Top 5 gaming consoles of 2024: Choosing the right gaming console can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Whether you’re new to gaming or upgrading, consoles often offer better value than gaming PCs, providing access to the latest releases for a lower cost.
Current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S have been around for over three years and are widely available, often bundled with accessories and games. If you prefer portability, there are also handheld options like the Steam Deck and Super Pocket to consider.
When picking a console, consider factors like price, performance, design, and exclusive games. To help you make the best choice, we’ve tested all the major consoles and compiled this guide of the top 5 gaming consoles of 2024.
Check out the top 5 gaming consoles of 2024:
PlayStation 5:
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a powerful gaming console with impressive specifications. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
| Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| CPU | Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU @ 3.5GHz with SMT (64-bit x86-64 instruction set) |
| GPU | Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 36 CUs @ 2.23GHz (variable frequency), 10.28 TFLOPS peak |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 RAM |
| Storage | 825GB Custom SSD (667GB available to user), 12-channel interface, 5.5 GB/s raw throughput, 8-9 GB/s typical throughput with decompression |
| Other Features | USB 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 output (supports 4K @ 120Hz or 8K @ 60Hz) |
| Additional Notes | Digital Edition available (no disc drive), supports 8K resolution (games typically target 4K), fast SSD for quicker loading times and immersive experiences |
Xbox Series S:
The Xbox Series S is a compact and affordable next-generation gaming console from Microsoft. Here are its key specifications:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | CPU: 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/SMT), Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @ 1.565 GHz, Custom RDNA 2 GPU | |
| Memory & Storage | Memory: 10GB GDDR6, 128-bit wide bus |
| Memory Bandwidth: 8 GB @ 224 GB/s, 2 GB @ 56 GB/s | |
| Internal Storage: 512 GB Custom NVMe SSD | |
| Video Capabilities | Gaming Resolution: 1440p |
| Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS | |
| HDMI Features: 1x HDMI 2.1 port | |
| Sound Capabilities | L-PCM: Up to 7.1 |
| Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos | |
| Ports & Connectivity | USB Ports: 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports |
| Wireless Connectivity: Yes (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0) | |
| Design | Dimensions: 6.5 cm x 15.1 cm x 27.5 cm |
| Weight: 4.25 lbs | |
| Additional Features | Backward Compatibility: Xbox One games & accessories |
| Ray Tracing: Supported | |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Supported | |
| Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Supported | |
| Quick Resume: Supported | |
| Key Points | Digital-Only: No disc drive |
| Upscaling: Can upscale games to 4K for 4K TVs | |
| Fast Loading & Smooth Gameplay: Thanks to SSD & powerful hardware |
PlayStation 5 Pro:
The PS5 Pro offers significant improvements over the base PS5, particularly in terms of graphics performance and storage capacity. Check out its specifications:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.5 GHz with SMT |
| GPU: Upgraded AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 67% more compute units & 28% faster memory | |
| Memory & Storage | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 |
| Internal Storage: 2TB SSD | |
| Other Features | Resolution: 4K at up to 120fps, 8K at up to 60fps |
| Ray Tracing: Advanced Ray Tracing | |
| Spectral Super Resolution: PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution | |
| Audio: Tempest 3D AudioTech | |
| Controller: DualSense wireless controller | |
| HDMI: Ultra-High-Speed HDMI 2.1 port | |
| Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 support, Bluetooth 5.1 support |
Xbox Series X:
The Xbox Series X is a powerful gaming console with impressive specifications. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | CPU: Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz | |
| Memory & Storage | Memory: 16GB GDDR6 |
| Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVMe SSD | |
| Video Capabilities | Resolution: True 4K, up to 120fps |
| 8K Support: Upscaled 8K resolution | |
| Ray Tracing: Supported | |
| HDR Support: Supported | |
| Audio Capabilities | Audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS |
| Other Features | HDMI: Ultra-High-Speed HDMI 2.1 port |
| Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 support | |
| Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 support | |
| Blu-ray: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive | |
| Key Points | Performance: High-performance gaming at 4K resolution |
| Storage: Fast SSD for near-instant load times | |
| Backward Compatibility: Supports Xbox One titles | |
| Enhanced Features: Ray tracing, HDR for an improved gaming experience |
Nintendo Switch OLED:
The Nintendo Switch OLED is an upgraded version of the original Nintendo Switch, featuring a larger and more vibrant OLED display. Here are its key specifications:
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | Screen: 7-inch OLED |
| Resolution: 1280 x 720 | |
| Processor | CPU: Custom NVIDIA Tegra processor |
| Memory | Internal Storage: 64GB (expandable via microSD card) |
| Other Features | Audio: Improved audio for better sound quality |
| Stand: Wider adjustable stand for flexibility in tabletop mode | |
| Dock: Redesigned dock with a LAN port for stable online connection | |
| Battery Life: Longer battery life in handheld mode for extended gaming | |
| Key Points | OLED Screen: Deeper blacks, brighter colors, and better contrast than the original Switch’s LCD |
| Improved Audio: More immersive gaming sound experience | |
| Adjustable Stand: More flexibility for tabletop mode | |
| Redesigned Dock: LAN port for faster, more stable online connection | |
| Battery Life: Extended handheld play for longer sessions |
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