Best and worst devices to play Minecraft Bedrock

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition comes on a wide variety of platforms, but which ones are the best for actually playing it? While convenience and personal preferences certainly play a part in players' reasonings for their preferred platform, some devices simply have advantages over others. Platforms like Windows PCs are lauded, while devices like the Nintendo Switch are sometimes panned.

By taking a closer look, we can examine why certain Minecraft Bedrock platforms tend to get the nod over others. While players are free to enjoy the game on any device they choose, it doesn't hurt to examine why certain platforms are best for playing Bedrock and others fall short.

NOTE: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.

The best platforms for playing Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Windows 10/11 PCs

Minecraft Bedrock on Windows PCs is incredibly reliable. (Image via Microsoft/Mojang)

As long as players have a Windows PC with even rudimentary hardware, it should be able to run Minecraft Bedrock quite well. In addition to this fact, players on PC can access add-ons without using the in-game marketplace, something that console platforms can't accomplish easily (if at all).

Moreover, Windows 10/11 PCs offer full controller and mouse/keyboard compatibility for controls, which is a feature that's missing from many platforms. Windows users can also benefit from the Xbox PC Game Pass, which allows them to play the game with an active subscription even if they haven't purchased the game outright, and this subscription even includes Bedrock Preview releases.

Xbox Series X|S

As Microsoft's current flagship console series, it should be little surprise that Minecraft Bedrock works quite well on the Xbox Series X|S platform. Capable of running framerates comparable to PC platforms, the Series X|S iteration of Bedrock sports performance capabilities that are not seen on other consoles.

Moreover, as a Microsoft product, players who have an active Xbox Game Pass subscription can enjoy Bedrock Edition and its experimental preview betas as part of their subscription package if they'd rather not purchase the game outright. All the while, the Series X|S console enjoys the same perks and upsides that other ports of Bedrock Edition enjoy.

While installing add-ons for Minecraft on this platform is incredibly difficult without using the marketplace, nearly everything else about Bedrock on Xbox Series X|S consoles passes the bar for quality and performance.

Android/iOS Mobile Devices

Minecraft on Android and iOS blends portability and performance. (Image via u/Theghostsurvivor/Reddit)

Though it's still referred to as Pocket Edition by players, the modern iteration of Minecraft on mobile devices is in fact a port of Bedrock Edition. Regardless, the Android and iOS versions of the game can run well on a wide range of hardware, and can really bring together beautiful visuals on higher-end mobile devices.

As a bonus, mobile users can download third-party add-ons without relying on the in-game marketplace. The touch controls take some getting used to if players aren't accustomed to, but players can also use Bluetooth peripheral support on mobile devices and even the touch controls themselves can eventually grow on fans over time.

The worst platforms for playing Minecraft: Bedrock Edition

Chromebook

Minecraft Bedrock on Chromebook was only recently made available, and there's quite a bit of work to do before they're up to speed with competing platforms. Performance issues still occur, in many cases because Chromebook hardware isn't typically built with gaming in mind. Moreover, Chromebook's Bedrock Edition has a sizable amount of bugs to contend with.

Bedrock on Chromebook may eventually grow into a well-oiled port of the game in due time, but the game has only been available on these devices for a little over a year. If Mojang continues to support this platform, it could grow into a better option when bringing together performance and portability.

Nintendo Switch

While the Nintendo Switch has the benefit of portability and a hybrid console/handheld construction on its side, as well as presenting Nintendo-themed content that isn't available on other platforms, these upsides ultimately can't save the system. Optimization seems to be a constant problem for the Switch, and players have often lamented frame drops, freezing, and crashing on the platform.

In addition, bugs have plagued the Switch in particular since its revamped Bedrock-based port arrived. Some players have reported bugs that don't seem to appear elsewhere. It's a shame, and it's confusing as to how this platform has so many issues compared to its contemporaries. Some players have continued to play on Switch anyway, but it's not a platform to recommend.