Sony sells three versions of the PlayStation 5 in 2026: the PlayStation 5 with a disc drive (often called the PlayStation 5 Disc Edition), the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition with no disc drive, and the more powerful PS5 Pro. All current models use the slimmer design Sony introduced in late 2023, so a new Sony PlayStation 5 Slim is simply today’s standard PS5. This buying guide explains the differences, what the detachable PlayStation 5 disc drive is, and which model is right for you.
PS5 models at a glance
| Model | Disc drive | Storage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 (disc) | Yes, 4K Blu-ray | 1TB | Physical games, movies, buying used games |
| PS5 Digital Edition | No (optional add-on) | About 1TB | Players who buy everything digitally |
| PS5 Pro | No (optional add-on) | 2TB | 4K TVs, best graphics and frame rates |
PS5 prices in October 2026
PS5 pricing has been confusing this year. Sony raised its official US prices on April 2, 2026 to $649.99 for the disc model, $599.99 for the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition and $899.99 for the PS5 Pro. Since late August, many US retailers have sold the consoles at the older prices of $549.99, $499.99 and $749.99, and reports disagree on whether Sony officially rolled the increase back. The safest advice: check PlayStation Direct and two big retailers on the day you buy, and treat anything at or below $549.99 for the disc model as a fair price. For current deals see PlayStation deals and sales.
PlayStation 5 Disc Edition: who should buy it
The PlayStation 5 Disc Edition is the standard PS5 with a built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive. It plays PS5 and PS4 game discs, 4K Blu-ray movies, regular Blu-rays and DVDs. Choose it if:
- You buy physical games, which are often cheaper on sale and can be resold or traded in.
- You borrow games from friends or buy used games.
- You watch 4K Blu-ray movies and want one box under the TV.
- You have slow or capped internet and do not want to download 100GB games.
The disc model costs about $50 more than the Digital Edition. Over a few years of buying discounted physical games, most disc buyers make that back.
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition: who should buy it
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (also sold as the Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition) is identical inside but has no disc drive. Every game comes from the PlayStation Store or PlayStation Plus. Choose the PlayStation 5 Digital if:
- You already buy most games digitally.
- You plan to rely on PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium for most of your games.
- You want the lowest price for a full-power PS5.
- You have fast, unlimited internet.
The downside is that you can only buy games from Sony’s store, so you lose access to used games and retail discounts. Digital games are tied to your account and cannot be resold.
The PlayStation 5 disc drive add-on
Since the slim redesign, Sony sells the PlayStation 5 disc drive as a separate accessory for about $79.99. It clips onto the Digital Edition or the PS5 Pro and turns them into disc consoles. The first time you connect it, the console must be online to pair the drive. This means you can start digital and add a drive later, but buying the disc console up front is usually cheaper than buying a Digital Edition plus the drive.
Sony PlayStation 5 Slim vs the original PS5
The original 2020 PS5 was large and came with an 825GB SSD. The Sony PlayStation 5 Slim, launched in November 2023, is about 30 percent smaller and 18 to 24 percent lighter, raised storage to 1TB, added a second front USB-C port and made the disc drive detachable. Performance is identical. If you see the original model on sale, it is still a good console; just budget for extra storage. The Slim is now simply sold as the PS5.
What about the PS5 Pro?
The PS5 Pro has a much stronger GPU, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution upscaling, better ray tracing and 2TB of storage, but no disc drive. It is worth it if you play on a 4K TV and care about sharper images at 60fps. It is not worth it on a 1080p screen. Read our full PS5 Pro vs PS5 comparison.
Specs: what every PS5 shares
- CPU: custom AMD Zen 2, 8 cores, up to 3.5GHz.
- GPU: custom RDNA 2, about 10.3 teraflops (PS5 and Digital Edition).
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6.
- Output: up to 4K at 120Hz, HDR, variable refresh rate.
- Controller: DualSense with haptics and adaptive triggers. See the PlayStation controller hub.
- Backward compatibility: plays almost all PS4 games.
Storage: how much do you need?
After the system software, a 1TB PS5 leaves roughly 850GB for games. With big games at 80 to 150GB each, that fills quickly. Every PS5 has an M.2 slot for an extra NVMe SSD, which is the best upgrade you can make. See the PS5 storage upgrade guide.
Bundles and where to buy
Bundles with a game such as Fortnite, Call of Duty or Astro Bot are common, especially around Black Friday. Value the included game at its sale price, not its launch price, when you compare. Retail and used options, from Best Buy and GameStop to refurbished consoles, are covered on our PlayStation 5 hub.
Our recommendation
- Most people: the PS5 with a disc drive, for flexibility and cheaper games over time.
- All-digital players on a budget: the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition.
- 4K TV owners who want the best: the PS5 Pro, plus the disc drive if you need it.
PS5 buying guide FAQ
What is the difference between the PS5 Disc and Digital Edition?
Only the disc drive. Performance, games and online features are the same.
Can I add a disc drive to the PS5 Digital Edition?
Yes. The detachable PS5 disc drive costs about $79.99 and works with the slim Digital Edition and the PS5 Pro.
Is the PS5 Slim the same as the PS5?
Yes. The slim design has been the standard PS5 since late 2023, with the same performance and 1TB storage.
Does the PS5 Digital Edition play PS4 games?
Yes, digital PS4 games from the PlayStation Store.
Which PS5 should I buy for a child?
The Digital Edition is cheapest, but the disc model lets you buy cheaper used games, which often saves money for families.
Things to check before you buy
- Your TV: a PS5 looks best on a 4K TV with HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz support, but it works well on any HDMI TV. See the best TVs and monitors for PS5.
- Your internet: digital buyers should have at least 50Mbps for reasonable download times, and no monthly data cap.
- Your old games: if you own a big PS4 disc collection, the disc PS5 lets you keep playing it.
- Space: the slim PS5 is about 358mm tall standing up. The vertical stand is sold separately for the slim model, so lay it flat if you do not have one.
- Subscriptions: online multiplayer in paid games needs PlayStation Plus. See the PlayStation Plus hub.
PS5 or wait for the PS6?
Sony has not announced the PlayStation 6, and reports point to 2027 or later. A PS5 bought today will keep getting new games for years, as the PS4 did after the PS5 launched. Unless you are happy to wait at least a year and pay a higher launch price, buying a PS5 now is the sensible choice. Follow the latest on our PlayStation 6 page.
Should you buy a used or refurbished PS5?
A used PS5 can save $100 or more. Buy from a seller with a return policy, check that the console has the latest firmware, test the disc drive and both USB ports, and make sure it is not still signed into someone else’s account as the primary console. Sony’s official refurbished consoles come with a warranty and are the safest second-hand option.
Checked October 28, 2026.