While it used to be relatively easy to stumble upon Xbox bundles before a price hike that Microsoft blamed on "macroeconomic developments", it isn't impossible to find the consoles for a reasonable price in 2025. Still, the naming convention can be confusing to those unfamiliar with modern gaming, and the differences between the highly praised Xbox Series X and budget-friendly Xbox Series S aren't obvious to casual observers.
While we've seen substantial discounts over Black Friday and Cyber Monday in previous years, early deals are starting to appear already. The discounts may not be as significant, but if you want to buy a console right now as a gift, waiting until post-Xmas sales likely isn't an option. Rather than having to search all the various retailers, we've scoured them all for you and created the following guide to the best Xbox prices right now.
Best Xbox Series X deals
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's higher-end gaming console, delivering top visuals and performance in the latest games. While usually far more expensive than its little brother, the Xbox Series S, holiday deals shave off some of the cost.
✅Perfect for: Those who want to play the latest and greatest Xbox games at their absolute best.
❌Avoid it if: You don't have a 4K TV or high refresh-rate display that can take advantage of anything over 60 FPS.
🔍Our experience: Xbox Series X review
🤔Where to buy?: Both Best Buy and Walmart have enhanced customer service if you sign up for their memberships, and sometimes only the free tier is required for things like seeing extra discounts. Walmart Plus and Best Buy memberships explained alongside Target Circle.
Best Xbox Series S deals
A normal Xbox Series S offers 512GB of storage, but you don't get a disc drive. That means all of your games will be downloaded from the Internet, and you must manage the internal space or pay for extra space.
✅Perfect for: Those who want to play the latest and greatest Xbox games a with a compact, efficient, digital-only console that doesn't cost too much.
❌Avoid if: You want to play physical games, as the Xbox Series S is an all-digital gaming solution.
🔍Our experience: Xbox Series S review
🤔Where to buy?: Both Best Buy and Walmart have enhanced customer service if you sign up for their memberships, and sometimes only the free tier is required for things like seeing extra discounts. Walmart Plus and Best Buy memberships explained alongside Target Circle.
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S: Which should you buy in 2025?
Choosing between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S in 2025 can be a challenging decision, given the fantastic features both consoles offer. While each has its strengths, the selection ultimately depends on your gaming preferences and priorities.
Let's delve into the details of the Xbox Series S first. As the more budget-friendly option, it delivers an impressive gaming experience, supporting games at up to 120 FPS. However, its resolution typically maxes out at 1080 or 1440p, unlike the consistently 4K-capable Xbox Series X. Despite this, the Series S boasts various current-gen features, such as Xbox Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, full backward compatibility with Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games, FPS Boost, Auto HDR, as well as audio enhancements like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.
With 512GB storage, the Xbox Series S is the option that most often sees additional value through bundles and discounts. The Series S is an excellent entry point for gamers new to the Xbox platform or those seeking a second console. Its drawbacks include the absence of a physical disc drive, limiting game options to digital downloads, which isn't a bad thing with a subscription to Xbox Game Pass, and the relatively modest storage space with the base 512GB model, though this can be expanded using compatible storage upgrades like the Seagate SSD expansion cards, or choosing the 1TB variant.
The Xbox Series X is a different beast entirely, albeit larger and more expensive. With superior capabilities, it can handle the best Xbox games at the highest resolutions, framerates, and visual settings. The Series X comes with 1TB of storage as standard and a physical disc drive that supports 4K Blu-Ray movies. While discounts on the Series X are less frequent, previous Black Friday deals have seen enticing offers, often bundled with acclaimed games like Call of Duty.
Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Series S redefined the gaming landscape, introducing a new generation of visuals and exclusive titles with a two-pronged approach to this generation of consoles. If you prioritize top-notch performance, 4K visuals, and advanced features like 120 FPS and ray-tracing, the Xbox Series X is the ideal choice, especially if you have a collection of physical Xbox One games. However, for newcomers looking for a more economical entry into the ecosystem, the Xbox Series S is a compelling option.
Whichever console you choose, you can rest assured you're getting the best prices right here.
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