Sony PlayStation 5 (slim, with disc drive) vs Nintendo Switch 2
Get the PS5 if you play on the TV. Unless it's for young children or you want to play away from the TV — then the Switch 2 is the better buy.
Sony PlayStation 5 (slim, with disc drive)
The console most people should buy: the biggest games, a disc drive for cheaper and second-hand games, and smaller than the first PS5.
Nintendo Switch 2
The console for families and for playing on the go: a bigger, sharper screen than the Switch and Nintendo's own games. Battery life is short in handheld mode.
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The PS5 runs the biggest games at up to 4K with a disc drive. The Switch 2 is less powerful but plays in your hands too, and it's the only way to play Mario, Zelda and Pokémon.
- —You play on a big TV.
- —You want the big new third-party games.
- —Your friends play on PlayStation.
- —It's for young children or the family.
- —You want to play on the sofa, in bed or on trips.
- —You love Nintendo's games.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +The biggest games, including Sony's own
- +Disc drive for cheaper and second-hand games
- +1TB storage, smaller than the first PS5
- −The stand for standing it upright costs extra.
- −1TB fills up quickly with big games.
- −Coming from a PS4, some games feel like only a modest step up.
- −The disc drive can be taken off, but the digital edition can't play discs until you buy one.
- +Plays on the TV or in your hands
- +Bigger, sharper 120Hz screen
- +Runs most Switch games
- −Handheld battery life is short, about three to five hours.
- −Some games come on cards that only unlock a download.
- −Older microSD cards don't work; it needs microSD Express cards.
- −Some owners had Joy-Con that stopped working or wouldn't pair.
Ready to choose?
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), manufacturer specifications.