If you’re looking to make the most of your PlayStation 5 console, picking up some of the best PS5 accessories can really level up your experience – whether you’re after something like a new controller to enhance your gaming experience, or a remote to turn your console into your household media hub. With hands-on experience with a variety of accessories, we know all too well which ones are a waste of time, and which ones are worth your money.
We also know, though, that buying a PlayStation 5 isn’t cheap, and you’ll want to make sure you’re putting your money towards something worthwhile. Drawing from years of expertise, we’re going to point you towards the best PS5 controllers, the best PS5 SSD, and everything else you might need to maximize the capabilities of the best gaming console.
Why you can trust us ✔ At The Loadout, our experts spend hours testing hardware and game. We share honest advice to help you buy the best. Find out how we test.
The best PS5 accessories in 2023:
Built officially by Sony, this is the essential PS5 accessory.
DualSense Wireless Controller specs:
Battery | Built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion (1560mAh) |
Motion Sensor | Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer) |
Feedback features | Adaptive trigger effects, haptic rumble, light indicators, built-in speaker |
Dimensions | 160mm x 66mm x 106mm |
Weight | 280g |
Pros
Cons
The DualSense Wireless Controller is easily the most essential bit of kit for anyone with a PS5. Designed specifically to enhance your experience while playing premium PlayStation games by PlayStation itself, this controller rises above its peers to deliver a true current-gen experience. While not utilized by every single game on the PlayStation Store, the adaptive trigger feedback, haptic rumble, and built-in speaker all add to your enjoyment of playing and do a fantastic job of improving immersion.
However, after prolonged use (or dropping it a couple of times, if you’re a little clumsy), this controller is prone to issues that can affect performance. Stick drift is quite a common issue you might encounter after several months, and the adaptive triggers can both become stiff or lose their biting point – both of which will affect this feature. You’re also unable to remove the battery pack. While a common feature of past PlayStation controllers, this does mean that you may need a replacement if the battery life fades. Initially, this can last upwards of ten hours. However, depending on your charging habits, this duration can be half of what it was in six or so months.
That being said, this is the best PS5 accessory to pick up. Whether you’re planning on playing some games with friends or family in couch co-op, wanting to make sure you have a backup in case anything goes wrong, or you just want to be able to rotate your controllers while one is charging, having a spare DualSense Wireless Controller to hand is always a good idea.
A premium PS5 controller with even more functionality and customization to suit your needs.
DualSense Edge Wireless Controller specs:
Battery | Built-in rechargeable Lithim-ion (1050mAh) |
Motion Sensor | Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer) |
Feedback features | Adaptive trigger effects, haptic rumble, light indicators, built-in speaker |
Dimensions | 160mm x 66mm x 106mm |
Weight | 325g |
Pros
Cons
If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, then you absolutely need a DualSense Edge Wireless Controller. This controller really does come with almost everything you could think of when it comes to customizing your set-up. You can swap out your joysticks, with the DualSense Edge itself coming with three different variations for you to choose from. It also has back buttons, which can be mapped to suit your needs – we find these back buttons really give an edge when playing multiplayer FPS games, in particular. To give you even more control, though, you can actually swap between several unique profiles – each of which can be mapped differently – at the press of a button. You can also alter adaptive trigger feedback and the intensity of the haptic rumble with on-controller controls.
However, there are a few things you should know about before you buy. The DualSense Edge is a very expensive bit of kit and a real investment. If you’re a casual gamer, it’s hard to recommend this over the DualSense given the price. Its battery life is also shorter than that of the standard DualSense controller, due to the fact that it simultaneously has more inputs and a smaller 1050mAh Lithium-ion battery.
That being said, this controller (325g) is a bit heavier than the standard DualSense (280g) and this makes it feel more durable and robust. The DualSense Edge also comes with a carry case where you can store all the additional interchangeable components when you’re not actively using them, and the controller itself.
You can read our DualSense Edge Wireless Controller review here.
The perfect place to keep your controllers topped up and ready to go.
DualSense Charging Station specs:
Capacity | 2x official DualSense controllers |
Dimensions | 69mm x 120mm x 190mm |
Pros
Cons
If you’ve picked up more than one controller, be that a standard DualSense or the DualSense Edge, this DualSense Charging Station is a must-have accessory for your PS5. It’s bulkier than just charging a DualSense with a USB-C connected to your PlayStation 5 console, so you’re going to need to make sure you have space in your set-up. However, it is a fantastic way to store your additional DualSense controllers when you’re not using them – and, of course, it keeps them charged up and ready to go for your next session.
If you’re a little light on power outlets, though, you’re going to struggle using the DualSense Charging Station. This doesn’t connect to your PS5 with a USB-C like the standard DualSense charging cable; this accessory comes with a separate power supply cable that needs to be plugged into an outlet. While this does free up a USB slot on your console, which is never a bad thing, it does mean you need a spare socket ready to go. So, that’s something to think about before you pick one up. It’s well worth the money if you’re consistently using more than one DualSense controller – even if that means rotating between them when playing alone. However, you should check that you have the space for it – physically, and when it comes to powering it.
