Best Gaming Consoles for Streaming Cable 2024 [Review]

Streaming TV capability is a crucial factor in gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S), which are now just as many entertainment devices as they are games.

The Xbox Series X is the greatest Gaming Console for streaming because it supports the most streaming TV apps.

10 Best Gaming Consoles for Streaming Cable

However, both the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 have the required 8K HDR resolution for stunning visual quality, so either is a viable alternative.

It was always going to be a fight between the two most powerful Gaming Console on the market: Microsoft’s Xbox One S and Sony’s PlayStation 5.

Nintendo is featured because of its hesitant support for Hulu and YouTube and its unmet pledges to assist Netflix.

Let’s take a look at our top overall pick without further ado.

Best overall: Xbox Series X

Pros

• Up to 8K, HDR resolution is possible.
• Drives for UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD.
• Playback of video files from external hard drives is possible.
• There are plenty of TV/entertainment apps that are supported.

Cons

• Media player with a non-intuitive controller
• There is no Peacock support.

Because it supports more streaming TV (and music) apps and is the better-performing Console in terms of gaming, the Xbox Series X just edges over the PlayStation 5.

But, aside from that, the Gaming Console are feature-for-feature comparable, both in terms of gaming and streaming television.

Resolution and supported apps are the two most critical criteria to consider when streaming.

Fortunately, Xbox streaming supports up to 8K UHD resolution (though this is more relevant to gaming because there aren’t many 8K video out there) and dozens of Xbox streaming apps.

Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, CBS All Access, Youtube, Discovery Go, Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming apps are available on Xbox Series X|S.

The Xbox Series X also has a disc drive to play CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. You’ll also be able to play video files stored on external hard discs.

Although playing CDs and files isn’t necessary for streaming TV, they add to the Xbox Series X’s overall TV viewing experience.

Overall, it provides the most streaming options and power.

What about the Xbox Series S, you might wonder? After we talk about our “second best-overall pick,” the PlayStation 5, we’ll get into that.

Most available games: PlayStation 5

Pros

• Up to 8K, HDR resolution is possible.
• Drives for UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD.
• Playback of video files from external hard drives is possible.
• There are about two dozen TV/entertainment apps that are supported.

Cons

• There are fewer apps supported than on the Xbox Series X|S, and there is no YouTube TV support.

When we say the PlayStation 5 just missed out on the top place, we mean it.

In comparison to its Xbox equivalent, the PlayStation streaming offered much fewer TV apps at launch.

Since then, it’s caught up, and it now has a few apps that the Xbox consoles don’t (DAZN, NFL SUNDAY TICKET, Peacock), but it’s still behind.

Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, CBS All Access, Youtube, Discovery Go, Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming apps are available on PlayStation 5.

The PS5 contains an optical drive, just like the Xbox Series X, that can play all of your discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, UHD Blu-ray), as well as video files from an external hard drive. So it’s a two-horse race between these two.

Either Gaming Console, however, will treat you well.

In terms of streaming video apps, the PS5 will catch up to the Xbox Series X, just as the Xbox will catch up to the PS5, which has more games available.

Best value: Xbox Series S

Pros

• With an HDMI 2.1 connection, you can get up to 8K HDR resolution.
• Playback of video files from external hard drives is possible.
• There are plenty of TV/entertainment apps that are supported.

Cons

• There aren’t any included HDMI 2.1-metre cable
• There is no disc drive.

The Xbox Series S is 40 per cent less expensive than the Xbox Series X and is smaller, less powerful, and less costly.

It also lacks a disc drive, which is advertised as a feature on the Series X.

It’s dubbed “disc-free gaming” by Microsoft, and it’s aimed at those of you who prefer not to use physical discs.

While the Series S does not allow disc-based games or movies, it does support all of the same 4K streaming TV apps as the Series X.

So it’s a good option if this is your first console or if you want a next-gen console right now but doesn’t want to spend $500.

The Series S comes with an HDMI cable, but not the ultra-fast HDMI 2.1 cable that comes with the Series X that is required for an 8K resolution.

Best for portability: Nintendo Switch

Pros

• Resolution ranges from 720p to 1080p.
• There are two ways to watch (on-device or TV-tethering).
• Portability.

Cons

• There is only one TV app (Hulu).
• There will be no Netflix (still).
• There are no plans for other TV apps.

You may watch TV on the Nintendo Switch’s 5.5-inch touchscreen (in 720p resolution) or by connecting the Switch to your TV for 1080p.

Unfortunately, only one streaming TV app is supported by the Switch: Hulu. It also supports YouTube—but only YouTube for hilarious cat videos, not YouTube TV for live TV streaming.

Suggestion : Should you buy a Nintendo Switch ?

The reason for this is that Nintendo regards the Switch as primarily a game system and does not want to incorporate any more streaming TV apps.

That’s most likely why the firm hasn’t followed through on a four-year commitment to add Netflix support.

For the same reason, the Switch includes memory card slots and can play video files—but only with the help of an app.

Unfortunately, Nintendo has no plans to create or host one.

See also :

• Best Nintendo Super Smash Bros Deals
• 20 Nintendo Switch – Bundle, Games & controllers
• 45 Pokemon Deals – Pokemon Toys & Cards, Nintendo Switch Games

Final take

We’re dubbing the Xbox Series X the best overall gaming console for streaming since it supports the most streaming video apps—but it’s virtually a tie. Both the Series X and the PlayStation 5 include up to 8K resolution, an optical disc drive, memory card playback, and support for at least a dozen streaming TV apps. They’re also both $500. So with either console, you’ll be satisfied.

If you choose the Xbox Series S over the Xbox Series X, you’ll save $175–$200 and get much of the same features and capabilities. So take note, bargain hunters.

Only Nintendo aficionados would argue that the Switch is suitable for streaming TV.