What are the must-have accessories for the new PS5 Pro?

Question

I finally pulled the trigger on a PS5 Pro pre-order, and I’m super hyped to see what that extra GPU power and PSSR can really do for my 4K setup. However, after dropping $700, I realized the 'out-of-the-box' experience is a little slim. I’m trying to figure out which extras are actually essential versus just 'nice to have' to get the most out of this machine.

First off, the lack of a disc drive is a big one for me since I have a pretty large physical collection, so I’m currently hunting for the add-on drive before it sells out everywhere. I’m also looking at the vertical stand, which feels like it should've been included, but here we are! Beyond those basics, I’m wondering about performance-focused gear. Is it worth upgrading to the Pulse Elite headset for better 3D audio, or should I invest in a high-speed 2TB M.2 SSD right away to handle these massive 'Pro Enhanced' patches? I’ve even thought about the DualSense Edge for the back buttons, but I'm worried about the total cost spiraling quickly.

I really want to make sure this setup feels like a true 'Pro' experience from day one without missing any key components. For those of you also upgrading or already looking at the specs, what are the absolute must-have accessories you’d recommend for the PS5 Pro?

AviatorTowly · Accepted Answer

> "First off, the lack of a disc drive is a big one for me... I’m also looking at the vertical stand, which feels like it should've been included, but here we are!"

Story time: I went through a similar headache last year trying to "max out" my setup, and honestly, the hidden costs are what really kill you. It’s so annoying that Sony stripped the PlayStation 5 Disc Drive and the Sony PlayStation 5 Vertical Stand out of the box... basically feels like a "Pro tax" at this point.

I had issues with storage early on, and with the Pro's PSSR tech and higher res textures, those "Enhanced" patches are gonna be HUGE. I compared the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD and the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink. Tech-wise, both hit that sweet 7,300MB/s+ sequential read speed, but I found the WD ran about 5 degrees cooler during heavy transfers in my testing, which is crucial for the Pro's tighter thermals.

As for the audio, I picked up the Sony Pulse Elite Wireless Headset for the planar magnetic drivers. The detail is INSANE for 3D audio, but unfortunately, the headband adjustment felt really flimsy compared to high-end sets. Also, think twice about the Sony DualSense Edge Wireless Controller. I love the back buttons for sweatier games, but the battery life is LITERALLY half of the standard one. It’s a trade-off I didn't expect for $200. Basically, just prioritize that extra storage first cuz you're gonna need it for those 100GB+ installs... gl!

FloydCor · Answer

One thing I learned the hard way with my first PS5 was that heat is the real killer for these high-end machines. I actually cooked a generic drive because I thought I could skip the heatsink to save a few bucks. For the Pro, you definitely want to be careful with your storage choice. I would suggest the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink for peace of mind. It stays way cooler than the cheaper ones during long sessions. If you're worried about the cost of the Edge controller, you might want to consider the DIY route. I installed the eXtremeRate RISE4 Remap Kit for PS5 Controller on my standard pad and it works great. It's way cheaper than buying a whole new controller, but just be careful when opening the shell... those ribbon cables are super fragile. I snapped one my first time and had to wait a week for a replacement part. Totally worth it once it's done tho.

Davidcosse · Answer

I totally agree with what you guys said about the costs... it's honestly kinda scary how much it all adds up. Tbh, since I’m a bit of a beginner with high-end setups, I’m mostly worried about the reliability side of things. I’d be so upset if my $700 console got fried by a power surge or something. I’m focusing on gear that keeps the machine safe rather than just performance. Here’s a few things I’ve been looking into for peace of mind: * APC UPS Battery Backup Surge Protector - I’m really nervous about power flickers hurting the hardware, so a proper battery backup feels safer than just a cheap power strip.
* WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD - Since the Pro patches are gonna be huge, I heard this one is super reliable for long-term use compared to others.
* DualSense Charging Station - I’m worried about wearing out the USB ports on the console by plugging/unplugging constantly, so this seems like a safer bet for the long run. Does it sound like I’m being too paranoid? I just wanna make sure this thing lasts forever if I’m spending this much money, y'know?