In the US, the standard PlayStation 5 sells for $500, while the digital edition with no disc drive costs $400. In August, Sony announced that the price of the PS5 will increase in other markets due to inflation. Costs are rising by 3% to 12.5% in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
For customers in the US, the best place to find a PS5 is though a major online retailer like Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon, and Sony’s own PlayStation Direct store. These retailers all offer membership programs, and they often provide subscribers with direct email invitations, waitlist access, or restock alerts to purchase PS5 consoles when available.
We’ll keep this post updated as we get more information about PS5 restocks, but ultimately you’ll need to keep checking multiple stores and get a bit lucky with timing to secure the console.
Where to buy a PS5: stores and priceThe digital edition of the PlayStation 5 doesn’t have a disc drive.
Sony
The PlayStation 5 comes in two different models — one that has a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive, and a “digital edition” with no disc drive. The standard model is $500 and the digital edition is $400.
Several stores, including Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Newegg, have regularly restocked PlayStation 5 consoles since launch, but they typically sell out as soon as they’re available.
GameStop occasionally announces PS5 restocks in specific stores in major cities like New York and Dallas, but they’re usually only available to PowerUp Rewards Pro members. PowerUp members also get first access to PlayStation 5 bundles online. The membership costs $15 a year and comes with a $5 monthly gift certificate, as well as other benefits. You can find restock announcements on GameStop’s website.
Walmart has offered the PlayStation 5 to Walmart+ members first during recent restocks. Walmart+ costs $13 a month, and offers other Walmart shopping perks like free shipping and discounted fuel. The service usually includes a 15-day trial, but only paying Walmart+ members get access to PS5 restocks.
Amazon and PlayStation Direct allow shoppers to join email waitlists for the PlayStation 5. Amazon will send a link with a 72-hour purchase window when a PS5 is available for purchase, while PlayStation Direct sends an email inviting PSN users to buy a console at a pre-set date and time.
Tips for buying the PS5A gamer sets up the new Sony Playstation PS5 at his home in Seoul after Sony launched the new console.
YELIM LEE/AFP via Getty Images
Buying the PlayStation 5 has been a struggle since release, but retailers have been making a steady stream of consoles available. If you have a preferred store, you should look into setting stock alerts with their online tools.
Retailers with membership plans — like Walmart, Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon, and the PlayStation Direct store — sometimes offer subscribers email invitations, waitlist access, or restock alerts to purchase PS5 consoles when available. If you’re on the hunt for a PS5, you’ll have a better chance snagging one from the retailer of your choice if you sign up for their membership program.
Third-party stock-tracking websites like HotStock.io can tell you when a store last had the PlayStation 5 in stock and let you set alerts for multiple retailers. A reseller who made more than $40,000 reselling PS5 consoles in 2020 shared more specific tips on how to find the console online.
If you encounter issues while trying to check out with an online retailer, keep trying to refresh the product page to add the console and make sure the PS5 is available and in your cart. If possible, create an account with your preferred retailer and enter your payment and shipping information in advance to help the checkout process move quickly.
PlayStation 5 specifications
Sony
The PlayStation 5 boasts much more powerful hardware than the PlayStation 4 and PS4 Pro. Upgrades include a solid state hard drive and a graphics card capable of ray-tracing technology.
For detailed impressions, check out our full PlayStation 5 review.
Disc drive: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive (standard edition only)Storage: 825GB M.2 driveHDMI Out: Up to 4K resolution at 120Hz with HDMI 2.1Ports: 1x USB-C, 3x USB 3.1, 1x EthernetCPU: AMD Ryzen Zen 2, 8 cores, 16 threads at 3.5 GHzGPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2 at 2.23 GHz, 10.3 TFlopsMemory: GDDR6 16GB, 44GB/s bandwidth
PlayStation 5 accessories
Sony
Sony’s $70 DualSense controller is a worthy successor to the PS4’s popular DualShock, implementing a built-in microphone, haptic feedback for adjustable trigger tension, and advanced rumble features while also improving the battery life and adopting a USB-C charging cable.
The $100 Pulse 3D headset is a direct successor to the gold and platinum wireless headsets Sony released for the PlayStation 4. The headset has an adjustable band, built-in microphone, and hardware buttons for mute, voice monitoring, and volume. While the Pulse 3D headset is worth the investment, PS5’s 3D audio features will also work with any third-party headset that’s been licensed for use on PS4.
The PlayStation media remote might look appealing, but for $30 you can find a better or cheaper universal remote to control the console. Several smart TV brands also let you control the PS5 with your standard TV remote too, so it’s worth giving that a try before making this investment.
The $30 DualSense charging stand can charge two controllers and makes for a nice stand alongside the PS5, but it doesn’t actually charge your controllers any faster than using a regular cable.
The $60 HD camera can be used for streaming in full 1080p and even has a background removal tool, but it cannot be used as a microphone like the PlayStation 4 camera. Luckily, you can just use the DualSense’s built-in mic to communicate while playing.
