(Credit: Zain bin Awias/PCMag Composite)
The video game industry "is currently in an unusual state of flux," says Jeffrey L. Wilson, PCMag’s managing editor for apps and gaming, citing high-profile delays (Grand Theft Auto VI's release has been pushed back again, to November 2026) and several studios cancelling games, downsizing, or outright closing.
“On the flip side," Wilson adds, "there are more ways to play your favorite titles. Xbox's Gears of War is on PlayStation, PlayStation's Hell Divers 2 is on Xbox, and both console manufacturers support PC. With development costs skyrocketing, it makes sense to put games on as many platforms as possible, which is a win for consumers.”
And consumers are still spending. Console gaming is huge, up 5.5% since last year and accounting for $45.9 billion of the gaming industry's market in 2025, according to Newzoo. PC gaming isn’t far behind, at $39.9 billion. But those numbers pale in comparison to gaming on mobile devices, which accounts for a $103 billion market worldwide.
The big platformers are going all-in on handhelds. The Nintendo Switch 2, which combines handheld and console capabilities, is the gaming success story of the year. Microsoft and Asus collaborated on the ROG Xbox Ally X, which is essentially a portable Xbox. Meanwhile, Valve’s Steam—a service even Amazon’s money couldn’t defeat—has the popular Steam Deck OLED.
With so many platform options (not to mention accessories), how does a gamer choose? You should, of course, consult PCMag's expert buying advice. But it's also helpful to know what your fellow gamers are most passionate about. That’s why we run our gaming hardware survey every year. Below you'll find a detailed breakdown of the brands our readers love the most.
The Top Game Console, Handheld, and VR Headset Brands for 2025
It used to be that a console was a gaming device that connected to a large display, usually your TV. Today, that's only true in the narrowest sense. The biggest-selling TV-connecting console of 2025 so far—the Nintendo Switch 2—serves as a handheld when you pull it from the dock. There are numerous other handheld gaming devices that can easily connect to a TV, as they’re typically just small computers running Windows or Linux.
Last year, fans of the Steam Deck OLED put Valve at the top of the list of consoles and handhelds. This year, however, Valve falls to second place. That’s because MSI—the Taiwanese gaming company behind the handheld MSI Claw—gets the best scores of the year. Across all consoles and handhelds, it has the highest numbers in every category (except for setup, which it shares with Nintendo).
When we look at more traditional consoles—the type with hardware as big as a PC that sit in a place of semi-permanence near a big-screen TV—the brand of choice is the same as last year: Sony. Its overall satisfaction score, based on its PlayStation products, is comparable to what we see for handhelds. It outperforms both Microsoft and Nintendo.
(Note: Click the arrows in our interactive charts to view various elements of our survey results.)
PCMag readers single out the MSI Claw for its good battery life and what one calls an “outstanding display.” Other readers cite its comfortable grips when it's used as a handheld (the Claw, like most handhelds, can connect to a TV and be used with third-party controllers).
PCMag principal gaming hardware writer Matthew Buzzi has reviewed the various versions of the MSI Claw since its launch in early 2024. “The Claw handheld has notably improved since the original version," he says, "and it’s an area MSI seems dedicated to getting right because it speaks to their main audience of hard-core gamers.”
Meanwhile, readers praise Sony's PS5, which was released in late 2020 and has had several hardware iterations since, for its game selection. “Nothing tops PlayStation exclusives,” says one survey respondent. Another says, "I have played my PS5 more than any game system I have ever owned, and I am 42 and have been gaming constantly since I was about eight." They add, “I use remote play on a daily basis and love it.”
“The PS5 is simply a great all-around system that can soundly outperform the PS4 on all levels," says principal writer Will Greenwald. "And the PS5 Pro is still easily the most powerful conventional game console available. Sony's consoles are even more appealing now that Microsoft has started putting its major Xbox games, like Forza Horizon 5 and the upcoming Halo remake, on the PS5. That’s on top of Sony's first-party exclusives, which are usually thoroughly excellent."
Things become even more interesting when we examine the scores for individual console models. (Click the arrow at the bottom to see the second chart.) MSI Claw remains the top choice by model. However, Sony users are split: The PS4 scores well ahead of the PS5 in overall satisfaction, but the PS5 has a higher recommendation score. Between those two sits the Nintendo Switch 2. The original Switch is at the bottom of the list, low enough that it pulls down the Nintendo brand as a whole. Xbox Series X rates higher than the Xbox One S/X models.
This is the first year we’ve had enough audience response to include virtual reality gaming headsets, and the competition is limited to arguably the two biggest names left in the consumer VR category: Meta (with its Quest line) and Sony (represented by the PlayStation VR2).
Sony wins our first Readers’ Choice award in this category, scoring ahead of Meta in our primary subcategories for determining winners: overall satisfaction and the likelihood to recommend. The two brands tie for ease of use and split the remaining subcategories. Sony’s best ratings are for reliability, game performance, and display. Meta is on top for system cost and game selection.
