Best PS5 accessories 2023: take your PlayStation gaming experience to the next level
Best PS5 accessories 2023: take your PlayStation gaming experience to the next level
Get the most out of your console with the best PS5 accessories available
The best PS5 accessories can take your PlayStation gaming experience to the next level. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know which ones are worthy of your hard-earned cash. That’s why I’ve put together a list of my top must-have PlayStation 5 accessories.
These accessories add extra functionality to your PS5 console and can greatly enhance your enjoyment. For example, if you want to chat with friends online, picking up one of the best PS5 gaming headsets is essential. Without one, you’ll be stuck using the DualSense controller’s built-in microphone – which isn’t ideal for anyone involved and can quickly drain the PS5 controller's battery life, which is already subpar.
Another common issue for PS5 owners is running out of storage space on the console’s 825GB internal SSD. If you want to download the PS Plus free games every month, you’ll need to expand your storage with an NVMe SSD or an external hard drive for your PS4 games. Not sure which SSD to choose? Check out our guide for the best PS5 SSD.
And if you’re an aspiring Twitch streamer, the PS5 HD Camera is an essential accessory. It’s the only webcam supported by the console and is a must-have if you want to show your face to the world while streaming.
Other PS5 accessories like the DualSense Charging Station can help solve some common frustrations with Sony’s console – such as the DualSense controller’s short battery life. Check out my full list of the best PS5 accessories below.
Best PS5 accessories: quick list
Sony DualSense Controller
Best PS5 controller
➕ Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers
➕ Ergonomic design
➖ Battery life isn’t great
One of the easiest upgrades you can make to your PS5 experience is to pick up another DualSense controller. Even if you don’t have someone else to play with, having two controllers available means you can rotate between pads whenever the charge starts to dwindle.
It helps that Sony has released a tempting selection of striking PS5 controller colors to choose from if you do fancy grabbing another DualSense. Six shades from Midnight Black to Galactic Purple are available that should suit almost every preference. I say “almost” because we still don’t have a proper red controller. No, Cosmic Red doesn’t count.
Sony has also released the DualSense Edge. Fans of competitive games will be glad to see Sony finally provide a pro pad for gamers that rivals one of Microsoft’s best Xbox accessories, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller.
PS5 DualSense Edge Controller
Best PS5 pro controller
➕ Will give you the edge online
➕ A premium upgrade over the DualSense
➖ Poor battery life, high price, and some odd design decisions
Sony’s pro-grade controller doesn’t quite live up to expectations, but it’s a pleasing update over the original DualSense and still one of the best PS5 controllers if you’re happy to pay the price. Gamers who are seeking a competitive advantage online will certainly benefit from the Edge’s wealth of customization options and two back buttons, but for the more casual player who primarily enjoys single-player titles, it’s hard to recommend.
Find out how the DualSense Edge makes these games better:
Still, as a first attempt from Sony, there’s a lot to like about the DualSense Edge. From its more premium feel to the ability to swap out the analog stick modules if they develop drift, some pro players will have no qualms about paying $199.99 for an officially licensed pad for PlayStation 5. Read our PS5 DualSense Edge Controller review for everything you need to know.
Skull & Co. thumb grips
Best PS5 controller accessory
The Skull & Co. thumb grips are an excellent addition to the DualSense controller, particularly if you enjoy playing first-person shooters or have ever found your thumbs slipping mid-game. With different heights available, giving you more accuracy and control, the Skull & Co. thumb grips are a cheap controller upgrade that is well worth the $10 asking price.
PSVR 2
Best VR headset
➕ Offers a great VR experience on a console
➕ Includes everything you need in the box
➖ Lack of standout games and high price tag
Fans of virtual reality are in for a treat on PS5. Sony’s PSVR 2 takes VR gaming on consoles to the next level and is currently unrivaled. There’s obviously no competition from other VR headsets on PS5, and Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch owners are left to look on enviously as VR is also missing on those platforms.
But is PSVR 2 worth it? That depends. While there’s no doubt PlayStation VR2 is a massive step up from the original, newcomers might be put off by certain aspects of the headset and VR in general. It isn’t the pickup-and-play console gamers are used to.
Still, that doesn’t mean PSVR 2 isn’t one of the best PS5 accessories around, particularly if you’ve always wanted to experience what virtual reality has to offer. The list of PSVR 2 games will only continue to grow, making the headset a more tempting proposition for those who might be on the fence.
PS5 DualSense Charging Station
Best PS5 charging station
➕ Doesn’t take up a USB port on the PS5
➕ Charge two controllers at the same time
➖ It needs an AC outlet
If there’s one PS5 accessory on this list that you shouldn’t hesitate to buy, it’s the DualSense Charging Station. The DualSense controller’s battery life is passable at best, and it’s rare to get more than two days of gaming done before it needs to charge. And that brings with it a few issues.
Once the low battery prompt comes up, you’ll need to fish out a USB-C cable and stick it in either the front or back of the PS5 to begin charging your pad. That not only looks ugly, but you might not have any USB ports to spare – I know I don’t.
The solution to this annoying problem is the PS5 DualSense Charging Station. It plugs directly into an AC outlet and doesn’t require a USB port. Just pop your controller into the dock, and watch as it charges. If you have a second DualSense controller to hand, you’ll always have a freshly charged pad ready to go at a moment’s notice. It’s a game-changer and easily one of the best PS5 accessories.
Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Best PS5 wireless headset
➕ EQ lets you dial in the perfect sound
➕ Can be used wired if you run out of charge
➖ There are better-sounding headsets out there
Sony has slowly improved the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset with various updates since it launched alongside the PS5 in 2020, and it’s now one of the best PS5 headsets you can buy.
