The PlayStation Portal, Sony's innovative handheld gaming accessory for the PS5, has never been offered at a discount. However, savvy gamers can now snag a deal on a used unit. Amazon Resale, previously known as Amazon Warehouse, currently lists Used: Like New condition PS Portals for just $148, shipped. Considering the original retail price is $199, this represents a significant 26% savings. While a Sony warranty may or may not be included, Amazon Resale's items come with the same 30-day return policy as new products. Given the demand, these units are expected to sell out quickly.
Update: The price has dropped even further to $150.23, marking the lowest price we've seen for a Used: Like New unit.
PlayStation Portal (Used: Like New) for $148
--------------------------------------------Make sure to select the "Save with Used - Like New" option
Used (Like New)### Playstation Portal
6$199.99 save 26%$148.00 at AmazonUsed: Like New Condition
Looks and functions as if it were new, with only moderate packing damage observed during inspection.
The PS Portal resembles an extended split-pad DualSense controller with an 8-inch 1080p LCD screen integrated into the center. It transforms your PS5 into a portable gaming device by streaming games from your console at up to 60fps. The controller retains all the features of the DualSense, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a touchscreen that substitutes for the traditional touchpad. The Portal can stream games even when you're away from home, provided you have access to a very stable and fast internet connection. It's important to note that the PS Portal is not a standalone device; it's a remote player strictly for the PlayStation 5, requiring a PS5 to operate.
In a recent update, Sony has expanded the PS Portal's capabilities beyond just streaming games from a PS5. Now, users can stream games directly from Sony's PlayStation Now cloud streaming service without needing a PS5. Portal owners can choose to connect either to their PS5 or directly to Sony's cloud servers, thanks to new quality of life beta updates launched in April. This feature unlocks a library of over 120 games, including titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Resident Evil 3 Remake, The Last of Us Part 1 Remastered, and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. To access this, you need to subscribe to the highest tier of PlayStation Plus, which at $18 a month, is a more cost-effective alternative to buying a PS5 and individual games.
It's worth mentioning that the PlayStation Portal isn't the only way to stream PS5 games over Wi-Fi within your home. You can achieve similar functionality by using the PS Remote Play app on a mobile device, including other gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck. However, setting this up can be more complicated, and you'll miss out on some of the DualSense's unique features.
PlayStation Portal Review by Seth Macy
"The PlayStation Portal is the most surprising device I've ever come away from loving after going in loaded with skepticism. It's such a better experience than using your phone with a slap-on controller, and it works so much better than I was anticipating. I really love the freedom it gives me to play my PS5 from anywhere with decent WiFi coverage, especially when the rest of my family was using the TV to (somewhat ironically) play the Switch. Bearing in mind that it’s in no way a stand-alone device and 100% requires a PlayStation 5 to function at all, the biggest things keeping the Portal from being a truly amazing device are its current lack of a way to access WiFi that requires a web browser to log in, and its lack of Bluetooth support for audio. For now, it's a great device that represents the best current solution for PlayStation Remote Play, and if it weren't for those two baffling caveats, I'd call this a must-own device for every PS5 owner who enjoys playing games on handheld – or has to compete for the household TV."
