Xbox Sales Hit a Record Low as PlayStation Hardware Sales Fall 25% in the US

The US console market is facing a difficult year, with new Circana retail-tracking figures showing that fewer players are buying new hardware while the average price paid for consoles continues to climb.

According to figures shared by Circana video-game analyst Mat Piscatella, US Xbox hardware unit sales for 2026 through August were down 33% compared with the same period in 2025. That represents an all-time low for Xbox hardware unit sales over the measured period.

PlayStation hardware unit sales were down 25% year over year through August, reaching their lowest level for the same period since 2013. The figures concern US hardware unit sales, not global sales or the number of active players.

Average prices paid for new consoles also reached record highs in the US. The average Xbox price was reported at $529, up 26% year over year, while the average PlayStation price reached $597, up 20%. Higher component costs and rising hardware prices are among the pressures facing the market.

The combination of falling unit sales and higher prices creates a challenge for console makers: higher average selling prices do not necessarily mean more people are entering the current console generation. The data also raises questions about how affordability and hardware availability could shape the market during the holiday season.

A major upcoming game release could help stimulate interest in hardware, but the scale of any boost will depend on availability, pricing and consumers’ willingness to upgrade. These figures are specific to the US market and should not be treated as a global sales estimate.