Cloudflare is the easiest first pick for most PS5 players, while NextDNS and Control D are better if you want filtering, logs, profiles, and more control. DNS will not magically turn a 70 ms match into a 20 ms match, but it can make sign-ins, store loading, downloads starting, party features, and matchmaking feel snappier. Public resolver speed changes by country and ISP, so testing matters; DNSPerf tracks public DNS performance across regions [source: DNSPerf].
TLDR: If you want the safest quick win, set your PS5 DNS to 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 for Cloudflare. If you want parental controls or ad and tracker blocking across gaming devices, use NextDNS or Control D. For example, if your ISP DNS takes 80 ms to answer and Cloudflare answers in 18 ms, menus that call many domains can feel less sluggish, even though your in-game ping may barely change. Test two or three services over one evening, not just once.
What DNS actually changes on PS5
DNS is the phonebook your PS5 uses to find PlayStation Network, game servers, store assets, update files, voice chat services, and login pages. A better DNS service can reduce lookup delays. It can also block bad domains or adult content.
The annoying part? DNS is often oversold. It does not move you closer to a Fortnite, Call of Duty, or EA FC server. It only helps your console find services faster and more reliably. Still, bad ISP DNS can feel awful. I have seen menus hang for a few extra seconds just because the resolver was slow or flaky.
1. Cloudflare DNS: best simple speed pick
Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
Cloudflare is the best starting point for most PS5 owners. It is fast, easy to remember, and does not make you create an account. If your goal is lower DNS delay with no setup drama, this is the one to try first.
- Best for: speed, simplicity, general gaming.
- Weak spot: no console-specific filtering unless you use Cloudflare for Families.
- Try it if: PS Store, parties, or game menus feel slow to load.
2. NextDNS: best for control and parental rules
Primary DNS: shown in your NextDNS account
Secondary DNS: shown in your NextDNS account
NextDNS is great if your PS5 is part of a family setup. You can block adult sites, malware, trackers, gambling, and custom domains. You also get logs, which help you see what the console is trying to contact.
The catch is setup takes more time. You need an account, a profile, and either linked IP setup or router-level configuration. Still, once it works, it feels polished.
- Best for: parents, shared homes, privacy fans.
- Weak spot: free plans have query limits.
- Try it if: you want rules for kids without touching every app.
3. Control D: best for flexible blocking
Primary DNS: depends on your Control D resolver
Secondary DNS: depends on your Control D resolver
Control D is similar to NextDNS but feels more modular. You can create profiles, block categories, redirect some services, and apply rules by device. It is powerful for people who like tuning things.
Honestly, it feels like overkill if all you want is faster matchmaking screens. But for a mixed home with consoles, phones, smart TVs, and kids’ tablets, Control D is very useful.
- Best for: custom filters and device profiles.
- Weak spot: too many options for casual users.
- Try it if: you want console rules plus whole-home filtering.
4. Google Public DNS: best reliable backup
Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
Google Public DNS is boring in the best way. It is stable, widely available, and rarely breaks services. If Cloudflare performs oddly on your ISP, Google is the next address to try.
- Best for: reliability and global reach.
- Weak spot: fewer built-in privacy or family tools.
- Try it if: Cloudflare gives mixed results in your area.
5. Quad9: best security-focused option
Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
Quad9 blocks known malicious domains by default. That will not make your PS5 aim better, sadly, but it can reduce risk from shady links opened on other devices if you set it at router level.
- Best for: malware protection.
- Weak spot: may be slower than Cloudflare or Google in some regions.
- Try it if: security matters more than pure speed.
6. OpenDNS: best old-school family DNS
Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
OpenDNS, now part of Cisco, has been around for years. It offers content filtering and phishing protection, especially when used through a home router. It is not the flashiest pick, but it is steady.
- Best for: family filters and basic protection.
- Weak spot: interface feels dated compared with NextDNS.
- Try it if: you want a proven family DNS setup.
How to change DNS on PS5
- Open Settings on your PS5.
- Go to Network.
- Select Settings, then Set Up Internet Connection.
- Choose your Wi-Fi or LAN connection.
- Press Options, then choose Advanced Settings.
- Set DNS Settings to Manual.
- Enter the primary and secondary DNS addresses.
- Save, then run Test Internet Connection.
Quick recommendation
Use Cloudflare first if you want speed with almost no effort. Pick NextDNS if you want the best mix of privacy controls and family rules. Choose Control D if you enjoy detailed profiles and custom blocking. Keep Google DNS as a backup, Quad9 for security, and OpenDNS for simple family filtering.
Test each service during the same time window. Write down PSN sign-in speed, store loading, download start time, and party connection behavior. The best DNS for your PS5 is the one that performs well on your ISP, not the one with the prettiest website.