PS5 models compared: original, Slim, Digital and Pro

There are basically three generations: the original PS5 from 2020, the more compact PS5 Slim from the end of 2023 and the more powerful PS5 Pro since November 2024. The original and the Slim were and are each available with a disc drive and as a Digital Edition. The Pro is only sold without a disc drive.

The first PS5 is large, has removable white side panels and an 825 GB SSD. Once the system has taken its share, considerably less is left for games. The disc version has a built-in 4K Blu-ray drive; the Digital Edition lacks one – and on this model it cannot be added later.

Over time, Sony revised the console internally, for example in weight and cooling. This did not change gaming performance. Used, the original PS5 is often cheaper than a Slim and a good choice for many players if space in the TV unit doesn't matter. The model numbers start with CFI-10, CFI-11 or CFI-12.

The Slim replaced the original model at the end of 2023. It is around a third smaller and noticeably lighter, has two USB-C ports at the front and usually a 1 TB SSD. For some later digital revisions, Sony is back to quoting 825 GB – so check the storage figure in the listing or on the packaging.

The most important innovation is the detachable disc drive. The Slim with a drive comes with it already attached; you can upgrade the Slim Digital Edition later with the official drive. The drive is paired with the console online once when you first connect it. The Slim's model numbers start with CFI-20 or CFI-21. A stand for vertical placement is not included in every package.

The PS5 Pro is aimed at players with a high-end 4K TV. It has a much more powerful GPU, improved ray tracing and the AI-based PSSR upscaling, which makes enhanced games look sharper and run more smoothly. The SSD holds 2 TB. There is no built-in disc drive, but the Slim's detachable drive also fits the Pro.

All PS5 games run on the Pro, and many receive additional enhancements. How big the difference is depends heavily on the individual game and the TV. On a Full HD set or with games that have not been enhanced, the advantage over the Slim is small. The model numbers start with CFI-70 or CFI-71.

The disc drive helps determine what the console costs you in the long run. You can buy disc games used, lend them out and sell them on again, and the drive also plays 4K Blu-rays. Digital games are convenient and often cheap in sales, but they remain tied to your account.

If you are unsure, the Slim Digital keeps you flexible: the drive can be added if you need it later after all. But work out whether the digital version plus the drive costs more than the disc version straight away.

All PS5 models have a slot for an additional M.2 SSD. Sony recommends fast PCIe 4.0 SSDs with a heatsink; the console checks during installation whether the SSD is suitable. You can store PS5 games on an external USB hard drive, but you can only launch them from the internal or the M.2 SSD. PS4 games also run directly from the external hard drive.

For every offer, compare the model, storage and contents. The names used in listings are not always unambiguous – the model number provides clarity. With used consoles, a receipt, complete accessories and a working controller are a must. Offers for new consoles that are far too cheap, especially for the Pro, are often dubious. On marketplaces, only pay via the protected methods provided. Our price histories help you judge whether a price is currently on the high or low side. With special editions, bundles with a game or packages with a second controller, it is best to compare the price per component: what would the console, game and accessories cost individually? That way you can quickly tell whether a package really offers an advantage.

Whatever the model, every new PS5 comes with a DualSense controller. It has haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that create noticeable resistance in many games. The more expensive DualSense Edge offers swappable sticks and extra buttons, but it is not a must. PS4 controllers only work with PS4 games on the PS5.

Accessories such as headsets, cameras and charging stations generally fit all models. Casing parts are a different matter: the side covers of the original PS5 do not fit the Slim and vice versa. The stand also differs between generations. If you buy used, check whether accessories in the package really belong to that particular model.

Backward compatibility is the same for all PS5 variants: almost all PS4 games run, and many benefit from higher or more stable frame rates. PS3, PS2 and PS1 discs, on the other hand, are not supported; selected classics are available digitally via the PlayStation Store or the PlayStation Plus subscription.

Casual players who occasionally play a big game on the TV are well served by a PS5 Slim. Whether with or without a disc drive depends on how you buy games. If you want to keep your budget as low as possible, look for a used original PS5 with a receipt – it offers the same gaming performance and is often noticeably cheaper.

Tech enthusiasts with a large 4K TV that supports 120 Hz get the most out of the PS5 Pro. Here it is especially worth looking for offers that include the detachable drive if you want to use discs. For families in which several people play, storage is an important criterion: the 1 TB of the Slim or the 2 TB of the Pro save you from frequently deleting and reinstalling games.

Whatever the model, don't let special editions with a distinctive design tempt you into paying more if looks don't matter to you. Technically, special editions are identical to the normal consoles of the same model.

The Slim is not faster than the original model – it is just more compact and usually has more storage. The Digital Edition is not a stripped-down console in technical terms; it simply lacks the disc drive. And the PS5 Pro does not automatically make every game look better: you see the biggest difference in titles that have been explicitly enhanced for the Pro, and on a 4K TV. If you know these three points, you can compare offers far more accurately.