Which PS5 model should you buy in 2024?

So I decided to go for the PlayStation 5 over the Xbox or the Nintendo Switch. You’d think that the hard part would be over. Unfortunately, deciding which platform to choose is only just beginning, because every system has multiple models and versions, each with their own pros and cons. The Xbox has Series X and Series S , The switch has a normal Lite, and OLED, but the PS5 has the most features of them all. Currently, there are four different models of the PS5, with a fifth model likely coming in the future. PS5 Pro leaks prove true .

Not everyone has the time to research and compare all the granular differences between four different PS5 units before buying. After all, this is a video game console. You just want to play games, right? Don’t worry. We’ll cut through all the marketing hype and fanboy hype and give you the raw details you need to know which PS5 model is right for you in 2024 and beyond.

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Base PS5

The first model with a disk drive

The PS5 was initially launched in only two versions: this one and the digital version we’ll discuss next. The difference is that this model has a built-in disc drive, so you can buy games physically. Of course, you can always buy games digitally, but this model gives you both options. Since the Slim model has been launched, PlayStation is no longer producing this version, so prices will vary depending on retailer and availability, but you can expect to pay around $450 to $500 new, although you may be able to find better deals on the second-hand market at the moment.

This model has the widest appeal, and its only drawbacks are size and availability. As the first version, the PS5 is large, so you’ll need to make room for it, but never mind the unique design. Since it’s no longer in production, the price and availability also vary greatly. That said, with this model, you don’t have to choose between physical and digital games.

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PS5 Digital

No disc

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition

Discless version of PS5.

On the other hand, there is the digital version of the PS5 at launch. As you’ve probably guessed, the biggest difference is that this model doesn’t come with a disc drive and can’t play physical media. Any games you play on this version have to be downloaded and installed on your hard drive to play. This version has always been cheaper than the version with a disc drive, but since it’s been discontinued, it still suffers from a price imbalance. Prices range from $400 to $520, so shop around to see if the price is reasonable in your area. This is also worth looking for on the second-hand market.

The advantage of this version is also its biggest disadvantage: it’s all-digital. If you don’t want to take up space in your game case, download games and swap discs, or have to sell/swap them when you’re done, this model is for you. But be aware that once you’ve decided on this digital-only model, there’s no changing your mind.

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Do you prefer to buy games physically or digitally?

Buying a game used to be an event. You had to save up money or wait for your parents to agree to buy the game, then get dragged to five other errands before you could get home and start playing. Thankfully, there were great game manuals to read in the car while you waited to insert the game into your console and play. We went from cartridges to discs, but now games are primarily sold digitally. PC gamers have primarily downloaded games for decades, but it wasn’t until the 360 ​​and PS3 era that consoles allowed you to download complete games. What started as a novelty is now the primary way games are sold and bought. The benefits of digital games are clear: you can download and play them without leaving the house, they take up no space, and they can’t be lost or damaged. But there is significant resistance to this fully digital future of gaming. Issues of preservation and ownership are the main issues.

PS5 Slim

It’s a little small, but it does have a disk drive.

The alternative to the base PS5 model is the PS5 Slim. This model is exactly the same as the base unit, just slightly smaller and lighter. It doesn’t offer any performance improvements or extra features. Like the current model, this version will cost $500.

If you want to retain the physical option to play games, and you can find this model for less than the base unit, then go for the Slim. The difference in size isn’t big enough to justify paying more unless it’s a make or break purchase.

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PS5 Slim Digital

Slim and all-digital

Finally, we have the Slim model of the all-digital PS5. This time, it has two big factors that make it more appealing than the base Digital Edition. The first is that it has a slightly larger hard drive so you can store more games. However, it’s only about 200MB larger, so if you plan on filling it up, you’ll need to invest in an internal or external hard drive anyway. The second factor is that, unlike the base model, the Slim lets you add an installable disc drive later. This gives you peace of mind, even though it will cost you more in the long run than buying the disc version. It’s also the cheaper of the Slims at $450.

Unless you know you want to build a physical collection, this is the best PS5 model I can recommend: it’s small, it’s cheap, and you at least get a disc drive if you change your mind, so you don’t have to buy a whole new system.

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