PS4 Slim vs. Xbox One S: Which Should You Get?

Price

For many, the first factor that comes into play when it comes time to choose between two products is the price. Sure, you may be looking for certain features that you really want, but your wallet often has the final say in these matters. Unfortunately, price won’t help you out in this regard.

Both the PS4 Slim and the Xbox One S are $299. The Xbox One S is available right now in retailers and online, and the PS4 Slim will be in stores on Sept. 15, which is just around the corner. That’s a solid price for what is now the standard of each console, so you really can’t go wrong if you’ve been looking to dive into the current generation of console gaming. 

Games

Neither the Xbox One S nor the PS4 Slim are “new” consoles. They’re just smaller, slightly updated versions of the consoles you already know. That means the game libraries are exactly the same. If you already had a certain preference, that basically carries over to these newer iterations of hardware.

If Halo, Gears of War, and Forza are more your thing, then the Xbox One S has your name written all over it. Alternatively, if you’re a sucker for Naughty Dog games, want a wider selection of Japanese offerings, or are into any other Sony exclusives, then the PS4 Slim is waiting patiently for you to pick it up. There are third-party partnerships to consider as well. Sony has a solid thing going with Destiny and Call of Duty, while Microsoft and EA have been rubbing shoulders a lot lately.

Nobody knows what you prefer better than you, so go with what you love if you’re finding it difficult to make a choice. 

Technology

Both of these smaller consoles aren’t just smaller, they offer some new options to players as well. This is actually where the Xbox One S begins to shine. The new PS4 and Xbox One both support HDR gaming, offering some stunning lighting and coloring to the gameplay experience, as well as fancy new controllers. The new Xbox One controller is a bit more compact and lighter while also offering new grips, and the DualShock 4 sees a change to its touchpad. Both have an internalized power supply (bye bye, Xbox One power brick), and take up far less space on your shelf. But that’s where the similarities stop.

The Xbox One S also offers Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray and streaming to add a bit of oomph to the media side of things as well. While gaming is kept at standard HD, this boost to entertainment may very well be a deal maker for some, especially those who have no particular preference when it comes to games. 

Size

If size is a factor you need to take into account for whatever reason – shelf space, decoration, personal preference, etc. – then the PS4 Slim may grab your attention. Just like with their predecessors, the new PS4 is quite a bit smaller than the new Xbox One. That isn’t to say that the smaller Xbox is a giant, though. Both do look pretty sleek and compact, and color may also play a part in your decision depending on your entertainment unit’s decor. The PlayStation has a completely matte black finish, while the Xbox is white.

Which Is Better?

The Xbox One S offers more features than the PS4 Slim, there’s no two ways about it. They’re on par in terms of HDR gaming, being smaller versions of their predecessors, and having truly impressive game libraries (depending on your preference). But, when it comes to entertainment, that upgraded Blu-ray drive, and 4K streaming capability is pretty noteworthy.

Of course, if you could care less about entertainment and buy your consoles strictly for gaming, then all of that streaming and Blu-ray info goes out of the window. It will come down to your personal preference and possibly which box you think is prettier. Or, you may just opt to go with whichever one your friends have.

However, if you already have one of the standard models, this may be a good time to consider diving in with the competition as well. An Xbox One S may be a great companion to the PS4, as is a PS4 Slim to a standard Xbox One. Just something to keep in mind.