Best Gaming Consoles Under $800 (2026): 11 Picks

Last updated October 10, 2026

The top pick in this guide is the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition. It leads because it states 1TB of storage, the most in this list, and it is the first such listing in the pool. The Xbox Series X is a home console in the Xbox family. This guide compares gaming consoles priced under $800 on stated details and live prices only.

11 picks from 15 gaming consoles that match this guide with a price we can quote today, made by 18 makers. Every price below is live and carries the moment it was read.

The picks at a glance

Which one should you buy?

• For the living-room TV: A home console that plugs into a television suits a player who wants a fixed setup. The Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition is a home console with 1TB of stated storage. See pick 1
• For a player who wants a screen built in: A handheld with its own screen suits someone who wants to play away from a TV. The ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld states a 7-inch screen and 512GB of storage. See pick 6
• For someone who wants no disc drive: A digital edition console skips the disc drive for downloads only. The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition listing is a home console in the PS5 line with a digital edition. See pick 5
• For a shared household that wants the extras in the box: A bundle listing states extra items in the box. The Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is a hybrid console with a stated bundle and a 256GB micro SD card. See pick 10

The 11 picks

1 1TB digital edition at the top

Microsoft Xbox Series X

Platform

Xbox

Model line

Xbox Series X

Form

Home

Edition

Digital

Storage

1000 GB

$748.00 price as of 2026-10-10 01:32 UTC (Details)

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This pick ranks first because it states 1TB of storage, the most in this list, and it is the first 1TB listing in the pool order. It is a home console in the Xbox Series X line with a digital edition, so no disc drive is stated.

Pros

• 1TB stated storage, the most in this list
• Xbox Series X line stated
• Digital edition: no disc drive
• Home console form

Cons

• No disc drive
• No bundle items stated
• Screen size not stated (home console)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a home console with 1TB of stated storage
• Someone who prefers a digital edition for downloads only

Skip if

• A player who needs a disc drive for physical discs
• Someone who wants a handheld with a built-in screen

Verdict: The Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition is the top pick for its stated 1TB of storage in this under $800 guide.

2 1TB Xbox Series S bundle

SteelSeries Xbox Series S 1TB SSD Gaming Console 120FPS Robot White

Platform

Xbox

Model line

Xbox Series S

Form

Home

Storage

1000 GB

Bundle

Yes

$767.99 price as of 2026-10-10 00:51 UTC (Details)

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This pick ranks second among the two 1TB listings. It matches the top pick's stated storage of 1TB and adds bundle items stated in the title, including a wireless headset.

Pros

• 1TB stated storage
• Bundle includes a wireless headset
• Xbox Series S line
• Home console form

Cons

• Disc drive not stated
• No screen size stated (home console)
• Headset details not specified in the specs

Good fit if

• A player who wants 1TB of storage with a stated headset
• Someone who likes a bundle with extra items in the box

Skip if

• A player who wants a disc drive
• Someone who prefers a handheld

Verdict: The SteelSeries Xbox Series S 1TB bundle offers 1TB of stated storage and a headset in the box.

3 Disc edition with 825GB storage

Sony PlayStation 5 PS5 Disc Version Gaming Console

Platform

PlayStation

Model line

PS5

Form

Home

Edition

Disc

Storage

825 GB

$748.00 price as of 2026-10-10 00:50 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks third with 825GB of stated storage, leading the 825GB group. It is the first disc edition in this list, so it states a disc drive.

Pros

• 825GB stated storage
• Disc edition: disc drive stated
• PS5 line
• Home console form

Cons

• Storage smaller than the two 1TB picks
• No bundle stated
• Screen size not stated (home console)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a disc drive for physical discs
• Someone who prefers the PlayStation family in a home console

Skip if

• A player who wants the most storage in this list
• Someone who wants a digital edition without a disc drive

Verdict: The PS5 disc version with 825GB of stated storage ranks as the first disc edition in this guide.

4 Digital PS5 bundle with charger

PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle

Platform

PlayStation

Model line

PS5

Form

Home

Edition

Digital

Storage

825 GB

Bundle

Yes

$754.79 price as of 2026-10-10 00:50 UTC (Details)

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This pick ranks fourth in the 825GB group. It is a digital edition with a stated bundle that includes a controller charger.

