5 Best Video Game Consoles of 2024

The way individuals unwind has been completely transformed by gaming. Anyone, from any part of the world, and at any age may, in a flash, play fun video games on a console. There are games that are better enjoyed alone and others that are better enjoyed in a group setting. Plus, you may play with anyone, wherever in the globe since certain games are playable online, depending on the gaming system. Since every gaming system has its own special features, we’ve compiled a list of top choices to accommodate all types of players, from newcomers to seasoned pros. We went headfirst into the characteristics that allow consoles to differ from one another, such as performance, game selection, and controllers.

Best Video Game Consoles of 2024

From electric bikes to smart security cameras, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Media and Tech Lab has tested them all. We make sure that players of all skill levels may enjoy our tested video game consoles by measuring not only their performance but also their user-friendliness. To determine how well these consoles would perform in real-world conditions, we put them through our lab tests and also had families try them out at home. During our testing in the lab, we took into account the following factors: controller comfort, portability, simplicity of use, the system’s capacity to immerse the user, and the selection of pleasant games available on each platform.

The products we recommend most highly:

1. Nintendo Nintendo Switch – OLED Model
2. Xbox Xbox Series S
3. Sony PlayStation 5
4. Xbox Xbox Series X
5. Nintendo Original Nintendo Switch

If you’re looking for a gaming console to wow a gamer friend or just want to treat yourself, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks. In order to get the best console for your needs, read on to find out what aspects are most crucial.

BEST HANDHELD VIDEO GAME CONSOLE

1 – Nintendo Nintendo Switch – OLED Model

The latest Nintendo system, the Switch OLED, has an upgraded organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen that can provide sharper and more vibrant visuals than its forerunners. A pair of controllers known as Joy-Con sit on each side of the screen, while a touchscreen makes navigating menus as easy as tapping a finger. Playing on the move is made easy with the console’s portable mode, while hooking it up to a TV allows for more immersive gameplay or multiplayer.

You may play handheld mode with the controller, which is also called the Joy-Con, attached to either side of the screen. In case you’re not able to connect to a TV but still want to play without holding the controllers, you may detach them from the screen and use them as a footstool; each half of the controller fits into one hand. The console has an accessory that lets you combine the two separate controllers into one, so you may use it like a regular controller if you like that style. The ability to divide the Joy-Con controllers in half is a great feature of the Switch that allows for simple two-player games. A single additional Joy-Con will allow for simultaneous play by up to four players.

on terms of gameplay, you may either purchase games on actual cartridges or download them from the Nintendo Online E-Shop. The Switch OLED has a little slot on top where you can insert the cartridges. With a cartridge, you can play games right away; there’s no need to download anything else. The 64 GB of internal storage on the system is perfect for storing all your favorite games. Plus, it has an SD card port, so you can transfer your games to a memory card and increase the storage capacity.

The ease with which our testers could engage in local multiplayer games was a major selling point, according to the lab report. Plus, it’s compact enough that you can take these multiplayer games with you wherever you go. You may have as many as eight players on one system, depending on the game. The console is easy to connect to additional controllers. An enthusiastic reviewer said, “I love the portability” after listening to the game on her travels. I can carry it in my rucksack and bring it to my friends’ homes even on vacations!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Legend of Zelda, Ring Fit, and Nintendo Switch Sports are some of the exclusive games available on the Switch.

BEST VALUE VIDEO GAME CONSOLE

2-Xbox Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S is a $200 cheaper alternative to the Xbox Series X that is technologically somewhat inferior to the Series X, but it can still play all the games and has all the features that the Series X has, making it an ideal choice for casual gamers who don’t want an extremely powerful system. (Details on the Series X are provided below.) Because of its little size, the Series S is ideal for those times when you want to take your gaming system to a friend’s home.

 Controllers: The Xbox controllers are cordless and run on batteries. In most games, you’ll be able to connect up to four controllers to a single Xbox at once. You may even record and share memorable moments of games using the controller. So that each member of the family may enjoy the game in their own unique style, multiple accounts are also an option. In order to prevent unauthorized access to other players’ stored games, you may create passwords using the controller, with each button corresponding to a certain number.

To play games on this system, you may either subscribe to Xbox Game Pass or download them from the Xbox Marketplace since it doesn’t have a disc drive. If you want access to hundreds of titles on the console, you may join at either the $10 or $15 monthly tier. It is not necessary to download certain games. With Xbox’s brand new and proprietary Cloud Gaming feature, you can play games online. You may use the 512 GB of internal storage on your console to save the ones that you do need to download. You may add an external hard drive to it, doubling its storage capacity, so it’s always up to date.

