Where to buy PS5 for Christmas: restock updates & times at Walmart, Costco, GameStop Kohls, Best Buy, Target, Amazon...
The all new PlayStation 5 remains one of the hottest items on Christmas lists in 2020 and we have the latest restock news on Sony's next-generation console.
It's almost upon us! With time running out before Christmas Day, shoppers across the world are desperate to get their hands on the elusive new console from Sony. The PlayStation 5 was released in the US on 12 November and gamers have been striving to get the tech in their homes ever since.
PS5 Christmas demand
However, with such high demand even the most reliable retailers have repeatedly sold out of the console, despite receiving a number of new stock drops from the manufacturer. With such hype around the PS5 some unscrupulous resellers have bought up the dwindled stock and are now flogging them online for a hefty profit.
To keep up with the staggering demand the likes of Walmart, Costco, GameStop, Kohl's, Best Buy, Target and Amazon have been restocking bundles (both online and in physical stores) throughout the last month with new stock dropping on Black Friday and Cyber Monda, with both dates stretched to the max. As the big day draws near there is little time to waste if you want the console to arrive before Christmas.
Here’s the latest information on PlayStation 5 stock status across the US, although it is worth bearing in mind that some lucky shoppers have reported finding the elusive console stocked in some random physical stores.
Sony: "unprecedented" demand for next-gen console
Now over a month since it was first released, it appears the PS5 has been comfortably beating sales of the Xbox Series X/S, but that success has left Sony facing an uphill task to produce enough of their consoles. At the end of November PlayStation tweeted a thank you to all those who had already bought the PS5, and promised to have new stock “before the end of the year.” A promise they have delivered on.
For anyone still hoping to bag a PS5 in time for Santa to deliver it down the chimney, it is worth noting that there are two options available, one of which has proved easier to source than the other. Sony offers a model priced at $499, which features a built-in disc-reader, and a $399 digital-only version. With many gamers choosing to download games and a whole host of streaming services offering nearly limitless online content, it is no surprise that the cheaper digital-only PS5 sold out first in most stores.
Kid tip: if you are looking to buy the PS5 as a Christmas gift for a young person but cannot locate one, why not make up a card using a printed image of the console. Write on it that the perfect present will be coming very soon and that will still allow you to see their eyes light up with excitement.
PS5 restock: useful Twitter accounts to follow
If you want up-to-the-minute information on the latest availability news and restock information it may be worth following some of the many Twitter accounts dedicated to the PS5.
Accounts such as @PS5Drop and @PS5StockAlerts have alerted users to new consoles being made available across the US, while the official @PlayStation handle also provides information on the arrival of new stock.
If you're hoping to pick up a PlayStation 5, check below for the latest information on stock levels at Walmart, Costco, GameStop, Kohl's, Best Buy, Target, Amazon and Sony. Unfortunately you may have to look to the new year before you get your hands on it.
New PS5 stock: sold out in all major retailers
Best Buy: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock online
Walmart: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock online
Although Walmart's online store is currently out of stock, there are reports of PS5 consoles being available in physical stores in a number of states: California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas may still have some if you visit in person.
Walmart has been tweeting when new stock is expected to drop but you will need to be quick if you are to catch one of these restocks. Unfortunately the BrickSeek inventory checker website, which had been providing alerts on new stock information, no longer works having been blocked from seeing Walmart’s inventory.
Costco: (membership-only): PS5 gaming bundle out of stock
GameStop: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock
Kohl's: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock
Target: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock
Both BrickSeek and PopFindr report that the PS5 is largely out of stock at Target online. However according to PopFindr, a few Target stores have very limited stock. It may be worth getting in touch with your local Target to see if they have any consoles.
Amazon: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock. Amazon says it doesn't know "when or if this item will be back in stock."
PlayStation Direct: PS5 and PS5 digital edition both out of stock
PS5 consoles still available on Ebay
Gamers' attempts to get their hands on the PS5 have not been helped by opportunistic scalpers buying in bulk and then selling the consoles on for an exorbitant price.
With store restocks looking scarce anyone desperate to receive the new console before Christmas can find the PS5 on eBay, provided they are willing to pay a significant premium. At time of writing, there are several Buy It Now options for the PlayStation 5, although these start at an eye-watering $950, excluding shipping and handling costs.
Gamers willing to compete in a bidding war have a chance of scooping the new console at a lower price, although even these options have an opening bid of around $650 and are likely to rise significantly before the auction ends.