every major system tested and ranked

Finding the best gaming console is incredibly important, whether you’re an experienced player or looking to get into gaming in 2025. There are loads of options out there right now, all designed to cater to a variety of different requirements and playstyles, which can make it a little tricky to find the right one for you if you’re not already wedded to one particular ecosystem.

That’s exactly where I come in, as I’ve spent hundreds of hours playing with the offerings from each major console brand to deliver expert buying advice. We’ve also been testing consoles for almost two decades here at Neu, with detailed reviews going back to the Wii. When weighing up which ones to include in this list, I considered everything from my own experience to the individual specs, performance, design, and, perhaps most importantly of all, price and value for money.

I know first-hand that every option included here will deliver a fantastic experience in its specific niche, so you can shop for any of them with confidence.

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The PS5 Slim is now the dominant PS5 model, replacing the chunkier launch version on store shelves. It’s considerably smaller, but still boasts the same incredible gaming experiences and even benefits from some much-needed quality of life upgrades.

With a library of incredible exclusives, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Stellar Blade, and The Last of Us Part 1, the PS5 Slim is absolutely one of the best consoles that you can buy right now. It might not be quite as powerful as the Xbox Series X on paper, but I’ve found that it still offers superb performance in a wide range of first and third-party titles. You can even expect to experience certain games with ray tracing and at resolutions up to 4K.

The included controller, Sony’s DualSense Wireless Controller, is also a major highlight in my eyes, thanks to its seriously comfortable form factor and fantastic haptic feedback. Unfortunately, my tests show that features do drain its battery life fast, so expect to spend a fair amount of time topping it up between play sessions.

From a raw technical perspective, the Xbox Series X is comfortably the most powerful console currently available in the Xbox ecosystem. I can say that a lot of the best Xbox Series X games look and sound phenomenal, thanks in no small part to the stellar implementation of Dolby Atmos surround sound and Dolby Vision, which complement the console’s high-end specs very well.

Priced at $499 / £479, the Xbox Series X is far better than what you would be getting for that price in the gaming PC or gaming laptop market. Like the PS5, the Xbox Series X also has 4K support and compatibility with desirable graphical features like ray tracing. As the system utilizes Gen 4.0 NVMe SSD tech for its storage, it is also unlikely to struggle when it comes to storage speeds any time soon.

The one area where the Xbox Series X may disappoint is in its software library, which lacks the many compelling console exclusives that you can find on PS5. Xbox Game Pass, however, does help make up for this, offering players the chance to tap into a wide range of titles for a low monthly price.

There is also excellent backwards compatibility, far better than what the PS5 offers, which allows you to play games dating back to the original Xbox. I’ve played a huge variety of older games this way, and it’s become one of the main reasons that I turn on my Xbox Series X.

The Nintendo Switch OLED is easily the definitive model out of Nintendo’s current consoles. Its internal processing power might be the same as the standard Nintendo Switch model, but its screen has been upgraded significantly. With a bigger 7-inch OLED panel, the best Nintendo Switch games look better than ever before when playing in handheld mode.

At $349.99 / £299.99, the Nintendo Switch OLED is more expensive than the standard Switch model, but is still much more affordable than Sony and Microsoft’s current-gen consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Of course, it’s worth noting that the Nintendo Switch OLED isn’t as powerful as these rival consoles, and those who play games ported to the system from other platforms may see them struggle slightly at times in comparison.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is our number-one choice for those who want a console for kids and families. Not only does it have a lower asking price than the standard Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED models at $199.99 / £200, but its smaller size is ideal for little hands (or just those who prefer a more compact system). Beyond that, there are plenty of bright, cheery colors to choose from, such as blue, pink, purple, and yellow.

With a thick plastic construction, I found that the Nintendo Switch Lite is more durable than the standard Nintendo Switch model, which means that it should hold up a little better in the long-term. Despite owning other models, I always rely on the Nintendo Switch Lite while I’m travelling, as I don’t think it’s likely to pick up any major damage thanks to this.

Unlike the regular Switch, the Joy-Con controllers can’t be removed either, which means that they can’t get lost.

The screen is on the smaller side, especially when compared to the Nintendo Switch OLED model, but it still runs at the same 720p resolution as the Nintendo Switch and OLED. Its performance is the same, too, so you don’t need to worry about games running slower just because you’re using a smaller system.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind the Nintendo Switch Lite’s major limitation – it can’t be docked and connected to a TV in order to play in TV mode. Instead, it’s a solely portable system.

The Evercade EXP stands out as the best retro gaming console available today. Unlike mini replicas like the Atari 400 Mini or consoles designed solely for older games, such as the Atari 2600+, the Evercade EXP offers a unique blend. It plays collections of classic games from the 8, 16, and 32-bit eras, alongside new indie titles and modern retro-inspired games.

With a vast library of game collections, often affordably priced with six to eight games each, the Evercade EXP is an excellent entry point for retro gaming enthusiasts. The console’s hardware shines as well, with an OLED screen that brings vibrant life to retro games and a comfortable, responsive handheld design. Plus, it can connect to a TV, expanding its versatility. The TATE mode is a notable feature, allowing vertical gameplay for classic shooters, though it can feel slightly gimmicky due to the close placement of buttons, as mentioned in my Evercade EXP review.

Overall, the Evercade EXP offers incredible value for money. It comes pre-installed with 18 Capcom classics, including Final Fight, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, and Strider. A special bundle includes the IREM Arcade 1 collection, featuring iconic ’80s arcade titles like R-Type.

Additionally, Evercade has released the new EXP-R model, featuring a sleek black design with teal accents. This updated version boasts a cooler-running chipset and a textured grip for added comfort. It supports the entire Evercade cartridge library and includes Tomb Raider in the bundle, enhancing its appeal for retro gaming fans.

Game Consoles for Every Kind of Gamer

Whether you’re all about home setups, on-the-go gaming, or reliving those retro glory days, JB’s got the perfect game console for every kind of gamer. Choose from:

• Home consoles: These are the big guns for serious gamers. Hook them up to your TV and dive into epic worlds with stunning graphics. Think Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles when docked. Perfect for the living room battles!
• Handheld game consoles: For those who like to game anywhere, anytime. Portable powerhouses like the Nintendo Switch Lite, Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go lead the pack, offering endless fun right in your pocket.
• Hybrid video game consoles: Can’t decide between home or handheld gaming? Hybrid consoles give you both. The Nintendo Switch 2 Console is the perfect example—dock it for big-screen action or take it on the go. It’s the best of both worlds!
• Retro gaming consoles: Craving a blast from the past? We’ve got arcade gaming machines from Arcade1Up, and the nostalgic Atari 2600+ gaming console will have you reliving the classics.