A rivalry that’s been going on for 25 years might not be as intense as it once was, but when it comes to home console options (this excludes Nintendo Switch 2, which is a hybrid console), there are only really two major <a href="https://comicvibe.com/all-to-play-for-the-sophisticated-new-scams-targeting-gamers/” title=”All to play for: the sophisticated new scams targeting gamers”>players. And they are PlayStation and Xbox.
The PS5 and Xbox Series X were released two days apart in 2020, with Sony and Microsoft once again competing for console supremacy. In terms of sales, Sony undoubtedly has the upper hand, shifting 95 million PS5s compared with around 34 million Xbox Series X consoles.
But Xbox console sales went up in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase, whereas PS5 sales have steadily declined. So, in 2026, with gaming hardware going up in price, making the right purchase is all the more important. Which of the two home consoles is best for you? Let’s find out.
For clarity, throughout this piece, I’ve used the 825GB PS5 with a disc drive and a 1TB Xbox Series X with a disc drive. The PS5 1TB with a disc drive is the latest version of the base PS5 to come with the drive, but its tech specs and performance are identical, just with more storage. Components in the latest versions of the Xbox Series X have had slight upgrades, but gaming performance remains identical.
The PS5 is a great home console. What makes it stand out is its library of the best and newest games, as well as its amazing DualSense wireless controller.
The Xbox Series X is also a great home console. What makes it stand out is the wide variety of games available through Game Pass and its superb backwards compatibility.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Specs
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X can run games at up to 4K and 120fps on supported screens. The tech specs themselves are actually quite similar, with only a few small differences. Both have custom AMD Zen 2 CPUs and RDNA 2 GPUs, but the Xbox Series X has the faster processor and more graphics power, whereas the PS5 has much faster storage throughput.
The Xbox Series X has 52 Compute Units running at 1.825GHz, producing 12.15 teraflops of power, whereas the PS5 has 36 Compute Units with a variable clock speed reaching 2.23GHz, outputting 10.28 teraflops. But the PS5 has a faster raw storage throughput of 5.5 GB/s uncompressed, compared with the Xbox Series X’s 2.4 GB/s.
If that all sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo, it essentially means the Xbox Series X can handle slightly higher resolutions and more detailed graphics effects, while the PS5 can load game assets and transition between areas much faster. But there really isn’t that much in it.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Games
The Last of Us, Gran Turismo, God of War and more all roll off the tongue when thinking about PlayStation, just as Halo, Gears of War and Forza do for Xbox. But the biggest difference is which platforms these key franchises are available on.
PlayStation has a history of keeping its games solely on PlayStation, only recently branching out with some newer releases on PC, something that was recently scrapped. Xbox games are also available on PC because, well, it is owned by Microsoft after all, but a key difference is the number of Xbox games that have recently made their way over to PlayStation.
Forza Horizon 5, Gears of War Reloaded and Halo: Campaign Evolved have all had PS5 releases in the past few months, with Forza Horizon 6 also releasing on PlayStation, whereas PlayStation exclusives are nowhere to be seen on Xbox. Xbox has focused more on its Game Pass subscription in recent years (more on that later), making as many of its games available on as many platforms as possible. CEO Asha Sharma is working to restore Xbox exclusivity, but right now, the effect of that strategy is there for all to see until new releases come out.
That means, when looking at which home console has the most key franchises in one place, PS5 is easily the best bet right now. There’s also the debate over which first-party titles are better – personally, I’ve always preferred PlayStation’s first-party titles over Xbox’s.
Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us and Uncharted franchises, along with Polyphony’s Gran Turismo, are among my favourites of all time, whereas (perhaps controversially) I just don’t have that same connection with Xbox’s different series. I completely understand why people do and why some would prefer historic Xbox series over PlayStation ones, but that’s just my preference!
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Controllers
This is quite a straightforward category when comparing the controllers you get with each console. The PS5 comes with a DualSense wireless controller, which features a touch pad, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers and a built-in microphone.
