The most common games console problems, from 16,121 verified buyers

1. The most common games console problem owners report: “Crashed, overheated or stopped working”, raised in 16% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Little upgrade on the last console for the money” (8%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Sharper graphics, smoother and faster games”, in 10% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 97% of verified buyers rated their games console 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; games consoles rank 2 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 2% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 50.
5. Across the 9 games consoles with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 90% to 99%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these games consoles had a median of 98% happy buyers, against 96% for the cheaper half (up to £430).
7. Owners rate “great choice” and “good with caveats” models about the same here (a median of 97% and 97% happy buyers): the caveats experts raise rarely put owners off.
8. Buyers in Asia, Africa and Oceania were the happiest (98% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (88%).

Share of the 519 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Crashed, overheated or stopped working16%
   Came up on 8 models
2. 2. Little upgrade on the last console for the money8%
   Came up on 6 models
3. 3. Controller or Joy-Con faults8%
   Came up on 5 models
4. 4. Missing a disc drive, apps or games5%
   Came up on 4 models
5. 5. App, connection or software problems4%
   Came up on 3 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Crashed, overheated or stopped working (16% of complaints)

   Give it space to breathe, away from a cabinet's back wall, and keep it dust-free. Register the warranty and keep the receipt.

2. 2. Little upgrade on the last console for the money (8% of complaints)

   If you already own the last model, check which of your games really improve before paying for the new one.

3. 3. Controller or Joy-Con faults (8% of complaints)

   Controller drift is common across brands: keep the receipt and check the controller's own warranty.

4. 4. Missing a disc drive, apps or games (5% of complaints)

   Check whether it plays discs and whether the games and apps you want are on it.

5. 5. App, connection or software problems (4% of complaints)

   Check whether the features you want need the app, and that the app supports your phone. Basic functions that work without an account are a plus.

Share of the 900 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Sharper graphics, smoother and faster games10%
   Came up on 7 models
2. 2. A hit as a present9%
   Came up on 5 models
3. 3. Play on the TV or on the go6%
   Came up on 3 models
4. 4. Easy to set up and use6%
   Came up on 5 models
5. 5. A big upgrade on the last console4%
   Came up on 5 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.