Sony · platform · 2023
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (1TB)
Disc-less PS5 with 4K120 and VR2 support; runs Gran Turismo 7 and wheels like Logitech, Thrustmaster, Fanatec
The same PS5 hardware without the disc drive, $50 cheaper than the disc model. Identical for sim racing: Gran Turismo 7, licensed wheels and PSVR2 all work the same.
AI rating
- Sim catalog
- 7
- Wheel support
- 8
- Performance
- 6
- Value
- 5
Who it suits
- First rig
- 9
- Console racing
- 10
- Competitive racing
- 6
- Small rooms
- 8
- Tight budgets
- 6
- Enthusiasts
- 4
Scores are AI analysis of public information (specs, manuals, published reviews and owner reports), not a hands-on test. How we rate
Pros and cons
- Same performance, games and wheel support as the disc PS5
- Cheapest way into Gran Turismo 7
- Sony's disc drive can be added later if you change your mind
- No used or physical games without buying the drive separately (~$80)
- No iRacing, LMU, AMS2 or rFactor 2
- $599.99 after the April 2026 increase
Watch out: No disc drive: physical copies won't play unless you add Sony's separately sold drive. Like any PS5, it needs PlayStation-licensed wheels.
What it feels like
- Noise
- Load times
Fans stay quiet during menus and ramp up to a soft whoosh under load.
Games load in seconds from the SSD, so a restart in Gran Turismo 7 is quick.
The slim body sits on a shelf next to a TV without much fuss.
Quiet like a laptop under load, not a loud PC tower.
What the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (1TB) works with
- 12 of the 38 wheel bases we track work on PlayStation 5.
Wheel bases that work on PlayStation 5
- Fanatec ClubSport DD+ (15 Nm)83
- Fanatec Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm bundle)81
- Logitech G RS50 System (PlayStation/PC)79
- Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel (PlayStation/PC)77
- Thrustmaster T598 (PS5/PC)73
- Thrustmaster T248R (PlayStation/PC)70
- Thrustmaster T248 (PlayStation/PC)69
- Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Edition (PlayStation/PC)67
- Logitech G29 Driving Force (PlayStation/PC)65
- Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE (PlayStation/PC)65
- Thrustmaster T-GT II (PlayStation/PC)63
- Thrustmaster T128 (PlayStation/PC)60
Racing games on PlayStation 5
- Assetto Corsa Competizione
- Assetto Corsa
- DiRT Rally 2.0
- Gran Turismo 7
- EA Sports WRC
- F1 25
- NASCAR 25
- Forza Horizon 5
Tech facts
| Storage | 1 TB |
|---|---|
| Disc drive | No |
| Video out | HDMI 2.1, up to 4K120, 1440p supported |
| VR | PlayStation VR2 |
| Power draw | 340 W |
| Power supply | Internal power supply, AC input |
| Wall plug | US 2-prong (C7 figure-8) power cord |
| Outlets needed | 1 |
| Connection | HDMI 2.1 out, USB-A and USB-C ports for wheel/pedals; Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet |
| Software | PS5 system software; supports PS VR2 |
| Size (W × D × H) | 4 × 9 × 14 in (10 × 22 × 36 cm) |
| Weight | 6 lb (2.6 kg) |
| Materials | Plastic |
| Released | 2023 |
| Platforms | PS5XboxPC |
Our take
AI analysis of public information, not a hands-on review.
The PS5 Digital Edition is the cheaper way into console sim racing, and the only thing it gives up is the disc drive. Gran Turismo 7, EA Sports WRC, Assetto Corsa and other racers all run on it. The drive is a $80-ish add-on if you want physical games or a used-disc library, so check how many of your games are digital before skipping it. Digital-only means you buy at PSN prices, which are rarely discounted as fast as used discs.
For a first rig, the real question is wheel compatibility. Only wheelbases licensed for PlayStation work, such as Logitech G923 PS, Thrustmaster T300/T248/T-GT and Fanatec PS-licensed bases. PC-only direct-drive bases won't work. The console's USB ports handle one wheel plus pedals through the base, so cable management is simple.
Budget for storage. Sony's current US page lists 825GB, and modern racing titles are large, so an M.2 expansion SSD may be worth adding. Pricing has moved a lot in 2026: Sony's own blog lists $599.99 since April 2. I found unconfirmed reports of a later rollback, so check retailers before buying.
Questions buyers ask
Which steering wheels work with the PS5 Digital Edition?
Wheels licensed for PS5/PS4, such as Logitech G923 PS, Thrustmaster T248 and T-GT II, and Fanatec PS-licensed bases. PC-only or Xbox-only wheels won't work. Check the game's supported-wheel list too.
Can I add a disc drive later?
Yes. Sony sells a detachable disc drive that pairs with the Digital Edition, so you can add it later if you want physical games. Its price has changed over time, so check PlayStation Direct.
Is the built-in storage enough for racing games?
It is tight. Official specs list 825GB, and part of that is reserved for the system. Several large racing games fill it quickly. You can add a compatible M.2 SSD in the expansion slot or use external USB storage for PS4 games.