Xbox Series S review (2024): The best choice for gamers on a budget

The Xbox Series S is a cheap and cheerful console for the current Xbox generation, but not without some minor drawbacks.

[Jin_Sakai]

The best choice would be a PS5 digital edition.

[Nyxus]

I would say physical so you can take advantage of both the digital and physical deals. Sometimes a store will have an offer for a physical version that is much cheaper than what it costs in the digital store. Probably worth the investment of a physical drive.

[BeHunted]

PlayStation Plus 12 months Subscription is £10 more than Xbox Game Pass Core.

PS Plus: £59.99
Game Pass Core: £49.99

[Markdn]

Doesn't matter what cost if nothing worth paying on it. :) series s is a joke mistake console that has cost Microsoft dearly and hampered game. Release on the more powerful. X

[shinoff2183]

If you buying a console on a budget whats 10 more dollars. Ps is a better deal no matter how you serve it on the plate. You get better games in general. Not everyone's into renting.

[andy85]

Tbh with the price of digital games I'd never suggest someone get a digital. FF7 Rebirth and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth cost me £90 combined. They're £130 on the store. And I can sell them afterwards for most of it back. That's the cost of the disc addition in 2 games

[Elda]

Both new versions of the PS5 are the same price now, physical would be the best option of the 2.

[badz149]

I would argue that the best choice for budget gamers is budget gaming PC, heck I would even recommend the Steam Deck.

[andy85]

Again not so much as you can't sell your games afterwards

[badz149]

@andy85

Gamepass?

[shinoff2183]

Your average gamer wouldn't be able to figure all that out.

[rlow1]

Weird!? My comment was directed @Jin_Saki. I even clicked on his reply button at the top, but somehow my comment ended up with you???

[rlow1]

I have to ask…. Do you live with your parents? Because you seem to be on every Xbox article usually trolling along. I’ve never seen someone so dedicated to Xbox.

[badz149]

wait wait wait...suggesting for a better option is trolling now?

dude, I built myself 2 PCs using the i5-4690 (used) + RX580 (used) + 16GB DDR3 + 1TB SSD and each of them for around the same price as the Series S where I live. been 3 years now and it runs game just fine at 720p to 1080p

[rlow1]

I have to ask…. Do you live with your parents? Because you seem to be on every Xbox article usually trolling along. I’ve never seen someone so dedicated to Xbox.

I originally clicked your reply button several hours ago but ended up on someone’s else rely. Weird

[purple101]

who have they paid now...

ahh "Windows Central'

I see

[darthv72]

Its a great little starter system for 9th gen gaming. It does better as an 8th gen extension thanks to things like FPS boost but when it comes to 9th gen games it is really starting to show its limitations. Obviously the idea is to hold out for something better like a PS5 or SX but for anyone who is just looking for a cheap 9th gen point of entry... this is it.

[ChasterMies]

Nope, nope, nope. On an annual cost basis, a Xbox Series S is a lousy deal at this point in the console cycle. The Seried S is already struggling with current gen games. It won’t make it to next gen. The Series X and PS5 digital cost more now, but they will be useful far longer.

[Concertoine]

It has its place - mainly kids and casuals. You can find a Series S for like $230 more often than not, and it runs contemporary games, for now. And it plays everything a Series X does, which is a lot of games. My friends who only play sports games and a little COD have a Series S, and it satisfies them well enough.

To the avg N4G user, probably not satisfying and we can justify the upgrade to Series X or PS5. But to casuals, its solid. Also people in countries with less disposable income.

[TheColbertinator]

Thanks Windows Central. Another unbiased and well explained article to further push gamers towards a logical purchase.

[Plague-Doctor27]

This site is terrible at recognizing sarcasm

[Chocoburger]

Its literally the worst console that's available on stores shelves you can buy. If you MUST have an Xbox, save up your money, and buy the Series X! Don't be impulsive and impatient, and rush to buy the cheap-o gimpy system just to have something straight away. Patience is a virtue and it will pay off when you get a better system.

Of course saying that, the vast (vast!) majority of us know that there are better choices available than even the Series X.

[Good-Smurf]

Cheerful lol.
It looks like a boring grey brick, nothing cheerful about it not being able to own games.
PC digital stores and launchers' experience for me have been hollow and annoying so far and Series S will be even worse experience because you can't sail the seven seas with it yet and of course no mods.
PS5 is a much better choice but this being from windowscentral, there's not much wiggle room for anything else worth advertising about.

[Stanjara]

Garbage.

[Elda]

I would say just buy the Series X especially if you want higher resolutions. I had the Series S & soon traded it in for the Series X & it was worth it, though I play my PS5 much more.

[Phoenix76]

"This "advert" is brought to you by Windows Central. And paid for by Microsoft. SMH

[SimpleSlave]

Not even for a dollar...

[Hofstaderman]

Sales say consumers dont see any Series consoles as having any value.

[Futureshark]

This has been an advertorial by your friends at Windows Central. Stay classy Uncle Phil!

[anast]

PS5 digital or a mid range PC. The S is the worst value.

[Knightofelemia]

On a budget all right where you can probably fit 3 games on the internal storage. They had them on sale on Black Friday I didn't get one. If I was going to go for an S which I won't I would pay the extra $50-$100 for the black edition of the S with more storage. But keep in mind you get what you pay for so a game being nerfed to run on the machine is something to be considered before you buy the S. In all honesty if a person wants an Xbox really bad wait a bit save the extra cash and buy the X at least your old games will work on that system because of the Drive.

[Starman69]

The best choice is to work harder and buy a ps5 🤷🏻‍♂️

[BrainSyphoned]

No. Series X has way too many sales to be giving in for this waste of money. Unless you are buying an extra for your kid to play on a tv from 2004 I guess, which I regret doing myself.

[Popsicle]

Albatross of a console to an entire generation.