We’re nearly halfway through February, and the PS5 restock situation for 2021 still isn’t looking good. The new PlayStation console has been extremely difficult to find in stock since the moment preorders opened, and while some hoped the new year would make the PS5 easier to find in stock, that simply hasn’t been the case.
In a recent earnings report, Sony confirmed it sold 4.5 million PS5 consoles from October to December. The company acknowledged the current PS5 shortages but promised to “do everything in our power” to make more PS5s available to consumers, adding that it’s on track to sell 7.6 million PS5 units during the first fiscal year. However, the PS5 stock situation likely won’t improve until this summer at the earliest. Microsoft recently admitted that Xbox Series X stock will be constrained through at least June, so we expect the same is true of the PS5.
Despite those facts, you’re not completely out of luck on the PS5 front. While it’ll continue to be tough to buy the PS5 in the coming months, retailers are still offering sporadic online restocks, and PlayStation Direct occasionally opens up its queue for the PS5 as well. Usually, no advance notice is given, so the PS5 game is all about keeping your eye on Twitter (and, of course, stories like this one) for news of the latest restocks. There are lots of accounts that tweet out as soon as the PS5 is spotted in stock. We’ve recently seen several restocks from major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop, including the biggest restock we’ve seen since Black Friday in late January. Last week, Walmart offered both the PS5 and PS5 Digital in a series of consecutive restocks, though each one sold out in a flash. Generally, you’ll have more luck with restocks that aren’t announced ahead of time, but of course, those are also trickier to keep up with.
We’re continuing to update this guide as PS5 units go on sale–just be aware that if you want one, you’ll have to be quick and potentially open to purchasing a bundle with games and accessories that you may or may not want. If you want to buy a PS5 relatively soon, those are the sort of concessions you need to make. Third-party sellers like StockX are options as well, though we do recommend waiting to buy the PS5 at MSRP (and not hundreds above list price).
Where to buy the PS5
PS5 availability at PlayStation Direct
PlayStation Direct regularly opens up a queue for shoppers to buy the PS5 (and anything else on the first-party site), but it’s often over an hour wait and unclear if the PS5 is even available. Still, it’s worth checking PS Direct often, as it’s the only store still releasing the PS5 on a somewhat regular basis. However, the queues appear to also be somewhat random.
Note that finding a queue on PS Direct doesn’t necessarily mean the PS5 is in stock; it simply indicates high traffic to the store. It never hurts to jump in and wait if you find the queue and you’ll be at your computer for a while, but know there’s no guarantee it’ll be in stock by the time you get through.
PS5 availability at GameStop
GameStop restocked the PS5 on January 27; however, the PS5 and PS5 Digital edition were only available in pricey bundles. This has been a relatively common occurrence at GameStop.
PS5 availability at Walmart
Walmart had the PS5, along with other next-gen systems, on its website on February 4. Like other Walmart restocks, more systems became available every 10 minutes, providing customers with numerous chances to get one, but they sold out ridiculously fast. The restock was announced about an hour ahead of time, giving hopeful buyers (and resellers) time to prepare.
PS5 availability at Best Buy
Best Buy’s last PS5 restock was on January 22–this marked the second day in a row that Best Buy restocked the PS5 on its website, but it’s been quiet ever since. Best Buy didn’t have any stock on store shelves throughout the entire holiday season, but the retailer has stated that consoles will be available in stores in 2021. We suggest checking with your local Best Buy store in case of availability.
PS5 availability at Target
Target’s most recent restock was on February 2. Both the PS5 and PS5 Digital were available, but only for in-store pickup. We still suggest calling your local stores for availability. This is only the second PS5 restock we’ve seen at Target since launch.
PS5 availability at Amazon
Amazon has been the least reliable retailer when it comes to PS5 restocks–we’ve barely seen the next-gen console in stock there since launch. The most recent Amazon PS5 restock happened on January 21. We only saw the $500 disc drive version in stock, and it was gone in a flash.
Where to buy PS5 accessories
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