Which console should you buy in 2026?

I’ve been there, with the same questions: Which console do I buy? What if I buy one and a new one launches? What if it goes on sale?… Don’t worry: this guide is meant to give you the tools to decide. There isn’t a “best” console, just different ways to play. I’ll also cover prices: current official storefront figures for Spain at the end of July 2026, a topic that’s been making a lot of noise lately.

Official prices in Spain (July 2026)

Reference sources: official Valve (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch storefront listings.

Let’s start with the wallet, because without that nothing else matters. Plenty of consoles have seen recent price hikes, but if it helps: they may climb again in the coming months, so now can still be a decent time to buy.

Next I’ll tell you what I’d buy in each price band, skipping a few machines that don’t look worth what they cost.

Want to spend as little as possible?

Xbox Series S digital (512 GB) — €449.99

Despite the recent price bump, the Xbox Series S is still the cheapest way to play in 2026. It’s a solid console (and a handsome one, even if people say it looks like a ceramic cooktop) that, at a restrained price, unlocks a huge library through Game Pass (more in Everything about Game Pass). On this box you can expect 1080p and 1440p and 30 FPS in most games.

I’ve owned one, and I have to say that while it works well, it isn’t for everyone. Power is limited, but it is small enough to shove in a backpack and move around without much hassle.

Nintendo Switch 2 (256 GB) — €469.99

About €20 more puts you in the Nintendo Switch 2 ecosystem: a recent, capable machine with a narrower catalog, but a specific one: you won’t play Nintendo’s first-party games anywhere else.

Another big plus: it’s a hybrid, so you can take it wherever you go, or dock it and keep playing on the TV at up to 4K. Heads-up: on September 1, 2026 it rises to €499.99.

If you already own an original Switch (or the OLED), don’t rush the upgrade: it’ll still take a year or two before the Switch 2 catalog feels truly compelling on its own. But if this is your first Nintendo, buy this one and skip the older models: it’s backward compatible with the previous generation’s library, so you aren’t missing out.

Want to spend a bit more?

PS5 Slim digital (1 TB) — €599.99

This is the door into PlayStation: a powerful console with famous exclusives (The Last of Us, Uncharted, Bloodborne). Know that it’s a pricier ecosystem than Xbox, mainly because there’s no Game Pass-style subscription (PlayStation Plus exists, yes, but it isn’t the same), and games often cost a bit more too.

If you want discs, the drive version is €649.99. A recent controversy has also hung over Sony: as we covered in Sony says goodbye to the disc, it will stop selling new games on physical discs from 2028. That may or may not matter to you, but I should flag it: going forward, new purchases will run through the official PlayStation Store at whatever price they set.

Want the best graphics and performance?

Xbox Series X digital (1 TB) — €699.99

If you want raw power per euro, this is where I land. The Series X is the “real” Xbox: 4K, better frame rates, and the same Game Pass as the S, with room to spare. The disc version adds €50; if you don’t collect physical games, the digital SKU looks like the sweet spot of the whole table.

I own a Series X and love it, though yes, it does look a bit like a fridge (Microsoft leaned into appliance vibes this generation).

PS5 Pro digital (2 TB) — €899.99

The Pro only makes sense if you want to squeeze every drop out of games (resolution, stability, ray tracing where it applies). You pay almost €200 more than the digital Series X and don’t get a comparable subscription catalog. If you aren’t locked into Sony’s ecosystem, I’d take the Series X first.

Got money to burn?

Steam Machine without controller (512 GB) — €1,039.00

I’d love to casually recommend the Steam Machine, but it’s built for a very specific audience: people who already keep (or want to keep) most of their library on Steam and want the living room to feel like an extension of their PC. It isn’t a console in the usual sense: it’s a SteamOS mini-PC, very powerful… and very expensive. If you don’t already live in Steam, there are cheaper ways to play well.

If what you really want is gaming away from the couch and your library is on PC, look at the Steam Deck OLED first (from €779): same Valve family, more restrained price, and real portability.

Bottom line

• Tightest budget: Series S (512 GB), or Switch 2 if Nintendo exclusives or a hybrid matter more.
• Couch + Sony exclusives: PS5 Slim digital.
• Best power-per-euro: Series X digital.
• Maximum fidelity: PS5 Pro, knowing you pay the ecosystem premium.
• PC in the living room (or in your hands): Steam Machine only if Steam is home; otherwise, Deck OLED.

Remember these are official list prices; you may find better deals online or in physical stores worth weighing up.