In contrast, the Xbox controller doesn’t have the same standard of haptic feedback, nor does it have a touch pad, adaptive triggers or a built-in microphone. It’s much more of a traditional controller, which is fine, but compare it with the advanced features of the DualSense wireless controller and there’s only one winner.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Subscription service
Here, it’s more PS Plus vs Xbox Game Pass, but there’s a clear winner. While both allow you to play multiplayer games online, what Game Pass offers in terms of games is much more comprehensive than PS Plus.
It has a lot of major day-one releases available through its more expensive subscription tiers, whereas PS Plus has a much smaller library in comparison, with PlayStation encouraging you to buy digital licences for games instead. The value you get with Game Pass is a lot better than PS Plus, even though it is more expensive. You do get access to some PlayStation exclusives through PS Plus, but this is usually a good while after the game has initially released.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Backwards compatibility
Tying in with the subscriptions, Xbox also has much better backwards compatibility than PlayStation. Both consoles can easily play games from the previous generation of Xbox One and PS4 consoles, but beyond that, it’s a very different story.
Xbox Series X can play the majority of Xbox 360 or original Xbox games if you have the physical discs (take note, Sony… Oh, wait…) and a lot of games from those eras are available digitally too. With PS5, only PS4 discs are compatible alongside PS5 games, meaning anything from the PS3 back cannot be played, even if you own the discs.
Some older PlayStation games are available to purchase digitally or stream, with more being ported, but it’s nowhere near the offering Xbox provides.
For example, I’m a huge Final Fantasyfan and the only way I can play the Final Fantasy XIIItrilogy from that era on a home console is on Xbox. The games are available to purchase and even have upgrades, such as boosted resolutions and frame rates, but the discs work too.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Price
Both consoles have recently gone up in price. Older hardware has, unprecedentedly, been increasing in cost, partly caused by huge tech companies building AI data centres and taking up supplies of key components used in consoles and gaming PCs, such as RAM (memory) and GPUs (graphics processing units).
The PS5 1TB with a disc drive now has an RRP (recommended retail price) of £569.99, while the Xbox Series X has had a recent price hike of its own. The Xbox Series X 1TB model with a disc drive now costs £669.99, making it £100 more expensive.
While there isn’t much in it, when comparing similar models, the PS5 is cheaper to buy.
Should you buy a PS5 or an Xbox Series X in 2026?
It all comes down to personal preference and how much weight you give each of the above sections. If you’re a veteran in either camp with an extensive digital library, then it makes sense to upgrade in line with where your library sits, unless you want to try something different.
If you’re looking to get into the console space, haven’t had one for a while or don’t have a huge pre-existing digital library, then the Xbox Series X and Game Pass subscription is the best way to access a lot of good games immediately. It also has much better backwards compatibility, with a lot of classic titles available too.
However, if you’re looking to play the biggest and best releases day one, with a whole range of amazing first-party exclusives, then the PS5 easily takes the crown in that department. It really does depend on what you’re looking for.
Personally, if I had to pick, the PS5 edges it for me because I prefer PlayStation’s first-party titles over Xbox’s and I can now play a load of Xbox Game Studios games on PS5, with more to come. Yes, it does mean I have to purchase more individual games rather than having a lot available on Game Pass, but the PS5 has the edge for me.
Or… if you want to push the boat out even more, there’s the PS5 Pro, Sony’s more powerful, more expensive mid-generation update.
How I tested
I purchased a PS5 825GB with a disc drive in December 2021 and used it heavily until March 2026, when Sony sent across a PS5 Pro. I’ve spent thousands of hours using the console.
I’ve had an Xbox Series X since the start of July, with Xbox providing a unit, and have put in tens of hours checking out different games and features. For background, I’ve also had an Xbox Series S for around 18 months or so, which Xbox provided too.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Jake Brigstock is The Independent’s gaming correspondent. He has spent countless hours putting a full spectrum of consoles and games through their paces, so he is well-placed to bring you his updated verdict on whether the PS5 or Xbox Series X is better for you in 2026.
For more, check out ourreview of the Nintendo Switch 2
