📈 Avoid high markups: Don’t buy from scalpers or reseller platforms charging well above MSRP
🎯 Target key retailers: Focus on PlayStation Direct, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart for most restocks
🏃 Prepare for fast checkout: Save payment details, stay logged in, and enable 1-click or mobile wallet options
⏰ Know restock timings: Track specific drop windows for each retailer and stick to standard console offers over bundles
You want a PS5 Pro and you want it now – but before you part ways with far more of your hard-earned money than you should, you may want to pause and take a breath. You don’t have to pay over the odds for a PlayStation 5 Pro if you’re willing to be patient and know where to look.
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PS5 Pro restocks are happening, but what little stock a retailer has usually sells out fast – within a few minutes. That can make buying a PS5 Pro a frustrating and almost hopeless experience. But when the difference is between paying $899 or $1,399 and above, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth the extra effort to avoid paying a crazy markup.
Here’s how to buy a PS5 Pro without paying scalpers.
Prioritize these 5 US retailers for PS5 restocks
Around 70-80% of all PS5 restocks happen at these five retailers: PlayStation Direct, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.
PlayStation Direct has had the most consistent restocks thus far, all at MSRP. Amazon’s PS5 Pro restocks tend to either flash up momentarily or include an “invite request”, with Prime users gaining an advantage.
As for Best Buy, morning drops often take place between 9am and 1pm local time, while Target has micro-restocks that can sadly last mere seconds. Using the app to check out will give you your best chance.
As for Walmart, the retailer tends to announce restocks ahead of time and ties them to big game releases or events. Thursday and Friday mornings are your best bet.
Set up instant checkout for each retailer
Securing your PS5 Pro isn’t just about being in the right place at the right time – you also need to checkout fast before all the stock is snapped up. Before you wait around for a restock to happen or receive an alert from The Shortcut, do the following:
Add your address, payment details, and phone number to the account
Stay signed in on your desktop or mobile (logging back in will only slow you down)
Enable 1-click checkout at Amazon and PlayStation Direct
Use Apple Pay or Google Pay for even faster checkout
If you’re ready to go as soon as you click a PS5 Pro restock link, you’ll have a far higher success rate than someone who is still frantically trying to log in and enter their details at the checkout.
Avoid retailers and resellers
As tempting as it might be, don’t bother paying GameStop $1,400 for a used PS5 Pro. The same goes for eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and more. Not only are the prices far higher than you ever need to pay, but there are risks included, such as having no warranty or dealing with a scammer. Remember: if a price looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Learn the PS5 Pro restock timing patterns
You don’t need to stay up all night refreshing a page, as a retailer won’t want to drop a restock at 2am when no one is awake. Here’s when you’ll have the most luck.
PlayStation Direct tends to restock at 10am - 2pm ET. Amazon leans more on lunchtime (11am - 2pm ET) and evening (7pm - 11pm ET).
Best Buy prefers a morning and early afternoon restock, between 9am - 1pm local time, while Target is known for dropping restocks on the app at 6am - 10am local time.
Walmart prefers Thursday and Friday mornings, or when there’s a big release.
Don’t bother with PS5 Pro bundles
If you’ve been eyeing up a specific PS5 Pro bundle, don’t get your hopes up. Bundles are restocked far less frequently and are often time-specific. They can also include extra steps at checkout, and tend to include unwanted games and accessories to inflate the price. Stick with just the console to give yourself the best chance.
Up next: PS5 Pro stock shortage: why is Sony’s PlayStation 5 sold out?
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.