Which PlayStation 5 should I buy? Disc vs Digital - Which? (2024)

It's now much easier to pick up a PlayStation 5 without having to wait weeks or pay twice the standard price to buy it second hand.

This November, just a year after the PlayStation Slim was released, the PlayStation 5 Pro has hit the market. It's got a beefier GPU and can process ray-tracing better, but is it really worth shelling out £700 for it?

We've got answers – gathering everything you need to know before you buy a PlayStation 5, plus which model saves more money and the cheapest places to buy new games.

How much is a PlayStation 5?

You can expect to pay at most around £479.99 for a new PS5 – or £699.99 for a PS5 Pro – and possibly more if it comes with extra games or accessories.

There are three PS5 models that are widely available from most retailers. You can compare the best current prices on a console below:

• PS5 Digital (Slim): SQUIRREL_TEXT_50010709
• PS5 (Slim): SQUIRREL_TEXT_50010994
• PS5 Pro: SQUIRREL_TEXT_50017780

You can still pick up a 2020 PS5 (disc and digital), but these are more commonly found refurbished, or on the secondhand market. You may typically find older PlayStation 5s available from sites like Cex, Backmarket and Music Magpie.

While buying refurbished or secondhand could be a good way to save cash, we've seen new consoles at an even lower price over sales periods.

We keep close tabs on thebest PlayStation 5 dealsto help you save money.

We also keep an eye on thebest Nintendo Switch deals, and thebest bargains on an Xbox.

What is the difference between the PlayStation Pro, Slim, and 2020 models?

Each PlayStation 5 shares a lot of the same specs, but there are a few key differences.

Disc vs. digital PS5s

Both disc and digital PS5s have the same hardware (except the PS5 Pro) – the difference is that one has a disc reader, and the other doesn't.

The digital-only edition could be good for those who might not want to buy and store physical games, or who only buy games from the PlayStation store.

Not having a disc reader does have its drawbacks though; it means you won't be able to buy cheaper second-hand physical games, and you won't be able to watch Blu Rays or DVDs.

That said, you can now buy a digital-only console and stick on the disc drive at a later date. It will cost an extra £100.

A PS5 disc drive is SQUIRREL_TEXT_50010999

Slim vs. 2020 PS5

The PS5 Slim isn't a new standalone model. It's just a redesign to the regular PlayStation 5 – making them smaller and adding extra storage to both disc and digital models (1TB, compared to the 2020 model's 825GB).

Another key difference is that you can remove the disc drive on the slim. This means you can pick up a 2023 digital PS5 and buy the disc drive separately for £100 at a later date.

Other than the larger storage and removable disc drive, the differences between the models are mainly cosmetic – you'll still get similar performance between the two, they can play the same games, and the internals are largely unchanged.

PS5 Pro vs. PS5 Slim

While the two models above aren't too dissimilar, the new Pro model is where things are different. The Pro comes with better specs, and there are 'enhanced versions' of games that are available specifically for the Pro.

If you buy one, expect a larger GPU, expanded 2TB storage, improved ray-tracing, Wi-Fi 7, and 'AI-powered' upscaling. This means that you can expect to get better looking games with better performance.

Notably, however, the stock Pro doesn't come with a disc drive, making it more of a souped-up PS5 Digital. If you don't already have a standalone disc drive (perhaps from an existing PS5 Slim), you'll need to shell out an extra £100 if you want to play physical games or watch Blu Ray DVDs. This brings the already high price tag of the Pro to a total of £800.

What kind of PlayStation 5 should I get?

If we had to pick, we'd recommend getting a PS5 Slim when it's on sale. While the Pro has the better specs, we aren't convinced that it's worth paying hundreds of pounds more.

The basic PS5 is still a force to be reckoned with computationally, and you can still have 4K gameplay of up to 120 frames per second on some games. If you're worried about storage, you can always install your own additional M.2 SSD in the Slim to bring your storage up to a total of 9TBs. You can read how to go about that from Sony's site.

How to find the best deals on a PlayStation

With the price of a PlayStation increasing by £30 in 2022, it seemed unlikely that a sale would happen for some time. However, in August 2023 we saw the first deals taking £80 off the PlayStation 5 as part of the PlayStation Summer sale.

Similarly, we saw some great deals on console bundles, games, and accessories over the 2023 Black Friday sales. While many of those deals aren't available anymore, you can always check our PS5 deals page to see our picks on the best bundle and game deals.

You can follow our coverage of thebest PS5 Black Friday dealsto save money before the big sale.

What do you need to start gaming on a PlayStation?

Usually you'll need a TV, a controller, and some games.

If you want to play games in 4K with a higher frame rate than 60Hz, you'll first need a 4K-capable TV that has HDMI 2.1 ports, an HDMI 2.1 cable and a game that has support for 4K.

You can read what TV specs we recommend in our guide on the best TVs for gaming. We'd also highly recommend reading our TV reviews before buying any TVs.

If your gaming space is smaller, you can also use a computer monitor to game on a PS5. But if you want to game in 4K, monitors at that resolution with a higher refresh rate than 60Hz tend to cost more than £650. You could get a Best Buy TV for that price.

