This year, we divided the top performing 2021 4K TVs on Ben’s into 3 categories: high-end, mid-range and budget. We then crunched the numbers and assembled this guide to give our readers insight into what TV prices will be when Black Friday rolls around.

We’ve focused primarily on prices for the 65-inch models. The 65-inch size is the most popular right now, which shows the eagerness of American households to embrace bigger screens as the prices go down and the displays get thinner and lighter. TV makers are also packing their best features in this 65-inch range.

To meet the needs of consumers, TV manufacturers are making a wide range of display sizes, usually 42, 50, 55, 65, 75 and sometimes 80 or 85 inches.

Because TVs are refreshed on a yearly basis, we’re only looking at 2021 models, but you can certainly find even bigger deals on closeout 2020 models, though at this point in the year most are going to be refurbs.

Take note of your favorite models below and set a deal alert on Ben’s to get a jump on the lowest prices of the holidays!

Top 2021 High-End TVs

LG OLED TVs have dominated this category the past several years, but Sony OLEDs are gaining.

1. LG C1 Series OLED TVs (2021): We’ve seen the 65″ model of this amazing TV go for as low as $1527 on eBay and $1620 at Target, but realistically don’t expect it to dip much below $1700 for Black Friday. [Amazon]
2. Sony BRAVIA XR A80J OLED TVs (2021): LG’s biggest competition has seen the 65″ model go as low as $1571 on eBay, but we expect it to stay well above $1700 (probably around $1800) for the remainder of the year. [Amazon]
3. Samsung QN85A Series QLED TVs (2021): We recently saw the 75″ model go for as low as $1600 at Sam’s Club (+$45 for the membership). The 65″ model is hovering just below $1500 right now and probably will see another $100 off during the holidays. [Amazon]
4. Hisense L5 Series 120″ Laser Projector Android TV (2021): We’ve seen this awesome short-throw projector with included screen sell for $2500. It should hit that low price again around Black Friday or into December. [Amazon]
5. Samsung The Frame Series QLED TVs (2021): The 65″ model has recently gone as low as $1500, and that’s where you can expect sale prices to return around Black Friday. BuyDig.com sells it bundled with customizable bezels for a big discount. [Amazon]
6. Sony BRAVIA XR X90J Series LED TVs (2021): The 65″ model of this TV with top-notch picture quality is hovering just below $1200, and we’ll probably see most of the display sizes in this line go down another $100 during the holiday season. [Amazon]

Top 2021 Mid-Range TVs

If the high-end TVs are a little too rich for your taste, mid-range TVs have a nice balance of value with excellent picture quality and special features.

7. Amazon Fire TV Omni Series LED TVs (2021): Amazon has been very aggressive pricing its first line of official Amazon TVs. The 50″ model has been on sale for $360 and the 55″ for $410. We haven’t seen the 65″ go on sale yet, but we’ll probably see $100 off its $830 price tag (either a straight discount or gift card/credit) before the holiday shopping season is over. [Amazon]
8. LG NanoCell 75 Series LED TVs (2021): We’ve seen the 70″ model of this popular TV on sale recently for as low as $750. Expect Best Buy to get aggressive around Black Friday on all popular model sizes, like the 65″ hitting $650 or less. [Best Buy]
9. Samsung Q60A Series QLED TVs (2021): The 65″ model of this top-performing TV should hit $800 or less during the Black Friday season. [Amazon]
10. Hisense U6G Series Quantum ULED TVs (2021): We’ve seen the 65″ model go for as low as $650 and expect it to hit that price point around Black Friday. The 75″ model might get as low as $850. [Amazon]

Top 2021 Budget 4K TVs

If you want the very best bargains, then these panels are the ones to keep an eye out for.

11. Hisense A6G Series Android LED TVs (2021): The 70″ model is at its all-time low of $550 at Best Buy and you might see that move down another $50 during the Black Friday shopping season. [Best Buy]
12. TCL 4 Series Roku LED TVs (2021): Walmart recently sold a 55″ 4-Series TV for $228, which could come back for Black Friday. Other 4-Series TVs will get big discounts at other retailers during the holidays. [Walmart]
13. Insignia F30 Series Amazon Fire LED TVs (2021): Best Buy currently has the 58″ model for $350 as a “Black Friday guaranteed” price. The 65″ model is $490 and is certain to go down another $50 to $100 for Black Friday. [Best Buy]
14. Element Frameless Roku LED TVs (2021): Target recently sold the 65″ model for $300 and the 75″ model for $550, and these special “made for Black Friday” TVs will certainly hit that price again in November. [Target]
15. onn. Roku LED TVs (2021): The 65″ model is expected to hit $300, possibly even $200 for in-store doorbuster situations, at Walmart. The 70″ model is advertised on Black Friday for $398. If you’re looking for crazy prizes this 2021 Black Friday, onn. is your choice. [Walmart]

Check Ben’s for the latest 4K TV deals

2021 Gift Guide: Top 4K TVs and How Much You Will Pay For Them

After Microsoft released pricing on the upcoming Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S last week, Sony has responded today with the launch price of both the digital-only PlayStation 5 as well as the model with a disc drive. The base model without a disc drive will be released on November 12 for $399 and the disc model will sell on the same day for $499.

Sony has been tight-lipped on any other differences between the two models. Considering how inexpensive a disc drive is, it’s possible that the digital model comes with less storage space than the $499 model.

Sony announce that the new consoles will be available for preorder at select major retailers on September 17. In addition, Sony is attempting to keep some of the preorders in-house, offering one PS5 preorder per PSN ID on the PlayStation site.

Besides the consoles, Sony will be selling a DualSense charging station for the controllers, a HD camera, a Pluse 3D wireless headset and a media remote with buttons for direct access to popular streaming services like Netflix.

Last week, Microsoft announced two next generation models, the $299 Xbox Series S and the $499 Xbox Series X. Both of those consoles are expected to launch on November 10, 2020. In addition, Microsoft and major retailers will start taking preorders for both consoles on September 22.

Sony announces PS5 price & launch date and preorder date for the digital-only and disc model

As of today, Microsoft has officially unveiled both the Xbox Series X ($499) and Xbox Series S ($299) gaming consoles. Both are timed for a November 10 launch date, just two weeks before Black Friday. Preorders for both consoles start on September 22 at all major retailers.

