Console comparison
Steam Machine vs Xbox Series S
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
Valve
Steam Machine
$1,049.00 · Up to 4K (PC settings-dependent)
Microsoft
Xbox Series S
$499.99 · 1440p
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 | Steam Machine | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | ||
| Maker | Valve | Microsoft |
| US MSRP | ||
| US MSRP | $1,049.00UK RRP £879 | Winner: $499.99UK RRP £429.99 |
| Price source | ||
| Price source | Reference source | Reference source |
| GPU throughput | ||
| GPU throughput | Not publishedUnverified | 4 TFLOPS |
| Storage | ||
| Storage | 512GB | 512GB |
| SSD throughput | ||
| SSD throughput | Not publishedUnverified | 2.4 GB/s |
| Target resolution | ||
| Target resolution | Up to 4K (PC settings-dependent) | 1440p |
| Portable | ||
| Portable | No | 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.
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.
Xbox Series S
The cheapest current Xbox: digital-only, 512GB, and aimed at 1440p rather than competing on 4K fidelity.
Best for
- Budget Game Pass entry
- Digital-only households
- 1440p living-room play
Watch out
US 512GB MSRP $499.99 from 1 August 2026. UK post-hike: 512GB £429.99, 1TB £519.99 — the 512GB SKU sits just £10 above Switch 2’s £419.99 UK RRP (in effect since 1 September 2026). The 512GB drive fills quickly, and there is no disc drive — physical games need Series X or another platform.
Common questions
Steam Machine vs Xbox Series S
Answered from the verified figures on this page rather than general guidance.