In the world of gaming, the battle between Xbox and PlayStation is one of the most iconic rivalries. With the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 both dominating the market since 2020, gamers often ask:
Is Xbox better than the PS5?
The truth is—it depends on what kind of gamer you are. Let’s break down both consoles by performance, game library, online services, design, and more to help you decide which is right for you.
⚙️ 1. Performance & Hardware
| Feature | PS5 | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| CPU/GPU | Custom AMD (10.28 TFLOPs) | Custom AMD (12 TFLOPs) |
| Storage | 825GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Load Times | Super fast | Super fast |
| Disc Drive | Yes (except Digital Edition) | Yes |
| Quick Resume | No | Yes (multi-game switching) |
👉 Winner: Xbox Series X
Xbox is slightly more powerful on paper, with a bigger SSD and stronger GPU. Quick Resume is also a great feature for multitaskers.
🎮 2. Game Library & Exclusives
🔵 PS5 Exclusives:
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Spider-Man 2
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God of War: Ragnarok
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Final Fantasy XVI
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Demon’s Souls
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Horizon Forbidden West
🟢 Xbox Exclusives:
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Starfield
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Halo Infinite
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Forza Horizon 5
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Hellblade II
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Avowed (coming 2025)
👉 Winner: PS5
PlayStation is still known for its high-quality cinematic exclusives that win Game of the Year awards. Xbox is catching up, especially with studios from its Bethesda and Activision Blizzard acquisitions, but it's still developing its exclusive library.
💸 3. Game Pass vs PlayStation Plus
🟢 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
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100+ games (including day-one releases)
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Cloud gaming across PC, console & mobile
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Includes EA Play
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~$15/month
🔵 PlayStation Plus
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3 tiers: Essential, Extra, Premium
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Game catalog available (but no first-party day one)
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Streaming access with Premium
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~$10–$17/month
👉 Winner: Xbox
Game Pass is unmatched in value. You get hundreds of high-quality games including new AAA titles on release day, which makes it great for players who want more for less.
🧩 4. Design & Controller
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PS5 is larger, bold in design
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Xbox Series X is compact and boxy
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Xbox Series S is small, digital-only, and budget-friendly
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PS5’s DualSense controller offers advanced haptics and adaptive triggers
👉 Winner: Tie
PS5’s DualSense is more advanced and immersive, but Xbox’s controller is more ergonomic and familiar for long-time players.
🌐 5. Online Experience & Ecosystem
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Xbox Live is smooth, reliable, and cross-platform (with PC)
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Game Pass integrates across all Microsoft devices
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PS5 has improved its UI and network but isn’t as unified as Microsoft’s ecosystem
👉 Winner: Xbox
If you’re someone who switches between console and PC, Xbox’s ecosystem is more fluid and cross-compatible.
🎯 Final Verdict: Which Is Better?
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Performance | Xbox Series X |
| Exclusive Games | PlayStation 5 |
| Game Subscription | Xbox Game Pass |
| Controller Innovation | PlayStation 5 |
| Ecosystem Integration | Xbox |
| Casual-Friendly Model (Series S) | Xbox |
🏆 Overall:
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Choose PS5 if you love story-driven exclusives, cinematic gameplay, and immersive controllers.
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Choose Xbox if you value power, Game Pass, and playing across console + PC.
💡 Bonus: Want to Try Both Worlds?
You can pair a retro handheld console with either system for on-the-go nostalgia. Check out R36S Retro Consoles or our controller collection to level up your gaming experience—available with free worldwide shipping.