Games console buying guide

A games console is the simplest way to play the latest games on a television: plug it in, sign in and play. Choosing one is less about raw specifications than about which games you want, where you will play and what you will pay over the console's life — online subscriptions, storage and controllers add up. This guide explains the main types of console, the specifications that matter and what to check before you buy. It describes consoles in general rather than recommending a particular model.

Home console, hybrid or handheld?

Home console

Connects to a television or monitor and is designed for the best picture and sound a living-room set-up can show. Home consoles usually offer the most demanding games, 4K output and the largest choice of accessories, but they stay under the television.

Hybrid console

Works both as a handheld with its own screen and, in a dock, on a television. A hybrid suits households that share one television or people who want to carry their games around. In handheld mode, picture quality and battery life are lower than on a television.

Handheld gaming PC

A portable device that runs a PC operating system and plays games from PC stores. It offers access to a large back catalogue, but it is closer to a small computer than a console: some games need settings adjusted, and battery life varies a lot with the game.

Games first

The library matters more than the hardware. Each console family has its own exclusive series, and many games are released on several platforms. Make a list of the games and series you care about and check which systems they are on. If friends or family already play online, the same platform makes playing together easier — although some games support cross-play between systems.

Backwards compatibility is worth checking too. Many current consoles play games from the previous generation, which can be an easy way to build a library, but compatibility is not always complete. The manufacturer publishes the list.

Disc or digital?

Some consoles come in two versions: with a disc drive, or digital-only. Digital-only models cannot play physical games, so every game is bought from the online store. Physical discs can be resold, lent or bought second hand; digital games are tied to your account and cannot normally be resold. A digital game may still need a large download and an update even when it is bought on a disc. If you are unsure, check whether a disc drive can be added later — on some models it can, as a separate purchase.

The specs that matter

Storage

Modern games are large, and the usable storage is always smaller than the advertised figure because the system software takes some of it. If you plan to keep several big games installed, look at how storage can be expanded: internal expansion slots usually take a specific type of drive, and external drives may only be supported for storing, not playing, the newest games.

Resolution and frame rate

Manufacturers quote the maximum output, such as 4K, and frame rates such as 60 or 120 frames per second. The figures a game actually reaches depend on the game; many offer a choice between a sharper "quality" mode and a smoother "performance" mode. A 120 Hz mode only matters if your television supports it, usually through an HDMI 2.1 port.

HDR and television features

High dynamic range (HDR) gives brighter highlights on a television that supports it. Features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode (ALLM) reduce stutter and input delay when both the console and the television support them. Check your television's specifications before paying more for features it cannot use.

Controllers

Most consoles include one controller. Extra controllers, charging docks and specialist controllers cost extra. Look at battery type (built-in rechargeable or replaceable batteries), how it charges, and whether it has features such as adaptive triggers or motion controls that some games use.

Noise, size and power

Check the console's dimensions against the space under your television and whether it can stand vertically or lie flat. Manufacturers publish power consumption figures, including in standby or rest modes; a low-power standby setting may switch off features such as automatic updates.

Running costs

• Online subscription: playing most games online usually needs a paid membership, which may also include a rotating library of games or cloud saves. Free-to-play games are sometimes exempt — check the platform's rules.
• Games: new releases, downloadable content and in-game purchases.
• Storage: an expansion drive if the built-in storage fills up.
• Accessories: a second controller, a headset or a charging stand.

Family settings

Every major console has parental controls: age limits for games, spending limits, screen-time limits and controls for chat with other players. They are usually managed from a phone app. Age ratings (PEGI in the UK and Europe) are shown on the box and on store pages.

Key specs explained

Questions to ask before you buy

1. Are the games I want available on this console?
2. Will I buy discs, or is digital-only fine?
3. How much usable storage is there, and how can it be expanded?
4. Does my television support the features I am paying for?
5. How many controllers do we need, and what do they cost?
6. Which online features need a paid subscription?

Frequently asked questions

Is a digital-only console a good idea?

It can be, if you are happy to buy every game from the online store and have a reliable broadband connection. You lose the option to buy second-hand discs, lend games or resell them, so the long-term cost of games may be higher.

Do I need a 4K television?

No. Consoles work with HD televisions and monitors too, and many games look good at lower resolutions. A 4K television with HDR shows more detail and brighter highlights, and an HDMI 2.1 port adds higher frame rates where games support them.

Do I have to pay to play online?

On most consoles, playing paid games online needs a membership. Some free-to-play games and certain features may not. Check the platform's current rules and what the membership includes before you subscribe.

Will my old games work on a new console?

Often, but not always. Many current consoles play most games from the previous generation, and some offer free upgrades to newer versions. The manufacturer publishes compatibility lists; check them for the games you own.

Prices & links

HotWhatHow compares live prices from retailers as they are connected to the site. When offers are available, we rank them by the total landed price — the item price plus standard delivery — and show when each price was last checked. Console bundles differ in what they include, so compare the contents as well as the price. Some retailer links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission, which never changes which offer we label as the cheapest. This guide is based on manufacturer specifications and general product information, not on our own use of the products.