PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Which console should you buy?

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The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are the respective flagship video game consoles from Sony and Microsoft. Both systems are among the best gaming consoles you can buy and have earned record-setting sales since their launch in November 2020.

The PS5 has been the better-selling console of the two, with more than 50 million units sold, but each system offers similar hardware and overall performance. Sony has driven PS5 sales with blockbuster exclusives like Spider-Man 2 and God of War: Ragnarok. Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to add value to the Series X with Xbox Game Pass, its Netflix-style gaming subscription, which is home to the biggest Xbox exclusives, like Starfield and Forza Motorsport. 

Sony updated the PS5 in late 2023 with a slimmer design, slightly more storage space, and a removable disc drive. The updated console will gradually replace the original once stock of the launch model runs out. Microsoft hasn't officially announced any design revisions for the Xbox Series X, but a potential future model was leaked in court documents.

When comparing the PS5 versus Xbox Series X, it becomes clear that each system has its own strengths and weaknesses that might push buyers in one direction or the other. After more than three years of using both consoles, we broke down what the PS5 and Xbox Series X each do best to help you decide which is right for your gaming needs.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Performance

In head-to-head comparisons of newly released games, the PS5 and Xbox Series X deliver similar performance for graphics and loading times. 

In terms of hardware, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 improve on previous consoles with new solid-state drives and enhanced processors. In practice, that means new games need just a fraction of the loading times required on PS4 and Xbox One, and installing games takes significantly less time too.

While the original PS5 came with an 825GB storage drive, the newer slim PS5 comes with a 1TB drive that matches the size of the Xbox Series X's drive. However, it's much easier to increase the PS5's storage space with a third-party M.2 solid-state drive, while the Xbox requires a unique expansion card that's more expensive. Check out our guide to the best SSD for PS5 for our top recommendations. 

The new graphics processors are capable of ray tracing, an advanced lighting feature first introduced for PC games. Ray tracing gives games on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles more realistic reflections and lighting based on the in-game environment, creating visuals that are too demanding for older machines.

Both systems are also capable of outputting games in 4K resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) at up to 120 frames per second (FPS), though most games typically cap performance at 30 or 60 FPS. The new consoles can also improve the overall resolution and frame rate of demanding games originally designed for Xbox One and PS4, like Cyberpunk 2077.

Neither console has a clear edge in raw visual performance since they both have comparable hardware with a lot of the same graphical capabilities.  

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Games

The PS5 and Xbox both have impressive game libraries, including many popular cross-platform franchises that you can get on either system, like Assassin's Creed, Madden, Call of Duty, and Resident Evil. But the PS5 has demonstrated a slight edge when it comes to exclusives.  

PlayStation systems boast a growing list of popular console-exclusive titles that aren't available on Xbox, and several games aren't on PC either. Big releases like Spider-Man 2, God of War: Ragnarok, Gran Turismo 7, and Horizon: Forbidden West can't be played on Xbox consoles. More PlayStation exclusives are on the way as well, like Rise of the Ronin, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Marvel's Wolverine.

And though a few new PS5 titles are still being released on the PS4, most blockbuster PlayStation games are now being developed from the ground up just for the PS5. Xbox games must be compatible with the less powerful Xbox Series S, which can lead to the delay of highly anticipated releases. For example, Baldur's Gate 3, the 2023 Game of the Year, hit PS5 months before Xbox consoles.

Of course, Microsoft has its own exclusive series, too, like Halo, Forza, and Starfield, but the lineup isn't as large as the PS5's, and all of these games are also available on Windows PCs. However, Microsoft recently completed an acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the publisher behind Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, to help strengthen the Xbox catalog, so we could see a larger library of Xbox console-exclusive games going forward.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Console and controller features

The Xbox Series X fails to match some of the PS5 system's unique features. Most notably, the PS5's DualSense controller has a few extra capabilities, like a built-in speaker and sensitive haptic feedback, that are not available on the Xbox controller.