Sony is expected to announce the release date of the PS5 soon as well as the retail price of both the model with a disc drive and the all-digital model without a disc drive. Pricing will likely be in the $499 range.

Of course, new consoles are rarely, if ever, discounted at release, beyond a minimal amount of savings when purchasing with console with a handful of games in a pricey bundle. We’ve got a few tips that could help you shave some dollars off the retail purchase price!

1. Look very carefully at AMEX / Discover / Chase card special offers (and save your points!)

Over the last 12 months, all of these credit card companies have offered special bonuses for spending at a certain threshold. This gets even more aggressive during Q4.

For instance, I took advantage of an offer from Discover in early April that offered 20% off on orders up to $250 when paying with points at Amazon. I used exactly $0.56 of rewards points (my current balance at the time) and got an additional $50 off my order for paying with Discover. These offers have been predominately linked to purchases at Amazon, but I wouldn’t be shocked if more retailers (like Best Buy) offer something similar during Q4.

The first downside to this method is that you need a balance of reward points to spend in order to take advantage of the deal. If you have zero points, you are out of luck. On Amazon, you can adjust the number of points you spend during a purchase, ideal for keeping a few cents on hand to take advantage of a deal like this.

The second downside is that these offers can be targeted narrowly or broadly. There’s also a limited number of uses. But if you are lucky enough to qualify, you could knock $50 of the price of Series S bringing it down to $250 or 10% off the price of Series X or PS5.

We frequently post these credit card offers on Ben’s. In addition, you should check the rewards sections of your credit cards to see if there are any additional bonus offers for spending money at specific stores. AMEX frequently likes to offer additional bonus credit for shopping at retailers.

2. Look for bonus credits when trading in your older consoles at retailers

GameStop is particularly notorious for offering additional bonus credits when trading-in an older console as a new generation of consoles comes out. These bonus credits are typically $50 to $100 on top of the standard trade-in credit. Presumably, they are attempting to encourage you to purchase the new console at their store.

In you are trading in a collection of older games as well, be aware that GameStop’s store credit offer is typically better than the cash offer when it comes to trading in software. In addition, look for weeks when GameStop offers bonus % credits on software trade-ins. These typically range from 20% to 50%, increasing the amount of store credit you have to use when purchasing a PS5 or Xbox Series X.

If you prefer the cash route, look ate the trade-in values at places like Amazon or Decluttr. Regarding timing, you may want to check prior to the launch of new systems as trade-in values will continue to fall as we get closer to the November launch dates of the new systems.

3. Look for the post-purchase bonus gift card / store credit offers around Black Friday

There are a handful of retailers (particularly in November) that like to reward consumers when they purchase an expensive item. In the Black Friday ads, you will frequently see larger retailers like Target and Walmart offer an additional $25 to $40 gift card when purchasing a new gaming console.

This is specifically designed to get people into the store on Black Friday, but also helps online orders. In addition, look at Best Buy and Dell to see if they have any additional gift cards to sweeten the deal.

In addition, look to retailers like Kohl’s who have their own store credit systems in place like Kohl’s Cash. Last year, Kohl’s was offering $15 for every $50 spent during Black Friday. If you purchase an Xbox Series X, that’s basically a $150 store credit that you will have to spend the following week. Yes, you paid full price for the console, but you are effectively spending $500 to purchase $650 worth of goods.

4. Watch the Microsoft Store and Sony Store carefully for sales

In the past, the Microsoft Store has been particularly aggressive when offering sales on consoles as well as games. While you may have to purchase the console at full price, it’s possible a bundle will be offered with a pack-in game. It’s possible that Microsoft will package a bonus offer of 3 to 6 months of Xbox Game Pass with the purchase of a new console.

Traditionally, Sony has been more stingy with sales through the online Sony Store. However, it’s possible that additional competition from Microsoft will bring about more direct sales to consumers this year, especially with COVID impacting supply lines and inventory.

5. Check your current generation of games for free upgrades

As we all know, hardware isn’t the only thing that’s super expensive at a console launch. Upgrading to a new generation of games is typically very expensive. Thankfully, there’s a new upgrade process this year that many gaming developers are utilizing.

If you purchase the Xbox One or PS4 version of the game, many developers are allowing you to download a digital copy of the Series X or PS5 version for free (or upgrade for a fee around $10).

Here’s a full list of games that can be upgraded for free (if a fee or special edition is required, it’s noted):

• Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (requires $10 upgrade fee)
• Call of the Sea
• Chorus
• Control (requires additional purchase)
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Dead by Daylight
• Destiny 2
• DIRT 5
• Doom Eternal
• Fable 4
• Far Cry 6
• FIFA 21
• Forza Horizon 4
• Gears of War 5
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Halo Infinite
• Hitman 3 (Digital version only)
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Little Nightmares II
• Madden NFL 21
• Marvel’s Avengers
• Metal: Hellsinger
• NBA 2K21 (only the Mamba Forever edition)
• Sea of Thieves
• Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
• The Ascent
• The Elder Scrolls Online
• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
• Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2
• Watch Dogs Legion
• World Rally Championship 9
• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

5 Tips on saving money on the Xbox Series X / Series S & Sony PS5 at launch

With the Sony PlayStation 5 and the Microsoft Xbox Series X currently slated to hit shelves at the end of 2020, we’ve come up with a handful of tips to help you save money on the upcoming next generation consoles as well as the games / services that come with each platform.

Tip 1: Invest in cheap subscriptions to PlayStation Plus & Xbox Live Gold now before prices potentially go up.

As of late, sales on 1-year of PlayStation Plus has been hovering around the $30 price point (MSRP: $60). Those sales are extremely frequent, not specifically limited to big sales like Prime Day or Black Friday. Xbox Live Gold sales are less frequent, but usually around the $40 price point.

If you plan on investing in the next generation of consoles, you run the risk of a price increase on services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Live Gold at some point in the product life cycle. It’s always a good idea to stock up on these 1-year subscriptions as you can stack multiple years. You can stack up to 4 years of PlayStation Plus and 3 years of Xbox Live Gold.

The same advice goes for game subscription services like PlayStation Now and Xbox Game Pass. Look for more aggressive deals on both of those services prior to the launch of the new consoles and avoid any potential price increase after the PS5 / Series X launches in North America.

