Sony Playstation 3 and PSP Sony PlayStation accessories
When it comes to buying accessories for the PlayStation 3, there are plenty to choose from – both official products and those supplied by third parties. Our guide to the main official accessories will help you decide which are worth buying for your console. They're all widely available.
Controllers and remotes
The PS3 can play Blu-ray discs
SIXAXIS wireless controller
- Approx price £25
This is the now-standard controller for gameplay on the PS3. A second controller is a must.
The Bluetooth connection technology allows you to connect up to seven controllers without the need for additional connection devices.
DualShock wireless controller
- Approx price £35
The DualShock 3 controller will give you the most interactive game play on the PS3.
It incorporates Sony’s Sixaxis technology, but also has a vibration function.
Move controller
- Approx price £50
The Move is Sony's answer to the Nintendo Wii controller, and allows the player to control the action onscreen by waving the move controller.
The Move requires the PlayStation Eye, so it's essential to make sure you have one of these too if you want the full Move experience. Starter bundles are available.
Read our impressions of the Playstation Move.
Blu-Ray remote controller
- Approx price £18
This traditional-style remote control connects via Bluetooth to your PS3.
It makes it easy to navigate Blu ray and DVD discs, replacing the need to use the standard game controller.
Wireless keyboard
- Approx price £25
The wireless keyboard fits onto a standard wireless controller.
It can be used for in-game text chat online and for entering text into search engines such as Google.
Simply use it like your computer keyboard, rather than having to go to a separate input screen.
Cables
S-video cable
- Approx price £18
The S-video cable allows a step up in quality from the standard AV cable supplied with the PS3 console.
Component AV cable
- Approx price £30
The component cable allows you to view full HD content.
If you don't have a component AV cable or HDMI lead (below), you won't be able to play games in full HD.
HDMI lead
- Approx price £18
Much is made of the PS3’s ability to play Blu-ray discs, but you can't do this until you've brought an HDMI cable.
An HDMI lead will allow you to watch HD video content, and will give better quality than a component cable.
Although Sony sells a PS3-specific lead, any HDMI lead will suffice.
Peripherals
Wireless headset
- Approx price £25
The Bluetooth wireless headset can be used for voice chat, online games and selected games that feature voice command.
Sony claims that it has accurate speech recognition for games featuring voice control.
When the battery runs low you can dock the headset in the supplied charging cradle, and it works as a desktop microphone while charging.
PlayStation Eye
- Approx price £25
The PlayStation Eye is essentially a webcam that lets you have live video chats with up to four friends, so you can see and talk to people from around the world.
It's compatible with some games, such as SingStar.
You can also use it to shoot your own videos, which you can edit using software available from the PlayStation store.
Sony PlayTV
- Approx price £60
Use this to turn your PS3 into a personal video recorder (PVR), which lets you watch, pause, rewind and record .
You can also use your PSP to remotely access content held on your PS3's hard drive, so you can watch TV wherever you are in the world, as long as you have a wireless internet connection.
Batteries and charging
AC adaptor
- Approx price £20
The AC adaptor can be used to charge all PS3 peripherals that have a USB connector, such as the wireless controller, wireless keyboard and wireless headset.
However, it has only two USB sockets, so you might not be able to keep all your USB peripherals on charge at the same time.
If you don't have this adaptor, you'll need to have your PS3 turned on to charge peripherals.