Greenwald gave the PlayStation VR2 an Editors’ Choice award in his review upon its 2023 debut. Things have changed since then, he says: “VR is in a slightly nebulous state right now, and with the exception of certain simulation enthusiasts and content creators, virtually all headsets are wireless. The PS VR2 is tethered to the PS5, and while it can offer some really visually impressive experiences, it isn’t as convenient as standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and 3S. Also, the platform hasn’t seen a significant number of new games since its launch."
Survey respondents were quick to point out the lack of PS VR2 games on the market, but one reader still refers to the VR gaming unit as “the best I’ve used.”
For our take, read The Best VR Headsets and The Best Handheld Gaming Devices.
The Top Gaming Laptop, Desktop, and Mobile Device Brands for 2025
Gaming used to be dominated by desktops, because big computers can be augmented into powerful performance systems. These days, laptops more than hold their own. And if you're looking for either a gaming desktop or laptop, there's just one brand you should consider first, according to our readers: MSI. It also won both categories last year.
For desktops, MSI has an almost half-point lead over other brands for overall satisfaction, and it has by far the highest recommendation numbers. It’s also tops when it comes to cost and ease of setup. In terms of satisfaction, the only other desktop PCs that come close are readers' self-built computers.
In the laptop category, MSI dominates the three biggest US PC vendors—Dell, HP, and Lenovo—scoring over a full point ahead in overall satisfaction. It’s also got numbers above 9.1 out of 10 for game performance, display screen, and graphics capabilities.
“Great computer that will last for years,” says a respondent about their MSI laptop. Another says, “[My laptop] plays really well, and the graphics settings in the MSI Dragon Center app are decent. The built-in software’s [ability to] switch between discrete and integrated GPU is really helpful.”
“MSI fans consistently speak well of their experiences with the company’s gaming PCs,” says Buzzi, who has reviewed several MSI systems in the past. “This is their brand's bread and butter, so pleasing these shoppers is key. One area where MSI excels is offering a wide range of price and power options for different budgets—not everything has to be super-expensive and super-powerful to satisfy all customers.”
Meanwhile, for mobile gaming (i.e., on a phone or tablet), Samsung takes the Readers’ Choice award for the second consecutive year. Samsung and Apple tie for overall satisfaction, but Samsung receives a significantly higher rating for the likelihood to recommend. It’s also higher for game selection, game performance, and the cost of games. If we break out phones alone, Samsung remains the winner.
Most of the ratings for these mobile brands are middling and lower than last year’s numbers, with no subcategory exceeding a score of 7.6. The one area where all the mobile devices rate incredibly well is in their displays—people really love the OLEDs on today’s phones and tablets. Interestingly, the brand that scores the highest here is Google, maker of the Pixel line.
“Samsung does an excellent job making its Android phones and tablets stand out in a crowded field,” says Iyaz Akhtar, PCMag’s mobile writer. “The company also supports many of its products for years, with its flagship phones getting seven years of upgrades. This makes recommendations easy, since Samsung’s got your back for a long time.”
To see who leads in our lab testing, read The Best Gaming Laptops, The Best Gaming PCs, and The Best Gaming Phones.
The Top Gaming Controller, Keyboard, Mouse, and Audio Headset Brands for 2025
We also ask our readers to choose their favorites when it comes to gaming peripherals for PCs and consoles.
Like last year, Microsoft and Sony are the only two brands to make the final results for game controllers. Which is not surprising, since they are the holdouts when it comes to making traditional TV-connected consoles that absolutely require separate controllers.
Despite Sony dominating the results above for traditional consoles, Microsoft takes the controller crown, as it did in 2024. Microsoft controllers earn particularly high scores for ease of use, comfort, and accuracy.
Sony’s numbers aren’t bad in comparison, except in terms of cost, likely due to the price of modern Sony DualSense wireless controllers. Of course, what brand you pick depends more on your console than anything else, but if you’re choosing a console based on how great the controller is, consider Microsoft first.
“The Xbox Wireless Controller is the core basic gamepad for not just Xbox gamers but PC gamers as a whole," Greenwald says. "It really is just an excellent all-around controller."
“Everyone says that PlayStation invented the modern controller, but Xbox perfected it,” says one survey taker. “Ergonomically, it is the easiest on my old hands.” Another reader praises the Xbox Wireless Controller - Nocturnal Vapor Special Edition, as "more than just a peripheral—it's a mood." They add, “Functionally, it's rock solid. I've used it across my Steam Deck, Dell XPS, and Xbox Series X/S, and it's consistently responsive, comfortable, and accurate."
While you can use controllers on the PC, the keyboard and mouse remain the primary means of control. Last year in the keyboard category, it was a two-brand race between Corsair and Logitech, which Corsair won handily. This time, it’s a three-way race, with Razer added to the mix. Still, Corsair wins again. It excels in satisfaction, recommendation, reliability, RGB lighting, and cost, and ties with Razer for ease of use.
