Is a PlayStation 5 worth it?
The standard PS5 console — before games, accessories, or PS Plus.
More than a full workday of your life. 48-hour rule: if you still want it then, you need it.
How long it takes to earn it
Below is what PlayStation 5 costs in real working hours, depending on what you actually take home. The math is simple: $499.00 ÷ wage = hours.
| If you take home | Hours of work | Workdays | % of year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15/hr | 33.3 hrs | 4.16 days | 1.6% |
| $20/hr | 24.9 hrs | 3.12 days | 1.2% |
| $25/hr | 20.0 hrs | 2.50 days | 0.96% |
| $40/hr | 12.5 hrs | 1.56 days | 0.60% |
| $60/hr | 8.3 hrs | 1.04 days | 0.40% |
| $100/hr | 5.0 hrs | 0.62 days | 0.24% |
Frequently asked
How many work hours is a PS5?
20 hours at $25/hr. At $15/hr it's 33 hours — almost a full work week. Add the typical $400/year for games and you're at a 35-hour-per-year hobby.
Is a PS5 worth it without PS Plus?
PS Plus Premium is $159/yr — 6.4 extra hours at $25/hr. Without it you can still play physical and digital purchased games, but you miss multiplayer for many titles.
PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro?
The Pro is roughly $700 (28 hours at $25/hr) for marginally better visuals. Most reviewers say the Slim hits the right value point for the typical gamer.
How long until the PS6 comes out?
Sony's typical generation is 7 years; the PS6 is expected ~2027–2028. A PS5 bought today should remain the current-gen console for at least 3 more years.