PS4 vs Xbox One: which gaming console is better?

PS4 or Xbox One: which one will you choose? 

Both Microsoft and Sony’s current generation of gaming consoles inspire fierce loyalty from their respective camps. This means, if you’re not already Team PlayStation or Team Xbox, it can be difficult to make a decision between the two. 

To help you make the impossible choice between Microsoft and Sony’s current offerings, we’ve made a comprehensive list of all the key differences – as well as the similarities – to keep in mind when buying an Xbox One or PS4.

There’s certainly no doubt that the PlayStation 4 has taken the lead in sales, but both have their pros and cons – and the mid-gen refresh has certainly given us a lot more to think about when weighing those up.

There’s also the next-gen consoles to consider: PS5 and Xbox Series X. Should you hold out for these more powerful machines or pick up a current-gen console now that the prices have come down? If you’ve opted for the latter, or are still undecided, then this is the article for you.

But we understand if you can’t wait and want a console rather than a PC. So, rather than cruelly deprive yourself of a great home console before that, here’s how to pick between the PS4 and Xbox One right now.

Currently, Sony has two separate versions of the PS4, the standard slim version, which is capable of HDR playback, and the more expensive 4K-capable PS4 Pro.

On the other side of the fence is the Xbox One, now available in the 4K HDR-ready Xbox One S, the disc-less Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, and the ultra-powerful Xbox One X – a console that not only does 4K HDR native gameplay but, in some cases, plays games at 60 frames-per-second too.

What that means is if you already own a 4K HDR TV, you should probably opt for a PS4 Pro or Xbox One X to really get the highest visual fidelity from your console. If you’re gaming on a 1080p TV, however, an Xbox One S or PS4 Slim make more sense and will cost you less.

But what about games themselves? And the entertainment options you’ve got? How’s the online reliability and how are the respective marketplaces? Which platform is easier to get around? Which has better first-party applications?

We’ve got all of the answers below.

PS4 vs Xbox One price comparison

The PS4 and Xbox One prices seem to change by the week, with price drops and bundle deals coming and going faster than handheld PlayStation systems. Add in special events, such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, and it can be hard to keep track.

While all of these bundles are great for consumers, it can be hard to keep up with the latest pricing info. So, in an effort to cut through the noise, here are the latest prices and bundles for each console.

While the original iterations of the Xbox One and PS4 launched in the same month, the console upgrades have been more staggered, adding a little bit more confusion to the Xbox One vs PS4 question.

The Xbox One X is the newest and most powerful console, with few discounts available. The PS4 Pro, however, is now…