If you want the most capable Xbox you can buy right now, the standard Xbox Series X with its 1TB solid state drive and bundled wireless controller is our top pick in this roundup. It delivers the full current generation experience, targets 4K output, and reaches up to 120 frames per second, which makes it the console most buyers will be happy with for years. The rest of this guide lines up five more honest options, from the compact all digital Series S to renewed previous generation machines, so you can match an Xbox to your budget and to the way you actually play.
Our top picks at a glance
Every console on this list ships with a wireless controller in the box, so each one is ready to play the moment it is set up. What separates them is generation, storage format, and how complete the bundle is. Our leading choice is the standard Xbox Series X, the full fat current generation machine with a 1TB solid state drive and a bundled controller. It is the console we point most people toward because it leaves the most room to grow with the platform.
From there the shortlist fans out to cover different needs. The Xbox Series S all digital model keeps current generation features in a smaller body for players who are happy downloading their games. An all digital Series X in Robot White brings the same high end performance without a disc drive. A Series X bundle that adds an HDMI cable gives you a start to finish setup in one box. Two renewed previous generation consoles, the Xbox One X with native 4K and the Xbox One S all digital edition, round out the value end for buyers who do not need the newest hardware. Taken together, these six cover the realistic range of ways people buy an Xbox today.
How we picked these Xbox consoles
We built this roundup by working through the current Amazon listings for each console and comparing them on the facts the listings actually state: generation, storage capacity, whether the unit is all digital or carries a disc drive, the color or edition, and what comes in the box. We did not physically test every unit in this guide, and we are clear about that. Instead, this is an editorial shortlist built from published specifications, Microsoft hardware generations that are well documented, and a reading of how each configuration fits a particular kind of buyer.
Because console hardware is standardized by Microsoft, the meaningful differences between listings come down to generation, format, and bundle contents rather than unit to unit variation. That is where we focused. Where a listing is marked renewed, we say so plainly, because a renewed console is a different purchase from a brand new one even when the model is identical. We also note when bundle contents, such as an included cable, are described by the seller, since those details can vary. Our rankings reflect our judgement about overall value and fit, not a lab result, and you should always confirm the exact configuration and condition on the product page before buying.
What to look for in an Xbox console
Generation comes first. The Xbox Series X and Series S are the current generation, built around fast solid state storage and higher frame rate targets. The Xbox One X and Xbox One S are the previous generation. A One X can still output native 4K and looks sharp, but it misses the newest platform features and the speed of the current solid state drives. Decide which generation you want before you compare anything else, because it shapes performance more than any single spec.
Series S or Series X. Within the current generation, the Series X is the higher performance machine aimed at 4K play, while the Series S is a smaller, lighter console that is happy at lower output while still reaching high frame rates. Both consoles in this guide carry a 1TB drive, so storage is not the thing that separates them here. The real question is whether you want the extra headroom of the Series X or the compact, lower cost footprint of the Series S.
Disc drive or all digital. Several consoles here are all digital, which means there is no disc drive at all. All digital machines are simple and often cost less, but you can only buy and download games, so you cannot play disc copies, borrow a friend's game, or resell a physical title. If you own discs or like buying pre owned games, choose a model with a disc drive. If your library already lives online, an all digital console keeps things tidy.
Storage and bundle value. Modern games are large, so the 1TB drives across this list fill up faster than you might expect, especially on an all digital console. Think about how many games you keep installed at once. Finally, weigh what comes in the box. Every pick here includes a wireless controller, and one Series X bundle adds an HDMI cable for a complete start, which can be worth it if you are setting up from scratch rather than upgrading an existing setup.
The bottom line
For most buyers the standard Xbox Series X is the console to get, because it offers the full current generation at its best and leaves the most room for the future. If you would rather save and are comfortable going fully digital, the Series S all digital model is a smart, compact alternative, while a renewed Xbox One X or One S can get you into the family for less if the newest hardware is not a priority. Match the generation, format, and bundle to how you play, confirm the configuration on the listing, and any of these six is a sound choice.
