How Much Is A PS3 Worth In 2023?

The PS3 really is one of the most fascinating consoles ever released. Following a controversial launch price and subsequent failure to shift as many units as Sony were expecting in the face of the Xbox 360, many different revisions were made to the console, meaning that there’s a multitude of PS3 models out there. Ranging from the classic “fat” models that launched in 2006 up until the Super Slim in 2012, it can be a bit difficult to know exactly how much to pay for a PS3 in 2023. Luckily, we’ve compiled current PS3 prices for you.

As the used console market is always changing, bear in mind that the estimates listed here are subject to change, so we will be checking in on this PS3 buying guide regularly with any required updates. We’re also focusing on prices for just the console itself, not bundles including a controller.

 

Original Model PS3 Prices (First Generation)

Due to the backwards compatibility with the PS2 that was available in the earliest models of the PS3 (CECHBxx and CECHAxx), as well as the fact that they were more prone to failure and therefore far less common nowadays, the original PS3 model is typically the most expensive. These come with 20 GB and 60 GB storage space and can most easily be distinguised by their four USB 2.0 ports at the front of the console. Bear in mind that the CECHB model does not include wi-fi.

In the US, an unboxed PS3 in the CECHA range (60 GB) should cost you anywhere from $200-$300, depending on what components come with it. In the UK, expect to pay £150-£200 for this model.

 

First Revision PS3 Prices (Second Generation)

The first revision of the PS3 was an attempt to bring the manufacturing costs (and therefore also the asking price) down of the rather expensive console, though not many concessions were made for players. The CECHCxx (60GB, PAL) and CECHExx (80GB, NTSC) both feature backwards compatibility, though this time through emulation. The CECHC and CECHE also both featured wi-fi, which became standard from here on. Again, look for four USB 2.0 ports on the front of the console. The second generation is very visually similar to the first.

In the US, owing to the extra storage space, players should expect to pay a bit more than the earlier model for the CECHE, roughly $300-$350. In the UK, the prices are roughly the same as the first generation at £150-£200. These prices make the earliest versions of the PS3 some of the most expensive old-gen consoles on the market.

 

Second Revision PS3 Prices (Third Generation)

The second revision and third generation of the PS3 sadly removed one of its biggest selling points: PS2 backwards compatibility, though it does still play PS1 games. The third gen also removed the memory card readers and SACD playback support. A lot of different model numbers were also distributed for this revision, with them also going from 4 USB 2.0 ports to just 2, with this generation also seeing a whole bunch of different bundles. The CECHG, CECHH, and CECHJ are 40 GB, the CECHK, CECHL, and CECHM are 60 GB, and finally the CECHP and CECHQ are a beefy 160 GB.

There’s quite the steep drop off in prices for the third generation of PS3. In the US, expect to pay $80-$110 for just the unboxed 160GB console and leads. In the UK, try not to pay any more than £50-£70 for the unboxed console. It’s the least desirable generation of the PS3.

 

PS3 Slim Prices (Fourth Generation)

The PS3 Slim era is when Sony really decided to trim not only the size of the console down, but also a lot of the costs, resulting in the cheapest and therefore most common line of the PS3. Thanks to its success, there’s a big swathe of PS3 models in the fourth generation, which also adds Dolby TrueHD, BRAVIA Sync XMB control, and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreaming. If you just want to play PS3 games, this is probably the PS3 model for you, as it also does not include backwards compatibility with the PS2, though does still let you play PS1 games. Storage space ranges from 120 GB to 320 GB for the PS3 Slim range.

In the US, you should probably look at spending between $75–$100 for the 320 GB black model unboxed. In the UK, pay anywhere from £30-£50 for just the black 320 GB PS3 slim itself unboxed, but it’s worth finding bundles for just a little more. It’s worth bearing in mind that the White and Scarlet Red versions of the PS3 slim go for significantly more due to lower prints, typically costing £100+ in the UK and $125+ in the US.

 

PS3 Super Slim Prices (Fifth Generation)

The PS3 Super Slim was Sony’s last attempt to squeeze a final bit of cash out of the PS3 before the release of the PS4, with the console being the cheapest, smallest, and lightest out of any of models released to date. Known for being a lot more plasticky and its strange sliding door design for inserting discs, the PS3 Super Slim had models ranging from 12 GB (avoid that one) to 500 GB, the most storage out of any PS3 console.

In the US, expect to pay $75-$100 for the black unboxed 500 GB version of the Super Slim. In the UK, try to avoid paying more than £75 for the unboxed 500GB Super Slim in black. Just like the Slim, you can expect to pay a little extra for the Super Slim in different colours. The most sought after appears to be the blue and red variants, which should cost you roughly $125/£80 unboxed.

 

How To Save Money When Buying A PS3

The most obvious tip to get a cheap PS3 online is to try and get a bundle that includes all of the cables, controllers etc, as well as a selection of games. A lot of old PS3 owners will try and move their collection on wholesale, so you can save quite a bit of money if you’re shopping on eBay by watching for bundles.

If you’re after a fat PS3, and specifically one of the backwards compatible models, it might be worth searching for specific model numbers and trying to catch a listing that is unaware that it’s backwards compatible. It doesn’t happen all that often, but some sellers aren’t aware of their value.

However, sometimes it isn’t the best idea to buy a PS3 through eBay, as they regularly appear on places like Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, and OfferUp for cheaper as the fees for sellers tend to be a a lot lower — or non-existent. Yard sales in the US and car boot sales in the UK tend to be the absolute cheapest places to buy a PS3, though don’t forget that it’s difficult to test them there and then, and even hard to try and get your money back if they don’t work.

Really, the most difficult thing about buying a PS3 is getting the DualShock 3 to go with it, as they tend to degrade quite a lot over time compared to other controllers. We actually recommend that you go to an in-person location (like a video game store) to test a DualShock 3 before you buy it, as we’ve had no shortage of controllers bought online that have had drift, stuck shoulder buttons, and general wear and tear. When it comes to PS3 controllers, sometimes it’s worth paying that premium.

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