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Buying a PS5 is not just about setting aside money for the console. Once the device is in your home, there are still costs for games, accessories, additional storage, online services, and even supporting peripherals like a television or monitor.
Therefore, potential buyers should calculate the total cost before deciding to purchase. The console price that looks attractive at first can grow significantly larger once other necessities are added.
Here are several things to consider before buying a PS5 to avoid regret in the future.
1. Determine the Appropriate PS5 Model
The first thing to decide is which PS5 model you want to buy.
Generally, the main choices are the PS5 with disc capabilities and the PS5 Digital Edition. The PS5 with a disc drive is suitable for players who still enjoy physical games, while the Digital Edition is aimed at users who are more comfortable buying and downloading games through the PlayStation Store.
This distinction is important because it will affect how you purchase games for years to come.
As an illustration, official PS5 prices may vary in different markets. Sony may also change prices based on economic conditions and regions. Therefore, potential buyers should check the latest local prices before making a transaction.
If using the US market as a benchmark, potential buyers also need to account for sales tax, which can vary by state.
2. Don't Just Calculate the Console Price
The most common mistake is assuming the console price is the total cost.
For example, someone buys a PS5 for around $500. After that, they buy one new game for about $70, an additional controller for about $75, and a gaming headset for about $100.
The total expenditure can quickly approach or even exceed $700.
However, all those accessories are not necessarily mandatory.
Therefore, it is better to differentiate between essential needs and optional accessories.
For solo players, one controller is actually enough. A headset is also not mandatory if the television already has an adequate audio system.
3. Prepare a Budget for Games
The price of games becomes the largest expense after the console if the user frequently buys new titles.
In the US market, AAA-class PS5 games with the Standard Edition are currently mostly around $69.99. For example, NBA 2K26 and Gran Turismo 7 are listed at that price on the US PlayStation Store.
Thus, a player who buys one AAA game every month could spend approximately:
1 game per month: about $70
3 games in a year: about $210
5 games in a year: about $350
10 games in a year: about $700
These figures do not account for discounts or games obtained through subscription services.
Therefore, players on a tight budget should not feel compelled to buy every new game on day one. Waiting for a discount a few months after release can significantly reduce costs.
4. Digital Games Can Fill Up Storage Quickly
Players who choose the PS5 Digital Edition need to pay more attention to storage capacity.
Modern games can range from dozens to over 100 GB in size. Added to updates and additional content, storage space can decrease rapidly.
Sony currently lists the PS5 with a 1TB capacity, while the PS5 Digital Edition has an 825GB capacity on its official purchase page.
However, the capacity written on the box is not the same as the space fully available to the user because part of it is used by the system.
If you frequently play many AAA games, potential buyers should consider a compatible additional SSD.
As a rough estimate, a budget of around $100–$180 can be prepared for a compatible 2TB NVMe SSD, depending on the brand, speed, heatsink, and promotions.
An additional SSD is not a mandatory requirement on day one. However, for players with many digital games, this investment can be much more practical than having to constantly delete and redownload games.
5. Additional Controllers Can Add to the Cost
The PS5 comes equipped with one DualSense.
If you want to play with family or friends on one television, a second controller is required.
The official price of a DualSense in the US currently starts at around $74.
Thus, an additional controller can add about $75 to the budget.
For solo players, purchasing a second controller does not need to be done immediately.
There is also the DualSense Edge, which offers additional features such as programmable buttons and customizable components. Its price is much higher, starting at around $199.
For most players, a standard controller is sufficient.
6. A Headset Is Not a Mandatory Need
A headset is an attractive accessory for multiplayer players.
A headset can help you hear footsteps, team communication, and audio details more clearly. However, not all players need a premium headset.
For example, the official PULSE Elite is in the $149 range, while the PULSE Explore is in a similar range.
However, players can find many compatible headsets from other manufacturers at lower prices.
