Updated October 14, 2026 · GizmoCue Editorial Team
PlayStation Direct vs Scan
What sets them apart
| Compare |  PlayStation Direct | Scan ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $74 | £48.98 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 yearsHigher |
| Battery life | 30 hours | 70 hoursHigher |
| Markets | AT, BE, FR, DE, IT, LU, NL, PT, ES, GB, USCovers more | GB |
Same on both: Wireless peripherals (Yes).
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Key differences
- Scan scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Warranty is higher at Scan: 3 years vs 1 year.
- Battery life is higher at Scan: 70 hours vs 30 hours.
- Support channels: only Scan offers Email, Phone.
- Founded is lower at Scan: 1986 vs 1994.
- Products: only PlayStation Direct offers Console, Controller, Gaming headset.
- Products: only Scan offers Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop.
- Platforms: only PlayStation Direct offers Standalone.
- Platforms: only Scan offers Playstation, Xbox, Switch.
- Markets: only PlayStation Direct offers AT, BE, FR.
Our verdict on each
PlayStation Direct
PlayStation Direct is Sony’s US store for PlayStation consoles, games, accessories and licensed merchandise. The US store lists PS5 consoles, controllers, games, limited-edition goods and certified refurbished devices. The store advertises free 30-day returns. Its terms identify Sony Interactive Entertainment America Trading LLC as the seller and include an individual arbitration and class-action-waiver provision with...
Scan
Scan suits buyers who want one UK store for a machine built to order plus the monitors, headsets and controllers that go with it, with 3 years of cover on its own systems. The trust side scores 9.8, and the 14 day returns window is the number worth holding on to.
Score breakdown
| Area | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.2HigherEntry pricing of £48.98 across laptop, gaming laptop and desktop, with build to order and an extended warranty on top. |
| Trust | 9.7 | 9.8Higher3 years of cover, a 14 day returns window and support on email, chat and phone. |
By the numbers
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years |
| Battery life | 30 hours | 70 hours |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
Additional countries for PlayStation Direct: 1. Additional countries for Scan: 1.
How they place
| Ranking | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming headsets and controllers | 10 of 72 | 36 of 72 |
| Consoles and gaming handhelds | 4 of 32 | 19 of 32 |
| VR headsets | 3 of 16 | 7 of 16 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Console, Controller, Gaming headset, Vr headset | Laptop, Gaming laptop, Desktop, Gaming pc, Mini pc |
| Platforms | Pc, Mobile, Standalone | Pc, Playstation, Xbox, Switch, Mobile |
| Legal entity | Sony Interactive Entertainment America Trading LLC d/b/a PlayStation Direct | Scan Computers International Ltd |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1994 | 1986Lower |
| Support channels | Help centre, Chat | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Cameras and drones
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Top video resolution | Not confirmed | 8k |
| Flight time (min) | Not confirmed | 23 |
| Weight (g) | Not confirmed | 126 |
| Stabilisation | Not confirmed | Yes |
Monitors and peripherals
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Highest refresh rate (Hz) | Not confirmed | 720 |
| Panel types | Not confirmed | Ips, Va, Oled |
Electronics stores
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| Departments | Not confirmed | Computers, Audio, Gaming, Cameras |
| Return window | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Extended warranty | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Click and collect | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | PlayStation Direct | Scan | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 1 yearat the median | 3 yearshighest quarter | 1 year |
| Battery life | 30 hoursbelow the median | 70 hoursabove the median | 50 hours |
Median across 45 listed brands.
Pros and cons
PlayStation Direct
Pros
- The store combines consoles, games, accessories and licensed merchandise.
- Certified refurbished consoles and controllers are listed.
- The US store advertises free 30-day returns.
Cons
- The service terms include individual arbitration and a class-action waiver with an opt-out process.
Scan
Pros
- Scan builds to order, so a machine can be specified part by part rather than picked from a fixed shelf range.
- Cover on its own systems runs 3 years, and Scan ranks 1 of 34 brands compared on warranty length.
- The store spans laptops, gaming laptops, desktops, gaming PCs and mini PCs, so a household can do its computing in one basket.
Cons
- Trading is limited to GB, so delivery, returns and warranty claims stop at the UK border.
- Operating systems listed are Windows and Linux, so a buyer after a Mac or a ChromeOS machine finds nothing on the shelf here.
- Graphics choices are limited to nvidia, amd and intel, so anyone after Apple silicon hardware has to look elsewhere.
Who each suits
PlayStation Direct
Who it suits
- US customers buying PlayStation products directly from the official store.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers outside the US store or seeking an item that is not currently listed.
Scan
Who it suits
- UK buyers who want a PC specified to their own parts list instead of a fixed configuration.
- Shoppers who want a laptop, a desktop, a mini PC, a monitor and a headset from one seller under a single returns window.
- Gamers who want nvidia, amd and intel graphics options and controllers for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and mobile in the same order.
Who should look elsewhere
- GEEKOM, whose mini pc and laptop range is the compact computer route when that is all you need.
- CyberPowerPC, whose laptop, gaming laptop and desktop list is a tighter gaming machine route for a buyer who only wants rigs.
Country by country
| Country | PlayStation Direct | Scan |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
PlayStation Direct
Is this the US PlayStation Direct store?+
Yes. This is the US PlayStation Direct storefront.
Scan
What does a Scan computer cost, and does the price change later?+
Prices are set per product rather than as a subscription, and the entry figure across the store is £48.98. Nothing recurs, so the amount committed at entry is the amount that stands later, with no renewal charge added afterwards. Budget for the machine itself rather than for a cycle of payments.
Can Scan build a computer to my own parts list?+
Scan builds to order, so a machine can be specified part by part instead of being chosen from a fixed shelf range. That suits buyers who already know the graphics card and memory they want. Ready configurations drawn from laptop, gaming laptop and desktop sit alongside it for anyone who would rather take a finished build.
How long is the warranty on a Scan computer?+
Systems carry 3 years of cover, and an extended warranty scheme is available if you want longer than the standard term. On warranty length Scan ranks 1 among 34 brands compared, which is a clear edge over a shop selling a single year.