Tip 2: When buying games this fall for your PS4 or Xbox One, look for a free next gen upgrade option.

Some publishers are announcing free, next gen versions of a game when you purchase the current gen version. The upcoming Avengers game from Square Enix is one such game. The developer is promising the ability to move your save files easily to next-gen consoles, transfer all player profiles / progression stats, and cross-platform play with PS5 / PS4 players.

They are also promising an upgraded gaming experience with faster load times (likely due to SSD drives in the PS4 and Series S), ray tracing, higher resolution textures and features like 60 frames per second at 4K resolution.

Other upcoming games that will get free upgrades on next gen are Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, Far Cry 6 and Watch Dogs Legion. Free upgrades will be a great way to see how the next gen consoles can scale up titles originally programmed for previous gen hardware.

It’s likely that these upgrades will be digital-only, thus you will have to prove ownership by popping in the disc if you purchased a physical copy of the game. Digital versions of the game (purchased on Ps4 / Xbox One) will likely just automatically unlock on the new consoles.

Tip 3: If you want to take advantage of 4K, October / November is the time to a new display on sale.

With Amazon pushing Prime Day into October this year (most likely) and November being the month of the best sales on electronics due to Black Friday, there will be no better time to make the jump to a dedicated 4K display for your gaming needs.

Both consoles will support 4K gaming at 120 Hz, both will support HDMI 2.1 for 48 Gbps data transfer rates. Be aware that if you purchases a 4K TV in the last few years, you may be stuck with a HDMI 2.0 port (which is limited to 18-Gbps bandwidth). Samsung’s QLED TVs are probably a good bet for the functionality you will need as well as LG’s OLED lineup of TVs. I wouldn’t invest in 8K until pricing drops considerably.

As for sale timing, watch throughout November for flash sales at Amazon, Best Buy, eBay and other retailers for great prices on your next set. The same advice goes for any other home theater electronics you want to upgrade to like speaker systems, high end cables and other gear.

Be aware that Sony is attempting to roll out a 3D audio format (Tempest Engine ) directed at headphones for the PS5. It may be more cost effective to spend money on a solid set of headphones rather than a full Dolby Atmos system for your audio needs. Microsoft is offering a similar 3D audio technology called Window Sonic (but it can be flipped off in favor of Dolby Atmos instead).

For those interested in HDR, Microsoft is attempting to include a HDR reconstruction technology in the Series X, specifically designed to improve graphics in older games. It’s likely the PS5 and Series X will support all available HDR display tech for both gaming and movie playback.

Tip 4: Look for bonus credit deals when trading in your old console.

This happens quite often when a new console is released. Companies like GameStop will offer bonus in-store credit when selling your old console. It’s possible that Amazon and Best Buy will copy that model when the PS5 / Series X release dates are finally announced.

In previous years, GameStop has added $50 to $100 on top of the normal trade-in price. That can be applied to your new console purchase or applied to any games / accessories you will need on day one.

Of course, the potential disadvantage to this is that your existing console needs to be in pristine working condition to receive the full store credit. This means you will have to include the original controller, all original cables, any included headset and other accessories that came in the original box. Personally, I hang onto my original box as well, just because it’s easier to keep all the accessories I’m not using in a single place.

If you want to avoid the trade-in process entirely, you could also save money by utilizing a PS4 or Xbox One as a dedicated multimedia hub rather than a gaming console. It can be installed at a secondary TV in your home and used as a 4K disc player, streaming media player, etc…

One final point, it’s possible that Microsoft or Sony could surprise everyone with a trade-in offer of their own. Watch the reaction when the prices of the consoles are announced and see if there’s push back from the community. A trade-in deal might be a response to a high price point of the next gen hardware.

Tip 5: Beware of the Bundle / Beware of Digital-Only Consoles

As with every console launch, there will inevitably be bundles offered by all kinds of retailers. Bundles are specifically designed to help the retailer make money on additional games and accessories (since the margins are razor-thin on the hardware).

Bundles aren’t inherently a bad deal; you can save some money IF you want everything in the bundle. But bundles typically are packaged with at least 1 game that’s reviewed poorly or simply not a popular option. Ideally, you should preorder early on sites like Amazon and choose the console only option.

The same advice goes for digital-only consoles. While you will be able to save money on a digital only console (usually $50 to $100 off the versions that plays discs), SSD storage space will be limited in the first generation version of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. In addition, you wouldn’t be able to trade-in or sell physical copies of games (if you like doing that to save money).

A digital version of the consoles will likely make more sense when 2TB options are available for a reasonable price. I can tell you that I already struggle with data management on a 1TB SSD drive on the PS4. I can’t imagine how worse data storage is going to get with larger resolution files.

Interestingly, the PS5 will be coming with a NVMe SSD Slot for storage expansion. The company hasn’t stated what the capacity of that storage slot will be though. NVMe SSD storage scales up to 4TB, but can get considerably pricey. Microsoft is going a proprietary route and selling 1TB expansion cards created by Seagate.

Bonus Tip: Become a Patient Gamer, just wait.

If you don’t mind waiting a couple years, you are really in the best financial position when it comes to next gen hardware. Within two years, both companies will likely have released new & improved versions of the PS5 & Series X for less than the first generation hardware will cost.

The cost of games will plummet, especially all the first party exclusives released for both consoles during the first two years. You could even pick up a steal on first-gen hardware as the impatient gamers rush to upgrade their existing hardware.

There’s even an entire Reddit sub dedicated to this gaming lifestyle.

5 Ways to Save on your upcoming PS5 / Xbox Series X purchase

Last year, as I mentioned in our Hardware Gift Guide, it wasn’t the easiest experience to simply go out and pick up the latest Xbox or PlayStation console over the holiday season, as the variety of models had saturated the shopping experience.  Pros and cons of all the systems – including monetary investment and the newness of premium consoles – made it difficult to choose, even for the ardent gamers out there.   However, the past year has brought more focus toward what’s worth the investment and what’s not, particularly in terms of Xbox’s newest iteration of the Xbox One: a $500 machine, the Xbox One X (click here for our review) that has justified the extra dollars spent with proven elevation in gaming performance and media functionality.

