Launched in November 2023, the PlayStation Portal has yet to see its retail price drop, even during Sony's annual Days of Play sale. However, there's now a significant discount available on pre-owned units. Amazon Resale, the company's official refurbished outlet, has slashed the price of a "Used: Like New" PS Portal to $140.41 with an automatic 25% discount applied at checkout. "Like New" items are typically unused products with only minor packaging damage, and they come with Amazon's standard 30-day return policy, making this a far more secure option than purchasing from a private seller.
Get a PlayStation Portal (Used: Like New) for $140.41
Used: Like New
PlayStation Portal
13$199.99 save 30%$140.41 at Amazon Resale
The PlayStation Portal essentially transforms your PS5 into a handheld gaming device. It resembles a DualSense controller stretched apart with an 8-inch 1080p LCD screen in the center, allowing you to stream games from your console at up to 60fps. It retains core DualSense features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and uses its touchscreen as a replacement for the touchpad. While you can stream games remotely outside your home, this requires an exceptionally stable and high-speed internet connection. It's crucial to remember that the Portal is not a standalone console; it functions exclusively as a remote player for the PlayStation 5.
The device's functionality has expanded beyond just PS5 streaming. Sony has introduced features (including beta options launched in April) that allow Portal owners to stream games directly from the PlayStation Plus cloud library. This means you can now access a catalog of over 120 titles, such as *Ghost of Tsushima* and *Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales*, without needing your PS5 console active. This feature does require a subscription to the premium tier of PlayStation Plus, but the monthly fee offers access to a vast library, which can be more economical than buying individual games.
It's important to note that the PlayStation Portal isn't the only way to access Remote Play. You can use the official PS Remote Play app on other devices, including smartphones or handhelds like the Steam Deck. However, that setup can be more complex and may not support the full suite of DualSense features natively.
PlayStation Portal Review by Seth Macy
"The PlayStation Portal completely won me over despite my initial skepticism. The experience is vastly superior to using a phone with a clip-on controller, and its performance exceeded my expectations. I truly appreciate the freedom to play my PS5 from anywhere with solid WiFi, which is especially useful when the family TV is occupied. While it’s entirely dependent on a PlayStation 5, the Portal currently stands as the best dedicated solution for Remote Play. Its main limitations are the inability to connect to WiFi networks that require a browser login and a lack of Bluetooth audio support. If not for those two puzzling omissions, I would consider it an essential accessory for any PS5 owner who enjoys handheld gaming or needs to share the main screen."
