PlayStation 5 Guide

The PlayStation 5 launched in late 2020 as the successor to the PlayStation 4, becoming the most powerful in PlayStation’s console line-up. It featured 825GB of SSD storage, 4K@120fps, ray tracing, and more in either a diskless Digital Edition or with a UHD Blu-ray disc drive. Stock scarcity and price inflation from third-party retailers plagued the console for years. Finally, at the start of 2023, the PS5 shortage essentially ended, making the console more widely available.

Later in 2023, the original PS5 was slimmed down and eventually replaced by the PS5 Slim. Thus, the PS5 Slim is now just referred to as the PlayStation 5. It has essentially the same hardware, albeit in a much smaller form factor and now with a slightly larger 1TB SSD. The more modular design also allows you to add a disk drive to the Digital Edition later, or you can purchase it already attached. However, disappointingly, current versions of the PS5 Digital only come with an 825GB SSD rather than 1TB.

Most recently, the PlayStation 5 Pro was revealed in late 2024 as a mid-generation refresh of the console. When comparing the PlayStation Pro and PS5, the biggest improvements are to graphics, thanks to a larger, more powerful GPU and other hardware that brings better ray tracing and AI upscaling via PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). The console also comes with a 2TB SSD rather than the 1TB found in the PS5.

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While there is no news of a new PlayStation console on the horizon, all the previous generations were released 6-7 years apart: PlayStation (1994), PlayStation 2 (2000), PlayStation 3 (2006), and PlayStation 4 (2013); and, now, the PlayStation 5 in November 2020. That means a new console from Sony Interactive Entertainment could be expected over the next couple of years. Although reports suggest the PS6 won’t launch until after 2028.

PlayStation 5 Model Reviews

IGN tech experts had the opportunity to conduct thorough hands-on testing of the PlayStation 5 lineup. Below is what they had to say about each:

PlayStation 5 (2020/2021) review

"The main improvement to the PlayStation 5 since our initial review a year ago is that Sony has enabled support for expanded internal storage, which, for a price, can sidestep the hurdle of having only 667GB of usable internal storage space out of the box. Which is good, because there’s been a lot to install, including several highly rated PS5 games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Deathloop. And while the PS5’s well-considered UI and blisteringly quick loading times for native PS5 games make it a pleasure to use, it’s the DualSense controller that’s proven to be the surprise haymaker I never saw coming; it truly leaves other controllers feeling primitive in comparison – I just wish more developers would make creative use of its abilities." - Luke Reilly

Score: 8/10

PlayStation 5 (Slim, 2023) review

"As it stands in 2023, the PlayStation 5 more than holds its own. While Xbox Series X can rightfully claim to be the most powerful console out there, features like blisteringly quick loading times for native PS5 games and a well-considered UI continue to make Sony’s console a pleasure to use. The new Slim model takes less space in your entertainment console while offering internal storage on par with the Xbox Series X, and it’s easily upgradable too. The DualSense controller continues to deliver phenomenal experiences when games are designed around it, and peripherals like the PSVR2 and PS Portal, while optional, offer additional ways to take advantage of the power of the PS5. While you do have to keep in mind that there’s an extra 80ドル annual expense for PlayStation Plus if you intend to play multiplayer games that aren’t free-to-play, the service does come with a number of other benefits, though its access to free games is limited compared to Xbox Game Pass’s expansive library. Either way, the first three years of PlayStation 5 have been filled with excellent first-party games like God of War Ragnarok, Spider-Man 2, and Returnal, all of which have showcased the power of Sony’s new-gen console, giving us a taste of what to expect as we enter the second half of the PS5’s life cycle." - Jada Griffin

Score: 8/10

PlayStation 5 Pro (2024) review

"Considering that the PS5 generation has largely been described as "What if the PS4 was faster?" it’s a little difficult to get all that excited about a console that promises to be a faster PS5. The PS5 Pro delivers on that, for sure, and if you find the standard PS5 leaving more to be desired from a technical perspective, it’s an intriguing prospect: running Pro-enhanced games in the new performance modes gives you essentially the old fidelity modes now targeting 60fps, sometimes with extra improvements. Sony’s AI-powered PSSR upscaling tech is certainly impressive when playing games that’ve been updated for it, giving console players the same type of image quality and frame rate improvements that Nvidia’s DLSS has delivered on the PC side in recent years. You’re not entirely free from compromises because you often still have to choose between that new standard and even better-looking fidelity modes at 30fps, though I’ve found going with performance an easier choice. At 700,ドル it’s not cheap, so you have to really desire that visual upgrade knowing that it doesn’t transform the gameplay experience at a fundamental level – and to be fair, Sony never said it would. So as it stands, the PS5 Pro isn’t essential, but it is certainly nice to have." - Michael Higham

Score: 7/10

PlayStation 5 Specs

While there are three main variants of the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Slim offer similar performance, as highlighted in the nearly identical specs. The PlayStation 5 Slim just features a smaller, more modular body, a slightly larger-capacity SSD (Disc Edition), and a few other minor changes. The PlayStation 5 was eventually phased out, and the "Slim" variant became the default PS5 model. The PlayStation 5 Pro has improved specs compared to the PS5, with a more powerful graphics chip, faster RAM speeds, a 2TB base storage capacity, and PSSR (PlayStation Spacial Super Resolution) support for better AI-based upscaling.