With that said, this year has also proven to be lopsided in terms of the quality of exclusive titles, heavily in Sony’s favor. Between a return – well, a rebooted return — to a popular mythical franchise from the heyday of the PS2 era to a well-executed, endlessly enjoyable portrayal of a beloved superhero and his swinging across New York, there’s no disputing the popularity of the games that could only be played on the PS4 this time around. While the Xbox One plows away at backwards compatibility and offering the technically superior way to enjoy cross-platform releases, the PS4 has substantial gaming tricks up its sleeve that Microsoft cannot deliver, making the decision between Option A and Option B tough as always.

Below, this guide will attempt to bring a little more focus onto which systems might be best to pick up over the holidays for both veteran and new gamers, either as the prized gift for a loved one or as the best usage of one’s giftcard funds.  Remember to also check out Bens’ Bargains Software Gift Guide to see which games not offered in bundles would best pair with any of the below systems.

For Those Gearing Up for 4K Warfare, Gift This.

Xbox One X 1TB Gears 5 Bundle

Pros: 4K Gaming/Media, Backwards Compatibility, Gears 5 Included | MSRP: $399

Click Here to Buy on Amazon Or Search Ben’s for Xbox One X Deals

As I mentioned in our software guide, Gears of War has sustained a reputation as one of the leading exclusive properties for the Xbox, turning into one of the big system sellers for the 360. While other entries in the series have been released on the One to mostly positive but mixed receptions, Gears 5 seems to be the one that’s designed to evolve the franchise for a new era. Whether it’s for newcomers to the franchise or those that have fondness of it for generations past, this Xbox One X bundle will be a wonderful way to enter the fray.

Several years have passed since the release of Microsoft’s juiced-up version of the One, and the years since then have further cemented its position in the market as the versatile machine of the bunch. It still bests the competition as a media device by coming preloaded with a 4K Blu-ray player, which has been tightened in functionality since its initial buggy release.  More graphically impressive titles continue to come out bearing the “Xbox One X Enhanced” label as well, and while the output has slowed down for the backwards compatibility feature, the catalog now stands as a length roster titles across several platforms for lots of legacy gaming. Having the entire Gears of War remastered catalog included with a stylishly designed Gears-themed Xbox One X for $400 bucks … well, it warms the heart.

For Those Wanting to Answer that Call of Duty, Gift This.

Being completely honest here? There aren’t many video game gifts better than this bundle. Now, that isn’t a comment on the quality of the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare itself; it has received strong, if reserved praise as well as some controversy about the brutal realism depicted in it. However, objectively and on the surface, it’s tough to find a more reliable complete package to wrap up and give somebody than a state-of-the-art PlayStation with the latest COD included, loaded and ready just as soon as it’s plugged in and set up.

Are there any extra goodies packs with this PS4 Pro bundle? Negative.  It comes in the standard all-black iteration of the 1TB console, the ergonomic and highly lauded PS4 controller, the standard components of the system, and Call of Duty.  That’s it, and that’s all it needs at the $400 price point, as it’s a fine-tuned 4K gaming machine; note, however, that it still doesn’t come with Blu-ray media playback. The Spider-Man bundle from last year comes close to being a “better” package, and I still wholeheartedly recommend grabbing that one if possible, but these bundles have a tendency of selling out pretty quick due to the intrinsic value built into ‘em.  Definitely set sights on this one.

For Those Who Need Just the Essentials to Explore, Gift This.

Last year, I recommended grabbing the Fallout 76 bundle for the Xbox One X because it was a convenient, marginally more cost-efficient way to give Bethesda’s online open-world game a chance. Similar logic applies to this bundle, though this year we’re talking about the Xbox One S and BioWare’s newest game, Anthem. Since its release, much like Fallout 76, this game has gotten a beating for its loot issues and perceived monotony of missions, though others have spoken up about it being a better sci-fi loot shooter than it gets credit for. Microsoft gives players the opportunity to dive into BioWare’s world with this budget-minded bundle of their Xbox One S system.

The longer the Xbox One X remains on the market, the more the S model moves further away from the spotlight, and that’s a shame.  It may have been a gap-bridging version of the console, but it made a number of reputable, welcome tweaks to the original clunky Xbox One, from its general size and power supply placement to the inclusion of 4K UltraHD disc playback; it can upscale games to 4K resolution but cannot process them as such natively. At $250, the system itself remains one of the best values for the buck in the gaming spectrum, and the inclusion of Anthem elevates that value.

For Those Who Like Portable Consoles in One Package, Gift This.

By now, everybody understands the novelty and popularity of the Switch, to the point where you can just — *gasp* — walk into stores and buy them whenever you want now. Part of the appeal of Nintendo’s latest system lies in its portability, but it’s also within the versatility of the system, in that it can either be a fully transportable unit or set up in one’s living room as the main gaming console. A dedicated mobile gaming system has become a tricky area in the realm of tablets and mobile phones that can simply play high-resolution games, but if anyone can nail it, it’d be Nintendo.  So, of course they’ve made an attempt with the Nintendo Switch Lite: a fully-functional Switch + screen that isn’t convertible.

The experience one gets from traveling with their Switch has been fully duplicated with the Lite: so long as the game has the requisite handheld mode, it can be played here either digitally or by cartridge. That’s the vast majority of games available, which of course includes titles like Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey to Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, even though the portable format may not be the most ideal way to play ‘em.  What makes this desirable above a regular Switch, outside the price difference? It’s lighter, more streamlined, and less clunky than its multi-component counterpart, and doesn’t sacrifice the quality of screen or resolution by scaling down about an inch. This is clearly the move that hopes to nudge the 3DS out of the way for Nintendo’s portable slate, and it just might happen.

For Those Who Dig a Little Character In Their Controller, Gift This.

Several years ago, I mentioned the Xbox Design Lab as a gift option when the customize-your-own controller service was in its infancy.  Even when it only features an array of color options, it made for a great way to personalize one’s own gear or give the gamer in your life something personalized; the engraving option’s a nice touch, too. Several years later, Microsoft’s still at it with their Design Lab, only they’ve brought in several other options that might be worth another look, perhaps if simply selecting different colors wasn’t enough customization for some in its early stages.

