Console comparison
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Machine
Compared on price, graphics throughput, storage and the thing specifications never capture: what each one is actually for.
Verified September 26, 2026Prices from secondary reporting — confirm with a retailer
Nintendo
Nintendo Switch 2
$499.99 · 1080p handheld / 4K docked
Valve
Steam Machine
$1,049.00 · Up to 4K (PC settings-dependent)
Amazon UK search links are provided for current availability; no affiliate programme is currently configured, and no live price is claimed here. Affiliate disclosure.
| Specification | Nintendo Switch 2 | Steam Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | ||
| Maker | Nintendo | Valve |
| US MSRP | ||
| US MSRP | Winner: $499.99UK RRP £419.99 | $1,049.00UK RRP £879 |
| Price source | ||
| Price source | Reference source | Reference source |
| GPU throughput | ||
| GPU throughput | Not publishedUnverified | Not publishedUnverified |
| Storage | ||
| Storage | 256GB | Winner: 512GB |
| SSD throughput | ||
| SSD throughput | Not publishedUnverified | Not publishedUnverified |
| Target resolution | ||
| Target resolution | 1080p handheld / 4K docked | Up to 4K (PC settings-dependent) |
| Portable | ||
| Portable | Yes | No |
| Disc drive | ||
| Disc drive | none | none |
| UK street price | ||
| UK street price | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) |
US MSRP is the reported RRP for the standard configuration — not a live UK street price. Use the Amazon UK buttons to check current UK availability.
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo's hybrid handheld: now only £10 under Series S 512GB (the cheapest current Xbox) since the 1 September 2026 rise — competing on where you can play rather than on fidelity.
Best for
- Handheld play
- Family and local multiplayer
- Nintendo exclusives
Watch out
Prices rose on 1 September 2026: US $499.99, EU €499.99, UK RRP £419.99 (was £395.99). Retailer discounts vary — check the live price. Graphics throughput is not published, so cross-platform titles run at lower settings.
Steam Machine
Valve's SteamOS living-room PC (launched June 2026): your Steam library on the TV with console-style setup, priced well above the mainstream consoles.
Best for
- Steam library owners
- PC games on the TV
- Buyers who want PC flexibility without building
Watch out
512GB $1,049 / £879; 2TB $1,349 / £1,149; Steam Controller bundles cost more. Valve said its original pricing was “no longer viable” because of hardware supply issues. Zen 4 6-core CPU, RDNA 3 28-CU GPU, 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6. It is a PC — game compatibility depends on Proton, and a similarly priced DIY PC can be faster.
Common questions
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Machine
Answered from the verified figures on this page rather than general guidance.