Sony PlayStation 5

The original PlayStation 5, released in November 2020, has long been replaced in regular retail by the more compact Slim models as of May 2026. However, in the used and refurbished market, this giant often jokingly referred to as a "WLAN router" is an absolute king of price-performance ratio. What specific everyday problem does the product solve? It offers a full, uncompromising entry into true 4K gaming at a significantly reduced price. Because under the massive hood lies exactly the same computing power as in the brand-new revisions.

Classification and target audience

This model is aimed at bargain hunters, used buyers, and anyone who has the space for a very large console. Those who want to enjoy the full advantages of the current console generation (including a disc drive for affordable used games) but want to save on a new purchase will find the perfect solution here.

Design, feel, and the physical "first contact"

The "touch test" quickly shows: The original model is huge and heavy.

• Größe & Material: Mit fast 40 Zentimetern Höhe sprengt sie viele klassische TV-Boards. Die seitlichen weißen Platten fassen eine mittlere schwarze Front in Hochglanz-Klavierlack-Optik ein. Letztere ist leider extrem kratzempfindlich und zieht Staub magisch an.
• Der Standfuß-Vorteil: Ein massiver Pluspunkt gegenüber der aktuellen Generation: Bei diesem Ursprungsmodell war der recht massive Standfuß (der sowohl für die horizontale als auch vertikale Aufstellung zwingend benötigt wird) noch kostenlos im Lieferumfang enthalten!
• Anschlüsse: An der Front gibt es einmal USB-A und einmal USB-C, was im Alltag absolut ausreicht.

Practical test and worst-case scenario

The setup is very intuitive. The performance in gameplay (loading times, graphics, the brilliant DualSense controller) is absolutely identical to the latest models. However, there is a catch:

• Der Frust-Faktor Speicher: Das Worst-Case-Szenario zeigt sich beim Herunterladen von Spielen. Die verbaute 825-GB-SSD bietet abzüglich des Betriebssystems nur knapp 667 GB frei nutzbaren Speicher. Wer große Titel wie Call of Duty und GTA installiert, stößt hier extrem schnell an die Grenze. Eine Speichererweiterung über den internen M.2-Slot ist bei diesem Modell früher oder später fast unumgänglich.
• Lautstärke: Die Kühlung dieses "Monolithen" ist durch den riesigen Kühlkörper und das Flüssigmetall hervorragend. Die Konsole schnurrt im Betrieb flüsterleise.

The "do not buy" recommendation

For whom is the product not suitable? Those who prefer a minimalist, tidy living room or have a very tight space in their TV cabinet should definitely avoid this model – it may not get enough air in the worst case and could overheat. Also, anyone who strictly insists on new products with a full 24-month manufacturer warranty is in the wrong place here.

Conclusion and price-performance ratio

While the console once cost €499, prices on platforms like eBay, Rebuy, or BackMarket have massively dropped in May 2026. A well-maintained used original model with a drive often changes hands for €280 to €330. At this price, it is an unrestricted recommendation for anyone who can overlook the enormous size and somewhat limited storage space.