In May, Sony added an equalizer menu so you can tailor the headset’s sound to your liking. Using the stock settings, I found that the headset wasn’t loud enough and lacked the sort of “oomph” I like when gaming. But after boosting the bass and mids to compensate for those drawbacks, I enjoy using it now.
🤔 Can’t decide between the PS5 Disc vs Digital? We’ll help you make the right choice
The PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is also great value at $99. It includes a generous amount of features such as ‘mic monitoring’ (which lets you hear your voice clearer when speaking), a dedicated mute button, and the option to use it wired if you’d prefer. It’s a solid choice.
WD Black SSD with Heatsink 1TB
Best SSD for PS5
➕ Meets all of Sony’s SSD requirements
➕ Great performance and easy to install
➖ 2TB version is expensive
The PS5 has an 825GB SSD, but you only get 667GB of usable storage. Install a couple of games, take a few screenshots, record a handful of gameplay videos, and suddenly you might wonder where all those gigabytes went.
Adding more internal storage is another essential PS5 upgrade, and thankfully you can install an NVMe SSD such as the WD_Black SN850 to give you more room. The WD_Black SN850 is the best SSD for PS5 as it meets all of Sony’s requirements. That means it will fit perfectly inside the console’s SSD bay, is fast enough to load games in a flash, and comes with a heat sink, so the drive stays nice and cool. I’ve had the WD Black SSD installed in my PS5 for months, and it works like a charm.
WD Black has recently released a new WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5, which is “officially licensed for PlayStation 5 consoles”. But don’t be fooled: this drive isn’t worth the extra $10 markup.
Need some help installing your new PS5 SSD? Check out our PS5 SSD upgrade guide. 🪛
Samsung T5 Portable SSD
Best external hard drive for PS5
➕ Games load faster
➕ Plug in and play
➖ More expensive than an HDD
An external hard drive is the cheapest way to add more storage to your PS5, but you must remember that you can’t play PS5 games from one, only PS4 games. You can use it for additional storage, but you’ll have to transfer any PS5 games you want to play onto the console’s internal drive.
With that in mind, grabbing an external hard drive is still a great idea, especially if you pick up the Samsung T5 Portable SSD. While an SSD isn’t technically a hard drive (it’s a solid-state drive), it’ll significantly reduce load times and are less prone to failure. That’s always been reason enough to opt for an SSD over a mechanical drive, so I picked up the Samsung T5 Portable SSD when it was on sale.
PS5 Media Remote
Best PS5 remote
➕ Quick access buttons to various streamers
➕ Control your PS5 without picking up a controller
➖ You can’t customize any of the buttons
If you use your PS5 to watch Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, or listen to Spotify, the PS5 Media Remote is for you. The remote makes the PS5 feel more like a media hub than a gaming console and includes dedicated buttons that let you pause, play, skip and control your TV’s volume.
The biggest benefit to picking up the PS5 Media Remote is that you don’t need to reach for your DualSense when you want to watch something – grab the remote, and you’re good to go. The PS5 Media Remote also has a built-in microphone, so you can use the PS5 console’s new voice commands to find your favorite shows even faster.
PS5 HD Camera
Best PS5 camera
➕ Lets you use a face cam when streaming on PS5
➕ 1080p capture
➖ Doesn’t have a microphone
The PS5 HD Camera is your only choice if you want to include a face cam when streaming directly from the PS5 to YouTube or Twitch. Currently, no other webcam works, which is admittedly a shame as more choice is always welcome.
Thankfully, the PS5 HD Camera does the job. It’s capable of 1080p capture and includes various filters to jazz up your stream. The camera can also zoom in on your face if you’re sitting far away, which is a neat feature for those who game from the comfort of their couch.
The camera can be clipped onto your TV/monitor using the in-built stand, but you can also opt to have it sit below or by the side of your display.
The PS5 HD Camera is set to get more useful when the PSVR 2 launches, as you’ll be able to record yourself swinging wildly away in VR using Sony’s accessory. Right now, it’s rather limited, so only pick it up if you’re someone who wants to stream directly off your PS5.
LG C1 OLED 55-inch
Best TV for PS5
➕ Exceptional picture quality
➕ Supports 4K/120Hz, VRR, and HDR.
➖ 55-inch version may be too small for some
LG OLED TVs are still the panels to beat if you’re a keen console gamer. The LG C1 includes every feature you could hope for and is perfect for the PS5. It has variable refresh support (VRR), 4K resolution, HDR, and an HDMI 2.1 port for silky-smooth 120Hz gaming – check out all the PS5 120fps games. The LG C1 also supports auto low-latency mode (ALLM), which automatically switches your TV to the lowest input lag setting when playing a game.
While I don’t own a C1 personally, I own a CX and the older C8 models because LG’s OLED displays are the best I’ve ever used. Once you experience perfect blacks and the stunning colors OLED panels can produce, you’ll wonder how you put up with LED and LCD televisions for so long.
Oh, and if you’re worried about burn-in, don’t be. OLED burn-in is extremely rare these days and is unlikely to occur outside extreme test conditions.
Last updated: September 18, 2023
Best PS5 accessories 2023: take your PlayStation gaming experience to the next level
Never forget your first time with OLED. Infinite black levels and brilliant color remind you to appreciate being alive. Had to sell my spleen and work graveyard to cover it, but last year's A90J from Sony looks good just sitting still in the living room, and it knows it.
But yeah, DualSense controller battery life is abysmal, particularly next to an Xbox rechargeable. If I can bring myself to open it, hopefully Galactic Purple or Starlight Blue will perform better.
Great post