Microsoft Xbox Series S (2020)

Small and affordable ; Can play all the same games as the Xbox Series X ; Blazing fast load times, thanks to SSD ; Strong backward compatibility, including accessories

Not as powerful as the Xbox Series X ; Half the storage space as the Xbox Series X ; No optical drive

A scaled-back version of the Series X, Microsoft's Xbox Series S carries a compelling $299 price, but it makes too many compromises to hit that wallet-friendly number.

Super affordable ; Compact, stylish chassis ; Blistering-fast load speeds ; Great performance

Lacks future 8K support ; Less power and storage than Xbox Series X

The Xbox Series S offers 4K gaming and lightning-fast load times in a small, compact chassis, but you miss out on some features in the name of affordability.

Impressive value with low RRP. Great design with silent cooling. Quick Resume multiple games and boosted loading speeds. Impressive FPS capabilities across many titles enhanced for new-gen consoles. Xbox Game Pass and future first-party investment are...

512GB SSD fills up rapidly. A handful of titles have visual issues that can't be ignored.

The Xbox Series S is the low-cost ticket into Microsoft's next generation of console gaming, clocking in at 1080p HD across most titles, with FPS often matching its Xbox Series X and PS5 counterparts. It's an ideal upgrade for existing Xbox One S...

Compact size

If you already own an Xbox One S or Xbox One X and don’t mind the performance and size, you can probably wait to upgrade. The Series S runs very similar software, very similar games, and has an almost identical controller to those older options. Later...

Fantastic game selection ; Smooth performance ; Sleek, quiet design ; Relatively inexpensive

Not very future-proof ; Graphics and storage limitations

The Xbox Series S is too niche to recommend to everyone. If you have a high-end 4K TV, you’re arguably better off with the Xbox Series X — particularly since with lower specs, the Series S may be less equipped to handle next-gen titles as they become...

Exceptional value ; Instant resume is a game changer ; Game Pass is fantastic

Lacking a must-have exclusive

If you're looking for a cheap way to get into the current gaming generation, there is no finer choice than the Xbox Series S. It's cheap, small, runs quiet, and offers you access to all the same games and services as the Xbox Series X, including Xbox...

Sleek, compact design ; Offered at a low price while still containing many of the next-gen features offered by the Series X ; Game Pass and backwards compatibility offer a vast library of games

No 4K support ; Lack of next-gen games at launch ; Expanding storage is costly

No matter how you slice it, the Series S offers a stellar value in terms of features, games catalogue and price, and it's easy to recommend to almost anyone

Major performance upgrade on Xbox One S ; Small and stylish design ; Next-gen SSD reduce loading times dramatically ; Incredible value considering the specs

500GB storage is far too small ; Lacks a disk drive ; No support for Wi-Fi 6

The Xbox Series S is the best next-gen console for anyone on a budget or without a high-end 4K TV, with the added performance power allowing for significantly better graphics than what’s possible with an Xbox One S. The stingy 364GB storage capacity is...

The smallest Xbox ever made Compact design, powerful specs Completely silent in operation Faster load times

Targets 1440p resolution when gaming 512GB SSD fills up fast No disc drive UI can be overwhelming at first

The Xbox Series S is a great entry point into new-gen gaming for those who have no qualms about buying games digitally or subscribing to Xbox Game Pass. It's a great option if you want to avoid the sizable financial outlay required to own a full-blown...