Games Consoles for Kids: Which One Should You Choose?

Kids love gaming. Lots of parents love gaming, too. (Family Mario Kart tournament, anyone?) But for the rest of us, the games console market can feel as confusing as a controller with no 'Start' button.

Your kids want the best games on the best consoles. But where do you start as a parent when there's so much choice, so much jargon and so much inappropriate content on the table?

Don't worry – we've got you covered. In this guide, we show you:

• What makes the best games console for kids (from a parent's point of view)
• How the latest consoles compare
• How to snag kid-friendly games consoles for less with 4gadgets

What Should Parents Consider When Buying a Games Console?

As parents, it's getting harder and harder to keep tabs on the tech our kids love to use. Smartphones and tablets are one thing. But games consoles come with their own set of concerns and considerations.

The good news is that you can follow a simple checklist to cut through the confusion. The best games consoles for kids are durable, offer good value for money and have child-friendly features built in. Ask yourself these questions and you'll be golden.

1. What Games Are Available?

There are two parts to this question.

First, is there a wide variety of games on offer? Your little ones will probably be disappointed if their only options are a fishing simulator or a golf game.

Secondly, are there many kid-friendly titles? There's no point shelling out for a games console for kids if the games library is nothing but guts and gore.

2. Does It Have Good Parental Controls?

Talking of guts and gore, every major games console has its fair share of questionable titles nowadays.

But don't worry. Console manufacturers have added parental control features to help you keep things safe, secure and age appropriate.

The question to ask yourself is whether these parental controls are up to par. Look for features like:

• The ability to block inappropriate content and unapproved purchases
• Screen time limits to curb those 12-hour gaming sessions
• Family accounts, so it's easy to manage who gets to see what

3. What Are the Online Safety Features Like?

Parental controls are all about making sure your kids can't access the wrong kinds of games or content. Online safety features, meanwhile, are there to keep kids safe when playing online with others.

The simplest and most effective option is to stop kids from gaming online altogether. But if your children insist on playing popular online games like Fortnite, you can often make things safer by disabling chat and voice messaging features.

4. Is It Durable and Portable?

This one's especially important for younger gamers. As any parent knows, the fastest way to break anything is to give it to a five-year-old. So, if you're buying a games console, you need to be sure it can take a beating.

If it's portable, even better. That way, they won't hog the family TV.

5. Does It Offer Good Value for Money?

Let's not forget the question of cash. As with any tech purchase, you want the best value for your hard-earned pounds. With games consoles, that means:

• Affordable consoles: brand-new consoles can cost £400 or more.
• Affordable games: games are getting more and more expensive. Mario Kart World recently launched for an eye-watering £75.
• Longevity: will the console and games library add up to hours of fun, or will it all end up in the back of a cupboard before long?

Worried for your wallet? Understandable. But the good news is that you can save cash by buying used games and refurbished games consoles. More on that later.

Best Games Consoles for Kids: The Main Contenders

Nowadays, three gaming giants rule the roost: Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. There are other options, but buying a console from one of these big names means getting a large games library and plenty of ongoing support.

Nintendo

Nintendo's latest console is the Switch 2. However, the original Switch still has plenty of life left in it.

Want a more affordable option? The 3DS is a sturdy, portable handheld system. It's now discontinued, but it has a great back catalogue of kid-friendly titles.

Sony

Sony's latest offering is the PlayStation 5 (PS5), which comes in several versions ranging from around £400 to £700 when purchased new. The older PlayStation 4 (PS4) is still supported and offers great graphics, popular games and robust parental controls.

Microsoft

Microsoft is the company behind the recent Xbox Series S and Series X. Both run the same games, but the X promises better graphics and smoother gameplay.

Before the S and X, there was the Xbox One. Like the PS4, this still has online support and a great back catalogue of games. However, no new games are being produced for the console.

Should I Buy the Nintendo Switch for Children?

The Nintendo Switch is often cited as the best games console for kids. But is it as child-friendly as it's cracked up to be?

In a word, yes. There's a good reason Nintendo has a squeaky-clean, family-friendly reputation. Its consoles are built with all-ages gaming in mind. Here's what that means for you.

It's Uniquely Portable

The Nintendo Switch is quite unlike any other console (except for the recently launched Switch 2).

See, the Switch is a hybrid console. You can play it in handheld mode (like a tablet with sticks and buttons). Or you can slip the Switch into its dock, detach the controllers and watch the games come to life on your TV.

That makes life easier for everyone. It means no need for TV hogging and an easy option for gaming on the go. Win-win!

Anyone Can Get to Grips With It

Nintendo calls the Switch controllers 'Joy-Cons'. These little gizmos are great for family gaming and delightfully easy to use.

For one, they're small enough for little hands. Put Nintendo's Joy-Cons next to the mighty Xbox controller, and it looks like you're comparing a beach hut with a skyscraper.

