Our verdict
For most households choosing one games console, the PlayStation 5 Slim is the safest starting point. It stores games on a fast SSD, a type of storage with no moving parts, so games load quickly. This Disc Edition has 1TB of storage and a Blu-ray drive, so you can play used games and watch high-detail Blu-ray films. The DualSense controller adds haptic feedback, detailed vibrations that react to the game, and adaptive triggers that push back as you press. Sony says over 8,500 PS4 games play on PS5. The disc model, around £479.99, costs more at first, but used games, shop discounts and lending can save money. The digital model ties every future purchase to Sony's online store.
Buy it if
- You want Sony's exclusive games
- You prefer a simple console to maintaining a gaming computer
- Used discs, lending and physical games matter to your family, bearing in mind new releases go digital only from January 2028
Skip it if
- You want to avoid paying for online multiplayer, which usually needs PlayStation Plus
- Xbox Game Pass offers the library you prefer
- Portable play matters more than playing on the TV
How it would fit your home
Family living-room gaming
Simple profiles, a broad library and physical games on disc make this the strongest fit for a shared TV.
Bringing your PS4 games
Sony says over 8,500 PS4 games play on PS5, so you can keep playing your existing library.
Playing away from a TV
A handheld computer or Switch 2 suits play on the move better.
The details, in plain English
Games and performance
The PS5 makes current games look sharp and load quickly without asking you to understand computer settings. Sony promises 4K graphics, which means a very detailed picture on a 4K TV, and ray tracing, which gives supported games more natural shadows and reflections. Many games let you choose between smoother motion and the most detailed picture. Sony says over 8,500 PS4 games play on PS5.
Controller and sound
The DualSense controller has haptic feedback, fine vibrations that let you feel things like rain or footsteps, and adaptive triggers, which add resistance when you draw a bow or brake a car. Tempest 3D AudioTech gives 360-degree sound through compatible headphones, so you can hear where footsteps come from. These features vary from game to game.
Disc versus digital
A digital console saves money only at purchase. This Disc Edition has a Blu-ray drive, so families can buy used games, compare supermarket and online-shop prices, borrow from friends and watch high-detail Blu-ray films. Over several years those options can repay the higher starting price. Digital purchases cannot be resold. Sony's UK disc drive page now says that from January 2028, newly released PlayStation games will be sold in digital format only. Discs you already own, or buy before then, will still play, so the drive stays useful for existing and second-hand games, but its value for new releases is shrinking.
Storage and ongoing costs
The Disc Edition has a 1TB SSD, but Sony notes part of it is reserved for system software. Large games can exceed 100GB, so extra internal storage may eventually be needed. Online multiplayer normally requires PlayStation Plus, and controllers or headsets add more. The console price is the start of the budget, not the full figure.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- Excellent game library, from Sony's own games to those from other publishers
- Fast SSD storage: games load quickly
- DualSense controller with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers you can feel
- Disc drive for used games and high-detail Blu-ray films
- Plays over 8,500 PS4 games, according to Sony
What to watch out for
- Online multiplayer usually needs a paid PlayStation Plus plan
- 1TB fills quickly: large games can exceed 100GB, and part is reserved for the system
- The stand and extra storage increase the total cost
- Digital purchases cannot be resold
- Sony says newly released games will be digital only from January 2028, which limits the disc drive's future value
Xbox Series X suits Game Pass and playing across devices, Nintendo Switch 2 gives portable play, and Steam Deck opens up a computer game library. The PlayStation 5 remains the strongest conventional all-round choice for its game catalogue and ease of use.
Make the Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc Edition) easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: 1TB fills quickly: large games can exceed 100GB, and part is reserved for the system
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 Slim (Disc Edition) (this one) | 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 Digital Edition | 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 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
This research-based review uses Sony's hardware and compatibility information alongside independent usability testing. Value includes the long-term effect of discs, storage and subscription costs rather than comparing console prices alone.