While you can’t go wild with a bunch of different patterns, Microsoft has opened their signature geometric camouflage and color-fade umbra designs, each available in five different color options. From there, the variety hinges on what colors you’d like to make the buttons, triggers, and battery chassis; while there are plenty of (the same) color options for the elements that can be a variety of colors, the core ABXY and menu buttons remain the same monochrome-ish options. And if you want to show team spirit, there’s a (somewhat hidden) option to select from a series of NFL logos that will be placed in large fashion on the face of a white controller.

For That Player Running Low On Hard-Drive Space, Gift These.

As consoles get more advanced, the games they run take up even more digital space with their installations, updates, and downloadable content. Base models of this generation’s consoles – some at 500GB, but most now getting to 1TB of space – can’t store very many games, which throws a conundrum at owners: should they upgrade their systems to newer ones with bigger hard-drives, or upgrade their storage solutions?

Thankfully, it’s a fairly easy problem to solve on both consoles, as the Xbox One supports external USB hard-drives and the PS4’s internal hard-drive can be swapped out. Seagate has affordable, compatible options for both, with each of their 2GB varieties priced at around $85.

For Online Players and Freebie/Deal Hunters, Gift These.

Xbox Live 12 Month / PlayStation Plus 12 Month

Pros: Free Monthly Games, Weekly Exclusive Deals, Online Gaming Access | MSRP: $59

XBLA 12 Month on Amazon PSN 12 Month on Amazon

While the primary reason for purchasing subscriptions to either PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live used to boil down to having access to online gaming, both companies have taken strides to make their paid memberships really worth the monthly, quarterly, or yearly investments.

Weekly exclusive deals on a variety of digital games can be nice, of course, but how they’ve upped their value games can be found in the monthly free game offerings (regularly covered here at The Checkout), which range from quirky indies and day-one releases to the occasional high-profile title. And in the case for Xbox, their 360 offerings are routinely backwards compatible on the newer console, too, bringing Xbox One owners up to four available freebies per month.

For Switch Users Who Want Nostalgia and Functionality, Gift This.

PowerA Wireless Gamecube Controller for Nintendo Switch

Pros: Duh, a Wireless Gamecube Controller; Motion Controls; Officially Licensed | MSRP: $35-50

Click Here to Buy at Amazon Or, Y’know, Grab Nintendo’s Pro Instead

So, the $60 price tag for Nintendo’s Pro controller seems intimidating, especially for a regular old black controller without much personality.  It seems too … smooth, regular, indistinctive, and perhaps that conjures memories of gaming sessions past. Obviously, one of the controllers on the other side of that spectrum would be Nintendo’s very own Gamecube controller: y’know, the funky-shaped one with buttons in all sorts of weird areas, yet positioned in such a way that managed to be both comfortable and near-perfect in responsiveness.  PowerA remembers, and hopes to take players back to that time with their Switch Gamecube Wireless controller, at nearly half the price of Nintendo’s primo device.

An officially licensed replica bearing the Switch logo, this wireless controller mimics the wired Gamecube controller in just about every way, with some additional buttons and features to bring it closer to the functionality of Nintendo’s official offering.  While there isn’t any vibration or Amiibo interactivity, it does – perhaps surprisingly — include motion control reactivity for the games that require or benefit from it.  Moreover, PowerA have increased the size of the D-pad in an effort to boost responsivity, and the thumbsticks both click downward for use with other Switch games. Smash Bros. aficionados will have preferences in feel, but as a general Pro controller alternative, it’s a winner.

2019 Gift Guide: Video Game Hardware and Accessories

Looking for the best smartwatches to give as gifts this holiday season? We’ve collected our top favorites this year, the majority of which have nothing to do with that popular fruit company in Cupertino. Check out our picks below:

Huawei Watch

Gaining a 4.5 out of 5 star review rating on Amazon, the Huawei Watch has quickly become one of the more popular smartwatches on the market due to high-end design. The watch offers a 1.4″ full circle AMOLED display (42 millimeter) as well as a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 4GB of storage and roughly two days of battery life.

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• MSRP: $299
• Best Recent Price: $200 (refurb)

Check Price on Amazon

Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch

Stepping up with a beautiful display at 360 by 360 resolution, the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch is Samsung direct response to the Apple Watch. The stylish watch includes a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage. In addition to providing notifications from your Android smartphone, it also include a built-in fitness tracker. The watch will offer a 3-day battery life.

• Compatibility: Android Only (for now)
• MSRP: $299 to $349
• Last-Gen Alternative: Samsung Galaxy Gear S for $150

Check Price on Amazon

Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch

Rolling out the company’s first color display on a smartwatch, the Pebble Time Steel is a platform agnostic smartwatch that’s roughly the same size as the 42mm Apple Watch. While the display is notably more muted and less advanced than other smartwatches, the advantage to that display is a 10-day battery life. Also, the screen always stays on, compared to other smartwatches that require user interaction all the time.

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• MSRP: $249
• Last-Gen Alternative: Original Pebble Steel at $100

Check Price on Amazon

LG Watch Urbane Smartwatch

Offering up a gorgeous design in both gold and silver, the Urbane from LG is another style-oriented design that’s meant to tackle the Apple Watch head on. It’s one of the first Android watches to offer compatibility with iPhones and is outfitted with a speedy quad core 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage.

• Compatibility: Android and iOS
• MSRP: $349 / Ben’s Best Price: $204
• Last-Gen Alternative: LG G Smartwatch R for $140

Check Price on Amazon

Moto 360 Smartwatch (2015 revision)

Available in a 42mm and 46mm version, the Moto 360 revision for 2015 sports a speedy 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and an on-board GPU. Features include on a heart rate sensor on the back of the smartwatch as well as an ambient light sensor, which auto-adjusts the display brightness depending on light in the area. Battery life rated between 1.5 to 2 days, depending on model.

• Compatibility: Android (and iOS soon)
• MSRP: $299
• Last-Gen Alternative: Original Moto 360 for $115

Check Price on Amazon

ASUS ZenWatch 2 Smartwatch

Easily mistaken for an Apple Watch, the ASUS ZenWatch 2 is a stylish follow-up to the original ZenWatch. Complete with a snappy 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage, the ZenWatch 2 is available as a 1.63-inch version with a 400mAh battery pack (3-days) and a smaller 1.45-inch version with a 300mAh battery pack (2-days). Also, the price is amazing, basically half the MSRP of most competitors.

