PS5 restock updates - Your guide to buying a PlayStation 5

Amazon - register for email invites (US & UK) (opens in new tab)
Your first step in picking up a PS5 will be heading to Amazon. There, you'll be able to register your interest in a console by adding your email address. The retailer will then notify you as soon as more stock is available (note: Amazon is reserving its PS5 consoles for those who have signed up for notifications). If you do receive an email - stock isn't guaranteed for everyone - you'll be provided with an exclusive link to purchase. It's no silver bullet, but it's well worth running in the background. 

You can also sign up for a Horizon Forbidden West bundle at $549 with Amazon (opens in new tab).

Sony - register for email invites (US) (opens in new tab)
Next up you'll want to head to Sony direct. You'll be able to sign up for another email invite here, just as you would with Amazon. Sony is usually one of the first sites to offer up new PS5 stock at the start of a wave.

Target - check with your local store (US) (opens in new tab)
Target made a change to its PS5 restock policy recently, allowing individual stores to sell their consoles as soon as they enter the warehouse. That means you've got a much smaller competition pool to contend with. We'd recommend checking Target's local listings regularly in the mornings.

Very - bundles available now (UK) (opens in new tab)
If you're browsing in the UK, we'd recommend making a beeline for Very. We've seen plenty of bundles flashing up on the shelves recently, which means scalpers are keeping their hands off. PS5 stock has been holding out well here so the chase isn't quite as time sensitive.

Currys - bundles available now (UK) (opens in new tab)
Currys also has PS5 bundles in stock now, with a wider variety on offer compared to Very. However, these packages often include higher value items so certainly won't be for everyone. You'll be paying anything between £599 and £729 for this stock.

Amazon (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock August 8
Amazon has been sending out email invites to some lucky folks who had registered, so be sure to check your email! And if you haven't registered, you can put your name down for the chance to nab Amazon's next PS5 restock. Of course, Amazon doesn't guarantee all registrations will be offered stock, but it's well worth a try.

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital Edition (opens in new tab) | Horizon Forbidden West bundle (opens in new tab)

Walmart (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock June 2
Walmart made a brief return to its previous Thursday PS5 restock schedule in June, but hasn't been spotted again since. This retailer regularly advertises before its stock hits the shelves, though, so we'd keep this one on the backburner. It's also worth noting that you'll need a paid Walmart+ membership to take full advantage of any restocks (costing $12.95 per month (opens in new tab)). 

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab)

GameStop (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock July 23
Things are picking up at GameStop with PS5 stock seemingly coming in at least once a week on a regular basis recently. Wednesdays or Thursdays seem to be your best bet. Bundles are often available, so if you spot any you like, dive in as they sell out (slightly) slower than solo consoles. It's also worth noting that we're seeing more in-store buying options at GameStop now as well.

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (bundle) (opens in new tab) | Horizon Forbidden West Bundle (opens in new tab)

Target (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock April 15
Target has moved to an in-store first approach, which means you'll be able to scout out local stock without competing against the entire country. The last time we saw an online PS5 restock here was back in April, so we'd recommend checking your regional availability. 

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab) 

Best Buy (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock July 12
This store hasn't been as prolific of late, but given the huge reach we'd never count it out. We've given up trying to predict Best Buy PS5 days as the Thursday/Friday pattern it once favored has been all over the place lately with weekend and Monday drops popping up at random. Great, more randomness. The good news is you no longer need to be a Total Tech Member to take advantage of restocks - July's drop was open to everyone.

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab) | Horizon Forbidden West bundle (opens in new tab)

Amazon (opens in new tab) - last PS5 restock August 9
Amazon UK has recently joined the US in offering email invites for its customers. That's about the only way you'll be able to buy a PS5 outside of a bundle in the UK right now, so if you're looking to spend as little as possible it's well worth getting your name registered. You'll receive an email when the time comes to place your order, but note that Amazon doesn't guarantee stock for everyone who signs up. 

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab) | Horizon Forbidden West Bundle (opens in new tab)

Very (opens in new tab) - DualSense bundle in stock
Very has been a high flier for PS5 restocks recently, offering the PS5 console with a range of additional goodies ready for shipping. We often see Horizon Forbidden West and Ratchet & Clank involved here, with DualSense Wireless controllers also included as well. 

Horizon Forbidden West Bundle (opens in new tab)

Currys (opens in new tab) - bundles in stock
Currys has stopped using its ballot system for PS5 restocks now, which means you're free to browse all the bundles on offer. These are often higher priced packages, including multiple games, an SSD, or a headset at full price of all items. 

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab)

Game (opens in new tab) - bundles in stock
Game is the ruler of bundles, throwing in t-shirts, caps, DualSense carry cases, and - of course - the off game and controller. Again, these will run you further up the price scale, but we see them holding stock particularly well. 

PS5 (opens in new tab) | PS5 Digital (opens in new tab) | Horizon Forbidden West bundle (opens in new tab)

Argos (opens in new tab) - last restock August 9
We tend to see Argos release new stock online in the middle of the night, often around 3 or 4am. There's very little, if any, warning ahead of time too. We often check out the PS5 stock rumor mill first thing on Twitter in the morning and have seen plenty of threads from frustrated day walkers. However, it's also worth noting that this PS5 stock is partitioned by region, which means you'll be looking at your local stores. 

Horizon Forbidden West bundle (opens in new tab)

1. Register for email invites
This is the first thing you need to do as soon as you consider buying a PS5. Amazon and Sony both offer the chance to sign up for an email invite to their future stock drops and you should be taking them up on it. While you're not guaranteed a win in these situations, you will have a far greater chance of waking up to some good news. 

2. Sign in and save your details
If you come across a PS5 restock out in the wild, the last thing you'll want to be doing is faffing at checkout. This is where we see the vast majority of punters missing out, their consoles sniped from right under their noses. This is a race, so you'll need to be as speedy through the process as possible. The best way to do so is sign in with all the retailers above and save your payment and shipping details to reduce clicks when it's crunch time.

3. Consider memberships
While this isn't such a big deal as it was earlier in the year (Best Buy has stopped reserving stock for its Total Tech members and Amazon doesn't require a Prime account any longer), Walmart still aims its restocks at its Plus members only. It's worth investing in a month's membership if you hear about a Walmart restock due. You'll have plenty of advance warning with this particular retailer.

4. Follow social media
Social media has been a saving grace in the great console race - it's simply the fastest way to find out about stock drops happening right now. And you'll need that speed. We're still seeing PS5s selling out in minutes at certain US retailers (the UK seems to be holding out a little longer), which means every second counts once a store pushes that big red button.

5. Keep refreshing
Refreshing a site's page when you know a restock is going down all around you means you'll have the best chance to landing on a good wave. These sites go bananas when consoles land, which means they can often buckle under the pressure and show an out of stock message. Keep trying and you'll likely catch a winning loop.

6. Don't give up
If you've hammered that refresh button to death and you're still getting nowhere, don't give up. We sometimes see sites turning off the faucet when the demand grows too high, only to switch those consoles back on again once interest has waned. Stick around for another wave of stock and you could get lucky.

7. Don't buy from marketplace sellers
If you're new to the PS5 restock race you may be tempted to sink some extra cash into a scalper's listing. Don't. There are plenty of PS5 restocks happening every month and there's no need to pay more than the MSRP.