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Comparison of the 3 best previous generation gaming consoles (May 2026)

Discover our ranking of the 3 best previous generation gaming consoles based on our tests.
What are the best previous generation gaming consoles in may 2026? Comparison, reviews, tests & buying guides
  1. 🏆 Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Review: the old console that still works fine for cheap gaming and Blu‑ray
  2. 🥈 Sony CUH-2216A PS4 Slim Review: a basic renewed console that still gets the job done
  3. 🔥 Xbox One 500 GB Console Review: a solid home media box that still holds up if you’re not picky

Ranking

#1 🏆 Best choice
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console

PlayStation

Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console

🔥 Populaire
  • 320 GB drive is plenty for most users and easy to upgrade if needed
  • Built‑in Blu‑ray/DVD player plus free access to PSN for online play
  • Generally reliable hardware and lots of cheap used games available
The Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB is an old console that still holds up reasonably well if you approach it with the right expectations. It’s compact, has a useful 320 GB hard drive, and doubles as a Blu‑ray/DVD player with basic streaming. For older PS3 exclusives and cheap used games, it does the job without fuss. The hardware is generally reliable, especially compared to the early Xbox 360, and parts like hard drives and controllers are easy to replace if needed.On the downside, everything feels slower compared to modern systems: game installs, loading times, and even navigating the store. Some online features and apps are being phased out, and you’re definitely not getting 4K or HDR. Controllers can suffer from tired batteries, and you’ll almost certainly want a longer USB cable. Also, price matters a lot: if it’s close to a used PS4, I’d say skip the PS3 and go newer.In short, this console makes sense if you want an inexpensive way to play PS3 games, watch Blu‑rays, and don’t care about the latest tech. It’s good for kids, a secondary room, or anyone nostalgic about the PS3 era. If you want current games, fast interfaces, and long‑term online support, this is not the right choice anymore.
8.1 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#2
Sony CUH-2216A PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB Games Console Jet Black (Renewed)

Sony CUH-2216A PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB Games Console Jet Black (Renewed)

  • Console runs stably with no crashes or overheating in long sessions
  • Cheaper than a new console and backed by Amazon Renewed Guarantee
  • Compact, discreet design that still fits well in a modern living room
After using this renewed Sony CUH-2216A PS4 Slim 500GB for a while, my conclusion is pretty simple: it’s a solid, functional old-gen console with a few signs of age, backed by a guarantee that makes it less risky than buying from a random person. Performance is what you’d expect from a PS4 Slim: fine for 1080p gaming, stable in long sessions, and no nasty surprises on my unit. The refurb work seems focused on making it clean and reliable, not on making it look like a collector’s piece, and that’s fair for the price range.It’s not perfect: 500GB is tight, the controller battery clearly isn’t new, and cosmetically you can spot that it has lived a bit if you look closely. If you’re coming from a PS5 or a PC with SSD, loading times and frame rates will feel dated. But if your goal is to play PS4 games cheaply, set up a simple console for kids, or have a secondary machine in another room, it does the job without drama. The Amazon Renewed Guarantee is the main reason I’d pick this over a random used console: at least you’re covered if something goes wrong early.Who should buy it? People who want affordable access to the PS4 catalog, casual players, parents setting up a console for the family, or anyone needing a basic media and gaming box. Who should skip it? Anyone chasing top performance, big storage out of the box, or a "like new" experience down to the last scratch. In short: decent value, honest old hardware, as long as you know what you’re getting into.
8 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
🌟 Excellent See full review →
See offer Amazon
#3 🔥 Most popular
One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued]

Xbox

One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued]

🔥 Populaire
  • Quiet, stable console that still runs games and streaming apps reliably
  • Comfortable Xbox controller and access to the full Xbox ecosystem
  • Often available cheap used, making it good for secondary setups or kids
The Xbox One 500 GB in black is basically an old reliable box: not exciting, not cutting-edge, but still useful. As a console for casual gaming and streaming, it still holds up if you don’t care about having the latest graphics or lightning-fast load times. It’s quiet, reasonably sturdy, and the controller is still one of the nicest to use. For a second TV, a kid’s room, or as a cheap way to access the Xbox ecosystem and back catalogue, it does the job without much drama.On the other hand, the age shows. The 500 GB hard drive is small by today’s standards, performance is clearly behind newer consoles, and the design is bulky with an external power brick. If you’re sensitive to long load times or you want to play the newest titles in the best possible way, you’ll hit the limits of this machine pretty fast. Buying used also carries some risk: dirty units, tired hard drives, and mismatched condition versus listing.Bottom line: if you can get it at a low price and treat it as a budget media and gaming box, it’s a good, practical option. If the price is anywhere near a One S, One X, or Series S, skip this model and go for the newer hardware instead. This console makes sense for people who value cost and simplicity over performance and future-proofing.
6 /10
★★★★★ ★★★★★
👌 Good See full review →
See offer Amazon

Comparison table : Previous generation gaming consoles

Overall score Value for money Design Battery Durability Performance Presentation
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console
#1 PlayStation
Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal...
See offer Amazon
8.1/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Sony CUH-2216A PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB Games Console Jet Black (Renewed)
#2
Sony CUH-2216A PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB...
See offer Amazon
8/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued]
#3 Xbox
One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued...
See offer Amazon
6/10 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ - ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

According to our tests, the best previous generation gaming consoles is the Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console with a score of 8.1/10.

The cheapest previous generation gaming consoles in our comparison is the One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued].

The most popular previous generation gaming consoles is the One 500 GB Console - Black [Discontinued] with 2 709 customer reviews.

To choose a previous generation gaming consoles, we recommend comparing performance, build quality, value for money and user reviews. Our comparison table above helps you make the right choice.

We have tested 3 Previous generation gaming consoles to establish this ranking.
#1 Sony PlayStation 3 Slim 320 GB Charcoal Black Console
PlayStation
PlayStation 3 Slim 320GB
8.1/10 Best choice
See offer Amazon
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