PlayStation 5 Accessories

The best PlayStation 5 accessories ensure you get the most out of the console. From increasing storage with a great SSD to personalizing the console with a PS5 faceplate, there are seemingly endless possibilities.

While the DualSense controller that comes in the box is awesome, some players might prefer a top-notch PS5 controller that offers more customizations or versatility for specific games. In fact, there are even a few great racing wheels for PS5 for those who love to play driving games, or check out the best fight sticks if you tend to gravitate towards fighting games.

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One of the top VR headsets is made for the PS5. PlayStation VR2 made meaningful improvements from the original, earning it a 9/10 rating in our review. Tech expert Gabriel Moss even found: "With top-notch visual quality and immersively tactile Sense controllers, PlayStation VR2 represents a quantum leap over its predecessor, setting a new standard for console VR gaming."

While the PSVR 2 is fun, you won’t be playing with the headset all the time. Luckily, the visuals the PS5 and PS5 Pro are capable of displaying are unbelievable, so you’d be remiss not to grab the best TVs or monitors for PS5 to make the most of those graphics. Along with a solid display, a great PS5 capture card ensures you record better-looking, longer-lasting clips than the console can. Beyond the outstanding picture quality, with Tempest 3D spatial audio support, the sound performance is just as good. That means you’ll want one of the best gaming headsets for PS5 to enjoy that positional audio support in all its glory.

Now, one of the coolest accessories for the console is the PlayStation Portal, which lets you remote play your favorite PS5 games over Wi-Fi or even stream games with a PlayStation Plus Premium membership. It’s essentially a DualSense controller split in half and stretched to fit an 8-inch display. There are also a whole bunch of great PS Portal accessories, including cases and charging docks to enhance your experience with the device. For more on the remote player, check out this helpful PlayStation Portal guide.

PlayStation 5 Storage

The base storage capacity on the PlayStation 5 is sizable: 825GB on the original, 1TB or 825GB on the PS5 Slim, and 2TB on the PS5 Pro, with about 150GB of that reserved for the OS, system updates, and firmware. However, storing some top PlayStation 5 games can exceed 100GB or more, so space fills up fast. Luckily, Sony made it easy to upgrade storage on the PlayStation 5 without sacrificing performance, thanks to an internal M.2 SSD expansion slot that supports the best PS5 SSDs.

Using the PS5’s internal SSD slot is the ideal way to upgrade storage, but you can also increase your console’s space with one of the best external hard drives. You can’t play PS5 games directly from a compatible external USB drive. Instead, it’s a great option for storing PS5 titles to quickly transfer your library between external and internal storage and playing backward-compatible PS4 games. If you're looking to run PS5 games directly from a drive, install a compatible SSD.

PlayStation 5 Games

The PlayStation 5 supports all digital versions of PS5 games. If you have the disc drive variant of the console or bought a disc drive attachment for the PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim, it will also work seamlessly with all PS5 discs.

The console also has backward compatibility with the vast majority of the best PS4 games. A Game Boost feature may even be available for certain games from the older console, bringing faster load times, improved frame rates, and a potential resolution boost. Beyond that, a PlayStation Plus subscription lets you stream games, make cloud saves, and more, but it’s dependent on the membership tier you’re in.

There is a huge selection of titles available to play on the PS5. Check out our favorite PS5 games for inspiration. In 2026, we’re also anticipating a bunch of new PS5 games, including the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI in November. But there are plenty of other big games dropping this year that you’ll likely want to grab.

Where to Buy - Price and Availability

The PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro are available at most major retailers. However, Sony recently raised the consoles’ prices due to "continued pressures in the global economic landscape." Both the PS5 with the disc drive and PS5 Digital Edition are 100ドル more, with a recommended MSRP of 649ドル.99 and 599ドル.99, respectively. As for the PS5 Pro, its price has risen by a whopping 150,ドル making the retail price 899ドル.99.

It’s rare for Sony’s console to be discounted, but the best time to buy a PS5 is typically during major sales periods like Black Friday and Prime Day. You’ll also often find PS5 bundles that package the console with a game or unique, limited-edition designs. Right now, a Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle is available for PS5 along with a Ghost of Yotei Limited Edition design. Additionally, you can purchase a disc drive for the console’s Digital Editions.

Below are a few places you can grab the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and the disc drive:

PlayStation 5 How-to Guides

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Get to know your new PS5 console with these helpful How-tos and guides to making the most of the PlayStation 5. Don't miss these tips and tricks for settings you may not know about!

• How to Install a Disc Drive
• How to Transfer Data From Your PS4
• How to Expand Storage
• How to Set Up 3D Audio
• How to Play Blu-ray Discs on PS5
• How to Use the Game Switcher and Switch Game Versions
• How to Preset Game Resolution, Difficulty, Controls, and Subtitles
• How to Use Your PSN Account, and Change Your PSN Name
• How to Add and Remove Users
• How to Enable Cloud Saving
• How to Capture and Record Videos
• How to Stream to Twitch and YouTube

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