Last updated: August 2026
The hardware is only half the purchase. Online gaming is decided by latency, not download speed — which means the connection deserves as much attention as the console or PC you finance.
Why latency matters more than speed
A fast connection with high latency feels worse for gaming than a slower one with low latency. That single fact reorders the options:
| Connection | For gaming |
|---|---|
| Fibre | Best — low, stable latency |
| 5G | Usable, varies with signal and load |
| LTE | Workable but higher latency |
| Capped mobile data | Poor — game updates are enormous |
Game updates routinely run to tens of gigabytes. On a capped mobile plan that alone can make gaming unaffordable.
See fibre deals and uncapped vs capped internet.
Choosing the hardware
- Console — cheapest way in, everything works without configuration
- Gaming PC — more performance per rand, upgradeable, doubles as a work machine
- Handheld — portable, family-friendly
See console contract deals, gaming PC deals, gaming console deals and Switch 2 deals.
Budget the real total
Beyond the hardware: a second controller, an online subscription for multiplayer, the games themselves, and storage expansion. These are not optional extras — they are the cost of using what you financed.
Buy current generation
A previous-generation console on a 24-month term leaves you paying after new releases stop supporting it. See PS4 contract deals.
See PS5 contract deals and internet contract deals.
Frequently asked questions
What connection do I need for gaming?
Fibre if available — latency matters more than raw speed.
Console or PC?
Console for simplicity and lower entry cost; PC for performance and upgradeability.
What do people forget to budget?
The subscription, the games and a second controller.
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Pricing, availability and platform support change regularly. This is general information, not financial advice.