3 useful PS5 settings adjustments most gamers overlook

1. Extend your DualSense controller's battery life

The PS5's DualSense controller offers impressive features but can drain quickly during extended gaming sessions.

Start by adjusting the controller's indicator brightness by navigating to Settings, Accessories, Controller (General), Controller Indicators Brightness and changing it from Standard to Dim. This small change reduces power consumption without affecting functionality.

Next, consider modifying the haptic feedback intensity. In the same Controller menu, locate Trigger Effect Intensity and Vibration Intensity and change both from Standard to Weak. For even greater battery savings, you can turn these features off completely, though you'll lose the immersive feedback that makes many PS5 games special.

Finally, set your controller to automatically power down when not in use. Go to System, Power Saving, Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off and select After 10 Minutes. This is particularly useful when watching movies or shows, where you don't need the controller to stay active.

2. Optimize visual output for your display

Proper video settings ensure you're getting the best possible visual experience from your PS5, especially if you have one of the best gaming TVs around.

Navigate to Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output and look for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Next, set this to Automatic and enable Apply to Unsupported Games. VRR reduces screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing your TV's refresh rate with the game's frame rate.

While in the same menu, set both Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and 120Hz Output to Automatic. These features reduce input lag and allow for smoother motion in supported games. Your TV will need HDMI 2.1 support to take full advantage of these options.

For the best color reproduction, ensure HDR is set to Always On, then run the HDR calibration wizard to optimize brightness and contrast for your specific display. Finally, set both Deep Color Output and RGB Range to Automatic to ensure proper color depth and accuracy.

3. Enhance privacy and security settings

The PS5 collects various types of data by default, but you can adjust these settings to better protect your privacy.

Start by navigating to Settings, Users and Accounts, Privacy, View and Customize Your Privacy Settings. Here you can control who sees your real name, profile picture, friends list, and gaming activity. Consider setting most options to No One or Close Friends Only to limit your online visibility.

Next, under Privacy, find Control how your data is collected and used to access three important options: Data You Provide, Personalization, and Voice Data Collection. Change Data You Provide to Limited, consider turning off all Personalization options, and set Voice Data Collection to Don't Allow if you're concerned about voice data privacy.

These simple adjustments help protect your information while still allowing you to enjoy your PlayStation's online features and community aspects.

Get the most of your PS5

The PlayStation 5 offers dozens of customizable settings beyond these recommendations, but these three areas provide the most noticeable improvements for most users.

Taking a few minutes to optimize these settings enhances your gaming experience while extending the life of your controller and protecting your privacy online.