The Xbox Series S is the secret weapon—it plays all the new games for a fraction of the price, especially when paired with a subscription service like Game Pass. 2. Don’t Pay the "Impatience Tax"

Consoles almost always come with just one.

Two weeks later, Leo wasn't looking at a screen anymore—he was talking through a headset. The graphics were great, but the sound of his friend’s laugh coming through the speakers was the real return on investment.

If you want 4K graphics and the biggest blockbusters, you’re looking at the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X .