• Compatibility: Android Only
• MSRP: $149
• Last-Gen Alternative: ASUS ZenWatch for $130

Check Price on Best Buy

Apple Watch Series 7

Rounding out the bottom of our list specifically due to the exorbitant price, the Apple Watch 7 is only compatible with iOS. Reviewers love the design of the product, but battery life is still short at roughly 18 hours. It includes activity tracking as well as GPS, NFC and a heart rate monitor.

• Compatibility: iOS Only
• MSRP: $399 to $1,759
• Cheaper Alternative:

Check Price on Apple

2016 Tech Gift Guide: Best Smartwatches

Launching in the 3.5 PlayStation software update this week, Sony PlayStation 4 owners will be able to stream video games from their gaming console to a Windows or Mac computer. Already available on the Xbox One (limited to Windows 10), the functionality can be quite useful when the television hooked up to the gaming console is already in use, someone watching Netflix perhaps.

Of course, you will need a PC running Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. If you have a Mac, you will need to be running either OS X 10.10 or OS X 10.11. Resolution is set at 540p by default, but you will be able to increase that to 720p if your network can handle it. There’s also a 360p streaming option as well.

Framerate is set as 30fps as the standard, but it can be increased to 60fps in the settings. To play on your computer, you will need to hook up your Dualshock controller to your PC / Mac with a USB cable. You will also need to install the “Remote Play Installer” software on your computer. It will be located here once the 3.5 update actually goes live.

Other options in the 3.5 PlayStation update include the ability to set your profile to appear offline when you are online playing games, the ability to set notifications when a specific friend comes online, the ability to schedule planned events that friends can join and a “Play Together” feature that lets friends join each other in specific games (or start a new game entirely.)

As always, PlayStation updates are free for anyone with a PS4 to download and will likely be required in order to play multiplayer games in the future. You can find more information on the official Sony blog here.

Freebie Alert: PS4 gets Remote Play soon (Play on your PC)

It’s finally arrived! After months of waiting, gamers are cracking open PlayStation 4 boxes and booting up their new consoles. After testing the new hardware for a short period ourselves, here’s our impressions of Sony’s new offering to the gaming masses.

PS4 Hardware

Can I use it as a giant scented eraser? Mmmmm, smells like plastic.

Look at that fat PS3 that Sony released in 2006, then look at the PS4. It’s just night and day. The PS4 is actually smaller than the PS3 slim and, of course, more powerful. It’s slightly heavier than the Slim, but that’s ideal if you prefer to position the PS4 vertically rather than horizontally. The slanted design and white/blue LED on top also make for a cool talking point when you have friends over. In addition, the smaller form factor means the console is more portable, ideal when taking the PS4 over to a friend’s house or on the road when traveling.

One big difference you will notice between the PS3 and PS4 is noise reduction. The PS4 is significantly quieter and doesn’t really make much noise unless a Blu-ray movie is spinning. Games don’t make much noise since they are installed to the 500GB hard drive. The PS4 also stays relatively cool to the touch after several hours of play.

Be aware that all the heat is expelled from the rear of the console. It’s a good idea to place the PS4 in an area where all the heat won’t get trapped at the rear of your home theater furniture. Of course, installation is a breeze: just connect the power cable and included HDMI cable to get started. Be aware that HDMI is the only option for this generation. There’s no additional A/V outputs for older televisions.

Regarding the hardware’s power, it will be some time before you see the full effect of the PS4’s capabilities in games. For the moment, you will see small improvements over the previous generation in multi-console releases. Smoother framerates, added lighting / smoke / fire effects, more populated and lifelike levels and a greater level of detail in character models, just to name a few upgrades. However, don’t expect the huge visual leap that occurred between the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3. We already live in a high definition world.

User Interface

UI background music doubles as a lullaby for putting babies to sleep so Dad can play more Call of Duty.

Two words to describe the new UI? Cautiously Optimistic. Sony has evolved the PS3 Cross-Media bar significantly, but there are some potential issues as gaming collections grow. My biggest concern is the single row of content that features all games and Sony’s applications. Very similar to the UI design in early Roku devices, the single row may take a while to navigate when you have 30+ games to look through. Sony should update the menu to provide more user control over what’s displayed along the bar. However, the most recently used app does cycle to the front of the row, thus someone constantly playing the same game won’t have to hunt down the icon each day.

The “What’s New” icon at the start of the bar is an interesting addition. Adopting a Pinterest-style display, players can check out visual notifications of what games their friends are playing, friend connections made, trophies earned and other interesting facts. The only downside is that the feed contains advertisements for games on the Sony store. In addition, your friends have to own a PS4 for their updates to appear in the feed. Otherwise, it will be completely blank.

Above the main content bar, users will find a icon menu that’s similar to the Cross-Media bar. It provides direct access to notifications, the friends list, trophies, the PlayStation Store, the message system, party chat lobbies, general settings and the power shutdown options. You really need to explore to see all the tweaks and improvements in those sections, but some standouts include worldwide percentages of people who have earned specific trophies, granular control over notifications and external device management.

Two of the biggest improvements to the UI include background downloading and the PlayStation Store interface. Regarding downloading, users can queue up new game downloads and go play a game rather than having to sit and wait through download / installation screens. It’s a subtle, but impressive touch that will make you appreciate the new generation of consoles. The PlayStation Store looks absolutely fantastic now. Huge box art is plastered all over the screen in glorious high definition and it’s quite easy to find new games to download.

DualShock 4 Controller

Includes a nightlight for scary games like Knack, the scariest launch title of them all!

Where to begin? The DualShock 4 controller improves on the DualShock 3 by leaps and bounds. The controller has evolved for an older, more adult audience. There’s a heft to it that makes the DualShock 3 feel like a plastic toy. The controller fits more comfortably along the palm of your hands due to the extended length of the sides. The shoulder and trigger buttons each have a specific feel and responsiveness, more so than the DualShock 3. The rear panel of the DualShock 4 is slightly textured for a better grip.

