The 7 Best Playstation Stands
Editor's Notes
February 05, 2021:
While it's true that the PS5 comes bundled with a stand, there are several reasons why gamers may want to opt for one of the third-party options on our list. First and foremost, the stand provided by Sony is rather minimal, whereas every model on our list features a comparatively wider base that will help prevent your system from accidentally tipping over. While those who simply want that added stability might be satisfied with a basic choice like the Younik Vertical Stand, users who are dealing with anything more than one gamepad will appreciate how more advanced options can help keep their accessories organized. Midrange selections such as the Fyoung Storage Organizer and the Fyoung 2 in 1 are likely to meet the needs of most casual gamers, offering charging docks for up to two DualSense controllers as well as additional features like cooling fans and built-in USB hubs. Those with more particular use cases should check out specialized models like the Yuanhot PSVR Dock, which not only boasts the same features as the aforementioned selections, but also offers slots for all of the extra accessories that are required for enjoying virtual-reality games.
January 10, 2020:
In addition to focusing on finding quality options with cooling/recharging features to supplant some of the older and outdated stands, I wanted to prioritize introducing the PS4 (Pro/Slim) stands that could provide as much aesthetic and design variety to the list. The reason for this is that many PS4 stands from different brands can be carbon copies of one another, and even if all these options are good quality and recommendable versions of the same design, I would rather offer a variety of design options instead. With that being said, I’ve added the Floating Grip for PS4 Pro, Oivo Stand and Pecham PS4 Pro, all 3 of which introduce noticeable design variety into the existing list of models.
While the Sony Vertical Stand and Floating Grip for PS4 Pro offers minimalism by foregoing the need for a base entirely, the Oivo Stand offers the opposite – a standing base that’s not only functional, but looks nice too, notably due to its blue LED backlighting, as well as its battery-level indicators on the controller docks (that are actually tiny controller symbols that turn from red to green when your controller is fully charged – pretty cute). The Oivo also uses a base made from galvanized metal, instead of the traditional, cheap plastic. Meanwhile, the Younik with Built-in Cooling Vents isn’t as sophisticated as the Oivo, but still offers great value for money, and its smart built-in cooling vents are more effective than one would imagine.
A Brief History Of PlayStation
With better graphics and a built-in DVD player, it was a massive success and became one of the best selling consoles of all time.
The year was 1988, a budding video game industry was on the rise, and a little Japanese toy company known as Nintendo was quickly becoming a household name. Their success was in no small part due to the enormous popularity of Nintendo's first home gaming console, known in the United States as the Nintendo Entertainment System. Hoping to develop a CD-ROM attachment for what would become the Super NES, Nintendo partnered with fellow Japanese tech company, Sony, and development was soon underway. Eventually, deals fell through and the two companies parted ways, but Sony continued working on the project. On December 3rd, 1994, the original PlayStation was born.
The very first PlayStation brought 3d graphics, games that were stored on discs rather than cartridges, and controllers with dual analog sticks into the homes of mainstream consumers. By the year 2000, Sony was ready to release the PlayStation 2. With better graphics and a built-in DVD player, it was a massive success and became one of the best selling consoles of all time. The PS2 managed to stay ahead of its competition, thanks to a phenomenal library of games including titles like Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Metal Gear Solid 3.
The PlayStation 3 arrived in 2006. It replaced the PS2's DVD player with a Blu-ray drive, integrated a hard drive, and implemented online services straight out of the box. The PS3 was immensely powerful, but with an unusually high price tag and limited availability, it initially struggled to sell. With a strong selection of games and several redesigns, it grew in popularity, which ensured that the PS3 remained in production up until 2017.
Around the same time, Sony tried its hand at portable gaming with the PlayStation Portable. It used a proprietary disc based media for its games and was capable of delivering impressive graphics. Despite being positively received, it was never quite as popular as Nintendo's DS. In 2011 another attempt was made to jump into the handheld space with the PS Vita. It had even more impressive graphics and two tiny analog sticks. Despite some impressive specs, however, the Vita struggled to find an audience.
The next iteration of the PlayStation brand was the massively successful PS4. First sold in 2013, it managed to improve on its predecessors in nearly every way and remains a permanent fixture in the homes of millions of gamers today.
Why Use A Stand?
So, you've got your PS4, you have some new games, and you're ready hook it up to you new 4k TV so that you can enter gaming bliss — all that's left to do it find a place to put it. You can always lay it down flat, but that's gonna take up a quite a bit of valuable space in your entertainment center. Setting a PS4 up vertically allows that console to occupy the smallest amount of shelf space but, it can be easily tipped over, which is where a stand comes in.
They can often be used to charge multiple controllers at once and double as storage when they aren't being used.
The most basic vertical stands are designed to hold PlayStation 4s steady, protecting them from sudden collisions. It's technically possible to set up a PS4 vertically without a stand, but doing so increases the risk of it falling and getting damaged. Many of the most popular stands feature cooling fans, which can be noisy, but also help prevent consoles from overheating during extended play sessions, preventing sudden showdowns.
Gamers who are into playing couch co-op with their friends should consider stands with built-in charging stations. They can often be used to charge multiple controllers at once and double as storage when they aren't being used. Of course, there are also many options that come with USB ports to ensure that a marathon gaming session won't be cut short by a dead battery, as long as somebody has a long enough cable.
The right stand can make an already good console even better. But they aren't the only way to improve the gaming experience. With tons of awesome accessories and peripherals to choose from, stands are really just the tip of the iceberg.
Headsets, Controllers, And Other Gadgets
Outside of all the great games that are available, there a ton of accessories made just for PlayStation. PlayStation VR takes the virtual reality experience that was previously limited to players with expensive headsets and even more expensive PCs, and makes it accessible to average players. The PSVR is not nearly as powerful as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, but it's still capable of packing quite a punch. It uses the PlayStation Move controllers which come bundled with the headset but are also sold separately, and best of all, it works with major games, like Resident Evil 7 and Fallout 4.
For competitive gamers, there's a wide selection of chat headsets that produce crystal clear game audio in either stereo or surround sound. These headsets also allow players to keep the volume on their TVs low, making them perfect for anyone living in an apartment or a dorm. Both wired and wireless models are available from many reliable manufactures. But to really dominate the competition, nothing beats having a good controller. Many retailers offer controllers that improve on the original dualshock models. Some offer faster input times and improved layouts to maximize efficiency.
For some, gaming isn't just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. Getting the most out of your equipment means that you have to have the best gear. With a good headset and a decent controller, you'll have everything you need to immerse yourself in whatever world you want. Just remember to have fun.