Pros & Cons
-
- Functional and easy to use
- Matches the PS5's design
-
- Navigation buttons are a bit small
The PlayStation 5 has plenty of media features, including several major streaming apps and services and the ability to play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Controlling media playback with a gamepad is a pain, though, as it’s hard to remember which buttons handle which functions. A conventional remote makes watching your favorite content much easier, and that’s where the Media Remote for the PS5 comes in. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a remote control for the PlayStation 5. For just $29.95, it’s a must-have accessory if you want to use your PS5 as your main media streaming device.
PS5 Media Remote Design
The Media Remote evokes the design of the PlayStation 5, albeit in a slim, handheld form. It’s a slightly curved white wand with a band of black running around the edge, similar to the PS5’s white sides and black center. It measures 5.7 by 1.6 inches (HW) and is just 0.8 inches at its thickest point.
Buttons are flat, with a sparse layout particularly around the navigation pad. The remote features a large, plus-shaped navigation pad that consists of four slim directional buttons arranged around a small circular confirmation button. It works just fine for navigating menus, but the individual buttons feel just a bit awkward compared with the big, clicky navigation pads on the remotes for the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Chromecast With Google TV. Fortunately, while the buttons are small, the plus-shaped arrangement is easy to find under the thumb.
TV power, mute, and volume up/down buttons sit above the navigation pad, along with a microphone button for using the PS5’s voice control features. Playback and menu buttons sit below the navigation pad, with dedicated service buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube below them. Finally, a small PlayStation logo near the bottom of the remote serves as a home button.
Recommended by Our Editors
Pairing and Using the Media Remote
Pairing the remote is simple. Go into the PS5’s menu, select Accessories, then select Media Remote. It will tell you to hold two buttons on the remote to put it in pairing mode. After a few seconds, the remote is paired with the system and can control its menus directly and even turn it on from sleep mode, just like the DualSense gamepad.
The remote performs exactly as it’s supposed to, letting you control the PS5’s media features with the convenience of a conventional remote (instead of a gamepad, which feels awkward for managing playback). I easily zipped between different menus on the system, and browsed through content libraries on the various apps. The dedicated service buttons work well, jumping to Disney+ or Netflix or YouTube with a single press. The TV control buttons also work nicely, adjusting the volume on my TV without needing to reach for a separate remote.
A Must-Have Accessory for PS5 Media Control
The Media Remote adds easy-to-use playback controls, volume controls for your TV, and quick-access buttons for specific streaming services to the PS5 experience, all in a typical remote form factor that’s much easier to use while kicking back on the couch than the DualSense. If you plan on using your PlayStation 5 as your primary media hub, consider it $29.95 well spent.