PS5 Black Friday Deals: A Calm UK Buying Plan

When people search ps5 black friday deals, they usually want one of two things:

A genuine saving on the console they already planned to buy.
A bundle that makes a PS5 feel easier to justify.

This guide is UK-focused, brand-agnostic, and designed to help you buy calmly, not quickly.

The simple rule

Key Point

A PS5 ‘deal’ only counts if it (1) is the right model, (2) costs less than you’d pay in a normal week, and (3) still fits your budget after games, storage, and any subscriptions.

Start With Your Target (So You Don’t Chase Random Bundles)

handheld gaming console on a dark background — Plan what you want first then let the discount serve the plan.

Black Friday is full of bundles that look tempting because they include something. Your job is to decide what you actually need, then ignore everything else.

1) Decide the PS5 version you’re buying

Disc vs Digital: disc is useful if you like second-hand games or lending games to friends. digital is simpler if you only buy downloads.
Storage matters more than you think: modern games are big. plan whether you’ll need extra storage later.

If you want to double-check the current hardware options and what’s included in the box, the safest reference point is PlayStation’s official site: PlayStation PS5 (UK).

2) Decide what you actually want in a bundle

Extra controller: only valuable if you play locally with others or want a spare for charging.
A game you will genuinely play: a bundled title is only a saving if it’s on your list already.
PlayStation Plus: great for online play and the game catalogue, but it’s still a recurring cost.

3) Set a total budget, not a console budget

Most overspending happens after the console arrives: one more game, a headset, an extra controller, a charging dock, then maybe an SSD. If your budget is tight, set a single number that covers the whole setup.

What Counts as a “Real” PS5 Black Friday Deal

person holding a bank card while using a laptop — The best deal is the one you can explain to yourself calmly the next day.

Console pricing can be steadier than TVs or headphones, so the best Black Friday value is often:

a bundle where the extras are genuinely useful and discounted
a price that is meaningfully lower than what the console sold for in the previous few weeks
a retailer offer that includes delivery, warranty, or loyalty perks that you would have paid for anyway

Step A: Confirm the exact model in the listing

Retailers can list similar-looking bundles with small differences. Before you pay, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting: disc or digital, what storage it includes, and whether a game is a download code or a physical copy.

Step B: Check price history, not just “was £X”

Some “was” prices are more marketing than reality. A calm move is to check whether the supposed deal price has been common recently.

If you want an official UK view on pricing transparency (including tactics like hiding or splitting fees), the Competition and Markets Authority has clear guidance: CMA guidance on clear and accurate prices.

Step C: Add up the bundle properly

If the bundle includes a controller and a game, do the simple maths: what would you pay for those items separately this month, not at RRP in theory? If the bundle only saves a tiny amount, you may prefer the flexibility of choosing your own game.

A quick bundle test

Key Point

Write down the console price you’d be happy with. Then only treat a bundle as a ‘win’ if it saves you money on extras you would have bought anyway.

A Calm Way to Decide: Convert the Price Into Hours Worked

Quick Check

Is this PS5 deal worth your time?

Enter the deal price and your take-home hourly pay. If the hours feel too expensive, sleep on it before you buy.

Deal price (£) Your take-home pay per hour (£)

That PS5 costs you

0.0 hours

If you buy it weekly

That’s 0.0 hours of take-home time every week.

This is a personal decision tool. It doesn’t tell you what to do. It just makes the trade-off visible.

Money feels abstract when a checkout timer is shouting at you. Hours feel real. If a PS5 costs you 30+ hours of take-home time, it might still be worth it, but it’s worth deciding on purpose.

If you like this way of thinking, it’s exactly what 118M8 is built for: converting prices into hours worked so you can choose with confidence, without judgement. You can explore the app here: 118M8 app overview.

Common PS5 Deal Traps (And Simple Fixes)

gaming desk setup with monitor and pc — A good setup is the one you will actually use not the one you panic bought.

Trap 1: The bundle that’s “value” but not for you

A headset you don’t wear, a game you won’t play, or a second controller that stays in a drawer is just extra spend with a discount sticker.

Fix: treat bundles like menus. only buy what you’d order if it wasn’t bundled.

Trap 2: Forgetting the ongoing costs

If you’ll play online, you may want PlayStation Plus. If you buy lots of big games, you might add storage later. That’s not a reason not to buy, but it is part of the true cost.

Trap 3: Buying too early for Christmas (or too late for delivery)

Black Friday deals often start early in November. But delivery can get slower as you approach December.

Fix: before you buy, check delivery estimates and keep your plan simple.

Where UK Shoppers Usually Find PS5 Black Friday Deals

Deal hubs change every year, but UK shoppers often start with the big retailers. Use these as starting points and compare like-for-like:

These are not recommendations. The best retailer for you depends on delivery, returns, customer support, and whether you trust the marketplace seller (especially on marketplaces).

Delivery, Returns, and Consumer Rights: The “After” Matters

a parcel being handed to someone — Keep packaging until you are sure you are keeping the console.

A great deal can become a headache if returns are unclear. Before you buy, quickly check:

delivery dates and whether you need to be in
return window and whether you can return in-store
what happens if the item is faulty vs simply unwanted

For a clear, UK-first explanation of online returns and your consumer rights, Citizens Advice has a practical overview: Citizens Advice consumer help.

A Quick Checklist Before You Click Buy

Model: disc or digital confirmed
Price reality: deal price is lower than recent normal prices
Bundle maths: extras are things you genuinely want
Total budget: games, storage, and subscriptions are included
Time cost: you have checked the hours worked and it still feels worth it
Delivery and returns: you understand the policy before purchase

How 118M8 Helps You Stay Calm on Black Friday

118M8 is a mobile spending companion designed to help you make everyday decisions without judgement.

Clock it: turn the PS5 price into hours worked so the trade-off feels real
Pause it: use “Sleep on it” to give yourself 24 hours before a big purchase
Choose it: use the Number Generator game to create a neutral moment of reflection
Spot it: if you’re a 118 118 Money credit card customer, review spending trends and categories so a console doesn’t quietly blow up the month

If you want more Black Friday planning, you can browse the full category here: Black Friday guides.

PS5 Black Friday Deals FAQs

Do PS5 consoles actually get cheaper on Black Friday in the UK?

Sometimes. The most common Black Friday ‘win’ is a bundle where the console price stays similar but you get a game, extra controller, or PlayStation Store credit for less than you’d pay separately. Always compare against recent prices and check the exact model in the listing.

Is a bundle always better value than a standalone PS5 deal?

Only if you would have bought the extras anyway. A cheap game you won’t play is not a saving. Add up the real prices of the items you genuinely want, then compare with buying the console and extras separately.

Should I buy PS5 Digital or Disc on Black Friday?

Disc can be better if you want to buy and resell physical games or pick up second-hand bargains. Digital can work if you mostly buy downloads and want a cleaner setup. The best choice depends on your habits, not the discount badge.

Where do PS5 Black Friday deals usually appear in the UK?

Big UK retailers tend to run deal hubs during November, often including console bundles and accessories. It’s smart to check a few retailers, compare the exact model, and factor in delivery and returns.

Can I return a PS5 bought on Black Friday?

It depends on the retailer and whether the console is faulty or simply unwanted. Online purchases usually come with a cancellation window, but there are conditions and exceptions. Check the retailer’s returns policy before you buy, and keep packaging until you’re sure.

Stock images sourced via Unsplash.