Buying a PS5 should be the fun part. Then you spot the different versions and suddenly you’re comparing disc drives, storage sizes and whether spending less on the console will mean spending more on games.

Choose a PS5 with a disc drive if you want physical games, second-hand bargains or a way to play your supported PS4 discs. Choose the PS5 Digital Edition if you’re happy downloading your games and don’t need a physical collection.

There’s one detail that makes the decision easier: a PS5 with a disc drive plays digital games too. You can buy a boxed game one week and download something in a sale the next.

Before deciding, check which console model you’re buying. Storage capacities vary, only certain Digital Editions support an add-on drive, and Sony has announced a change to physical game releases from January 2028.

PS5 Disc vs Digital: the quick comparison

“PS5 Disc” is commonly used to describe a standard PS5 fitted with a disc drive. This guide compares that console with the standard PS5 Digital Edition. PS5 Pro is a separate model, rather than another name for a disc-equipped PS5.

You can check the current hardware range on Sony’s PS5 console page and the supported models on its disc-drive compatibility page.

Does the disc PS5 have better graphics?

No. The standard PS5 and its equivalent Digital Edition offer the same gaming performance. Choosing the disc model does not buy you better graphics or higher frame rates.

Unfortunately, it won’t improve your aim either.

The useful difference is how you buy and access games. If you’re comparing a standard PS5 with a PS5 Pro, that’s a separate hardware decision.

Sony explains the performance relationship between the standard disc and digital consoles in its PS5 hardware FAQ. That FAQ dates from the original launch, so use current product listings for storage capacities and model-specific details.

Why choose a PS5 with a disc drive?

You want more ways to shop

A disc drive gives you the option of buying physical games from different retailers, picking up second-hand copies and downloading games digitally.

That doesn’t mean discs always cost less. Digital sales can be good value, and prices vary between games and editions. The advantage is being able to compare both formats before buying.

If your usual approach is “I’ll get it when the price comes down”, having more places to look can be useful.

You already have PS4 games on the shelf

Before choosing a console, take a look at the games you own.

A PS5 with a disc drive can play supported PS4 game discs. You’ll need the disc inserted when playing, and some titles may require updates or have compatibility limitations.

Buying a Digital Edition does not automatically give you downloadable versions of your physical PS4 games.

If you’ve built up a collection over the years, check your favourites against Sony’s PS4 backwards-compatibility guidance before deciding. A quick check could save you buying a game twice.

You like lending, collecting or trading games

There’s still something satisfying about unwrapping a game, adding it to the shelf and passing it to a friend when you’ve finished.

Physical copies also give you the option of selling or trading games you no longer want. Just check what’s included when buying second-hand: bonus content supplied through a download code may already have been redeemed.

One practical detail: installing a disc game does not mean you can keep playing after lending the disc to someone else. You still need it inserted to play that disc-based copy, as Sony’s installation guide explains.

Choose your borrowers wisely.

You have films on disc

A PS5 with a compatible drive can also play supported 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, Blu-rays and DVDs.

If you already own a film collection, that gives the drive something to do between gaming sessions. A Digital Edition without an added drive cannot play movie discs.

Sony lists the supported formats on its PS5 disc-drive page.

Why choose the PS5 Digital Edition?

You already download your games

Think about your last few game purchases. If every one was a download, a disc drive might spend most of its life doing nothing.

The Digital Edition makes sense if you prefer a downloaded library, don’t collect cases and have no plans to borrow or trade physical games.

You can move between installed digital games without changing discs. That convenience is also available on a disc-equipped PS5 when playing downloads, but you might decide there’s no reason to pay for a drive you won’t use.

The console deal suits your budget

Compare the actual offers available when you’re ready to buy. Bundles, storage capacities and different hardware revisions can change which package offers better value.

If a Digital Edition costs less and you’re confident you won’t use discs, keeping that saving is perfectly reasonable.

If you’re already thinking about adding a drive, do the full calculation first:

Digital Edition + compatible disc drive = the price to compare with a PS5 supplied with a drive.

A lower starting price can look less exciting once you’ve added the extra hardware.

Can you add a disc drive to a PS5 Digital Edition later?

Yes, if it’s a compatible PS5 Slim Digital Edition. No, if it’s the original full-size Digital Edition.

Sony’s separate disc drive supports:

• PS5 Digital Edition, CFI-2000 model group

• PS5 Digital Edition, CFI-2100 model group

• PS5 Pro

The original full-size PS5 Digital Edition cannot be upgraded using this drive. Check the console’s model number against Sony’s official compatibility information before ordering.