Razer keyboards, meanwhile, have the best score for comfort and programmability. Logitech has some great scores, too, but it doesn’t lead in any metric.
“I don't really consider any peripheral 'perfect,' but Corsair's keyboards are the closest it gets for me,” says one PCMag reader. “Between its ergonomics and just overall performance, it's my favorite keyboard, period. For gaming and more.”
“I’ve built my own keyboards, done a few group buys for others, and tested several keyboards from major retailers,” says PCMag junior writer Francisco Lahoz. “Corsair’s keyboards have given me the least amount of trouble with setup and feel. Better yet, their offerings in both their budget and premium lines are well-built and aesthetically pleasing.”
The mouse market is dominated by just a few brands, including Logitech and Razer. Last year belonged to Razer, but this year its overall satisfaction score slips, while Logitech’s goes up—enough to land Logitech a Readers’ Choice award.
Logitech leads in reliability, cost, and ease of use, while Razer ties it in terms of comfort. Razer, however, has the highest scores in RGB lighting and programmability.
“The Logitech MX Master 3S was seen by many, myself included, as the perfect mouse, so the excitement around the MX Master 4 was palpable,” says PCMag hardware writer Zackery Cuevas. “Seriously, its reveal was the first time I’d ever seen people cheer over a mouse. But they were right to be excited, because the new MX Master 4 is worthy of the master title. It’s probably the most comfortable mouse I’ve ever used, and the haptic feedback is a godsend."
“For those who value performance, comfort, and a design that complements both gaming and creative work, I'd recommend Logitech in a heartbeat,” says one reader. “This mouse isn't just a tool; it's part of the flow.”
Finally, we come to audio. For online gaming, a headset, complete with a boom microphone, is a must. We asked readers about them during our last headset survey and again in the gaming survey, and combined the data into a master list of the top gaming headset brands. Six make the cut, and the winner, thanks to a higher recommendation score than any other, is SteelSeries, which makes the Arctis line of headsets.
SteelSeries ties with Razer for overall satisfaction, and leads in one other category (battery life). Razer is at the top for audio quality, while third-place HyperX leads in several subcategories: cost, setup, reliability, ease of use, comfort, and microphone quality. Really, any of these three brands is worth looking into, but SteelSeries delivers the utmost satisfaction.
“Soft ear pads, great quality of audio and microphone use, comfortable on the head and ears, and the ability to plug in if needed means SteelSeries doesn't compromise anything!” exclaims one survey respondent.
Greenwald has looked at several SteelSeries headsets in the past. “I’ve considered SteelSeries’s Arctis Nova Pro Wireless as one of the best wireless game headsets available for a few years now, and it still holds up in terms of comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, and flexibility," he says. "It’s one of only a few models with removable batteries, allowing you to swap them out, so you never have to plug it in. SteelSeries’ lower-end headsets are also generally great performers, though they face very stiff competition once they get to the $100 to $150 range."
For our in-depth reviews, read The Best Video Game Controllers for Every Platform, The Best Gaming Keyboards, The Best Computer Mice, and The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets.
The Top Gaming Store and Streaming Service Brands of 2025
Things will be even more interesting in all of the above categories next year, as Valve plans to release new hardware, including the next-gen Steam Machine and a new VR headset called the Steam Frame. Valve's Steam is a service that has kept other game companies on notice, and for good reason—it has all but cornered the market on PC game sales and streaming. It's the clear winner in our survey for online game distribution.
Steam competes here with similar services from larger companies, including Sony (with PlayStation Plus) and Microsoft (with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming). Valve’s lead as the top game store/streamer is even wider against those two today than it was a year ago.
This year, Steam wins every measure, earning its highest ratings for reliability, game performance, and game selection. (Steam released a record-breaking 19,000 new games on its platform in 2024 alone, thanks to independent developers.)
Last year, Sony’s PlayStation Plus won a couple of subcategories against Valve. This time, Sony ties or bests Microsoft on all the subcategories in which they both appear, with the exception of game selection. But neither can hold up against Valve’s numbers.
“By far the best service available for PC gamers,” says one reader of Steam. “Nothing else even comes close.”
“Steam is godly," offers another. "Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox Game Pass—take notes. You're doing it wrong.”
“I have been an avid Steam user for the past 15 years,” remarks yet another reader. “This is the only service I actively look forward to spending my money on, especially during the seasonal sales.”
Senior writer Jordan Minor reviewed the service last year. “Steam continues to be fantastic," Minor says. "As a marketplace, it's packed with features and intuitive enough to make the intimidating world of PC gaming so much more accessible for so many more players.”
For more, read The Best Places to Buy and Rent PC Games Online and The Best Game Streaming Services.
The PCMag Readers’ Choice survey for Gaming Systems and Gear was conducted from Aug. 1 to Oct. 27, 2025; additional data was sourced from our audio survey and desktop PCs survey earlier this year. For more information on how we conduct surveys, read our methodology.