PS5 vs Xbox Series X
After 2026’s price increases, the disc PS5 is $150 cheaper than the Xbox Series X. Pick the PS5 for PlayStation’s first-party games and the DualSense controller, or the Xbox for Game Pass and the best backward compatibility.
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Quick answer
Most people should get the PS5 ($649.99 with a disc drive). It’s cheaper, its controller is better and it gets PlayStation’s first-party exclusives. Get the Xbox Series X ($799.99) if you want Game Pass Ultimate’s library of 400+ games ($23/month, per Wirecutter), Dolby Vision streaming, or to play older Xbox and Xbox 360 games.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Sony PlayStation 5 price (opens in a new tab)Check Xbox Series X price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Sony PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|
| US price (disc model) | $649.99 | $799.99 |
| GPU power | 10.28 teraflops | 12.15 teraflops |
| Raw storage speed | 5.5 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s |
| Resolution / frame rate | Up to 4K, 120fps | Up to 4K, 120fps |
| Controller | DualSense: haptics, adaptive triggers, touch pad, mic | Traditional Xbox controller |
For every option, including Switch 2, see our best gaming consoles.
Sony PlayStation 5 vs Xbox Series X: side-by-side
| PS5 | Xbox Series X | |
|---|---|---|
| US price (disc model) | $649.99 | $799.99 |
| GPU power | 10.28 teraflops | 12.15 teraflops |
| Raw storage speed | 5.5 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s |
| Resolution / frame rate | Up to 4K, 120fps | Up to 4K, 120fps |
| Controller | DualSense: haptics, adaptive triggers, touch pad, mic | Traditional Xbox controller |
| Subscription | PS Plus (Essential from $80/year) | Game Pass Ultimate $23/month, 400+ games |
| Backward compatibility | PS4 | Xbox One, many Xbox 360 and original Xbox games |
| Dolby Vision streaming | No | Yes |
How much do they cost?
Sony PlayStation 5 plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 (disc) | $649.99 | Sony |
| PS5 Digital Edition | $599.99 | Sony |
| PS5 Pro | $899.99 | Sony |
Xbox Series X plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X (1TB, disc) | $799.99 | Up from $649.99 |
| Xbox Series X Digital | $749.99 | Up from $599.99 |
| Xbox Series S (512GB) | $499.99 | Up from $399.99 |
What are the pros and cons?
Sony PlayStation 5: pros
- $150 cheaper than Series X
- PlayStation first-party exclusives
- DualSense controller
- Faster storage
Sony PlayStation 5: cons
- PS Plus library is smaller than Game Pass
- No Dolby Vision for streaming apps
- Plays only PS4 and PS5 games
Xbox Series X: pros
- Game Pass Ultimate library
- Best backward compatibility
- Slightly more GPU power
- Dolby Vision streaming
Xbox Series X: cons
- $799.99 after the August 2026 hike
- Many Xbox games now also come to PS5
- New Call of Duty games no longer arrive on Game Pass on day one
Which should you choose: Sony PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
The Independent[1] scores the PS5 ahead on games, controller and price and the Xbox ahead on specs, subscription and backward compatibility. Its conclusion: Xbox plus Game Pass is the fastest way into a big library, but the PS5 is the pick for the biggest first-party releases. With Xbox’s August price rise widening the gap to $150, we’d start with the PS5 unless Game Pass is the draw.
Choose Sony PlayStation 5 if…
- You want Sony exclusives like God of War, Gran Turismo and The Last of Us
- You want to spend less
- You value the DualSense controller
Choose Xbox Series X if…
- You’d rather subscribe than buy games
- You own a library of older Xbox games
- Your home theater uses Dolby Vision
Exclusives are shrinking on the Xbox side
Pair it with the right TV
Both consoles output up to 4K at 120fps, which needs an HDMI 2.1 TV. See our best TVs for PS5. Weighing Nintendo instead? Read PS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2.
Frequently asked questions
Is PS5 or Xbox Series X cheaper in 2026?
Which is more powerful, PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Is Game Pass worth it?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- The Independent: PS5 vs Xbox Series X (2026) (independent.co.uk)
- Wirecutter: The Best Game Consoles (nytimes.com)
- PlayStation Blog: PS5 price changes (March 2026) (blog.playstation.com)
- Xbox Wire: Updated Xbox console prices (June 2026) (news.xbox.com)
- Windows Central: Xbox Series X|S price tracker (windowscentral.com)
Related
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S
The Series X targets native 4K with three times the GPU power. The Series S is smaller, digital-only and still the cheapest way into current Xbox games, but it now costs $499.99.
comparisonPS5 Pro vs PS5
The PS5 Pro adds stronger ray tracing, PSSR upscaling, Wi-Fi 7 and 2TB of storage, but only in games that support it. It has no disc drive, and in October 2026 it was hard to find at list price.
best ofThe Best Gaming Consoles in 2026
Every major console got more expensive in 2026. Wirecutter’s picks are the PlayStation 5 (now $649.99), the Xbox Series X ($799.99) and, if you want to play on the go, the Nintendo Switch 2 ($499.99). The Switch Lite ($229) is the cheapest way into current games.
comparisonPS5 vs Nintendo Switch 2
These consoles do different jobs. The $499.99 Switch 2 works on the TV and in your hands and runs Nintendo’s family-friendly exclusives. The $649.99 PS5 is a TV-only console for big-budget games and 4K Blu-ray.
best ofBest TVs for PS5 in 2026
RTINGS’ best TV for PS5 is the Samsung S95H OLED. The LG C6 is the best OLED for less, the Hisense U7SG is the bright mid-range pick, and the TCL QM6K is the best budget TV with HDMI 2.1.
best ofBest Earbuds for PS5
Get the PULSE Explore if you also own a PS Portal, the INZONE Buds for the longest battery and ANC, or the Arctis GameBuds if you switch between the console and a phone.
comparisonPS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X
Both consoles got much more expensive in 2026. The PS5 Pro is the more powerful machine, with a 16.7-teraflop GPU, PSSR upscaling and 2TB of storage, but no disc drive. The Series X costs $100 less with a disc drive and has the best backward compatibility.