Sony also specifies an internet connection to pair the drive with the console during setup. Its disc-drive installation guide explains the process.

This is particularly worth checking when buying second-hand. A listing that simply says “PS5 Digital Edition” doesn’t tell you enough to know whether a drive can be added.

Do physical PS5 games save storage space?

A game on disc still needs to be installed. The disc is not a way to keep your entire library off the console’s storage.

Disc-based games install game data, and the disc must remain inserted when you play. Downloads and updates may also be required, depending on the game. You can read the installation steps in Sony’s disc-game guide.

Storage is also worth checking separately from the disc-drive question.

Sony currently lists a 1TB standard PS5 with a drive and an 825GB Digital Edition in the UK. However, you may also see 1TB PS5 Slim Digital Edition consoles for sale. Digital models have been sold with different capacities, so check the individual listing rather than assuming they all have the same space.

Some of the advertised storage is reserved for the system, so the full headline capacity isn’t available for your games.

You can compare Sony’s current 1TB disc console and 825GB Digital Edition specifications.

Can you play PS5 games without the internet?

Some games work offline on either console, but the format alone won’t tell you whether a particular game needs an internet connection.

For downloaded games that support offline play, Sony provides a Console Sharing and Offline Play setting. Digital Edition does not mean every game requires a constant connection. You can find the setup instructions in Sony’s offline-play guide.

Likewise, buying a disc does not guarantee an entirely offline experience. A game may require additional downloads, updates or an online connection for particular features or modes.

If your broadband struggles, check the requirements of the games you want to play before choosing. A disc can be useful, but it isn’t a universal fix for download queues.

What changes for physical PlayStation games in January 2028?

Sony has announced that physical disc production will end for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles from January 2028. New releases after that point will be available digitally through PlayStation Store and retailers.

According to Sony, this does not affect games already released, or releasing on disc before January 2028. Existing supported discs will remain playable.

You can read the details in Sony’s announcement about physical game releases.

That matters when deciding how much a drive is worth to you.

If you want to play your existing collection, buy physical PS5 releases from before the change or watch compatible films, a drive still has a purpose. If you’re mainly buying the console for future releases, factor the move to digital into your decision.

A disc-equipped PS5 can download games too, so having a drive does not prevent you from buying digital releases.

Which PS5 is better value? Try the next-five-games check

Rather than comparing the console prices alone, write down five games you’d realistically buy next.

Compare the physical and digital prices for the same editions, then add those costs to the console package you’re considering.

For example, if the disc-equipped setup costs £50 more and each of your next five games is £10 cheaper physically, you’ve covered the difference.

Those figures are an illustration, not a promise of savings. Check actual prices, include delivery charges where applicable and make sure you’re comparing matching editions. A standard edition and a bundle with extra content aren’t the same purchase.

Then ask yourself:

• What do I already own? Supported game discs may make a drive useful immediately.

• Will I buy second-hand? If so, include that option in your comparison.

• Do I lend or trade games? A physical collection gives you that flexibility.

• Will I watch films on disc? The drive could serve more than one purpose.

• Am I buying older games or waiting for future releases? Sony’s January 2028 change matters here.

The best-value console is the one that fits how you’ll actually use it. An unused disc drive isn’t much of a bargain, but neither is buying digital copies of games you already have on the shelf.

Buying a PS5 as a gift? Check these three things

You don’t need to become the family’s PlayStation expert. Start with three questions:

1. Do they already own games on disc? That may make a disc-equipped console the more useful choice.

2. Which exact console model are you buying? Check the storage capacity and whether a drive is included.

3. Is the game you’re buying a disc or a download code? Read the listing carefully. A box does not always mean there’s a disc inside.

For a disc game, the recipient needs a PS5 with a compatible drive. For a download code, check the listed platform, account-region requirements and redemption conditions.

It’s a short checklist, but it beats discovering on someone’s birthday that the game you wrapped up won’t go into their console.

Our verdict: which PS5 should you buy?

Choose a PS5 with a disc drive if you already own supported discs or want the flexibility to buy, borrow and trade physical games. You can still download games whenever that suits you.

Choose the PS5 Digital Edition if you’re happy downloading everything and don’t expect to use physical games or films. Check the exact model, storage capacity and total package price before buying.

If you’re undecided, start with the games you already own and the next five you want. That will tell you more about which console suits you than the price on the box alone.

Ready to find something to play? Explore the PlayStation games, consoles and accessories at Play Pixels. Check each listing’s platform, format and contents so you know exactly what’s arriving.