Very similar to the Roku 3 or Wii U, the DualShock 4 also includes a headphone jack designed to transfer the game’s audio to headphones. It’s fantastic when the other members of your home don’t want to listen to you blasting away in yet another CoD deathmatch. You can also route all multiplayer chat communication through the controller, so you don’t need to invest in a wireless headset. By the way, don’t bother using the mono earbud and microphone that comes with the PS4. The audio is absolutely horrible.

Unfortunately, all this awesomeness comes at a price. The battery life of the controller stinks. On average, the controller lasts about 6 to 8 hours before requiring a recharge. Alternatively, my DualShock 3 lasts triple that figure. The only upside to the poor battery life is that the PS4 can charge the controller while in standby mode, a feature woefully absent from the PS3.

It’s possible that the battery life is partially being drained by the light bar on the rear of the controller that doesn’t appear to have much use outside of PlayStation Camera-enabled games. It’s odd that Sony didn’t include an option to turn it off or at least dim it. There’s also a speaker built into the DualShock 4 that seems to be used sparingly in the launch games, similar to the touchpad on the DualShock 4. Anyway, PS4 owners will have to remember to plug up the controller after playing each night until Sony improves the battery within the controller.

PlayStation Camera

It’s just like Kinect. If Kinect was optional, somewhat crippled and the majority of game developers ignored it.

I was a bit disappointed in the camera’s image quality. Perhaps I’m spoiled by Logitech’s 1080p C920 webcam, but the 720p PlayStation Camera has issues with lighting and produces grainy pictures. It reminded me of a laptop webcam and the constant struggle to find the perfect background lighting. However, I did like the field-of-vision (ideal for multiple players) as well as the compact design of the camera. Unlike the Xbox 360 Kinect, I can place the PS4 camera within my home theater system without drawing much attention.

Regarding gesture and voice controls, the camera performs admirably with the Playroom mini-games and the control functions. I didn’t have any trouble with the few basic voice commands, but it seems slower than simply using the controller.

To date, there’s no compelling reason to own the camera for a specific game. However, developers could include camera functions in multi-console games that use the Kinect camera. At the moment, Twitch / UStream is the biggest reason to pick up the camera. The resolution of the camera works well with the PIP function within both apps.

I just don’t see the majority of PlayStation 4 owners opening up their wallet for an additional $60 expense when that could go to an additional controller or another game. And that’s exactly why the PlayStation camera will remain a secondary peripheral rather than a feature heavily integrated into the system and games. Adoption rates will dictate how much time and effort is put into further development of camera features. This accessory could be the equivalent of the PlayStation Move controller, a great accessory for a niche group of PS4 owners.

The Share Button

The world must be interested in my leet gaming skillz! I got 40 views on my last YouTube video.

To be completely forthright, I’m not the guy who’s going to be sharing my gaming clips over PSN or Xbox Live. I’m lucky to get an hour a day to play video games. I just don’t have the time to become amazing at a game for an instructional video or run a live-streaming event to show how many times I can get riddled with bullets during Battlefield 4.

That being said, I’m mildly impressed with Sony’s integration of the sharing tools on the PS4. One tap of the Share button and the player can look through the last 15 minutes of gameplay in order to trim out a segment for a new video. While the editing tools are fairly utilitarian, the entire process can be completed within minutes after you understand the layout and options.

Clips can be encoded in HD, given specific names and uploaded to social networks. However, voice support is limited at this point. You cannot record introductions or voiceovers after the fact. You have to record live audio while playing, definitely difficult if attempting to concentrate on the game.

Beyond clips, the player also has the ability to share a live stream of their game with the Twitch or Ustream audience. Both are easy to set up, and comments made through the two sites appear below the gameplay window (which covers about 75 percent of the screen). This allows the user to receive real-time feedback immediately, both accolades and insults. One downside is that popularity often leads to missing comments as they scroll off the screen quickly. Similar to recording live audio for a clip, it’s a bit difficult to concentrate on playing a game and responding to comment feedback at the same time.

Remote Play

Serious question; can I keep playing while I’m in the bathroom?

As with most living rooms in America, control over the main television is hotly contested among family members. Enter Remote Play, the feature that allows you to mirror and control games currently running on the PlayStation 4 within the home, assuming you own a PlayStation Vita. I’ve tested it up to about 25 feet away from my home’s router with a couple walls in between and it works extremely well.

I do have my PlayStation 4 connected directly to my router through a wired connection rather than wireless, something that Sony recommends in order to keep the connection lag free. You can also turn on the PS4 using the Vita, assuming the PS4 is in standby mode. Navigating the user interface and launching games are also a breeze.

However, there are a couple downsides to playing PS4 games on the Vita. The control scheme of the DualShock 4 download translate well to the Vita, specifically the triggers. Since there are only two triggers on the Vita (opposed to four on the DualShock 4), the triggers are mapped to the four corners of the rear touchpad.

While that’s probably the best placement due to the hardware limitations, I often found myself cramping up on the tiny Vita controls. It’s not impossible to learn, but it’s uncomfortable. There’s also the issue of trying to read text on the screen. Games for the PlayStation 4 have been built with a large HDTV screen in mind. Squashing that image down to the Vita’s 5-inch display means you will be squinting from time to time.

Second Screens

Wait a second, is this actually a feature at launch? Not really…

If you weren’t aware, the Vita can also act as a second screen. This is also an option for any iOS or Android device after downloading the PlayStation app. Conceptually, the second screen is supposed to provide supporting content. For instance, someone driving around Los Santos in GTA V could take a quick glance at a second screen displaying a large, real-time version of the on-screen map. Or perhaps you could flip through a playbook on a second screen in a sports game.

Unfortunately, early support for this feature has been extremely weak from developers—pretty much non-existent. However, it was never likely that developers like EA and Ubisoft would go the extra mile to include a second screen option in multi-console games like Madden NFL 25 and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. That being said, Microsoft is also pushing along the second screen feature with the Xbox One, thus developers will move more quickly to include this option on both consoles in the future.

Until that time, the second screen feature does come in handy when you are forced to type anything on the PS4; vastly better than hunting and pecking with the DualShock 4. The Android / iOS app can also be used to check up on user profiles, trophies and friends as well as purchase digital versions of games while away from the console.

Home Theater Functionality

First movie to christen my PS4? There’s no contest. Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2

Oddly enough, the PlayStation 4 currently has fewer streaming media applications then the PS3. However, the majority of the big streaming video applications (Netflix, Hulu Plus, VUDU, Amazon Instant Video) are still included.