Lab Summary: The experts were very pleased with the streaming capability since it eliminated the need to download material. The games ran very well over the cloud, with almost no lag or drops in frame rate, shocking them. Downloading the game still resulted in somewhat better visuals than playing it in the cloud, but all in all, the functionality is functional. The built-in fans help keep it cool, but one of our testers stated it was “the quietest gaming console I have ever owned” otherwise.

 Exclusive Games: Gears of War 5, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

BEST VIDEO GAME CONSOLES FOR BEGINNERS

3- Xbox Xbox Series X

Featuring the best visual quality and a sleeker design of any Xbox system to date, the Xbox Series X represents the pinnacle of Xbox technology. Even though it includes a disc drive, you can still use its 1 TB SSD to download games. The SSD improves the console’s performance over its predecessors by making it quicker, quieter, and more powerful in general. In its vertical orientation, the large console stands at about one foot in height; however, it also has the option to be positioned horizontally.

Controller: Compared to previous consoles, this one actually has a smaller controller. Because of this, it is easier for kids to hold onto, while it is also easy for adults to operate. You may connect your headphones to any controller and use them for both in-game audio and voice chat with pals as you play online. For those who prefer not to use cords, there are Bluetooth headphones that may be used.

If you’re just starting out in the gaming world, I highly recommend checking out Xbox Game Pass. You may play hundreds of games, including those from previous generations, current releases, and independent studios, for as little as $15 per month. A satisfied customer who participated in our consumer testing program told us, “I’ve had a great experience.” The Xbox Game Pass is a great way for new players to get into the system. This system’s primary use is gaming, but it also includes the ability to broadcast television. Getting a gaming system that can also stream your favorite applications eliminates the need to buy a smart TV.

Lab Summary: Although we were unable to test the Xbox Series X in our own testing environment, we collaborated with people who have played almost every platform to gain their opinions on the device. They gushed over the Xbox’s intuitive interface and the Solid-State Drive’s lightning-fast startup and loading times.

Halo Infinite, Sable, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Forza Horizon5, The Artful Escape, and Forza Horizon 5 are exclusive games.

BEST CONSOLE FOR LOCAL MULTIPLAYER

5-Nintendo Original Nintendo Switch

When Nintendo released the Original Nintendo Switch, it catapulted the company back into the console industry spotlight. Whether you’re a complete gaming newbie or a seasoned pro, this compact, lightweight, and powerful console is perfect for you. This is a more affordable variant that plays all of the Switch games flawlessly, however the screen isn’t as sophisticated as the OLED model up there. It may connect to the TV and function as a portable device.

You may use the Joy-Con or controllers with the screen for handheld mode, or you can keep them separate, much like the Switch OLED. Once disconnected, the screen may be used in two ways: either connected to a TV or supported by the built-in stand. If you’re finding it difficult to use both Joy-Con controllers separately, you may utilize the included controller adapter to merge them into a single device.

Interactive Features: You may play games on this system by buying game cartridges or downloading them from the Nintendo online store. Installing game cartridges is a breeze, allowing you to start playing right away. You can buy an SD card that fits directly into your Switch to add even more storage capacity, and when you download a game, you have about 32 GB of storage accessible to utilize. Naturally, the controllers are available for use while playing, but in some games, the screen itself may be used to perform certain tasks. Wow, it’s a touchscreen! How unexpected!

The Lowdown from the Lab: This system contains a plethora of sensors that let you play games in a whole new manner. You may control the bow and arrow in one game simply by tilting the screen in handheld mode, thanks to the built-in gyroscope. You may use the Joy-Con controllers in a manner similar to that of a tennis racquet while playing a tennis game. In order to make its classic exercise videogames even more engaging, Nintendo rethought them from the ground up. With the right attachments, you may connect the Joy-Con to your body and control your character’s in-game movements, such jumping and running. What really makes the Switch enjoyable is playing these kinds of games with loved ones. A user said, “The Switch is perfect for anybody in the family with a versatile handheld mode and plenty of games to offer.”

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Odyssey, Breath of the Wild, Legend of Zelda, Ring Fit, and Nintendo Switch Sports are some of the exclusive games available on the Switch.

How we tested video game consoles

If you’re new to gaming and don’t know what the heck a video game console is, all those specifications might be a little overwhelming. The greatest method to evaluate gaming consoles, however, is to play games on them! We examined the ease of access to the main page and account setup directly from the box for each device. To ensure that the consoles do not overheat or see a dip in frame rate when used for long periods of time, we put them through a battery of tests using a wide range of titles. We had kids play on several consoles to find out which ones they liked best, and we had adult testers assess the graphics quality. We included the specifications in our evaluation for the more “techy” people, but if you don’t want to go into the numbers too much, you can still choose a great console that fits your requirements.