Sony PlayStation 5 (slim, with disc drive) vs Sony PlayStation 5 Pro
Get the PS5. Unless you have a big 4K TV and play the newest games a lot — then the Pro's sharper picture is worth it.
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.
Sony PlayStation 5 Pro
Sharper, smoother games on a big 4K TV, but a big price for a modest step up, with no disc drive or stand in the box.
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Both play every PS5 game. The Pro looks sharper and runs smoother in games updated for it, but it costs far more and comes without a disc drive or stand, while the PS5 has a disc drive in the box.
- —You play on a TV under about 55 inches.
- —You buy games on disc or second-hand.
- —You play now and then rather than every day.
- —You have a big 4K TV.
- —You want 60 frames a second without losing detail.
- —You only buy digital 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.
- +Sharper, smoother 4K in updated games
- +2TB storage
- +Wi-Fi 7
- −No disc drive: it's sold separately.
- −No vertical stand in the box.
- −Only games updated for the Pro look better.
- −Costs far more than the standard PS5.
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.