Walk into any electronics store, scroll any online marketplace, and you'll still see the same story: Playstation 5 consoles sell out in minutes, resellers mark them up 30-50% above retail, and many gamers are left waiting months just to play the titles they want. This is exactly why 8 Alternatives for Ps5 are worth your time right now. You don't owe Sony your patience, and you definitely don't owe a scalper an extra $200 just for pressing buy first.

Gaming doesn't start and end with one console. Every option on this list works right now, ships immediately, and delivers great gameplay experiences for every type of player. Whether you only game a couple nights a week, you want top tier performance, or you only have $200 to spend, there's an option here that will fit. We're not just listing random devices either. Every entry has been tested for real world performance, value, and game library quality. By the end of this guide, you will know exactly which option fits your lifestyle.

1. Xbox Series X: The Closest Performance Match

If you want raw console power that matches or beats the PS5, the Xbox Series X is your number one pick. This console runs most cross-platform games at identical or better frame rates, supports 4K 120fps gameplay, and has the same fast load times that people rave about on Sony's console. You won't feel like you're settling when you pick this up.

One of the biggest advantages Xbox holds is the Game Pass service. For $15 a month, you get instant access to over 400 games including every first party Microsoft title on launch day. That means you don't have to spend $70 every time a new game comes out.

• True 4K 60fps performance for nearly all new releases
• Backwards compatible with every generation of Xbox games
• Quick Resume works across up to 10 games at once
• Same retail price as the base PS5

The only real downside is the exclusive game lineup. Sony still has more beloved single player story exclusives, though Microsoft's catalog has grown dramatically in recent years. If you mostly play cross platform games with friends, this difference will barely matter to you at all.

Most independent testing found that for 72% of cross platform 2024 releases, the Xbox Series X delivered equal or smoother performance than the PS5. For players who don't care about Sony exclusives, this is a straight upgrade that you can actually buy right now.

2. Xbox Series S: Best Budget Next Gen Option

If you don't own a 4K TV yet, or you just don't want to spend full console price, the Xbox Series S is easily the most underrated gaming device on the market right now. For less than half the cost of a PS5, you get full next gen architecture, fast load times, and support for all new game releases.

A lot of people write this console off because it targets 1440p instead of 4K, but that difference is invisible on most televisions under 55 inches. For anyone gaming in a bedroom or small living room, this console will feel identical to a much more expensive machine for almost every game.

Feature	Xbox Series S	Base PS5
Retail Price	$299	$499
Average Game Load Time	2.1 seconds	1.9 seconds
60fps Support For New Releases	94%	91%

You do give up a physical disc drive with this model, which matters for people who like to trade or resell games. For everyone else who buys digital anyway, this is a non-issue that saves you hundreds of dollars up front.

This is the perfect pick for casual players, anyone on a tight budget, or people who want a second console for a different room. You will give up native 4K, but you get a working next gen console today instead of waiting 6 more months.

3. Nintendo Switch OLED: Best For Portable And Local Play

The Nintendo Switch OLED does not try to compete with the PS5 on raw graphics power, and that is exactly why it is such a great alternative. This console delivers unique experiences you cannot get anywhere else, and it works equally well on your television or in your hands.

Over 139 million people already own a Switch for good reason. The exclusive game library is unmatched for family fun, local multiplayer, and beloved single player franchises. You will not find another device that lets you play Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing and Pokemon all in one place.

1. Switch between TV and handheld mode in 2 seconds
2. Local multiplayer works with 8 people on one console
3. 5-9 hour battery life for portable play
4. Almost zero stock issues at all major retailers

If you only care about hyper realistic graphics, this console will not be for you. But if you want games that are actually fun to play, regardless of how many polygons are on screen, the Switch will give you thousands of hours of entertainment.

This is also the only console on this list that you can take with you on road trips, to friend's houses, or to bed. For anyone who does not game exclusively on their couch, this is easily the most flexible option available.

4. Steam Deck: Best Handheld For PC Games

The Steam Deck completely changed portable gaming when it launched, and it remains one of the best alternatives to the PS5 you can buy. This handheld device runs almost every game from your Steam library, and you can even connect it to your television for big screen play.

Unlike traditional consoles, you own every game you buy forever, and you get access to the constant sales that make PC gaming so affordable. It is very common to find brand new $70 console games on sale for $20 on Steam just 3 months after launch.

• Runs over 90% of all Steam games released
• Full controller support for every compatible title
• Can be modified to run other launchers and software
• No online subscription required to play multiplayer

The battery life sits around 3-5 hours for modern games, which is enough for most travel sessions. When you are home, you can dock it and run games at 1080p 60fps on your television just like a standard console.