Pros

• 825GB stated storage
• Digital edition: no disc drive
• Bundle includes a controller charger
• PS5 line

Cons

• No disc drive
• Storage smaller than the 1TB picks
• Bundle items not specified in the specs

Good fit if

• A player who wants a digital PS5 with a stated bundle
• Someone who needs a controller charger in the box

Skip if

• A player who wants a disc drive
• Someone who wants the 1TB storage of the top picks

Verdict: The PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition bundle adds a controller charger to an 825GB digital console.

5 PS5 digital with one controller

Sony PS5 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + 1 Wireless

Platform

PlayStation

Model line

PS5

Form

Home

Edition

Digital

Storage

825 GB

$719.00 price as of 2026-10-10 00:49 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks fifth in the 825GB group. It is a digital edition with 825GB of stated storage and includes one wireless controller in the title.

Pros

• 825GB stated storage
• Digital edition: no disc drive
• Includes one wireless controller
• PS5 line

Cons

• No disc drive
• Storage smaller than the 1TB picks
• No bundle beyond the controller stated

Good fit if

• A player who wants a digital PS5 with a controller included
• Someone who prefers the PlayStation family

Skip if

• A player who wants a disc drive
• Someone who wants a handheld

Verdict: This PlayStation 5 digital edition includes a wireless controller and states 825GB of storage.

6 Handheld with a 7-inch screen

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Gaming Handheld 7" 120Hz Touch

Platform

PC handheld

Model line

ROG Xbox Ally

Form

Handheld

Storage

512 GB

Screen

7 in

$735.00 price as of 2026-10-10 05:33 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks sixth with 512GB of stated storage, the smallest stated amount in this list, and a 7-inch screen for a handheld. It is a PC handheld in the ROG Xbox Ally line.

Pros

• 7-inch screen stated
• 512GB stated storage
• PC handheld platform
• Handheld form: screen built in

Cons

• 512GB is the smallest stated storage in this list
• No bundle stated
• No disc drive (handheld)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a handheld with a built-in screen
• Someone who wants a PC handheld in the ROG Xbox Ally line

Skip if

• A player who wants the most storage in this list
• Someone who wants a home console for a TV

Verdict: The ROG Xbox Ally handheld offers a 7-inch screen and 512GB of stated storage.

7 Handheld bundle with extras

ASUS ROG Xbox-Ally 512GB AMD Ryzen Z2 A CPU Gaming Handheld 7-inch

Platform

PC handheld

Model line

ROG Xbox Ally

Form

Handheld

Storage

512 GB

Screen

7 in

Bundle

Yes

$714.99 price as of 2026-10-10 05:33 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks seventh, also with 512GB of stated storage and a 7-inch screen. Its title states a bundle that includes a hub and a screen protector.

Pros

• 512GB stated storage
• 7-inch touchscreen stated
• Bundle includes a hub and screen protector
• Handheld form

Cons

• 512GB is the smallest stated storage in this list
• No disc drive (handheld)
• Bundle details in the title, not the specs

Good fit if

• A player who wants a handheld with a stated bundle
• Someone who wants a hub and screen protector in the box

Skip if

• A player who wants the most storage here
• Someone who prefers a home console

Verdict: This ROG Xbox Ally bundle adds a hub and screen protector to a 512GB handheld.

8 Xbox Series S bundle listing

Xbox Series S

Platform

Xbox

Model line

Xbox Series S

Form

Home

Bundle

Yes

$788.00 price as of 2026-10-10 00:51 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks eighth because it states no storage, so it falls after the picks with stated storage. It is a home console in the Xbox Series S line with a bundle stated.

Pros

• Bundle with extra items stated
• Xbox Series S line
• Home console form

Cons

• Storage not stated by the seller
• No disc drive stated
• No screen size stated (home console)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a bundle with extra items
• Someone who is set on the Xbox family

Skip if

• A player who wants a stated storage number
• Someone who wants a disc drive

Verdict: The Xbox Series S bundle is a home console with a stated bundle but no storage figure.

9 PS5 bundle listing

PlayStation 5 Console

Platform

PlayStation

Model line

PS5

Form

Home

Bundle

Yes

$742.81 price as of 2026-10-10 01:26 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks ninth with no stated storage, after the storage-stating picks. Its title states a bundle for the PS5 line.

