June is finally here and finding PS5 in stock couldn’t be easier. You can check availability and the latest news on PS5 restocking here.
June is finally here, but for those looking to buy a PS5, the stock situation still hasn’t improved. With the E3 season kicking off, exciting PS5 games are announced, many people still want to get their hands on the console, and PS5 orders remain as sporadic and disappointing as ever. And despite Sony’s plans to ramp up PS5 production this summer, the company recently warned that stock shortages will likely continue until 2022.
It’s possible that PS5 restock will show up around Amazon Prime Day later this month, but nothing is confirmed yet. However, buying a PS5 is not impossible, but a game of perseverance and knowing where to look. PS5 inventory restocking at GameStop, Best Buy, Target and other stores happens most weeks, but you have to be prepared at all times.
By now, you’re probably familiar with the Twitter culture that has sprung up around PS5 restocking. As frustrating as it is to click on a link and find out that the console is already sold out, it’s still one of the best ways to get PS5 right, especially if you have notifications turned on. It’s also a good idea to check retailer deals daily, as the PS5 can sometimes show up unannounced at Walmart or Best Buy. PlayStation Direct is one of the most reliable places to buy a PS5, and we haven’t seen a restock in a while, so that should happen soon.
No word yet on when the next PS5 replenishment will arrive, but hopefully soon: the system has become quite reliable. As soon as we know the news, we’ll post it here. In the meantime, you can check availability at major retailers here, as well as read the latest news and our top tips for buying a PS5.
How to buy a PS5: our top tips
Whether you can buy a PS5 depends largely on luck and timing, but there are ways to improve your chances of buying Sony’s new console.
Follow restock accounts on Twitter and turn on notifications: Accounts like Wario64, Spiel Times, PS5 Restock Alert and PS5 Stock Alerts tweet when PS5 stock is available at PlayStation Direct and other stores. If you turn on alerts, you won’t miss any news (but note that accounts like Wario64 also report deals and news that have nothing to do with PS5). Of course, we’re also posting about the PS5 replenishment on Twitter on our own GameSpot Deals account.
Twitch bot tracks console inventory in real time: Twitch user killercam1020 runs a 24/7 stream in which he uses the bot to track PS5 and Xbox X|S Series inventory at major retailers. The constantly moving wall of text usually says “Out of Stock” at all stores, but if the bot determines that the PS5 is in stock somewhere, you’ll be one of the first to know if you watch the feed. You can also follow Cameron Ritz on Twitter to get updates on this information.
Update your Sony account: Log in to your Sony account and make sure it is up to date and all notification options are enabled. On March 16 (and April 13), Sony emailed some users an offer to buy the PS5 via PlayStation Direct. Now that this has happened twice since launch, a pattern is starting to emerge. It appears that Sony will continue to contact users about once a month with an offer to buy the PS5. Invitational ordering was first introduced during the PS5 pre-order phase last year.
Stay with major retailers and keep your details up to date – you don’t want to have to update your address or billing information during the checkout process, as PS5 could sell out in the meantime. Make sure your shipping and billing information is up to date with major retailers, and stay local if possible.
Be prepared for the exact timing of the restock when it is announced in advance: Walmart and GameStop announce PS5 restocking a few days to an hour in advance. While this is convenient for hopeful shoppers, it also gives retailers time to prepare so they can make the restock more frustrating. However, many people still have good luck with these pre-announced refills. So you have to be ready at your computer at a certain time with payment information in hand.
Look for smaller retailers – Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, Target and Best Buy aren’t the only ones selling PS5 – if you’re a Costco member, we’ve seen a PS5 show up there, and the Exchange Store sometimes has military consoles for sale. We’ve also seen PS5s at Kohl’s, Meijer, Newegg and many others, so don’t think you’re limited to the big box stores.
Determine if you’re ready to buy a bundle: Stores like GameStop and Antonline sell the PS5 in bundles with an extra controller, other accessories and games at higher prices. While the price of these bundles is usually the exact cost of everything included, some of them include items you may not need. So you’ll have to determine if the price is worth what you want. In any case, we recommend that you avoid buying a console at the retail price if possible. However, if you are willing to buy an expensive kit, it may be easier to buy a PS5.
Bookmark product pages: it’s helpful to know exactly where online retailers sell the PS5. So bookmark direct listings from Walmart, Best Buy and others. We’ve included those links later in this article.
When will PS5 inventory stabilize?
Unfortunately, the PS5 shortage will likely last until 2022. According to Bloomberg, Sony recently told analysts that demand for the PS5 is outstripping supply. “I don’t think demand will stabilize this year, and even if we secure many more units and produce many more PlayStation 5s next year, our supply will not be able to catch up with demand,” CFO Hiroki Totoki told analysts.
However, Sony plans to ramp up production of the PS5 during the summer and second half of 2021, so you may have a better chance of buying one before the vacation season begins. In an interview with Wired, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan said the company is working hard to improve its PS5 inventory situation. “We see production ramping up in the summer and certainly in the second half of the year, and we expect the supply/demand balance to return to normal at that time,” Ryan said.
The PS5 inventory problems are due in part to a worldwide chip shortage that has reached a “crisis point.” Widespread semiconductor shortages have affected console and graphics card production, as well as many other industries, including the automotive industry.
June PS5 Restock Updates
Where to buy the PS5 Check availability
We will update this guide when the PS5 goes on sale. Below you’ll find direct sales listings and the latest stock information from major retailers. As with the tips above, you should consider whether you are willing to buy expensive kit or pay more for the PS5 itself, as third party suppliers such as StockX may also be an option. However, we recommend waiting before buying a PS5 at the recommended retail price (not hundreds of dollars above list price).
The PS5 and PS5 Digital are on sale for $500 and $400, respectively.
The PS5 and PS5 Digital are on sale for $500 and $400, respectively.
PS5 availability at PlayStation DirectPlayStation
Direct regularly opens a queue for customers who want to buy a PS5 (and everything else on the first-party site), but often the wait is over an hour and it’s unclear if the PS5 is even available. Still, it’s worth checking PS Direct often, as it’s the only store where the PS5 is still on sale on a regular basis. However, the queues also seem to be somewhat random in nature.
Note that a queue at PS Direct does not necessarily mean that the PS5 is in stock; it just means that the store is busy. If you see a queue and sit at your computer for a while, it never hurts to wait, but keep in mind that there is no guarantee that the PS5 will be in stock.
PS5 availability at GameStop
The PS5 kits have been in stock since May 26, exactly one week after the last restock. The retailer has been dropping them fairly regularly lately.
See PS5 at GameStop
See PS5 Digital at GameStop
PS5 Availability at Walmart
The PS5 was last available at Walmart on May 20. Stock sold out almost immediately.
PS5 availability at Best Buy
The last online stock of the PS5 at Best Buy was May 13. Best Buy did not have stock on the shelves during the holiday season, but the retailer has said the consoles will be in stores in 2021. We recommend you check availability at your nearest Best Buy store.
The PS5 was last available during a restock at Target
Target on April 28. While Target hasn’t offered a PS5 in months since the console’s launch, we’ve seen some restocking at the retailer lately, mostly for in-store purchases.
PS5 availability on Amazon
Amazon is the least reliable seller when it comes to restocking the PS5: we’ve barely seen the next-gen console in stock since its launch. The last time the PS5 was restocked on Amazon was April 24.
