2026 has been an expensive year for gamers in Europe. The global memory-chip shortage pushed almost every console and handheld up in price. Sony added €100 to every PS5 model in April. Valve raised the Steam Deck OLED by more than €200 in May. Nintendo’s Switch 2 went up to €499.99 in September. Knowing exactly what you get for your money matters more than ever.
This guide covers the best consoles and handheld gaming PCs you can buy in Europe today. That runs from family-friendly Nintendo hardware to Windows handhelds that play your whole PC library. Prices are official European RRPs or launch prices where noted. Retailer deals vary.
Our picks at a glance
- Best for familiesNintendo Switch 2
- Best home consoleSony PlayStation 5
- Best handheldValve Steam Deck OLED
- Most powerful handheldASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
- Best for 4K TVsSony PlayStation 5 Pro
- Cheaper Windows handheldASUS ROG Xbox Ally
- Best Steam Deck alternativeLenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
Prices are approximate and change often. Ad
1. Nintendo Switch 2: the best console for families
The Switch 2 does what the original did, only much better. It is a home console you can pick up and take with you. Its 7.9-inch 1080p 120 Hz screen and Nvidia T239 chip give strong performance both docked and handheld. Nintendo’s exclusive games remain the main reason to buy one.
Battery life is short: Tom’s Guide measured around 2 hours 40 minutes in its test. The design is also plain. Since 1 September 2026 the RRP has been €499.99, up from €469.99.
Nintendo Switch 2
Strong performance both docked and handheld, with Nintendo's exclusives — the easiest console to recommend for households.
Pros
- Strong docked and handheld performance
- Plays anywhere
Cons
- Short battery life
- Flat, plain design
- Price rose to €499.99 in Sep 2026
2. Sony PlayStation 5: the best home console
The PS5 remains the default living-room console, with a vast library of exclusives and third-party games. Since 2 April 2026 it costs €649.99 for the disc version and €599.99 for the Digital Edition. Both went up €100.
Should you go disc or digital? Physical games can be resold or borrowed, while the digital model ties you to the PlayStation Store. If you buy most games on sale online anyway, the Digital Edition saves €50 up front.
Sony PlayStation 5
Still the default living-room console, available as a disc or cheaper digital-only edition.
- Editions
- Disc / Digital
- Output
- Up to 4K
- Best for
- Living-room gaming
Pros
- Huge library of games
- Choice of disc or digital edition
Cons
- €100 price rise in April 2026
- Digital edition locks you into online purchases
3. Valve Steam Deck OLED: the best handheld gaming PC
Tom’s Guide rates the Steam Deck OLED the best handheld overall. Its 7.4-inch HDR OLED screen looks gorgeous, and SteamOS is the most polished handheld software around. Games just work, and sleep and resume is instant. Your existing Steam library comes with you.
The AMD Zen 2 chip is ageing, so the newest AAA games need lower settings. Battery life was around 3 hours 12 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s test. The big change is price. Since 27 May 2026 it has cost €779 for 512 GB and €919 for 1 TB, a rise of €210–240 caused by the memory shortage.
Valve Steam Deck OLED
Tom's Guide's best overall handheld: the best screen and software in its class, running your Steam library anywhere.
Pros
- Gorgeous HDR OLED screen
- Polished SteamOS software
Cons
- Ageing chip
- Price rose €210–240 in May 2026
4. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X: the most powerful handheld
Built by ASUS with Microsoft, the Xbox Ally X pairs excellent ergonomics with AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and a large 80 Wh battery. It runs Windows 11 with a dedicated Xbox full-screen mode. That means Game Pass, Steam, Epic and every other PC store work on one device.
It launched at €899 in Germany in October 2025. We have not been able to verify the current price after the 2026 memory-driven increases, so check before buying. It uses a 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD rather than OLED.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
Excellent ergonomics and top-tier handheld performance, with Windows 11's Xbox mode for PC Game Pass and every PC store.
Pros
- Comfortable ergonomics
- Strong performance
- Large 80 Wh battery
Cons
- LCD rather than OLED
- Expensive
5. Sony PlayStation 5 Pro: the best for high-end 4K TVs
The PS5 Pro is for players with a premium 4K TV who want the sharpest, smoothest PlayStation image possible. At €899.99 since April 2026, it is a big premium over the standard PS5. The improvements are only really visible on a high-quality TV like those in our best TVs guide. For most people, the standard PS5 is the better value.
