10 Best Xbox Consoles 2025 in the United States

The Xbox Series X is a powerful gaming console designed for serious gamers who want top performance and impressive visuals. With its 12 teraflops of graphics power and support for 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second, it delivers smooth and detailed gameplay that stands out, especially on newer TVs. The 1TB SSD storage offers fast load times and quick resume features, meaning less waiting and more playing. One of its best features is backward compatibility, allowing you to enjoy thousands of games from older Xbox generations, many of which run better than before. It also includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, enhancing the audio-visual experience. The console comes in a sleek carbon black design, but it’s on the larger and heavier side, which might be something to consider if space is limited.

While 1TB is good for most gamers, those with extensive game libraries might find themselves needing extra storage eventually. The Xbox Series X also offers access to exclusive games and services through Microsoft’s ecosystem, adding more value if you’re invested in Xbox’s game lineup. This console is well-suited for gamers looking for power, speed, and a vast selection of games, though its size and potential storage limits are worth keeping in mind.

The Xbox Series X is a powerful gaming console designed to deliver top-tier performance with its advanced AMD Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architecture. This results in exceptional graphics quality and processing speed, which is perfect for gamers seeking a true 4K experience with frame rates up to 120 FPS. The console also supports up to 8K HDR, making it future-ready for high-definition gaming and media. Its 1TB NVME SSD offers fast load times and ample storage, although heavy users might still find themselves needing extra space with large game files.

The backward compatibility feature is highly valuable, allowing players to enjoy thousands of games from previous Xbox generations, which is a significant advantage for those with an existing game library. The included 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive further enhances the multimedia capabilities of the console, allowing users to enjoy high-definition movies alongside gaming.

In terms of design, the Series X is relatively compact given its capabilities, though its tower shape might not fit comfortably in all entertainment setups. It's accompanied by a wireless controller that maintains the ergonomic design Microsoft is known for. One potential downside is that the console primarily shines with exclusive Microsoft titles and services, which might be a limitation for gamers interested in titles exclusive to other platforms. Yet, for those invested in the Xbox ecosystem or looking for a console with outstanding performance and future-proof features, the Xbox Series X stands out as a leading choice in the market.

The Xbox Series S Starter Bundle offers a solid entry point into the Xbox ecosystem with its all-digital format and a 512GB SSD storage. This console shines in terms of performance with its Quick Resume feature and the ability to reach up to 120 frames per second, providing a smooth gaming experience. Its compact design makes it an attractive choice for those with limited space.

One of the standout features of this bundle is the inclusion of a 3-month Game Pass Ultimate membership. This adds tremendous value by providing access to hundreds of games, including new releases like Starfield and Forza Motorsport, right from day one. Additionally, the membership includes online multiplayer capabilities and an EA Play membership, broadening the range of available games. However, the Game Pass is subscription-based, meaning that after the initial three months, continued access will require an ongoing payment.

In terms of storage, the 512GB SSD allows for fast load times but might fill up quickly, especially given the size of modern game files. Users might find themselves managing storage frequently or considering an external storage solution. Also, being an all-digital console, the absence of a disc drive limits the user to digital purchases only, which might not appeal to those who prefer physical game copies.

Backward compatibility is another strength, as it allows players to enjoy many older Xbox games, making it a flexible option for gamers with extensive game libraries. While the Series S supports up to 1440p resolution, it doesn’t reach the 4K resolution of its more expensive sibling, the Xbox Series X, which may be a consideration for those with a keen eye for graphical fidelity.

The Xbox Series S Starter Bundle is a great choice for gamers looking for convenience, a wide range of games from the start, and a compact design, albeit with some trade-offs in storage and physical media options.