The best PS5 accessories – Polygon

The PlayStation 5 has seen a lot of changes since its launch in the second half 2020. For starters, it’s easy to buy one now, after many months when Sony couldn’t keep up with demand. But more importantly, there are now several great PS5 games to play on it, a more robust online subscription with game trials, and semi-regular software updates that give it more features — all of which make the PS5 easier to recommend than ever before.

There are a few accessories I believe will make your PS5 more enjoyable. Beyond what I use, I’ve also asked the Polygon crew what they use, and you’ll find those recommendations mixed in below. The post could be changed based on availability or new accessory releases.

Get the PS5 accessory start kit

The PS5 includes everything that you will need for getting started, including a DualSense controller and power cable. What it doesn’t come with is very much storage. Although the internal SSD contains 825 GB of storage, there is less available for applications and games. And once you get into installing stuff, this storage may disappear much faster than expected. The M.2 SSD is the best accessory for most people.

We have an easy guide that will help you choose the right model and install it. I’m just going to recommend the one that gives you the most storage per dollar: Corsair’s MP600 Pro LPX.

If you have a player two at home, you’ll need another controller sooner than later. There’s no better option for the PS5 than Sony’s DualSense. It’s comfortable to use, it has decent battery life, and you can find the color and design that suits you best from its slowly growing list of options.

For people who always want to keep their controllers charged up, Sony’s DualSense charging cradle is easy to recommend. It’s not too expensive, either, at $29.99. You can drop up to two controllers on it, and they’ll recharge via the contact pins on their bottoms. DualSense controllers can charge via USB C, which is the same connector used on most phones and tablets as well as the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. This means that you may already have some reliable charging options in your house.

You might not always want to blare your PS5’s audio through your TV or soundbar speakers. When you need to do some private listening, or when you’re jumping into your online squad, a headset is another easy recommendation. Pricing, styles, and capabilities are all over the place in this category, but Sony’s $99.99 wireless Pulse 3D that was released alongside the PS5 in 2020 is still a great option. It’s available in multiple colors, and it’s tough to find another headset at this price that is as comfortable and capable in the sound department.

The accessories listed above may be mandatory for getting the best out of your PS5, but the two below are optional. You may still want these accessories to enhance your PS5 setup. Sony offers a variety of PS5 console covers in different colors, so you don’t have to keep the default white one. You can go for a full color swap, or mix and match different colors — but this upgrade doesn’t come as affordably as you might expect. Each set cost $54.99.

Dbrand Darkplates 2.0 also have an alternative design. You can spend more money to personalize them. Also, there are countless third-party companies that make their own at more affordable prices selling at Amazon, but I haven’t tested those.

PlayStation 5 supports streaming media apps such as Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Netflix and Disney Plus. You can control each app with a DualSense, but Sony also makes a dedicated PS5 remote that might be what you want for when you’re watching movies or TV shows. It’s $29.99, and it provides many of the controller’s inputs, letting you hop between system menus — everything shy of playing games.

Best PS5 controller

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Sony has a large number of wireless PS5 Controllers, but they are not all made. Very It is tiny and does not offer the same value as other products. It’s the one that’s included with every PS5, which typically sells by itself for $69.99, or slightly more depending on the color. This flagship gamepad has some unique features not available in other controllers, like immersive haptic feedback and “adaptive triggers” that resist being pulled for more realistic action. It’s also comfortable, and thanks to its Bluetooth support, it works great when connected to a PC or an iPad.

However, the DualSense isn’t without some issues. Its rechargeable battery usually lasts for around 10 or so hours per charge, but on the flipside, it’s nice to not have to swap AA batteries like with Microsoft’s Xbox controllers. Plus, some people report that the DualSense’s analog sticks are prone to drift, just like the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons.

Note: If you wish that Sony made a more accessible controller, like Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, Sony is actually already at work on Project Leonardo, which it debuted at CES 2023. It has a completely different design from the Xbox approach, but it seems like it’ll be a versatile option for people looking for more ways to play PS5 games.

Top PS5 headset

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

The number of headsets available for the PS5 is staggering. Unless you need a microphone, I’d suggest using any set of wired headphones you have laying around. Sony’s 3D Audio effect works across the board on wired headphones, so I wouldn’t suggest paying a lot for that audio effect alone, although pricier headsets do put on a pretty great show of it.

It’s also worth noting that many headsets first made for the PS4 can still work with the PS5, including ones that connect by using a USB 2.4 GHz audio transmitter. The key factors in choosing the best headset for you are your personal taste, budget and your priorities. For me, I have a large head, so I’m willing to spend $100 to $200 on a very good headset that I won’t have to replace for a while, and I want as many features as that price can possibly get me. With those criteria in mind, these are the options that I’ve enjoyed the most.

Pulse 3D retails for $99.99. They work great. The ear cups slide on a rail within the headband to expand, and I’ve found them to be a comfortable option, although some may not like how snugly they squeeze your noggin. On the performance side, they’re a good showcase for Sony’s Tempest 3D audio on the PS5, highlighting bits of the soundscape that make you feel like you’re a little more in the game. It is also good for battery life, with the DualSense controller sharing the USB-C port.

You can choose from different presets to use with the Pulse3D within the PS5. And, on the headset itself, there’s a volume rocker, a mute switch, a rocker to balance the game and chat audio (a must, if you play online a lot), plus some beamforming mics that work surprisingly well at picking up my voice.

