2023 has been a great year for gamers, whether they prefer to sit on a sofa opposite a TV, strap into a headset or play a portable device wherever they like.
This was a strong year for gaming and VR devices, both in terms of new launches and continued excellence from existing products, but only one could come out on top.
Gaming and VR device of the Year: Sony PlayStation 5
Sony PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 retains its crown - this has been another stellar year for Sony’s current console, and it’s going from strength to strength with a new Slim model and more accessories.
The PlayStation 5 is settling into its position as the top dog in this console generation so far, with brilliant games coming out all the time and every multiplatform release holding its own on the hardware.
With really quick responsive menus and access to every media app you could care to name, this is a one-stop shop of a console, but it’s the latest games likeSpider-Man 2that really confirm Sony’s lead over Microsoft right now.
It’s rare for devices to retain their awards for more than one year, which really goes to show just how superb the PlayStation 5 is and remains - it’s the best console you may buy right now.
Highly commended: Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)
The Switch might be in its twilight years after launching all the way back in 2017 but you’d barely know it after the 2023 it’s had, withTears of the KingdomandSuper Mario Bros. Wonderbookending a simply brilliant run of releases.
While this could be its last year as Nintendo’s flagship console, it’s still the best possible purchase for gamers with young kids, and has a jaw-dropping roster of exclusive games that puts it in the running to be the best console ever - and the OLED version is by far its best hardware option.
The best of the rest
ASUS ROG Ally
If the Steam Deck opened the door to a whole new set of possibilities for PC gaming, ASUS deserves immense credit for how quickly it sprinted through that door with the ROG Ally, a superb PC gaming handheld thatoutdoes the Steam Deck in a few ways.
It’s more powerful and has a lovely high-resolution screen, while the fact that it runs Windows means that its compatibility is through the roof (even if it’s a little more fiddly as a result). This is a landmark handheld.
Meta Quest 3
It took quite a long time coming, but the Meta Quest 3 was worth the wait - a VR headset that feels like a meaningful step forward thanks to massive improvements in passthrough video. You can now see and interact with the world around you in full colour, making this a VR headset that is also very much about augmented reality.
It’s also as comfortable and lightweight a headset as we’ve tried, and it looks like we can keep expecting massive improvements between headset generations from Meta.
Sony PlayStation VR2
Sony’s commitment to VR remains impressive, and its second-generation VR headset for the PS5 has been some time coming, finally arriving at the start of this year.
It’s a brilliant bit of kit, too, with incredibly refined controllers that make gameplay a joy, and a headset with brilliant resolution and field-of-view upgrades. It’s comfortable and easy to set up, meaning that it’s now over to developers to give it a proper library of excellent games.
Xbox Series X
While we might think the PS5 is edging things right now, there’s no denying the continued power of the Xbox Series X, which has had some welcome software updates this year to make its menus easier to navigate, as well as the strong year of games that it really needed.
StarfieldandForza Motorsporthave filled the big budget gap that Xbox had allowed to open up, bringing in millions of players and showcasing what this superb bit of hardware is capable of.
How the EE Pocket-lint Awards judging works
The winner for the Best Gaming & VR Device category was decided by the Pocket-lint team, along with a panel of expert judges from publications across the industry. Following a rigorous scoring process, the Best Gaming & VR Device winner for 2023 was announced at an in-person event on 06 June 2025, along with the winners from the other 20 categories.
A Product of the Year winner was also announced, chosen from the winners of the 21 categories.
