Buy a PS5 – PlayStation 5 price comparison

The PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020 in two versions: a standard model with a Blu-ray drive and a Digital Edition without one. Both have an 825 GB SSD, of which noticeably less is left for games once the system has taken its share. At the end of 2023 the smaller, lighter PS5 Slim followed. It usually ships with a 1 TB SSD, and its digital version can later be upgraded with a detachable disc drive.

In terms of gaming performance, the original and the Slim are practically identical. The differences lie in size, weight, storage and ports. You can tell which revision you are looking at from the model number on the casing or in the listing: CFI-10xx to CFI-12xx stands for the original model, CFI-20xx for the Slim.

With a disc drive you can buy games on disc, resell them second-hand and play 4K Blu-rays. The Digital Edition is usually cheaper to buy, but you then depend on the PlayStation Store. If you want to play lots of older or used games, a disc drive often works out cheaper in the long run.

Many offers in this list are used. Look for a complete description covering condition, what is included (controller, power and HDMI cables, stand) and ideally a receipt. With private sales, ask whether the console has been signed out of the PSN account, and when collecting it, ask to see it boot up, read discs and run with an unremarkable fan noise.

When buying from a commercial seller in Germany, you have statutory warranty rights even on used goods, although the period may be shortened to one year. Private sales usually exclude the warranty – which makes the description all the more important.

Factor in the extras when you buy: a second DualSense controller is worth it if you often play with someone else. Most games require a PS Plus subscription for online multiplayer. If storage gets tight, you can fit a compatible M.2 SSD with a heatsink into the dedicated slot or move PS4 games to an external USB hard drive. Place the console with a little space from walls and remove dust from the vents now and then – that keeps it quiet and protects the hardware.