Target PS5 restock sold out — what to do now

By Alan Martin
published

More PS5s came to select Target stores, but sold out just as quickly

PS5
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you were disappointed to find no PlayStation 5 console underneath your Christmas tree, it may not be too late to get Sony’s new machine plugged into your TV before the year is out. 

Target has made a very limited number of PS5 Digital Edition units available. Confounding this rush is that you must buy the console from a specific store, then go collect it in person. Spiel Times, which first reported that Target would restock the PS5 between Sunday and Tuesday, said that while some outlets will be getting 10 to 15 units others will be getting none at all.

As of 8 am ET on Tuesday, December 29, all the stores we've checked — the New York City area, Raleigh, NC, Atlanta, Omaha, and Orange County — are sold out. PS5 stock is only available on a per-store basis, so it's worth checking your local branch. 

It should be noted that on Tuesday, December 29, users on Twitter are uploading video of local Target's rolling in carts of both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Other users on Reddit are reporting stock in the Bay Area and Minneapolis area for Xbox Series X units. This could suggest that the dearth of systems could be coming to a close as stores are able to better handle demand now that the holiday shopping season is over. 

As for the standard PS5, this was apparently not part of today's restock, though keep an eye out as this availability could change any minute - just as the PS5 Digital Edition's did.

Spiel Times says that a number of restocking reports came from the Midwest region, but adds that they’re also hearing from staff in stores on the West Coast, South Central and South Eastern areas, so it sounds like this could be a wider-reaching PS5 stock drop than the limited Digital Edition numbers might suggest

How can you stand a better chance in what could plausibly be the final PS5 grab of 2020? Well, the first thing to note is that Target restocks tend to take place between 3 a.m and 7 a.m ET, but Spiel Times notes that the two-hour window between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. has been when past PS5 restocks have occurred. 

Obviously, you should be logged in ahead of time, as you’ll have to move fast if you see stock, and make sure that your credit card and shipping details are filled in ahead of time. (So if you don't have a Target account setup, now is the time to create a log-in). Anecdotally, some Target PS5 buyers have had more luck using the shop’s app rather than relying on the website. But if you do want to try your luck via the regular browser, this is the PlayStation 5 stock page that you can refresh at will. 

Things have been pretty quiet on the PS5 restock front over the Christmas period with no new consoles appearing in the usual places. Of course, if this report turns out to be correct and Target is getting additional units, it’s possible that other retailers will follow suit. As ever, if you’re still in the market for a console, the best thing to do is to bookmark our where to buy PS5 tracker — we update the page as soon as it comes back in to stock at all the usual places, to save you from overpaying an eBay scalper. 

If you can't find a PS5 right now, don't fret. The best time to buy a PS5 won't happen until there are more exclusive games for the platform; by then, it should also be a lot easier to snag a console. 

Alan Martin
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • frey.199
    Midwest Ohio here. No playstations for sale between 3AM-7AM. Used an extension to monitor target website and none popped up for sale.
    Reply
  • katv50
    frey.199 said:
    Midwest Ohio here. No playstations for sale between 3AM-7AM. Used an extension to monitor target website and none popped up for sale.
    will they offer only in store or do you know online?
    Reply
  • frey.199
    katv50 said:
    will they offer only in store or do you know online?

    I checked for last night (early morning) and nothing sold, but as far as the actual sales, seems like no inventory will be sold in stores, all strictly online and you'll pick it up in a store after ordering to my understanding. I checked with Best Buy as well yesterday and they seem to be doing the same thing. No in store inventory.
    Reply
  • frey.199
    Update: 12:55PM EST, alarm went off for stock for sale at my local target. I was in front of the computer when it went off and clicked add to cart. I had to resign in because it must have logged me out and after dicking around with the password (which was correct, target not letting me login) I managed to get in, but they were out of stock. This whole process of me screwing around with target was probably a total of 1 minute. Saying this, I'd say it was either a glitch in the target system (no other stores had stock within 50 miles) and their never was stock, or target is being attacked by BOTs as well. Which would make it pointless to even try. The fact stores know they're being targeted by bots but refusing to sell stock in stores is the biggest joke but this is the current game we have to play with political companies. I'll continue to run the extension refresher also through Tuesday to see if their will be any new stock. I will update with news as well.
    Reply