Best Buy Refurbished PS5 Review: Was the Saving Worth It?

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Is a Best Buy refurbished PS5 worth it?

My Best Buy refurbished PS5 worked, but its condition and controller issue made the savings harder to justify than I expected. I paid $550 for a Geek Squad Certified Refurbished PS5 Slim with a 1TB SSD and disc drive. At $100 below the new console I was comparing it with, I thought it was barely worth it. When the refurbished price rose to $575 during my review, I changed my recommendation: I would buy new rather than save just $75.

Those are prices from my September 2026 video, not current offers. This is my experience with one console and controller. Another refurbished unit could arrive in a different condition, so compare the actual listing, included accessories, warranty and return terms before deciding.

Watch my Best Buy refurbished PS5 unboxing and test, including the update at the end that changed my verdict.

What arrived in the box

The console arrived without its original retail box or original paperwork. My package contained the PS5 Slim, a DualSense controller, a power cable, a short HDMI cable and an Insignia USB-C cable. It didn't include the small horizontal feet or a stand.

Item	What I found
Console	PS5 Slim, 1TB, with disc drive; visible exterior wear
Controller	Very little cosmetic wear, but a right-trigger rattle during testing
Cables	Power cable, unusually short HDMI cable and third-party Insignia USB-C cable
Packaging and documents	No original retail box or original paperwork in my package
Feet and stand	No horizontal feet or stand in my package

The USB-C cable felt good quality to me, but it wasn't an original Sony cable. I couldn't establish the origin of every cable just by looking at it. The short HDMI cable could also be inconvenient depending on how far your console sits from your TV.

One distinction matters here: Sony's slim-console setup instructions call for horizontal feet when using the console horizontally. The vertical stand is sold separately. A missing vertical stand alone isn't evidence that a refurbished kit is incomplete, but the missing horizontal feet are something I'd ask about before buying.

The cosmetic condition was worse than I expected

The glossy panels had scuffs and scratches, and I noticed marks around the front USB-port area. The rear looked better, with little marking around the ports, and the bottom wasn't especially bad. Still, the overall appearance was clearly that of a used console.

I expected a more polished result from something labeled Geek Squad Certified Refurbished. To me, it felt closer to a used console supplied with replacement cables. That's my reaction to this unit, not proof that every refurbished PS5 from Best Buy will look the same.

Best Buy's Outlet buying guide says refurbished products may have minor scratches and may be refurbished by its repair centers, a manufacturer or a third party. Check the condition description on the specific listing rather than expecting the word refurbished to mean an untouched exterior.

Under the panels: cleaner than the outside suggested

After removing the exterior panels, I found that the areas I could see were fairly clean. The fan was surprisingly clean, and the visible areas I checked with a light looked good. I saw some marks that made me wonder how the console had been cleaned, but I couldn't verify its service history.

I speculated in the video that the refurbishment might have focused on the outside. My inspection doesn't establish that. I didn't have a refurbishment report or perform a complete teardown, so I can't say which components were inspected, cleaned, repaired or replaced.

The console worked, but the controller rattled

The PS5 had been factory reset, booted up and worked normally in my initial testing. I didn't encounter a console-performance problem during that review. That was an initial check, not a long-term reliability test.

The controller looked almost perfect at first, apart from a few small marks. Once I used it, I noticed a loud rattle from the right trigger when it was fully pressed and the controller was vibrating. The left trigger didn't do the same thing in my test.

I suspected wear, but I didn't diagnose the cause or compare it with another controller. That sound is the issue I can report. It shouldn't be turned into a confirmed claim about a broken internal part, and it isn't a joystick-drift result.

If you buy a refurbished PS5, test the controller as carefully as the console. Check the sticks, buttons, triggers, vibration and charging. Also check setup, network connection, video output and disc operation if you bought a disc model. Do that within your actual return window, rather than discovering a problem after it has closed.

Why a $25 price increase changed my verdict

At my original $550 purchase price, I was weighing a $100 saving against the visible wear, missing accessories and controller concern. My first conclusion was that it was worth it, but only barely. I could see more appeal for someone already shopping used, particularly if the retailer's price was close to a private-sale console.

Then the refurbished price increased to $575 while the new-console comparison in my video was $650. That reduced the saving to $75, which wasn't enough for me to accept the same tradeoffs. I would spend the extra money for a new console at those prices.

I also mentioned disappointing customer reviews at the time. I wouldn't treat that historical rating as a current score or a measured failure rate. The specific condition, controller, accessories and price gap are the useful parts of my own experience to weigh.

If you're comparing prices today, check the new PS5 disc console linked in my video. Confirm the seller, model, storage, included accessories and final price. A cheaper refurbished sticker price can become less appealing if you need to replace something that's missing or faulty.

Check the warranty and return policy separately

In the video I said I believed the console came with a 90-day warranty. A comparable Best Buy refurbished PS5 Slim listing lists 90-day warranty coverage, but check the terms attached to your exact item and seller. A warranty period and a return window are different things.

Best Buy's return and exchange policy covers refurbished purchases, with applicable terms and exceptions. Read the current policy and the listing before ordering; don't assume every seller or purchase has the same coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Does a refurbished PS5 come with original accessories?

My Best Buy package included replacement cables and no original paperwork or horizontal feet. That's one package, so check the exact listing's contents and ask about anything that matters to your setup.

Did the refurbished console work properly?

The console booted and worked normally in my initial test after a factory reset. My concern was the right-trigger rattle on the controller, along with the exterior wear and missing accessories.

Does refurbished mean the PS5 will look new?

My unit didn't. Best Buy's general refurbished guidance allows minor scratches, and the condition of individual units varies. Read the specific condition description before buying.

Is saving $75 worth buying a refurbished PS5?

For the unit I received and the $650 new-console comparison in my video, no. I changed my recommendation when the refurbished price rose to $575. Use the actual price gap and package details available when you shop.

My verdict

I wanted the refurbished PS5 to be an easy way to save $100. The console itself worked, but the finish, missing feet and controller rattle made it a compromise. At the later $75 saving, I would buy new. If you choose refurbished, make sure the discount is meaningful to you and inspect everything promptly.

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