7 Reasons to Buy an Xbox One Instead of a PS4

What if you're a gamer out there who hasn't taken the plunge into the Xbox One or PS4? How are you to choose between the two consoles?

If you buy something using our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Things seem to have quieted down in the never-ending console war. Both companies are doing pretty well in the current generation, and things are ramping up towards the next consoles.

But what if you're a gamer out there who hasn't taken the plunge into the Xbox One or PS4? How are you to choose between the two consoles?

Fear not, because we're here to help. We're going to look strictly at the facts to help you see that the Xbox One is the console to go with.

We're not going to talk about which console has the exclusives we personally enjoy playing more, or which one has a more visually appealing interface, as those are subjective.

1. Xbox Game Pass/EA Access

One of the smartest moves Microsoft made with the Xbox One was the introduction of unlimited gaming subscription services.

Between Xbox Game Pass and EA Access, gamers can get access to hundreds of games for around $15 a month ($10 for Xbox Game Pass, $5 for EA Access).

While it's not quite to the level of a "Netflix of Gaming," it's still a pretty large quantity of games for a very low cost.

2. The Xbox One X Is Slightly More Powerful

This is really splitting hairs, but if you go with the Xbox One X over the PS4 Pro, you will get just a pinch more power from your hardware.

Now, that slight bump in power comes with a higher price tag (around $100 more), but if you absolutely must have the most powerful console on the market, you're going to want to go with an Xbox One X.

Here's a quick breakdown of the power offered by both consoles:

Xbox One: 8-core, 2.3GHz processor
PS4 Pro: 8-core, 2.13GHz processor

Xbox One X Graphics: 6 TFLOPS, 326GB/s, 12GB GDDR5
PS4 Pro Graphics: 4.12 TFLOPS, 218 GB/s, 8GB GDDR5

Again, it's not a huge difference, but it is there, and based on reports, a discerning eye can tell the difference with some cross-platform games, assuming you have a 4K, HDR TV.

3. The Xbox Elite Controller

I've gone on record before that I think the Elite controller is the best controller on the market. That's a subjective opinion, of course, but the fact remains that there is no first-party controller like it on the PS4.

You can go with a third-party company like SCUF or Evil Controllers on the PS4, but if you want something high-end that comes directly from the console manufacturer, Xbox is your only choice.

4. Xbox Play Anywhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8rWcAtBHoY

Xbox Play Anywhere is a nice feature for PC gamers. Basically, first-party games (those made by Microsoft-owned studios) purchased on Xbox One are also playable on PC without spending any extra money.

If you only play console games, then this won't make a difference to you, but if you enjoy a bit of PC gaming and you want your dollar to travel further, this is a cool deal that isn't offered by Sony.

5. UHD Blu-Rays With Dolby Atmos

If you're into watching movies with the highest fidelity with the best surround sound experience, the Xbox One X is the console to go with.

While the PS4 does have a Blu-Ray drive, the console doesn't support UHD Blu-Rays and Dolby Atmos, which means you won't get the best possible movie experience.

Of course, movies still look great in 1080p, but if you're the kind of fan who needs to see the best of the best, you're going to want to snag an Xbox One X.

6. Backward Compatability

If you like the idea of sticking your old disc into your console and playing it, you're probably going to lean towards the Xbox One, assuming you had an original Xbox or Xbox 360 previously.

Microsoft is constantly adding new games to its backward compatible list, so if there's something from the previous generation you want to play, there's a good chance it's either already on the list, or coming soon.

Microsoft has a full list of games, and as of this writing, there are over 500 Xbox 360 and original Xbox games supported, including some that have been scaled up to 4K for the One X.

7. Halo

This one doesn't really require much explanation: if you're a fan of Halo, the Xbox One is the console that has it.

They're Both Great

Let's be real here: both the Xbox One and PS4 are amazing pieces of hardware packed with incredible games. Personally, I own both, and I don't regret the decision to buy either one.

But if you're in a position where you can only have one console for one reason or another, the Xbox One does offer some pretty compelling reasons to choose it!