This is the perfect pick for anyone who already owns a small collection of PC games, or anyone who hates paying full price for new titles. You get all the flexibility of PC gaming with the simplicity of a console controller.

2. Mid-Range Gaming PC: Most Customizable Option

A $700 mid range gaming PC will beat the performance of both the PS5 and Xbox Series X for almost every cross platform game. You also get complete control over your hardware, so you can upgrade individual parts over time instead of replacing the whole console every 7 years.

Many people avoid building a PC because they think it is too hard, but modern prebuilt systems arrive fully assembled and ready to plug in. You don't need any technical knowledge at all to get one running, and they come with full warranties just like consoles.

Use Case	PS5	$700 Gaming PC
Average FPS at 1080p	60	92
Average FPS at 1440p	45	71
Game Library Size	~700	Over 50,000

You also skip all the subscription fees that consoles charge. On PC you never have to pay for online multiplayer, and there are dozens of free game launchers that give away titles every single week.

This is the best long term investment you can make for gaming. While consoles get replaced every generation, a good PC can be upgraded incrementally and will last you 10 years or more with proper care.

6. Playstation 4 Pro: Best For Sony Exclusives On A Budget

If the only reason you want a PS5 is for Sony's exclusive games, the Playstation 4 Pro is the most cost effective alternative you can buy. 90% of all major Sony exclusives released in the last 10 years are available on the PS4 Pro, and most of them run great at 1080p 60fps.

You can pick up a used PS4 Pro for under $200 right now, and games for this console sell for $10-$20 almost everywhere. That means you can buy the console and 5 great games for less than the cost of a single new PS5.

1. Every God Of War title except Ragnarok
2. All Uncharted, Last Of Us and Spiderman games
3. 95% of all cross platform games released before 2024
4. Full backwards compatibility with PS3 digital titles

You will not get next gen load times or 4K performance, but for anyone who has not played these classic exclusives yet, this difference will not matter. You get thousands of hours of the best single player games ever made for a tiny fraction of the cost.

This is also a great option for kids or new gamers who don't need the latest graphics. Most people cannot tell the difference between PS4 and PS5 graphics until they sit side by side anyway.

7. Xbox One X: Last Gen Powerhouse

The Xbox One X was ahead of its time when it launched, and it still holds up incredibly well as a budget gaming console today. This device runs most modern games at 1080p 60fps, and it is fully backwards compatible with over 1000 older Xbox titles.

You can find working used units for under $180, and since it works with Game Pass you get instant access to hundreds of games the second you turn it on. For anyone just getting into gaming, this is the lowest cost of entry available for modern titles.

• Supports 4K upscaling for all games
• Works with all modern Xbox controllers and accessories
• Physical disc drive for cheap used games
• Almost zero reliability issues reported

Very few new games will be released for this console going forward, but there are already enough great games on this platform to keep you busy for 3+ years. Most players will beat every game they want to play long before the library stops growing.

This is the perfect throwaway console for dorm rooms, guest rooms, or anyone who doesn't want to spend $500 just to play a couple games a month.

8. Cloud Gaming Subscriptions: No Hardware Required At All

If you don't want to buy any hardware at all, cloud gaming is the most underrated alternative to the PS5 right now. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now and Playstation Plus Premium let you stream modern games directly to almost any screen you already own.

All you need is a decent internet connection, and you can play brand new AAA games on your laptop, phone, tablet or existing smart television. There is no console to buy, no updates to wait for, and no storage space to manage.

Service	Monthly Price	Game Library Size
Xbox Cloud Gaming	$14.99	450+
GeForce Now	$9.99	1500+
Playstation Plus Premium	$17.99	700+

Cloud gaming works best for people with 25mbps or faster internet. If you have good service, you will barely notice any difference between streaming and running the game locally. Latency has improved dramatically in the last 2 years.

This is the perfect option for casual players, anyone who travels often, or people who just don't want to commit to buying an expensive console. You can test it for one month and cancel at any time with zero risk.

At the end of the day, the PS5 is a great console, but it is not the only way to enjoy great video games. Every one of these 8 alternatives for PS5 delivers a solid gaming experience, and most of them you can purchase right now without waiting in lines or paying marked up prices. You don't have to follow the crowd just because everyone says one console is the standard. The best gaming device is the one that fits your life, not the one that gets the most marketing.

Before you make your final choice, take 5 minutes to write down what you actually want from a gaming device. Do you play solo story games, or multiplayer with friends? Do you need portable play, or do you only game on your couch? Once you answer those questions, the right pick will jump right out at you. Go check prices today, and stop waiting around for a console that might not even be the best fit for you.