Pros

• Bundle with extra items stated
• PS5 line
• Home console form

Cons

• Storage not stated by the seller
• No disc drive stated
• No screen size stated (home console)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a PS5 with a stated bundle
• Someone who prefers the PlayStation family

Skip if

• A player who wants a stated storage number
• Someone who wants a disc drive

Verdict: The PS5 bundle lists a home console in the PlayStation family with extra items in the box.

10 Switch 2 hybrid with bundle

Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle + 256GBMicro SD Card

Platform

Nintendo

Model line

Switch 2

Form

Hybrid

Bundle

Yes

$728.98 price as of 2026-10-10 01:28 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks tenth with no stated console storage. Its title states a Switch 2 hybrid form and a bundle that includes a 256GB micro SD card.

Pros

• Hybrid form: screen and TV use stated
• Bundle includes a 256GB micro SD card
• Switch 2 line
• Nintendo platform

Cons

• Console storage not stated by the seller
• No disc drive stated
• Screen size not stated

Good fit if

• A player who wants a hybrid console with a stated bundle
• Someone who wants a Switch 2 line console

Skip if

• A player who wants a stated storage number
• Someone who wants a home-only console

Verdict: The Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is a hybrid console with extra items stated in the title.

11 Digital PS5, storage not stated

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

Platform

PlayStation

Model line

PS5

Form

Home

Edition

Digital

$734.99 price as of 2026-10-10 01:26 UTC (Details)

View on Amazon

This pick ranks last because it states no storage and is the final listing in the pool order among the storage-stating group. It is a digital edition in the PS5 line.

Pros

• Digital edition: no disc drive
• PS5 line
• Home console form

Cons

• Storage not stated by the seller
• No bundle stated
• No screen size stated (home console)

Good fit if

• A player who wants a digital PS5 without a disc drive
• Someone who prefers the PlayStation family

Skip if

• A player who wants a stated storage number
• Someone who wants extra items in the box

Verdict: The PlayStation 5 digital edition lists a home console in the PS5 line without a stated storage figure.

Side by side

How we picked

This guide covers 11 listings in the under $800 window. The consoles are compared on stated details and live prices as gaming console reviews. Picks are ordered by stated storage, largest first; then by stated screen size, largest first for handhelds; then by the order in the pool file. Listings that state no storage come last, in pool order. Details that a seller does not state are marked as not stated by the seller.

How to choose

Pick the family first

The platform family is the first decision. A console in the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, or PC handheld family is chosen for its games and accessories, which are built for that family. This guide lists the stated family in each pick.

Home console or handheld

A home console connects to a television and does not state a screen size. A handheld states its own screen size, and a hybrid states both a screen and TV use. The picks in this guide include home consoles, handhelds, and one hybrid.

Disc or digital edition

A disc edition states a disc drive, so physical discs can be inserted. A digital edition states no disc drive, so purchases are downloaded. Someone who owns discs needs a disc edition; someone who prefers downloads can choose a digital edition.

Storage: what the number means

Storage is the room for what you install. A larger number means more room, but the listing does not say how many games fit. This guide orders picks by stated storage, largest first.

What a bundle means

A bundle states that extra items come in the box. The title names the items, and this guide says only what the title states. Read the listing to see the full list of items.

Questions

What does "under $800" mean in this guide?

This guide covers 11 listings in the under $800 window. Each listing's live price is printed on the page with its clock time, so you can compare the current price of each pick.

Does this guide cover game libraries, frame rates, or battery life?

No. The catalogue has no data for game libraries, frame rates, battery life, resolution, load times, or other measured results. This guide compares consoles only on the details stated in each listing, such as storage, edition, form, and screen size.

What if a listing does not state a storage size?

When a listing does not state a storage size, this guide writes "not stated by the seller" and does not guess. Those picks are ordered after the listings that state their storage.

How are the picks ordered?

Picks are ordered by stated storage, largest first; then by stated screen size, largest first for handhelds; then by the order in the pool file. Listings with no stated storage come last, in pool order.

Can I compare prices from this guide?

The page prints each listing's live price with its clock time. The guide does not rank by price or compare prices, because prices can go stale. Use the printed price to compare at the moment you read the page.

Recent updates

• 2026-10-10: First published.

Sources

• PlayStation 5 | Play Has No Limits
• Xbox Series X|S consoles
• Nintendo Gaming Systems
• Nintendo Switch 2