Sony PlayStation 5 Pro
The premium PS5 for owners of high-end 4K TVs who want the best possible console image quality.
- Output
- 4K
- Best for
- High-end 4K TVs
- Plays
- Full PS5 library
Pros
- Best PlayStation image quality
- Same library as standard PS5
Cons
- Very expensive at €899.99
- Gains only visible on good TVs
6. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally: a cheaper Windows handheld
The non-X Xbox Ally keeps the comfortable design and Xbox mode but uses the weaker Ryzen Z2A chip. It launched at €599 in October 2025. It is fine for indie games, older titles and streaming, but it struggles with demanding modern games. If performance matters, save for the Ally X or choose a Steam Deck OLED.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
The same comfortable design as the Ally X for less money, but with a weaker chip.
- Chip
- Ryzen Z2A
- OS
- Windows 11 (Xbox mode)
- Best for
- Lighter and older games
Pros
- Comfortable design
- Much cheaper than the Ally X
Cons
- Ryzen Z2A struggles with demanding games
7. Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS): the best Steam Deck alternative
Tom’s Guide picks the Legion Go S with SteamOS as the best Steam Deck alternative. It has a larger, sharper 8-inch 1920×1200 120 Hz screen and the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. The trade-offs are loud fans and poor battery life, around 1 hour 45 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s test. Choose it if screen size matters more to you than portability.
Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)
Tom's Guide's Steam Deck alternative: a larger, sharper 8-inch screen with SteamOS — at the cost of fan noise and battery life.
Pros
- Big, sharp 120 Hz screen
- SteamOS out of the box
Cons
- Loud fans
- Poor battery life
Handhelds compared
| Model | Valve Steam Deck OLEDBest handheld | ASUS ROG Xbox Ally XMost powerful handheld | Nintendo Switch 2Best for families | Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)Best Steam Deck alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TechHive score | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| Approx. price | €779 | Varies | €500 | Varies |
| Shop Ad | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
How to choose
Where do you want to play?
For the living-room TV, a PS5 is still the most straightforward choice. If you want to play both on the TV and on the go, the Switch 2 does both without fuss. If you already own a big Steam library, a handheld PC like the Steam Deck OLED unlocks it anywhere.
SteamOS or Windows?
SteamOS (Steam Deck, Legion Go S) is simpler and more console-like. Windows handhelds (ROG Xbox Ally family) run every PC store and Game Pass but need more tinkering. Microsoft’s Xbox mode makes that easier than it used to be.
Factor in game prices and subscriptions
The console is only the start. Online play on PlayStation and Nintendo requires a paid subscription. PC handhelds benefit from frequent Steam sales and free weekly games on other stores.
What about Xbox?
We have left Xbox Series consoles out of this list because we could not confirm current European pricing. Microsoft’s ROG Xbox Ally handhelds are its most interesting hardware this year.
Buying in Europe
2026 RRPs have risen, so retailer bundles and seasonal sales can make a real difference. In the EU you have at least a two-year legal guarantee from the seller, and usually a 14-day withdrawal right when buying online. Some models, such as the Steam Deck, are also sold directly by the manufacturer.
How we choose
We don’t test hardware ourselves. Our recommendations draw on reviews from outlets such as Tom’s Guide, combined with official European pricing reported by PC Games Hardware, Giga, Winfuture and Notebookcheck. We focus on consensus picks and point out the trade-offs.
FAQ
Why did consoles get more expensive in 2026?
A worldwide shortage of memory chips, which started in autumn 2025, raised component costs. Valve, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all increased European prices during 2026.
Steam Deck OLED or ROG Xbox Ally X?
Choose the Steam Deck OLED for the best screen and the simplest experience. Choose the Ally X for more performance and access to every PC store and Game Pass.
Is the PS5 Pro worth it?
Only if you have a high-end 4K TV and care about the best image quality. For most players, the standard PS5 offers better value.
What’s the best console for kids?
The Nintendo Switch 2. It has family-friendly games, works handheld and on the TV, and includes parental controls.