Several PS5 games use the DualSense's haptic feedback to create specific rumble effects that are designed to produce a more immersive experience. For example, players can accurately feel the kickback when they pull a gun trigger or sense the tension of a bow as they aim.

While these features don't make a huge difference in gameplay, they make playing the PS5 feel like a more distinct experience. The PS5 also supports the new PlayStation VR2 headset, which further adds to the number of enhanced gameplay options on the console.

Xbox Series X does have its own console-exclusive features like Quick Resume, which stores the exact place you stopped playing and lets you swap between games without lengthy initial loading screens. However, Quick Resume doesn't work for every game and mostly speeds up navigation rather than enhancing your gameplay experience.

However, Microsoft has offered more frequent updates to the Xbox's user interface and has clearly delineated video settings and customizable menus. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 was a bit slower to adopt new features like variable refresh rate and 1440p resolution.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Backward compatibility

Xbox Series X beats PlayStation 5 when it comes to backward compatibility, which is a feature that lets you play games from older consoles. The Xbox Series X can recognize game discs dating back to the original Xbox, which was released in 2001. 

The standard PS5 model with a disc drive can play most PS4 game discs, but discs from the PlayStation 3 and earlier are not compatible. However, Sony has made dozens of the most popular PlayStation 1, PS2, and PSP titles downloadable for PS5 with PlayStation Plus. The current selection hardly compares to the hundreds of games available with the Xbox Series X's true backward compatibility, but PlayStation Plus Premium is steadily growing to compete with Xbox Game Pass.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Gaming subscription services 

You can get access to more than 100 new and classic downloadable games with an Xbox Game Pass subscription ($10-$17/month), including Microsoft's latest exclusives. Sony also has a subscription service of its own, called PlayStation Plus, which offers hundreds of games with its Extra plan ($15/month), but it rarely includes brand-new releases like Xbox Game Pass.

In addition to downloading titles, both Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus allow players to stream select games to their consoles without installing them. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers this feature for $17 a month, with streaming also available on mobile devices, PCs, and Samsung smart TVs. Meanwhile, PlayStation Plus members need a Premium plan ($18/month) for cloud gaming, and streaming support is limited to just PS5 and PC.

PlayStation Plus gives members a discount when they sign up for a quarterly or annual subscription, while Game Pass only offers long-term discounts for its lowest subscription tier, Xbox Game Pass Core.

When comparing Xbox Game Pass versus PlayStation Plus, Game Pass feels slightly more robust thanks to having lots of new titles, more features, and more options for streaming, but the PlayStation Plus catalog still has plenty of hit games to enjoy. Neither subscription service is impactful enough to make one console better than the other.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: Media capabilities

As media players, the PS5 and Xbox Series X both offer a robust set of features, but Xbox has a few minor perks. 

The Xbox Series X and standard PS5 model both have 4K Blu-ray players for watching Ultra HD movies with high dynamic range (HDR) support. However, neither console supports the Dolby Vision HDR format when playing discs. But, the Xbox Series X does support Dolby Vision through streaming apps, which makes it a better choice for watching services like Netflix and Disney Plus if you have a Dolby Vision TV. 

Xbox also offers movies and TV shows from a variety of studios for sale via the Microsoft Store, while the PlayStation 5 only has access to movie rentals and purchases from Sony Pictures.

PS5 vs. Xbox Series X: The bottom line

While the PS5 and Xbox Series X are similar in terms of quality and performance, the PS5's exclusive games and gameplay-focused features make it more enticing for buyers who want an immersive experience and don't want to miss major releases.

Xbox Series X succeeds as a powerful media center with access to more than 15 years worth of Xbox games, but the ability to access those games on PC and the more affordable Series S make the Series X less of a must-have machine.

While early supply shortages made it difficult to find the PS5 and Xbox Series X in stores, the consoles are now widely available. New console buyers won't be disappointed with either machine, and if you've already invested in prior Xbox or PlayStation systems, it's now the perfect time to upgrade.