They're flexible, too. Kids can use two Joy-Cons at once for precise control. Or they can hand one to their sibling and have fun gaming together. That's right – with Joy-Cons, you get two controllers for the price of one.

There are Loads of Family-Friendly Games

The Switch's reputation as the best games console for kids means there are lots of age-appropriate titles to enjoy.

Parent-approved options include Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Pokémon: Let's Go! Pikachu! and any of the many Mario games for the system.

It Comes with Robust Parental Controls

A word of warning: despite the Switch's family-friendly reputation, there are still plenty of mature games in its library.

However, as long as you make good use of the console's parental controls, you shouldn't run into any problems. The console has a free app that lets you set play time limits, monitor your child's gaming activity and set restrictions based on their age.

Consider the Nintendo Switch Lite for Younger Kids

Worried about your fancy new tech getting bashed and scratched into oblivion? The Nintendo Switch Lite could be the answer.

This kid-sized variant of the Switch console is handheld only, so you won't be able to play on the TV. However, it's specially designed to stand up to rough and tumble, so it's a great option for younger kids.

And – bonus – it's cheaper than the full-sized Switch.

PlayStation vs Xbox for Kids: The 'Mature' Consoles Compared

Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox have a lot in common. They're both super-powerful systems, so you can expect flashier graphics and smoother gameplay than the Switch. However, they're far less portable. While the Switch can transform into a handheld console in seconds flat, these gaming powerhouses must stay firmly tethered to the TV.

The PlayStation and Xbox are also considered more 'mature' options, built more for grown-up gamers than kids. However, that's not to say there's a lack of family-friendly games available.

So, what's the difference? Let's compare their pros and cons.

PlayStation 5

The pros

• Great for older kids: with its library of deep, rewarding games and good graphics, the PS5 will keep teens occupied for years.
• The best exclusive titles: some games are only ever released for one console. The PS5 gets some of the best, including kiddie favourites like Astro Bot.
• Solid parental controls: in just a few minutes, you can set playtime limits, age restrictions, spending caps and more.

The cons

• The cost: want the very best version of the PS5? You'll need deep pockets. The Pro model costs a whopping £700 when you buy it brand-new.
• Limited options for young kids: many PS5 games are strictly adults-only. If you want the best selection of child-friendly titles, stick to the Switch.

Xbox Series S or Series X

The pros

• Game Pass: this subscription service is like Netflix for games. For a monthly fee, you can enjoy hundreds of popular titles, including kid-friendly options.
• Strong parental controls: like the PS5, the latest Xbox consoles have robust parental controls that are easy to set up.
• Affordable when used: a new, fully souped-up Xbox costs as much as £500. But you can pick up a refurbished Xbox Series S for about £220.

The cons

• Big and mighty: the Xbox controller is famously massive. Not so great for little hands…
• Decent but not great for kiddie titles: the Xbox might just beat the PS5 for its variety of kid-friendly games, but it has nothing on the mighty Switch.

Other Options for Cash-Savvy Mums and Dads

A new games console is a big investment. Sure, you're investing in happy times for your little treasures. But that doesn't change the fact that new consoles are expensive – and at a time when we're all feeling the squeeze, any savings are good savings.

Thankfully, there are ways to make your cash go further and still keep those game-hungry kiddies happy.

Buying Older Consoles

It's easy to fall into the trap of shopping for the latest and greatest tech. But if you have younger kids, will they really mind how many terabytes or megaflops their console can muster? Probably not. That's why many parents still swear by the old Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS. These handheld consoles have a huge library of kid-friendly games, including favourites like Pokémon, Mario and Sonic.

Nintendo doesn't make the 3DS or 2DS anymore. But you can pick them up on the used market for £135 or less.

Buying Refurbished Modern Consoles

If you do want the latest tech, remember that buying brand-new doesn't always mean getting the best value for money. If it's properly refurbished, a second-hand games console can be just as reliable as a factory-fresh device.

And you could make big savings by buying used. Case in point: a brand-new PlayStation 5 Pro costs around £480 for the base model. But a refurbished PS5 from 4gadgets – with all the same features – costs just £350.99. That's a saving of £129!

How 4gadgets Helps You Save

At 4gadgets, our goal is to bring you the best-quality tech at the lowest possible prices. When you buy refurbished games consoles from us, you can expect:

• Savings of up to 40% on the RRP
• A fully tested and cleaned console that works like new
• A 12-month warranty and 30-day returns
• Free UK delivery

Why not give your kids and your bank account something to smile about? Explore our used consoles today to find great deals on the PS5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.

The Round Up: Which is the Best Game Console for Kids?

We hope this guide helped you pick the right option for your family. Still scratching your head? Here are all the facts you need to make a decision.

Ready to treat your kids to some gaming magic? Explore refurbished games consoles at 4gadgets and you could save hundreds of pounds on the same great tech. Remember: it's good for the planet, as well as your wallet.