The best PS5 headset.
Sony PS5 Pulse 3D wireless headset specs:
Drivers | 40mm |
Frequency range | 4Hz – 40kHz |
Weight | 521.6g |
Wired or wireless | Wireless |
Battery life | Up to 13 hours |
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for an excellent, yet affordable, headset option for your PlayStation 5 console, we can’t recommend the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset enough – it more than earned its spot on the list of the best PS5 headsets. With seamless wireless connectivity (thanks to a USB dongle) and wired connectivity options (thanks to a standard 3.5mm jack), the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset takes full advantage of the PS5’s three-dimensional spatial audio with excellent quality. There will be higher-quality headsets out there, for a lot more money, but at around $100, this is a fantastic option.
Sadly, it’s not as robust as you might think. With the whole accessory being built from plastic, and no option to fold it when it comes to storage, you do need to be careful if you’re prone to snapping headset straps. It isn’t going to break if you apply a little bit of force, for whatever reason, but we would advise against throwing it around – or sitting on it. The battery life, despite starting at ~12 hours of use, isn’t as impressive as other wireless headphones out there. You should find, though, that it matches your DualSense quite well, with both deteriorating at a similar rate over time.
That being said, the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset is quite lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It also has a multitude of volume controls for you to take advantage of without needing to dip into settings menus on your console. You can also control the PS5’s equalizer volume through your Pulse 3D Headset, which lets you easily adjust how loud the game volume is compared to the party chat volume.
A fantastic, affordable option for PS5 players who want to capture and stream themselves while playing.
PS5 HD Camera specs:
Visual Quality | 1080p capture, dual wide-angle lens |
Dimensions | 41mm x 100mm x 75mm |
Weight | 350g |
Pros
Cons
If you want to become a streamer, or you’re looking to upgrade your set-up, the PS5 HD Camera might be a good choice for you. It’s a little on the expensive side, but the 1080p capture using the webcam’s dual wide-angle lens does make for a decent-quality image. As with anything PlayStation produces for its console, it works seamlessly with the PS5; all you need to do is plug it in using the standard USB-C cable it comes with.
One of the major drawbacks, though (in a roundabout way) is that you’re forced to use the PS5 HD Camera if you want to stream directly from your console. This is the only webcam currently compatible with the PlayStation 5 console. If you’re someone looking to put together a full streaming set-up, you could opt for one of the other best webcams for your money. However, if you just want to get going, this is a fantastic option. The built-in background removal tool is also effective enough if you’re not willing to create a full green-screen backdrop for your streaming needs.
If you are looking to start your streaming career, then be sure to check out our guide on how to stream on Twitch or YouTube from your PS5.
An easy way to control media without needing to use your DualSense controller.
PS5 Media Remote specs:
Connectivity | Bluetooth ver5.1 (wireless) |
Dimensions | 85mm x 40mm x 190 mm |
Weight | 100g |
Pros
Cons
While you can control everything you need to with a DualSense controller, the PS5 Media Remote is a useful accessory if you’re someone who uses your PlayStation 5 console as a media hub. It comes with useful buttons for streaming services Disney Plus and Netflix alongside buttons for Spotify and YouTube, while also letting you control the playback itself and the volume. If you don’t want to fuss about powering on your DualSense halfway through a movie to pause it, or if it’s on charge, then this is very useful.
However, it’s not the most robust remote control and, if you’re not someone too fussed about using the DualSense, it seems like a senseless bit of spending. Not only that, but you’ll still have to trawl through your PlayStation 5’s app library to find the services you want outside of the four mentioned above – rather than having a system that lets you assign the services you want to use to each button.
The navigation buttons are useful, but smaller and somewhat awkward when compared to other remotes. They’re spaced out well enough to avoid mis-hitting them, but it would benefit from having slightly bigger buttons. It’s comfortable enough to use, though, and matches the console’s aesthetic well.
An excellent internal storage solution that works seamlessly with the PS5’s built-in SSD.
WD_Black SN850p SSD specs:
Capacity | 1TB / 2TB / 4TB |
Drive Type | NVMe SSD |
Speed | 6,600MB/s (read), 7,300MB/s (write) |
Pros
Cons
If you want to expand your console’s internal storage, Western Digital’s SN850P SSD is easily one of the best options at the moment. With a built-in heatsink and decent speeds, this option is worth the money and can save you a lot of hassle down the road when it comes to uninstalling and reinstalling games. The process of installing an SSD can be tricky, but there’s no additional installation required. Once it’s been plugged in, it’s ready to go.
The only real issue is that this is limited to 4TB of storage space, depending on which SSD you purchase. While most people will make do with 1TB or 2TB extra, those of you looking for more storage may have to look elsewhere. It’s going to be expensive, sure, but there are some bigger options out there. That being said, this is the best option available and will offer you more than enough extra space to play the games you want.