Do I need to buy PlayStation Plus?

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service that gives access to premium features such as discounts in the PlayStation Store, access to online multiplayer and more.

You'll need this subscription if you want to play online multiplayer in games such as Fortnite, Apex Legendsor Call of Duty, but if you're only going to be playing single-player games, you might be better off saving your money.

A subscription does give you some games every month: they'll be added to your online games library to download and play as long as you are a subscriber. You don't get to choose them though.

There are three types of monthly subscription: Essential (£6.99), Extra (£10.99) and Premium (£13.49) You can also pay every three months or annually for a slight discount.

The two more expensive subscriptions give more access to games catalogues, trials to new games and access to streaming games over the internet.

The Extra and Premium subscriptions give you access to hundreds of games, which you can download to your console or stream over the internet (Premium subscription only). This can be handy if you don't have space, or want to try out lots of games without having to buy them separately.

You can view the full catalogue on PlayStation's website, which is updated monthly.

We've broken down the costs of each subscription, and how much you can save by subscribing for three or 12 months:

For a full breakdown of what each plan has to offer, see PlayStation's website.

You'll need a good connection to game online. Check out ourbroadband dealsto help you save money on blazing fast internet.

Can I play digital PS5 games on my disc version?

The short answer? Yes.

Most PS5 games are huge programs, and usually aren't self-contained on a disc. It's easier to think of the disc as the installation media and licence to verify that you own the game you want to play. When you play off a PS5 disc, the game itself is installed and played through your console's internal storage.

Can you play PS5 digital games without the internet?

You can, but you'll need to make sure that they're fully downloaded to your console and you have the device set as your primary console.

One thing to look out for is that not all games may have their features when offline. There are some games that require an internet connection to play – like multiplayer shooters or live-service games.

How many games can a PS5 digital hold?

That depends on a few things: how much storage does your PS5 have, and what kinds of games are you downloading?

Games can be all manners of size; some indie darlings are less than 1GB in total, with games like Red Dead Redemption 2being a whopping 120GB – which is over a tenth of the storage space on a PS5 Slim digital.

On the whole, you can expect to fit at least five huge games on a PS5 Digital, and you'll need to uninstall them once you want to play other games.

If you find yourself running out of storage, you can always add an additional M.2 SSD to any PS5. You can read how to install one from Sony's site.

Is getting a PS5 for exclusive launches worth it?

Between the Xbox, Switch, PlayStation or PC, PlayStation has a lot of exclusive titles including Horizon Forbidden West, the Spider-Man games, Ghost of Tsushima andthe most recent Final Fantasy games.

That said, there have been several PlayStation exclusives that have launched on PC, with more exclusives on the way.

PlayStation also misses out on some games. For example, Bethesda's long-awaited Starfieldor swashbuckling online pirate gameSea of Thievesdoesn't have plans of ever going to PS5 – mainly because the studios each are made by are owned directly by Microsoft.

When it comes to picking a console, it really depends on what you want to play. If you're choosing a games console, it's worthwhile looking at upcoming games and on which platforms they will be released.

Should I get a PlayStation 4 instead?

Although there were some releases on the last-gen PS4 this year, most new games are only released on the PS5. While you can get a secondhand console on the cheap, you won't get the same experience as a PS5.

Only the PS4 Pro can play games in 4K, with the standard and slim models only capable of 1080p Full HD while running games typically at only 30 frames per second.

The PS5 has better hardware, resulting in better-looking and faster gameplay. Plus, the PS5 has a slot to expand your storage with an SSD.

The PS4 has its own VR headset, but isn't compatible with the newer PS VR2.

Even with the savings you would get by buying the older console, it may not be worth it since you can play the overwhelming majority of PS4 games on the PS5, with only six games playable on PS4 only, according to Sony.

Now that discounts on the PS5 are becoming more frequent, we'd recommend getting one of those since you'll be able to use it for longer.

If you think it's the better option, you can still buy a PlayStation 4 direct from Sony.

Or compare prices below:

What kind of PlayStation Controller should I get?

There are two options for PS5's DualSense controllers: the regular controller included with the console or the new DualSense Edge controller which launched earlier this year.

The difference between the two is that the DualSense Edge has more programmable buttons, you can fine-tune stick sensitivity and swap controller profiles – it's similar to Microsoft's Xbox Elite Series 2 'pro' controller.

Perhaps the biggest difference is price. The DualSense Edge costs an eye-watering £209.99 while the standard DualSense is £59.99.

If you have PS4 controllers laying around, you can use them on a PS5, but they're only compatible with PS4 games.

But most second-hand PlayStation 5s will likely come with a controller, so you won't have to worry about being stuck without a way to navigate menus or play your games.

If you do need an extra controller, or want an extra one to play local multiplayer games with friends, you can compare prices on a PS5 DualSense controller below:

Or if you're after a DualSense Edge controller, you can compare prices below:

Should you get a PlayStation VR headset?