PS4 users are still missing out on a handful of video applications like YouTube and HBO GO. Sony has also left out the major music streaming applications like Pandora, likely to push the company’s internal music subscription service.

One aspect of the user interface that I love is that you don’t have to reload a video app when switching between games and other PS4 functions.

For instance, I started watching Skyfall on Netflix, paused it, popped out into the menu, started up Resogun, played a couple rounds and then went back into the Netflix app. The app was still loaded as if I hadn’t stopped watching the movie and I could push play to jump right back into Bond’s most recent adventure. On an added note, the PS4 version of Netflix is the new user interface that Netflix rolled out earlier this week. It’s extremely well-polished.

After the 1.5 firmware update (which took all of 60 seconds), I had no problem playing both Blu-ray and DVD movies. The interface for discs is extremely similar to the PS3, no major changes. Sadly, the deep, granular control over audio and video settings included with the PS3 is woefully absent from the PS4 interface. The PS4 is also missing all the fantastic DLNA media support offered by the PS3. If you want to use a game console heavily in your home theater, you are better off with the PlayStation 3 at this point.

Exclusive Games

This is where fanboy arguments are born. And ultimately devolve into mindless blather.

Just like the debut of many game consoles, the critical reception of the PlayStation 4 lineup of exclusive titles has been fairly weak so far. Take a look at the early Metacritic averages:

• Knack: 56%
• Contrast: 63%
• Killzone: Shadow Fall: 73%

Only Resogun, a well-polished PSN arcade shooter, is trending above the 80% mark. (It’s fantastic, by the way. And included for free in a PlayStation Plus subscription.) If I had to guess, Sony was betting that Killzone was going to be their saving grave for the launch. In my opinion, that franchise is no replacement for a new Uncharted, God of War or Infamous game.

However, you can’t really blame the developers. While Sony will probably sell a few million PlayStation 4 consoles in the next few months, that’s a ridiculously small number compared to the number of PS3 consoles already out there. Developing cross-console titles is the smart play for the next two to three years. Developers also haven’t had enough time with the finalized PS4 hardware to develop seriously amazing games.

Should You Buy the PS4?

It’s the million-dollar question! Oh wait, no. It’s the $400 question!

The answer to this question will change based on when it’s asked and what you own already. If you already have a PS3, the PlayStation 4 simply isn’t a good investment right now. The best launch games can be purchased for the PS3 or Xbox 360. Any slight performance upgrade for the multi-console games or small portion of exclusive content simply isn’t enough of a selling point, either.

However, ask me the same question a year or two from now and I guarantee the answer will be different. Sony has created a truly powerful successor to the PlayStation 3 and the PS4 will take off as soon as an exclusive system seller emerges. The hardware is a beast, the controller is phenomenal, the user interface is a breath of fresh air, streaming gameplay is relatively solid and Remote Play is quite useful. The downsides include the limited home theater functionality, the absent second screen support and the disappointing PlayStation Camera. But those features could be improved over time, as well.

If you currently don’t own a PS3, investing in the PS4 now will eventually pay off down the line. It’s inevitable that Sony will bring the PS3 library to the PlayStation 4 over time, likely in digital form. Thus you would be better off owning the superior hardware in preparation for future exclusive titles. And that future looks pretty damn good. However, just because the PS4 has amazing potential down the line doesn’t mean it’s a success right now.

Final Rating: Sad Keanu

Search for PlayStation 4 Deals on Ben’s Bargains

PlayStation 4 Review: Did Sony Stumble at the Starting Line?

Announced earlier today in Japan at Sony’s pre-TGS press conference, Sony plans on launching a new set-top box that plays PS Vita games without actually owning the Vita. Approximately the same size as a deck of cards, the PS Vita TV allows you to play Vita, PSP and PSone classics on a regular sized HDTV while using a standard DualShock 3 controller.

In addition, you will be able to play PlayStation 4 games over your home network using the Remote Play feature. The streaming functionality also works in the opposite direction allowing PlayStation 4 owners to play Vita games through the PS4. This type of feature is definitely ideal for homes in which the PlayStation 4 is hooked up to the home theater. Someone can simply hook up the PS Vita TV to another TV in the home in order to continue playing a game while the TV in the living room is used for something else.

On the actual PS Vita TV, Sony has included a memory card slot in addition to a slot for Vita games. Similar to set-top boxes like the Roku 3, users can also watch streaming video from services like Hulu Plus and Netflix through PS Vita TV. It’s likely that any streaming video application currently on the PlayStation Vita will work on the PS Vita TV.

Although Sony has only announced the PS Vita TV for release in Japan, it’s likely that North American audiences will also have access to the device in the future. The base unit will go on sale in Japan on November 14 for approximately $95. In addition, the company is selling a version of the device bundled with a memory card and DualShock 3 controller for about $150. Check out an intro video as well as more shots of the device below:

Shut Up And Take My Money: PS Vita TV

Earlier today, Microsoft announced that the Xbox One will hit store shelves one week before Black Friday on Friday November 22, with a price tag of $499.99. Specifications for the Xbox One have been finalized at last, and the processor will receive a 10 percent bump in power up to 1.75 Ghz specifically to help with graphics output. In fact, the first pallet of Xbox One consoles have rolled off the production line according to Microsoft spokesperson Major Nelson.

One week prior to that date, Sony will launch the PlayStation 4 for $100 less than the cost of the Xbox One. However, it’s getting more difficult to preorder the PlayStation 4 due to significant demand. Last month, Amazon sold out of all launch day bundles, the more expensive package of the console that comes with an additional game or hardware.

In addition, Microsoft released a statement today mentioning that all day one Xbox One preorders have nearly sold out. If both companies have issues fulfilling preorders in November, it could create a shortage of the consoles for the holiday shopping season. Microsoft is in a more precarious position than Sony as they will only have one week to restock store shelves prior to the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season which is November 29, aka Black Friday.

If you’re interested in preordering the Xbox One Day-One edition, Best Buy still has them in stock here. Otherwise, you will likely have to preorder a bundled version of the console at a retailer like Gamestop.

Xbox One hits stores November 22, Sony PS4 on Nov 15