Image by Amelia Holowaty/The Verge

Sony offers a higher-quality wireless model with better sound quality and more comfort. It’s called the InZone H7, and it sometimes gets discounts that bring it down to $199.99 (normally $229.99). This headset is actually made for PS5 and PC, and its USB 2.4 GHz transmitter has a switch that you toggle depending on what you’re using. Its flip-to-mute boom microphone is an improvement over the beamforming mics on the Pulse 3D, partially because it’s easier to bring the mic right up to my mouth. But in terms of quality, online friends have told me that the difference isn’t stark compared to the Pulse 3D.

There are other benefits to the Pulse3D: Bluetooth support allows you toggle between podcast and game audio, as well as audio calls. This might not matter to you, but the InZone H7 has some optional features that can be configured within a PC app, including 360 Spatial Sound (which requires that you send pictures of your ears to Sony’s servers to judge your ear shape — no joke!) You can also adjust the sound settings. Unlike the even pricier $299.99 InZone H9, this one lacks active noise cancellation, but that’s one of the few differences.

Image by Amelia Holowaty/The Verge

For most people, I don’t suggest spending $349.99 — nearly the price of the PS5 itself — on a headset. It’s just not practical advice. Now that I’ve gotten that levelheaded intro started, I can say that SteelSeries’ Arctis Nova Pro might totally be worth it to you. I reviewed it over at The Verge, and its build quality and design are a couple of notches above those two options above, to the point where they might pass as high-end over-ear headphones when you’re out and about.

What else makes them stand out is the inclusion of active noise cancellation to block out sounds when you’re concentrating. Part of the large price is due to the wireless base station that’s included, which lets you connect to a PS5 and another device, like a Switch, or a PC (SteelSeries makes a slightly different model with USB ports that work with Xbox). The station allows you to switch between audio sources quickly. You can also charge a spare battery at the station, which you can use to hot-swap during gameplay.

This is the full package, and I recommend it to someone who wants the ultimate personal audio setup, and especially to those who want a headset that’s just as great on PS5 as it is on other platforms. The Arctis Nova 7P wireless SteelSeries PS5 headset is currently $162.99 on Amazon. It has many of the same features as its predecessor, but it’s cheaper. This is what I recommend in my Guide to Best Headsets from The Verge.

Best PS5 SSD

When you’re looking for a PS5 SSD, keep these things in mind: It needs to be a PCIe 4.0 model with a sequential read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s. If you aren’t technical in the slightest, don’t worry. These specs will be listed in the product description. Sony also recommends your SSD have a heatsink. A heatsink is a metallic layer that removes heat from the SSD and keeps it cool. Most options these days come with one preinstalled, but of course, you can get the SSD and a heatsink a la carte and perform the installation yourself (it’s easier than you might think).

As I did above, I’m going to again send you to my colleague Alice Newcome-Beill’s more comprehensive PS5 SSDs guide. Here are some suggestions.

Best PS5 high-roller upgrades

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Maybe you’re seeing this section because you already own everything we’ve suggested above, or you’re just trying to build the ultimate PS5 setup (invite us over sometime, OK?). Whatever the reason, you can find additional purchases here that will enhance your PS5 experience.

You like DualSense but would you prefer a higher-end version? That’s the DualSense Edge you’re looking for, Sony’s $199.99 option that adds customizable back paddles, as well as the ability to toggle through custom control schemes with a couple button presses. It’s largely the same as the DualSense in terms of look and feel, and it has the same stellar haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. But there’s just more stuff to tweak to your liking here, in exchange for a small yet noticeable hit to battery life.

For example, triggers have switches to adjust pull distance if you prefer a more responsive feeling. Those back paddles I mentioned? These can be assigned to any of the buttons on the controller so that you can perform a move or drink a potion without having to use the analog sticks. These analog sticks are the same as the DualSense. However, they can be swapped between modules in the event that one breaks. Read my colleague Russ Frushtick’s review, or see how Mike Mahardy put the DualSense Edge to the test in a few games.

Graphic: Will Joel/Polygon. Source: Sony Interactive Entertainment| Source image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

While the original PSVR was designed for the PS4, the Sony PlayStation VR 2 headset was made to take advantage of the PS5’s power. The $549.99 package includes the headset and two controllers. This generation’s setup is much simpler than the previous one, and requires only one USB-C connector on the PS5 console. The PlayStation VR 2’s built-in cameras and sensors can detect where you are in your room to safeguard you from obstacles.

Every platform’s VR library starts out small, and the PlayStation VR 2’s is no different. It’s not helped by the fact that it isn’t backward-compatible with PSVR games. There are still some wins, however. Gran Turismo 7, Resident Evil Village, No Man’s SkyAnd Horizon Call of the Mountain. The Resident Evil 4 A VR mode for remake is coming soon, as well as more VR essentials.

Find out more Gran Turismo 7You, like other racing game enthusiasts, might need a great racing wheel for your PlayStation 5. The Thrustmaster T248 is a good one, says The Verge’s former senior editor Sam Byford, whose taste in gaming hardware I put a lot of trust in. The T248 is a force-feedback wheel and pedal setup, and it’s compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC. It has a great look, with a leathery grip around the wheel, and it’s fairly easy to set up on a PS5. You can attach the pedals to the wheel via USB. It’s worth noting that the T248 requires an external power supply.

Because of its small size it might not be a good fit for your desk. You may have to adjust the height of your desk, or change your chair in order to get your wheel in an ergonomic position. This isn’t as much of an issue if you’re fully committed to racing games to the point where you’ve invested in a cockpit-style seat and frame (like this Next Level Racing GT Lite for $229.99 at Amazon), as it should work perfectly with that. For a cheaper mounting option, there’s this $175.99 stand from Next Level Racing at Best Buy.