Updated 22 Oct 2026
Is the Sony PlayStation 5 (slim, with disc drive) worth it?
Yes — the best console for most people.
The slim PS5 plays every PS5 game at up to 4K, with a 1TB SSD and a detachable disc drive, so you can buy games on disc and sell them on. It's about 30% smaller than the first PS5 and just as fast. The stand for standing it upright costs extra, and Sony has raised the price twice since 2025, so a bundle with a game included is the best way to buy.
99%of 984 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- The biggest games, including Sony's own
- Disc drive for cheaper and second-hand games
- 1TB storage, smaller than the first PS5
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What owners say
Owners are delighted: the graphics, the smaller size and how much of a step up it is from a PS4. Complaints are rare, and most low ratings say nothing.
Good to know
- 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.
From 984 buyer ratings at Currys, every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Great graphicsMentioned a lot
- A hit as a presentMentioned a lot
- A real step up from the PS4Mentioned often
- Smaller and sleeker than the first PS5Also mentioned
- The controllerAlso mentioned
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 14 of 984 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You want the big new games and Sony's exclusives.
- You buy games on disc or second-hand.
- Your friends play on PlayStation.
Skip it if…
- You want to play away from the TV: get a Switch 2.
- You already have a PS5: the slim plays the same games at the same speed.
More on the PS5
How we reached this verdict
Tom's Guide gives the slim PS5 its Editor's Choice for the smaller size, 1TB of storage and detachable disc drive, and only regrets that the vertical stand costs extra. TechRadar recommends it too: about 30% smaller than the original with the same performance. Both reviewed it before Sony's price rises of 2025 and March 2026.
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: Tom's Guide, TechRadar, PlayStation Blog (prices), TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), manufacturer specifications.
Updated 22 Oct 2026How we decide