Therefore, a headset budget can be made flexible, for example:
Entry-level: around $30–$60
Mid-range: around $60–$120
Premium: around $120–$200 or more
Don't buy an expensive headset just because you own a PS5.
7. Consider the Cost of PlayStation Plus
If the main goal of buying a PS5 is to play online multiplayer, include the cost of PlayStation Plus in your annual budget.
The cost depends on the tier and the prevailing price in the account's country.
PlayStation Plus can also provide access to a game catalog on certain tiers, so this service has the potential to reduce the need to buy games individually.
However, not all games require a subscription for all online features. Therefore, check the requirements of the games you want to play before subscribing.
8. Television or Monitor Also Matters
The PS5 can produce a different visual experience depending on the screen used.
If you are still using an old 1080p television, you can still play. However, some of the console's visual capabilities will not be fully realized.
For those who want to take advantage of features such as 4K, HDR, high refresh rates, and VRR, a television or monitor that supports these features must be taken into account.
If you have to buy a new screen, the budget can increase significantly.
As a rough estimate, a decent gaming monitor or 4K TV can range from $300–$800, while premium products can be much more expensive.
Therefore, do not buy a PS5 Pro or high-end devices just because the specifications are attractive if the television being used does not yet support the features you want to utilize.
9. Create a Total Cost Simulation
Before buying, try to make a simple simulation.
Budget Package
PS5: around $450–$500
1 game: around $70
Entry-level headset: around $40
Total: around $560–$610
Standard Gamer Package
PS5: around $500
3 games: around $210
Additional controller: around $75
Headset: around $80
Additional SSD: around $120
Total: around $985
Enthusiast Package
Higher-end console: around $800–$900
5 games: around $350
DualSense Edge: around $199
Premium headset: around $150
Additional SSD: around $150
Total: around $1,650–$1,750
These figures are illustrations, not official package prices. Discounts and different product choices may make the actual total lower or higher.
10. Don't Forget Internet Costs
Modern games require not only large storage space but also a sufficiently stable internet connection.
Digital games must be downloaded. Even physical games often require large updates after installation.
If a game's size reaches tens or more than 100 GB, users with slow internet connections may have to wait for hours before they can play.
Therefore, monthly internet costs should also be included in the planning if the PS5 is intended to be the primary gaming device.
11. Pay Attention to Physical and Digital Game Prices
If choosing a PS5 with a disc drive, do not immediately assume that physical games are always cheaper.
Prices can vary between stores, marketplaces, the PlayStation Store, and discount periods.
The advantage of physical games is that players can look for used games or resell the disc after they finish playing.
Meanwhile, digital games offer convenience because they do not require a disc.
Choose the system that best suits your game-buying habits.
12. Avoid Buying Unnecessary Accessories
There are many attractive PS5 accessories, ranging from charging stations to premium controllers.
However, not all of them are necessary.
Prioritize:
Console
Games
Additional storage if indeed needed
Additional controller if playing local multiplayer
Headset if needed
Other accessories can be purchased later.
This approach keeps the initial budget more controlled.
Conclusion
When buying a PS5, you should not only look at the console price. Prospective buyers need to calculate the cost of games, controllers, headsets, SSDs, PlayStation Plus, televisions or monitors, and internet costs.
For the US market, new AAA games currently can be around $69.99, while official DualSense starts at around $74 and PULSE Elite around $149.
By taking these costs into account, a realistic budget to own a PS5 can differ greatly from the price of the console alone.
A casual player might only need to spend around $550–$650 initially, whereas a gamer who immediately buys several games, an additional controller, a headset, and an SSD can easily approach $1,000 or more.
The key is to buy based on needs, not just to follow trends. The PS5 can be a long-term entertainment device, but that experience will be much more enjoyable if, from the beginning, the buyer understands the actual cost of owning and using the console.
Price note: the figures in the article are estimates in USD, not fixed prices. Sony's official prices may change, and promotions may make actual prices lower. For current reference, PlayStation has also announced console price changes in several markets in 2026 due to global economic conditions.