As a gamer, I know the thrill of a long, uninterrupted gaming session. You are deep into a boss fight or just cruising with your squad, and the last thing you want is a performance hit or, even worse, a system shutdown. The PlayStation 5, a powerful piece of hardware, has a robust cooling system built right in. But with the rise of third-party accessories, a question I see asked all the time is, “Do I really need a PS5 cooling stand?”
I’ve been in the gaming hardware review scene for a long time, and I’ve seen countless accessories promise to boost performance, extend life, and generally make your gaming life better. When it comes to PS5 cooling stands, the answer is not a simple yes or no. It really depends on your specific situation, your gaming habits, and the environment your console lives in. Today, I’m going to break down everything you need to know about these stands, from their pros and cons to what actually works, so you can make an informed decision.
The PS5’s Built-in Cooling System
Before we even look at external cooling solutions, we have to talk about the console itself. Sony engineered the PS5 with a sophisticated cooling system. The console uses a massive, custom-designed fan and an impressive heatsink to pull in cool air and expel hot air. The most notable component is the use of liquid metal as a thermal interface material between the CPU and the heatsink. This is a huge deal, as liquid metal is far more effective at transferring heat than traditional thermal paste.
The system is designed to be highly efficient. It pulls air through large intake vents, cools the internal components, and then exhausts the hot air out the back and sides. For the vast majority of gamers, this is more than enough. If your console is in a well-ventilated area, free of dust, and at a reasonable room temperature, you likely will not experience any issues with overheating.
When to Consider a Cooling Stand
While the PS5’s cooling is excellent, there are scenarios where additional measures might be needed. The primary reason a gamer might look into a cooling stand is to combat thermal throttling or to prevent the system from getting too hot in a less than ideal setup.
Signs of an overheating PS5 include:
- Loud fan noise: The internal fan ramps up significantly, sounding like a jet engine.
- Performance degradation: Games start to lag, freeze, or suffer from frame rate drops.
- Warning messages: You might see an on-screen message saying, “Your PS5 is too hot.”
- Graphical glitches: The screen might show visual artifacts like black or white dots or streaks.
- Sudden shutdowns: The console turns off abruptly to prevent damage.
If you are experiencing any of these issues regularly, a cooling stand might be a consideration, but it is not the only solution. More on that later.
The Good, the Bad, and the Debatable
PS5 cooling stands are a dime a dozen online, but they are not all created equal. I have seen countless models with different features, and it is crucial to understand what you are buying.
Here is a quick rundown of the common features and my take on them:
- Built-in fans: This is the main selling point. The fans are typically located on the bottom or side of the stand. The key question is whether they actually help. The PS5’s internal airflow is very specific, and some third-party stands can actually disrupt this. If the fans are blowing air in the wrong direction or at the wrong pressure, they can be counterproductive, trapping hot air or interfering with the console’s natural intake.
- Controller charging docks: Many stands include charging ports for your DualSense controllers. This is a genuinely useful feature. It cleans up your gaming space and keeps your controllers topped up without taking up extra USB ports on the console.
- Game storage: Some stands have slots to hold physical game cases. This is a nice bonus for collectors and helps keep your media organized.
- Headset holder: A simple but effective addition to keep your headset off the floor or desk.
So, are these stands actually effective? The truth is, many of them are gimmicks. The small fans they use often do not move enough air to make a significant difference, especially when compared to the massive fan inside the PS5. Some stands even pull power from the console itself, which can generate more heat than the fans can dissipate. I have also seen some anecdotal evidence that poorly designed stands can cause issues with the console’s liquid metal, though this is rare.
However, there is a silver lining. I have tested a few models that, while not dramatically improving thermals, do offer some minor benefit. The key is to find a stand that augments the PS5’s existing airflow rather than fighting it.
A Gamer’s Guide to Keeping Your PS5 Cool
Before you spend money on a cooling stand, here is a list of my top tips for keeping your PS5 cool and healthy, all of which I have personally used and can vouch for:
- Proper Placement: This is the most important step. Do not stuff your PS5 into a cramped TV cabinet or against a wall. Give it at least 4 inches of space on all sides to allow for proper airflow.
- Cleanliness is King: Dust is the enemy of any electronic device. The PS5 has dust catcher holes that make it easy to vacuum out a lot of the dust without opening the console up. I recommend doing this every few months.
- Use the Included Stand: Whether you orient your PS5 vertically or horizontally, use the stand that came in the box. It elevates the console, creating a crucial gap for air to circulate under the unit.
- Check the Room Temperature: If your gaming space gets very hot, your console will struggle to cool itself. While you cannot always control this, keeping your room as cool as possible will help.
- Consider an SSD Heatsink: If you are adding an M.2 SSD for more storage, make sure it has a heatsink. This is a crucial accessory that prevents the drive from overheating and causing performance issues.
PS5 Cooling Stand Showdown
If you have tried all the above and still feel like you need an external solution, here is a quick comparison table of what to look for:
| Feature | Worth It? | Why? |
| Cooling Fans | Debatable | Most are underpowered and can disrupt airflow. Some designs can be helpful but research is key. |
| Dual Controller Charger | Yes | A very convenient and genuinely useful feature that keeps your controllers charged. |
| Headset Holder | Yes | A small quality of life improvement that organizes your space. |
| Game Storage | Yes | Great for physical media collectors, keeps your setup neat. |
| LED Lighting | No | A purely aesthetic feature that adds no functional value to cooling. |
My conclusion, as a hardware aficionado, is that a PS5 cooling stand is a nice-to-have accessory, not a necessity. They are often more about convenience and organization than actual performance. If you are looking for a stand to keep your controllers charged and your games organized, go for it. But if you are buying one because you think it will solve an overheating problem, you are likely better off spending that money on a can of compressed air and a new can of soda while you rearrange your gaming space.
The best solution is always prevention. Keep your system clean, give it room to breathe, and let its incredible internal engineering do the work it was designed for.
For more deep dives into gaming hardware and tips to optimize your setup, be sure to check out our Gaming Insights section on rivalsector.com. We are always finding new ways to get the most out of our gear. Also, you can check out our latest review of the best gaming finger sleeves.
