APG-J162$79,400+98.0%LAM-REVU$652,284+7.2%HRM-BK25$30,800+128.1%MON-M149$550−60.1%CRD-AVEN$384−24.7%DRC-RC15$32,833+21.7%CRT-JUCC$7,600−12.6%SNY-PS5P$1,266+40.7%JOR-TSFH$1,665+732.5%MRT-D45S$8,456−7.1%MBZ-G63A$266,286+16.1%PAT-AQUA$61,000+123.8%FER-12CI$645,476+36.8%HRM-MK20$30,500+167.5%PEL-M800$419−54.7%MFK-BACC$323−10.3%DRC-LT18$6,357+2.3%LEG-TITN$762+12.1%JOR-TSRM$1,397+831.3%GIB-R9VO$5,450−18.6%APG-R510$58,089+70.9%FER-PURO$538,473+25.4%HRM-KL28$30,500+111.8%MRK-34HD$25−58.3%AMO-INTE$304−23.0%PET-2019$4,9860.0%LEG-EXSD$721−9.8%NIK-SBTS$1,280+753.3%MRT-D28S$2,599−18.8%RLX-DD40$51,545+7.4%LAM-TEME$535,670+82.2%HRM-KL25$30,135+120.0%PDM-LAYT$282−29.5%SCR-CS21£2,982+23.5%LEG-UCMF$704−17.2%JOR-TSTP$369+138.1%TAY-814C$2,499−37.5%PAT-5226$36,279−23.2%RRY-SPEC$369,970−7.0%HRM-KPOC$30,000+263.6%TFD-OUDW$250−16.7%ROU-CB18$2,904+5.1%NIN-SWI2$520+4.0%FEN-CSTL$2,350−50.5%RLX-DAYT$36,200+114.2%RRY-CULL$360,624−16.6%HRM-B35T$26,500+62.6%CRD-GITW$235−52.0%PAP-15YO$1,995+565.0%LEG-RIVN$464−7.2%FEN-ACST$2,300−51.6%PAT-CALA$32,000−14.7%MCL-750S$358,567−1.8%HRM-B30T$22,300+49.7%XER-NAXO$220−24.1%PIN-2016$1,408+14.2%LEG-DNTN$403+15.2%RLX-SKYD$23,321+31.4%FER-296G$343,866+1.7%CHA-CF11$7,630−34.8%DIO-SAUV$160−7.5%CON-MF15$1,249−2.9%LEG-PKBL$226−24.6%RLX-GMTB$18,010+50.1%RRY-GHST$324,563−12.5%CRT-LOVE$6,983−12.2%TFD-OMBL$140−15.2%LAF-2018$9670.0%LEG-PLST$165−8.2%RLX-SUBG$16,195+36.1%POR-TRBS$276,625+2.3%HRM-PC18$4,650+17.0%CHA-BLEU$105−39.3%SAL-BB15€935−5.1%RLX-SUBD$15,795+39.2%POR-GT3C$269,900+14.5%HRM-EVTP$3,500+38.6%DIO-HINT$83−37.1%LEF-PU07$804+3.2%RLX-SUBN$14,595+45.2%LAM-URUS$253,114−9.8%GYD-STLG$2,500+20.2%HER-TERR$69−52.4%CHB-2019$724−8.1%
Man Target
PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X vs Switch 2 vs Gaming PC: Which to Buy
Games

PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X vs Switch 2 vs Gaming PC: Which to Buy

Four platforms, four philosophies, and all of them dearer than a year ago. Official prices, honest strengths and the right pick for each kind of player.

MAN TARGET EditorsOctober 28, 2026 3 min read

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Four platforms, four philosophies, and in 2026 all of them cost more than they did a year ago. The prices below are official recommended prices announced by the manufacturers; retailers and local markets vary, so treat them as a reference, not a quote.

The prices, from the source

  • PS5 Pro: $899.99 / €899.99 (PlayStation Blog, from 2 April 2026).
  • Xbox Series X 1TB with disc drive: $799.99 / €799.99; Digital $749.99 (Xbox, from 1 August 2026).
  • Nintendo Switch 2: $499.99 / €499.99 (Nintendo, from 1 September 2026).
  • Gaming PC: no single price. Valve's Steam Machine, a ready-made SteamOS PC, starts at $1,049 (Valve, June 2026).

PS5 Pro: for the 4K TV purist

The Pro is Sony's most powerful console, with upgraded graphics and PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaling for sharper 4K output in supported games. It suits the player who wants Sony's exclusives, such as Marvel's Wolverine and Saros, at their best on a large 4K TV. Note that the Pro ships without a disc drive; it is sold separately.

Xbox Series X: for the Game Pass player

The Series X makes sense if Game Pass is how you play: Ultimate brings Xbox studio games on day one, except future Call of Duty, across console, PC and cloud. Xbox games increasingly launch on PS5 and PC too, so buy it for the subscription and the ecosystem, not for exclusivity. Microsoft says its next console, Project Helix, will play Xbox and PC games, but has given no date.

The four platforms side by side in a dark studio.
The four platforms side by side in a dark studio.

Switch 2: for the family and the traveller

The least expensive of the four, and the only one you can take on a plane. Nintendo's games, from Mario Kart World to Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon, remain exclusive, and local multiplayer is built in. It is also the best second console for a home that already owns a PS5 or a PC.

Gaming PC: for the enthusiast

The most flexible and usually the most expensive. A PC plays the widest library, including many Xbox and PlayStation games released on Steam, with mods, high frame rates and any monitor format. Memory and storage prices rose sharply in 2026, so compare carefully; a Steam Machine trades upgradability for living-room simplicity.

Choose the games first, then the box that plays them.

The short answer

  • One console, best image on a big TV, Sony exclusives: PS5 Pro.
  • Most games for a monthly fee across console and PC: Xbox Series X with Game Pass Ultimate.
  • Portable, family-friendly and Nintendo's own games: Switch 2.
  • Maximum freedom, performance and library: a gaming PC.

Key takeaways

  • Official US prices: PS5 Pro $899.99, Series X $799.99, Switch 2 $499.99.
  • PS5 Pro suits the 4K TV purist who wants Sony's exclusives.
  • Series X makes sense mainly as a Game Pass machine.
  • Switch 2 is the best portable and second console; PC offers the most freedom.
#PS5 Pro#Xbox Series X#Nintendo Switch 2#gaming PC#buying guide

FAQ

Which is better, PS5 Pro or Xbox Series X?

For Sony exclusives and image quality on a 4K TV, the PS5 Pro; for Game Pass value, the Series X. Many Xbox games now also come to PS5.

How much is the Switch 2 in 2026?

$499.99 in the US and €499.99 in Europe since 1 September 2026, according to Nintendo.

Is a gaming PC better than a console?

It plays more games and scales higher, but costs more and needs more setup. Consoles are simpler on a TV.

See the Man Target rankings for the games and gear worth your evenings.

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