If you're looking for an easy, plug-and-play way to get into VR, a PlayStation VR2 headset can be a good option.

There are exclusive titles such as Horizon Call of the Mountain and The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR. Plus, you can use the headset as a self-contained 4K display to play regular PS5 games, provided you set everything else up with a TV first.

It's not cheap, though. The PS VR2 headset alone costs £529.99 – more than the console itself, which you still need in order to use the headset. If you want a 4K OLED display to use for gaming, the PS VR2 might be cheaper than a 4K OLED TV, although you can still get a good TV for cheaper – like one of our Great Value TVs.

If you're interested in picking up a PlayStation VR2 headset, you can buy direct from Sony or compare prices below:

Or you can compare prices on a bundle with Horizon Call of the Mountain:

Is it worth picking up a PSVR2, or opting for a standalone model instead? We've compared popular models in our guide onhow to buy the best VR headset.

What is the PlayStation Portal, and where can I get one?

In November 2023 Sony launched the PlayStation Portal – a companion device to the PS5 serving as a remote screen and controller handheld that streams your PS5 over wi-fi. This could be a great option if you're living in a house where you're battling it out to use the TV, or if buying a new TV is too expensive. At £200, it could be a good alternative or stopgap if a TV is too expensive or you don't have room for one.

If you already have a good TV all to yourself, it may not be worth picking up a PlayStation Portal – it's output is 1080p and 60fps, which many TVs can beat. If you've got one of our best TVs for gaming already, we'd say give this one a pass.

To use a PlayStation Portal, you'll need broadband with at least 5Mbps, you'll need 15Mbps for the recommended experience.

At the moment, PlayStation Portals are hard to come by. Many have been swooped up to be resold on online marketplaces like eBay at a higher price. We saw ones for sale on Amazon, but for much higher than sold at major retailers. We'd recommend waiting a bit while stock evens out.

You can check stock at Smyth's Toys, Amazon, and Currys.

Where to buy second-hand PlayStations

Cex, MusicMagpie, BackMarket, local computer and tech shops, and Amazon all stock second-hand or refurbished PS5s. They may also stock PS4s, and even PS3s or PS2s if you're after some retro rushes.

While you can find a PS5 for a discount, it might not be covered by Sony's warranty and there may not be any warranty offered by the retailer either.

We recommend reading our advice on how to buy second-hand consoles and games.

Popular PS5 games

There are hundreds of games available on the PS5, but we've picked some that are extremely popular with gamers – as well as with some of the gamers here at Which?.

However, it's important to say that we don't actually review games.

The Last of Us

Set in post-apocalyptic America, this gritty action game is often hailed as one of the best stories in gaming and recently had a very successful TV series on Sky – both the game and show are Which? staff favourites.

Compare prices below:

Ghost of Tsushima

This action adventure focuses on Jin Sakai, a samurai trying to protect Tsushima Island during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. It's inspired by mid-century Japanese film, and has a lot of references to popular movies by filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.

Compare prices below:

Elden Ring

The latest game from Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Demon Souls creator FromSoftware, this open world role playing game puts a new spin on the 'Soulsborne formula' which allows for exploration and character experimentation above all else. A favourite among Which? gamers.

Compare prices below:

Horizon Forbidden West

The sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, this open world RPG continues protagonist Aloy's story as she explores a world taken over by hostile machines.

Compare prices below:

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales

A spin-off sequel ofMarvel's Spider-Man for the PS4, this action adventure game follows Miles Morales as he traverses and fights crime across New York City to protect his home, Harlem.

Compare prices below:

How to find the best deals on PlayStation games

There are several ways in which you can save money when shopping for video games. For one, you can check out our page on the best PS5 deals, where we highlight our top five game deals.

We've broken down our tips on how to find great deals when buying PlayStation games.

Sales

There are smaller, weekly sales on the PlayStation store for digital games, along with larger seasonal sales. You can keep up to date by keeping an eye on PlayStation's dedicated deals page.

Otherwise, you can look out for deals for physical games at retailers like Game, Currys, and Argos.

Typically, you'll have to wait a few months from its launch before a game goes on sale – the exact time will depend on how well the game was received.

Buying second-hand

Buying second-hand physical games is one of the best ways to build a games library while saving money. Online sellers like CeX, MusicMagpie, and Game all have extensive second-hand games sections. There are also several brick-and-mortar stores that sell second-hand games and consoles too, so be sure to check your area.

Read our advice on how to buy second-hand games and consoles first.

Before you buy from any of these retailers, we'd recommend taking a look at our survey on thebest and worst tech shops.

Can you play PS4 games on a PS5?

The short answer is yes. There are only six PS4 games that aren't playable on the PS5, according to Sony. Not all is lost though, Shadwensuperfans – most of these games are still available on PC or mobile.

If you have old PS4 games, or want to save money by buying the PS4 version of a game, you can still use PS4 discs in your PS5. You can even use a DualSense PS5 controller for them too.

Some PS4 games may have a PS5 digital upgrade. You can check which games are eligible online. If you have a PS4, you can transfer your games and console data to your new PS5 too.