The PS5 is finally upon us - Sony's console has been out a couple of years, although you still might be finding that it goes in and out of stock as retailers keep up with demand.
The console is an absolute stunner, and we're loving our time with it, but whenever a console comes out there are also going to be a host of little extras that you could pick up to enrich your experience. We've gathered some of the very best for you right here.
All the gear on this list has been tested rigorously, each in different ways since they largely fall into different categories, with the end result that we're satisfied that everything we've selected will improve your time with your PS5 measurably.
PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller
Our first choice
An extra controller is a must.
- First-party reliability
- Amazing haptics
- Really comfortable to hold
- Not the cheapest
Sony's new controller looks absolutely lovely with the new white-dominated colour scheme, but is available in a bunch of other colours as well. It brings some great innovations to the table, too, not least an upgraded haptic feedback engine that makes unsubtle rumble a thing of the past.
Getting an extra one of these on board for your new PS5 is a must to make sure you can host couch co-op sessions straight away.
DualSense Charging Station
Really useful
A great official charging dock.
- Makes charging a doddle
- Has room for two controllers
- Not USB powered so needs a plug
If you've got a couple of controllers, being able to keep them nice and charged without having to worry about fussy cables can be a god-send, making this charging station easy to recommend.
It'll house two controllers at once to make sure you're never caught short without any power.
SteelSeries Arctis 7P+
The best headset going
The best headset you can get yourself for the PS5, for our money.
- Amazing sound
- Great battery life and connection
- Super comfortable
- Newer version exists now
The Steelseries Arctis 7P+ has now been superseded by the Arctis Nova 7, but the falling price of this older headset makes it a brilliant option right now.
It's got unrivalled comfort to offer, but also absolutely superb sound and a really great retractable microphone, too. We're pretty much besotted with it.
Sony DualSense Edge
Top-class cable
An excellent first-party controller that can seriously upgrade your experience, albeit for a steep price.
- Amazing quality
- Replaceable thumbsticks
- So customisable
- Really, really expensive
If you're in the market for a professional-grade controller with extra buttons and total customisation according to your needs, then PlayStation has you covered with its very own option - the DualSense Edge.
This amazing controller is supported deeply at a system-wide level, allowing you to make profiles game-by-game to maximise your skill-ceiling and have as much fun as possible.
KontrolFreek Thumbsticks
Get some added control
A great way to get a bit more fine control as you play.
- Plenty of designs
- Added control on your sticks
- Affordable
- Won't be to everyone's tastes
If you find that DualSense's sticks aren't quite right for your hands, or that your fingers keep slipping off, thumbstick caps could be a great answer.
KontrolFreek are the biggest name in this area for good reason, with loads of types and heights of stick to pick from. We're big fans of the COD Vanguard tie-in version for its grippiness, but the Omni type is also really nice.
PowerA HDMI cable
Top-class cable
A future-proof HDMI cable that can handle the most demanding of streaming requirements.
- Totally future-proof
- Nice and durable
- Obviously expensive
While the PS5 does come with a reliable one, if you're looking into the future and foresee a world of 8K streaming and 4K 120Hz gaming, you might want a replacement HDMI cable that can handle all that strain.
PowerA's cable is durable and chunky in a good way, with a three-metre length that should be more than enough to hook up your console. It's not a must-have for everyone, but this is an ideal replacement if you care about quality.
How to choose an accessory for your PS5
Choosing the right accessories for your PS5 can be a little bit of a struggle - not least in knowing when to stop! Here are some questions that could help you work out what you should be looking to pick up.
What don't you like about the PS5?
It's a broad question, but when it comes to accessories we think this is the key. After using and getting used to the PS5, what annoys you or needs fixing? There's probably an accessory that can help, after all. You can revamp your console's looks with skins and wraps, you can get easier charging stations for its controllers.
You can control the console using a remote, or get it extra cooling with a stand. There are myriad options, so we'd advise you to stop and have a think about what could benefit you the most.
Do you have a headset?
With a bit more precision, we think that a headset is arguably the single biggest upgrade you can give your console (other than perhaps a hugely expensive new TV). It can immediately change how you experience your favourite games, giving you reliable and immersive audio and putting you on a level playing field with other gamers in multiplayer.
If you're used to gaming using loudspeakers, just trust us. Even an affordable headset could make a huge difference.
Do you need an extra controller?
This one's a pretty straightforward one. If you are the only person who ever plays your console, you might not need another gamepad. However, if you want to play coop games, or you like being able to swap between two controllers to make sure one's always fully charged, getting another DualSense could be really sensible.