You can read out WD Black SN850P SSD review right here.
The best way to play PS5 games on a handheld via Remote Play.
PlayStation Portal specs:
Weight | 529g |
Screen | 8-inch LCD screen |
Battery life | 4-8 hours |
Connectivity | WiFi, 3.5mm audio jack, PS Link |
Features | Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, light indicators, built-in microphone |
It can be annoying when you’re getting through your backlog of games when family, friends, or children take over the TV, leaving you waiting to get back into your latest adventure. Thankfully, with the PlayStation Portal, you can play your PS5 games on the go – so long as you’re tethered to an internet connection.
The PlayStation Portal feels like a large DualSense controller – which it pretty much is – sporting a premium feel and design that comes at a hefty 529g but is overall balanced so that it doesn’t feel too heavy in your hands. It also features those incredible immersive features you’ve come to expect from PS5 exclusives, offering adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
When it comes to playing games, the PlayStation Portal connects to your local internet and then directly to the PS5, and while we’ve had our fair share of issues with the Remote Play app on PC, iOS, and Android, the Portal’s performance is fairly unblemished.
That being said, the PlayStation Portal isn’t without its fair share of issues. We go into more detail in our PlayStation Portal review, but the short battery life for an accessory, as well as limited reasons to need it make it an undoubtedly niche device. However, if your PS5 is your main place to play or if you find yourself frequently using Remote Play, then the PlayStation Portal may be a great addition to your setup.
The best PS5 steering wheel and pedals for those who want to take to the tarmac.
Logitech G923 specs:
Key features | TrueForce force feedback, programmable dual-clutch, RPM indicator, progressive brake pedal, G Hub customization |
Dimensions | 270mm x 260mm x 278mm |
Weight | 7.14kg |
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking to take the best racing games to the next level, then the Logitech G923 is the perfect wheel for the job. While there are better, more expensive wheels on the market, we’ve yet to see one that provides the same number of features and excellent build quality at this price point.
By far the biggest selling point of this wheel is Logitech’s ‘Trueforce’ technology, which provides a direct link to in-game physics. The result is, in our experience, remarkable, as the haptics allowed us to better feel the bumps in the road and changes in the conditions of the track. We were able to fine-tune our racing experience further in G Hub, making for a more granular approach to how we’d tackle certain tracks.
Of course, the G923 has its foibles. If you’re rallying around in one of the few games that actually supports Trueforce, its feedback can get a bit noisy. Additionally, when hitting the brake you may find yourself having to use more force than with the other pedals to get the same response – you might need to invest in a stand, especially if you’re on laminate flooring.
The essentials are the PS5 console, at least one DualSense controller (bundled with PS5 consoles), and a TV or monitor to connect the console to. While games are great to have, the best free shooting games should get you started, while the PS Plux Extra and Premium games list includes plenty of titles that can be accessed with a subscription.
It’s worth mentioning that, if you own the PS5 Disc Drive or a PS5 Disc console, you’ll be able to purchase and play physical copies of games, while you’re limited to only digital copies if you don’t have the Disc Drive or if you picked up the PS5 Digital.
If you’re looking to upgrade your setup in the best way possible, we’d suggest taking a look at the best PS5 monitors and the best gaming TV.
If you’re someone who’s just purely into gaming, then we recommend picking up an additional controller – be that the DualSense or the DualSense Edge – alongside the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset and the DualSense Charging Station. This will help you fully appreciate the soundscapes of each game you’re playing, be prepared with premium audio quality when playing online with friends, and ensure that you always have a DualSense charged and ready to go.
Technically, no, but we highly recommend it. Some of the most popular PS5 games, including the best battle royale games – for example, are huge. The PS5 only comes with ~ 835GB of internal storage. If you’re playing PS4 games via backward compatibility, too, you’re going to find yourself running out of space very quickly.
Uninstalling and reinstalling PlayStation games can be a hassle, so increasing internal storage is a good way of ensuring that you’re always able to access your favorite games whenever you want. You can’t play PS5 games off of an external storage device, either – only store them. So, an internal SSD is the best option for seamless switching between games.
Sadly, you can’t use a PS4 controller on your PS5 console unless you’re playing PS4 games on it. So, that’s why picking up an additional DualSense at the very least is an excellent idea. Not only is this the only way you can play couch co-op, but it’s also quite handy to have a backup if anything goes wrong with your first DualSense controller.
If you’re going for a particularly long playing session, too, it’s also a good idea to have a fully-charged controller to switch out to when your first one starts to run low – especially if you’re playing an online game where pausing isn’t an option.
Read our how we test page to find out more about how we put these lists together. For more PS5 content, have a look at our list of the best new PS5 games, which will give you plenty of reasons to be excited. Of course, if you need any guidance on which games to buy, you should read our list of the best PS5 games too. Have fun!
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