PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
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Our top picks
- Best overall
View on Amazon1. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim, 825GB)
Most people: the lower-priced current console with a huge game library
Read more - Best Game Pass fans, and anyone who wants the most storage and power on paper
View on Amazon2. Xbox Series X Digital (1TB, Robot White)
Game Pass fans, and anyone who wants the most storage and power on paper
Read more
Most people should get the PS5 Digital Edition. It costs less than the Xbox on Amazon today, and the games you want are likely to come to it. Get the Xbox Series X Digital if you already use Xbox Game Pass, or you want the most storage and power on paper.
Deciding between the two Xbox models? See our Xbox Series X vs Series S guide.
Both consoles we compared have no disc drive. If you own discs, or want to buy used games, neither of these listings suits you.
How this pick was made
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim, 825GB) is the top pick. This is the work behind that choice.
- 2Amazon search results read, across 1 search
- 2finalist pages read in full
- 16shopper reviews read
- 1expert source cross-checked: What Hi-Fi
Run on October 14, 2026. AI read the listings and what shoppers say, then wrote this guide. Full method and limits
Our picks in detail
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim, 825GB)
Best for: Most people: the lower-priced current console with a huge game library
- $599.00
- Pros The lower price of the two consoles on Amazon today
- Cons No disc drive, so physical games and discs do not work
Prices and ratings as of October 14, 2026.
Pros and cons
Best Game Pass fans, and anyone who wants the most storage and power on paper
Xbox Series X Digital (1TB, Robot White)
- $748.00
- Pros 1 TB of storage, with an expansion card slot
- Cons Costs noticeably more than the PS5 Digital Edition
Prices and ratings as of October 14, 2026.
Pros and cons
Compare the picks
Prices and ratings as of October 14, 2026. They change often, so check today's price on Amazon.
| Picture | Product | Outcome | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim, 825GB)Storage: 825 GB SSD · Disc drive: None (digital only) · In the box: Not listed on the page · Weight: Not listed | Price $599.00 | Not listed | Rating Not listed | Not listed | Winner. Best for: Most people: the lower-priced current console with a huge game library |
| 2 |  | Xbox Series X Digital (1TB, Robot White)Storage: 1 TB SSD, expandable · Disc drive: None (digital only) · In the box: Controller, HDMI cable, power cable, 2 AA batteries · Weight: Not listed | Price $748.00 | Not listed | Rating Not listed | Not listed | Best for: Game Pass fans, and anyone who wants the most storage and power on paper |
The short version
- Want the lower price and the biggest game library? The PS5 Digital Edition.
- Already pay for Game Pass or own a library of Xbox games? The Xbox Series X Digital. It plays games from four Xbox generations.
- Want the most storage? The Xbox. It lists 1 TB, and you can add an expansion card.
- Want to play physical discs? Neither of these. Both are digital-only.
- Want the newest features, such as the Pro? The PS5 listing offers a PS5 Pro as a separate option. We did not read it.
How to choose between them
What Hi-Fi’s comparison finds the two close. Its update notes that the games section now favors the PS5, because Xbox has been releasing previously exclusive games on the PlayStation.
- Power. The Xbox lists 12 teraflops and true 4K at up to 120 fps. What Hi-Fi says the Xbox wins the spec sheet with a faster processor and graphics chip, while the PS5’s storage is so fast that it boosts overall performance.
- Storage. The PS5 Digital Edition lists 825 GB. The Xbox lists 1 TB and an expansion slot.
- Price. The PS5 is the lower price on Amazon today.
- Games. The PS5 plays PlayStation games from the PlayStation Store. The Xbox plays Xbox games from four generations, and Game Pass, sold separately, adds new games on day one.
- What’s in the box. The Xbox listing names the controller, HDMI cable, power cable and batteries. The PS5 listing does not say.
What owners complain about
- On the PS5 Digital Edition: overheating and noise for a few owners, a no-disc design, and shipping damage or an opened box for one buyer.
- On the Xbox Series X Digital: a price owners accept for the power, storage that fills up quickly, and no Game Pass trial included.
- On both: very little. Both listings were mostly positive, and the lower-star reviews we could read were few.
What we left out, and why
We read two listings and 16 reviews.
- Disc versions. The PS5 Disc Edition showed no single new offer when we looked, and we did not open the Xbox disc listing. Check current Amazon pages if you want a disc drive.
- PS5 Pro. Sold as a separate style on the PS5 listing. We did not read its page.
- Bundles. Prices change fast, and bundles include games we did not compare.
- Used and renewed units. Not new, so they are not a pick.
- Xbox Series S. A cheaper, less powerful Xbox, a different question.
How we researched
On October 14, 2026 we read the Amazon listing pages for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (Slim) and the Xbox Series X Digital. We read each page's bullets and specs, Amazon's review summaries and the reviews we could see. We also read What Hi-Fi's PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparison and checked Google's top results for this question. AI wrote this guide from that research.
Neither listing gave weight or dimensions, and the PS5 listing did not say what is in the box. Few critical reviews were visible on either page, so complaints are milder than a bigger sample would show. We compared the two all-digital models because they are the ones sold new by Amazon today. What Hi-Fi's article quotes launch-era figures, so we use it for how the two consoles compare, not for prices.
Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon and were read on October 14, 2026.
Sources
- What Hi-Fi: PS5 vs Xbox Series X, read October 14, 2026
Why trust TwelveTabs
- What this guide rests on: 2 Amazon search results, 16 shopper reviews and 1 expert source.
- No brand paid for a place on this list.
- Dated, not timeless: the research was read on October 14, 2026 and this page updated on October 17, 2026.
- The limits of the research are written down, in how we researched.
Frequently asked questions
Is PS5 or Xbox Series X better?
For most people, the PS5 Digital Edition, because it costs less and the games are likely to come to it. The Xbox Series X is the stronger machine on paper and a better fit if you use Game Pass.
Does the Xbox Series X Digital play discs?
No. Amazon’s listing says it is an all-digital console and does not play physical discs. The PS5 Digital Edition has no disc drive either.
Which console has more storage?
The Xbox Series X Digital lists 1 TB and takes an expansion card. The PS5 Digital Edition lists 825 GB.
How did TwelveTabs choose between them?
We read the Amazon listings for one PlayStation 5 and one Xbox Series X, the spec lists, Amazon’s review summaries and the reviews we could see, plus What Hi-Fi’s comparison. We put the facts side by side and checked each against its listing.
For more console picks, see our best TVs for PS5 and best PS5 headsets.
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