Our verdict
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition has the same hardware as the disc model but no disc drive, so every game is a download. Tom's Guide lists a custom 825GB SSD (solid-state drive), which loads games quickly, plus an M.2 slot for adding a compatible drive later; Sony's requirements for that drive are fairly strict. It supports 4K gaming, ray tracing (more realistic light and reflections) and an HDMI 2.1 port. The DualSense controller adds haptic feedback, which lets you feel textures, and adaptive triggers, which change resistance under your finger. Tom's Guide's review covers the original PS5 line, so check your exact model. We checked £519 for the 825GB digital console on 1 August 2026.
Buy it if
- You buy games digitally and do not need a disc drive
- You have a 4K TV and want smooth, detailed games
- You want the DualSense controller's haptics and adaptive triggers
Skip it if
- You buy secondhand or borrowed discs
- You have a large existing collection of physical PS4 games
- You want lots of built-in storage without adding an SSD
How it would fit your home
Digital-only gaming
Every game is downloaded, so it suits players who buy from the PlayStation Store and like sales. Keep an eye on the 825GB limit.
Playing older PS4 games
Tom's Guide reports that nearly all PS4 games work, and disc and digital versions are supported on the disc model. This model can only use digital PS4 games you own.
Expanding storage
The M.2 slot takes a compatible SSD, but Tom's Guide says not all drives qualify. Check Sony's requirements before buying one.
The details, in plain English
Storage and loading
Tom's Guide lists a custom 825GB SSD, which is far faster than a traditional hard drive, so games start and load quickly. Because there is no disc drive, everything installs from downloads, and large games can fill the drive fast. An M.2 slot supports a PCIe 4.0 drive for extra room, though Tom's Guide warns that the drive must meet Sony's fairly strict requirements.
Picture and performance
The console supports 4K gaming and ray tracing, which draws more realistic lighting and reflections. Tom's Guide cites 60 frames-per-second modes in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Frame rate is how many pictures appear each second, and higher looks smoother. It has an HDMI 2.1 port, but not every game supports the top modes, and a compatible TV is needed to benefit.
Controller and audio
The DualSense controller has haptic feedback for fine vibrations, and adaptive triggers that vary in resistance, such as a bowstring tightening. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker, a touchpad and a lightbar. The Tempest 3D audio engine places sounds around you and works with existing headphones, though Tom's Guide says it is tuned for Sony's Pulse 3D headset.
Ownership costs
Without a disc drive you cannot buy cheaper secondhand games, so digital prices and sales matter. Online play, subscriptions and extra storage all add to the cost. It has built-in internet connection with Ethernet and wireless. Add up game costs, not just the £519 console.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 825GB custom SSD, so games load quickly
- 4K gaming with ray tracing support and an HDMI 2.1 port
- DualSense controller with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers
- Tempest 3D audio for directional sound with headphones
- Plays nearly all PS4 games, according to Tom's Guide
What to watch out for
- No disc drive, so no secondhand or borrowed game discs
- Games, subscriptions and extra storage add to the real cost
- 825GB fills quickly, and the M.2 slot needs a drive that meets Sony's requirements
- Not every game uses the top picture or frame rate modes
- Tom's Guide notes the console is still large
The Digital Edition is compared on storage, disc support, the game library and likely extra costs, not only the price of the box. Compare it with the disc model and the Xbox Series X, and confirm the exact version and price before buying.
Make the Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: 825GB fills quickly, and the M.2 slot needs a drive that meets Sony's requirements
WD_BLACK SN850P NVMe SSD for PS5 with heatsink, 1TB Not yet reviewed by us
Adds game storage through a PS5-compatible internal expansion drive, reducing how often you remove downloads. It does not add a disc drive.
Check first: Choose the with-heatsink PS5 version and follow Sony’s installation requirements.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (this one) | A good fit if you are happy to buy games digitally and have a compatible 4K TV; choose a disc model if you buy secondhand games. | £519.99RRP · 825GB digital console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc Edition) | The safest conventional console for most game-first households, especially if you want to buy, borrow or resell games on disc, though Sony says new games will be digital only from January 2028. | £569.99RRP · disc drive, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony PlayStation 5 Pro | A good fit for keen players with a good 4K TV who want sharper, smoother games and room for a large digital library. | £789.99RRP · 2TB digital console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition | The best console for anyone happy to pay for Game Pass and buy everything digitally, but it locks you out of discs for good | £619.99RRP · 1TB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We have not tested this console ourselves. Specifications and findings come from Tom's Guide's review and Sony's product information, and are theirs, not ours. Other listed sources cover PEGI age labels and Ofcom online safety information.