PlayStation 5 review
The most wanted gift on most lists, and the three questions to answer before you buy one for someone else.
The verdict
Give a PS5 to someone who has actually asked for one, has the television and the space for it, and does not already own the same games on another platform. Do not give one as a surprise to a casual player, because the console is the cheapest part of what follows and a Switch suits a household far better.
PlayStation PlayStation 5 Console, model CFI-1102A
~$580
A home games console with a custom CPU, GPU and SSD, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in the controller, and 3D audio.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Model | CFI-1102A |
|---|---|
| Storage | Custom SSD with integrated I/O |
| Controller | Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers |
| Audio | 3D audio support |
| Processor | Custom CPU and GPU |
Specifications above come from Sony's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The SSD genuinely changed how the machine feels. Loading screens are short enough that they stop being part of the experience.
- Adaptive triggers and haptics are the rare console feature that people notice immediately and keep talking about a year later.
- It is the platform with the strongest single-player exclusive library, which is what most non-competitive players actually want.
- It works as a media device too, so it does not sit idle between games.
- As a gift it is unambiguous. Nobody has to pretend to like it.
Where it falls short
- It is physically large. Measure the space and the ventilation before buying, because a console crammed into a cabinet runs hot and loud.
- The console is the entry fee. Games, a second controller and an online subscription are where the real spending is, and none of it is included.
- Console generations and models change. Check which model you are buying and whether it has a disc drive, because that decides whether they can use a physical game library.
- If the recipient's friends play on another platform, cross-platform play is inconsistent and they may end up playing alone.
- A television that cannot do the console justice makes the upgrade largely invisible, and a new television is not a small addition to the budget.
What owners report
Reports from people who received a console as a gift are revealing: the most common regret is not the console but the mismatch, meaning it arrived without games, without a second controller, or on a platform their friends do not use. Buying one game with it changes the experience of opening it far more than the price difference suggests.
The second theme is space and noise. The PS5 is one of the largest consoles ever made and it needs airflow. Owners who put it in a closed cabinet report fan noise; owners who gave it room do not. Check where it will actually live before ordering.
The third is that a console is a long-term commitment for the household rather than a single purchase. If you are weighing a big expensive gift against a smaller thoughtful one, our practical gift versus indulgent gift comparison is a more useful read than any spec sheet.
Who it suits
- Someone who has explicitly asked for a PS5.
- Players who mainly want story-driven single-player games.
- Households with a suitable television and somewhere ventilated to put it.
Who should skip it
- Casual or family players, who are far better served by a Switch.
- Anyone whose friends all play on a different platform.
- A surprise recipient whose gaming habits you are guessing at.
Alternatives worth considering
Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con
~$330
Roughly half the price, plays on a television or in the hand, and has detachable controllers so two people can play out of the box. A much better household gift.
Check price on AmazonLogitech G G915 TKL Lightspeed Wireless RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
~$199
If they play on a computer rather than a console, this is a far better use of a third of the money.
Check price on AmazonBose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
~$249
A gift that improves gaming, music, travel and work, and does not depend on which platform they already own.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is a PS5 a good gift?
For someone who asked for one, it is close to unbeatable. As a surprise it is risky, because the console is only the start of the spending and because platform choice is usually driven by which friends play where.
PS5 or Nintendo Switch as a gift?
The PS5 is the better single-player machine and the Switch is the better household one. If more than one person will use it, or if it will travel, the Switch is usually the happier gift and it costs a lot less.
What else do I need to buy with it?
At least one game, and realistically a second controller if anyone else in the house will play. An online subscription is needed for most multiplayer. Budgeting for a game with the console makes the gift land properly.
Does it come with a game?
This listing is the console. Bundles that include a game exist and change from season to season, so read the listing carefully rather than assuming.
How much space does it need?
More than people expect, and it needs airflow around it. Measure the shelf and check the ventilation before ordering, because a console in a sealed cabinet gets hot and noisy.
Keep reading
- Practical gift vs indulgent gift compared
- Nintendo Switch review
- Logitech G915 TKL review
- Bose QuietComfort review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.