# What is the cheapest new gaming console you can buy in 2026?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/what-is-the-cheapest-new-gaming-console-you-can-buy-in-2026/
- Published: 2026-10-25T00:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:37:32+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2293029/cheapest-new-gaming-console-you-can-buy-2026/
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Switch Lite is the cheapest mainstream new console at $230.
- It cannot connect to a TV or play Switch 2 exclusives.
- Game prices can outweigh savings on the console.

## Summary

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the cheapest mainstream new gaming console featured, at $230. Its low price makes it a budget-friendly way to access a broad library of games, but buyers give up TV play and access to Switch 2 exclusives.

The article compares upfront prices with the longer-term cost of games. The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition costs $600 and Xbox Series S $500, while Switch 2 starts at $500; these digital-only options rely on store discounts or subscriptions. Handheld PCs cost more, but Steam and GOG often offer deep discounts, whereas Nintendo rarely cuts prices on older games, so the Switch Lite may cost more over time for players building a large collection.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.