Xbox Series X|S buyers guide – which console should you buy for the holidays

The Xbox Series console comes in five different variants, each with unique features and, most crucially, costs.

We’ve listed all the differences and exactly what you get at each pricing point in case you’re not sure which console is right for you.

To help you make an informed decision regarding your purchase, we have also listed which console is best for each sort of gamer.

Everything you need to know about buying an Xbox Series console is right here.

Xbox Series S 512GB 199 / $249

One of the least expensive video game consoles available is the original Xbox Series S, which is also the most affordable model in the Xbox family.

The games you wish to play shouldn’t affect your decision to buy an Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X because they both support the same library of games.

With only 364GB of useable memory, the least expensive model has a very small memory capacity.

This is equivalent to two or three high-end games, and since most people play many games at once, they don’t want to remove and redownload them.

This is the version for you, though, whether you’re searching for a cheap console to play lesser games or a modest collection of larger games.

You won’t be able to play any physical Xbox games you may have because neither of the Series S models includes a disc drive.

Excellent for those who

• are on a budget
• like smaller games
• prefer a smaller console

Not ideal for those who

• play big triple-A games
• have a physical library of games
• care about graphics and high-end performance

Xbox Series S 1TB 299 / $349

Although it offers more storage, the 1TB model is identical to the 512GB model in terms of features.

It offers more than double the capacity of the original, with 802GB of useable storage compared to 364GB.

It still has the same shortcomings as the Series S, though, such not having a disc drive and not being able to run games at the best settings.

However, the Xbox Series S is significantly smaller than the Series X, so you might want a sleeker system for your living room.

Excellent for those who

• are on a budget
• focus on a few games at a time
• prefer a smaller console

Not ideal for those who

• play multiple big triple-A games
• have a physical library of games
• care about graphics and high-end performance

Xbox Series X Digital Edition 1TB 429 / $449

Like the Series S, this is the least expensive Xbox Series X model and does not include a disc drive for physical games.

Although it still offers several improvements over the bigger Series S, it shares the same amount of storage.

Despite playing the identical games, the Series X outperforms the Series S in terms of performance and graphical fidelity.

However, some purchasers may be put off by the significant price rise compared to the Series S.

Excellent for those who

• only buy digital games
• enjoy high-end performance and graphics

Not ideal for those who

• have a library of physical games
• play multiple triple-A games

Xbox Series X 1TB 479 / $499

You may purchase a comparable model with a disc drive for fifty or fifty dollars more than the digital-only Series X.

Because Xbox offers amazing physical backwards compatibility, the disc drive is a major improvement over previous console iterations.

In addition to Xbox Series games, the Series X can play Xbox One games, as well as a large number of Xbox 360 or original Xbox titles.

This is the most affordable console for you if you have a collection of physical Xbox games, and it also offers better performance.

Excellent for those who

• buy or play physical games
• enjoy high-end performance and graphics

Not ideal for those who

• are on a budget
• play multiple triple-A games

Xbox Series X 2TB 549 / $599

With a significantly larger storage capacity, this version has all the features of the previous one.

Since this is the priciest model, you should carefully examine whether this is the one for you before buying it.

Similar to the other consoles, internal operations occupy some storage, therefore the usable storage capacity will be less than what is claimed above.

Nonetheless, it is anticipated to have at least twice as much capacity as the previous model and would probably fall between 1.7 and 1.8 TB.

This model is a wonderful choice for people who like to play many kinds of games, but it should only be considered by those who want to play several huge games at once.

Excellent for those who

• have a library of physical games
• play multiple large games at once
• enjoy high-end performance and graphics

Not ideal for those who

• are on a budget

Check out the games that are departing Xbox Game Pass in November if you’d want to learn more about Xbox.