October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

How to Buy Gaming Consoles for Less Money

Compare the exact console model across new, refurbished, and pre-owned offers, then weigh the checkout total against included items, seller, warranty, and return terms.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The best way to buy a gaming console for less is to compare the exact model and edition across new, manufacturer-refurbished, and carefully checked pre-owned listings—then judge the final cost alongside included items, return terms, and warranty. A low headline price is not necessarily a better deal if it leaves you paying more for essentials or gives you less protection.

Compare the full cost, not just the console price

Start with the same console model, storage capacity or edition, and condition. Then compare the checkout total, including delivery and taxes, and account for any game or accessory included in a bundle only if you would otherwise buy it. An offer that includes unwanted extras may not be cheaper for you.

Before choosing, check the seller, included components, return window, warranty coverage, and whether the offer qualifies for any advertised price match. Prices, stock, and promotional terms change, so confirm the details for your country at checkout. The available sources do not establish live prices or a current best deal.

Where to look for a cheaper gaming console

New consoles and bundles

Compare console-only listings with bundles using the same model and edition. Value a bundled game or accessory at what you would actually pay for it, rather than treating the bundle’s stated value as cash savings. Check what is included and whether delivery, taxes, or other charges change the total.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Xbox Series S | Digital Gaming Console | 1TB SSD
  • BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
  • UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
  • 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
  • QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
  • FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.

Manufacturer-refurbished consoles

Official refurbished inventory can offer a lower-cost route with manufacturer-backed terms, but availability and warranty coverage depend on the product and market. The following examples are specific to the cited listings and should not be treated as universal guarantees:

  • Xbox: Microsoft’s US Certified Refurbished page says Xbox consoles have a 90-day warranty. Check the Microsoft Store listing for the particular console and its current terms.
  • Nintendo: Nintendo of America’s cited US refurbished system listings include a one-year limited warranty. Confirm the exact product’s listing and terms at Nintendo’s refurbished store.
  • PlayStation: Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe’s cited UK refurbished PS5 page states a 12-month manufacturer warranty. This is a UK example; check the listing and local terms at PlayStation Direct UK.

These warranty durations come from different companies, products, and markets, so they are not a like-for-like warranty ranking. Read the exact listing and check applicable consumer rights where you live.

Rank #2
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
  • Model Number CFI-2000
  • Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
  • Vertical Stand sold seperately

Pre-owned consoles

A used console may cost less upfront, but the deal depends on the seller, condition, what is included, return options, and any warranty that applies. Nintendo warns that products bought through the secondhand market do not carry its hardware or accessory warranty and advises buyers to research sellers. That warning is Nintendo-specific; check the relevant manufacturer’s terms for other brands.

Before paying, verify that the listing identifies the console model and condition, and ask whether essential cables, controllers, and other promised components are included. Read the seller’s return terms and confirm any warranty in writing rather than assuming it transfers with the console.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console
  • 6.2” LCD screen
  • Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
  • Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
  • Detachable Joy-Con controllers
  • Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends

Do not assume price matching will cover the deal

Price-match policies have exclusions. Best Buy’s US Price Match Guarantee excludes categories including refurbished, pre-owned, open-box, certain bundles, and some limited-quantity or promotional offers. Its policy and competitors’ rules can change, so check the current terms for the exact item and seller before relying on a match. Read Best Buy’s current US policy.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check trade-in offers against the price of buying

A trade-in can reduce the amount you pay for another console, but the value depends on the current offer, item condition, and whether payment is cash or store credit. GameStop’s 2023 annual report describes selling pre-owned platforms and accepting trade-ins for cash or store credit; it does not establish a current offer or the value of a particular console. Check the retailer’s live terms and compare any credit with the total you would pay elsewhere.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
PlayStation®5 Digital Edition (slim)
Model Number CFI-2000; Vertical Stand sold seperately
$598.99
Bestseller No. 3
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console
6.2” LCD screen; Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld; Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
$339.00
Bestseller No. 4
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity; Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
$696.00
Rank #4
PS5 - Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Gaming Console + Wireless Controller - 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 825GB SSD, 120Hz 8K Output, White
  • CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
  • 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
  • Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
  • HDR technology, 8K output,4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
  • What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition; DualSense; USB cable, HDMI cable.

A practical checklist before you buy

  1. Match the product: Confirm model, storage or edition, and condition across the listings you are comparing.
  2. Calculate the checkout total: Include taxes and delivery, and count bundled items only if they replace something you planned to buy.
  3. Check protection: Identify who provides the warranty, how long it lasts, and the return terms for that exact listing.
  4. Assess the seller and contents: Verify included accessories and components, especially for pre-owned consoles.
  5. Verify deal rules: Read current price-match, promotion, and trade-in terms rather than assuming an offer qualifies.
  6. Confirm before checkout: Recheck price, stock, and terms for your country; these details can change.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.