Sony PlayStation 5 (slim, with disc drive) vs Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB
Get the PS5. Unless you're set on Game Pass or your friends play on Xbox.
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.
Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB
A powerful 4K console with a disc drive and Game Pass, but after Microsoft's price rises it costs more than a PS5 with a disc drive.
We earn a commission from these links.
Both are fast 4K consoles with a disc drive and 1TB of storage, but the Xbox now costs more after Microsoft's price rises. The PS5 is smaller too.
- —You're choosing your first console.
- —You want Sony's own games.
- —Space under the TV is tight.
- —You play mostly through Game Pass.
- —Your friends are on Xbox.
- —You already own a lot of Xbox 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.
- +4K games with fast loading
- +Disc drive and 1TB SSD
- +Quick Resume keeps several games paused
- −It's a big, heavy box, about 30cm tall.
- −The official storage expansion cards are expensive.
- −Microsoft has raised the price several times since 2025.
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.