By Joe Julians

Published: Monday, 14 November 2022 at 12:00 am


Christmas is quickly approaching and Sony’s PlayStation 5 will be on many people’s wishlists – but stock remains notoriously hard to come by, even after two years of being on the market.

There are still plenty of gamers across the UK who are yet to get their hands on Sony’s current-generation machine. With heavy-hitting titles such as God of War Ragnarök dropping recently, too, owning a PS5 has never been better.

With new bundles releasing and a (slightly) smaller demand than when it first launched, thankfully, getting a PS5 should be possible – but still difficult. Luckily, retailers and outlets such as GAME, Amazon, Studio, EE, and PlayStation Direct are semi-regularly getting consoles.

With the black PS5 and matching controller, a God of War Ragnarök bundle, Ragnarök controller, the Nova Pink, Starlight Blue, and Cosmic Red controllers, there has never been a better time to purchase a PlayStation 5 and we’re here to help you do exactly that.

What’s more, the PSVR 2 release date and price have been revealed, along with the fancier DualSense Edge controller, so Sony is pushing the boat out when it comes to accessories heading into 2023.

PS5 UK stock: the latest updates

The PS5 is in stock across a variety of major UK retailers (14th November). With it in stock in both its digital-only and disc edition with retailers such as GAME, Currys, Very, ShopTo, and more. It’s somewhat random when retailers have a PS5 in stock, however.

We’re checking retailers regularly to bring you the best PS5 stock links, so you have a chance to buy a console if you haven’t already. And, if you have got the console, we also have links to PS5 accessories and PS5 games, along with the PlayStation game releases you need to look out for this month.

That being said, the PS5 is no longer the new console on the block. Nintendo Switch OLED is now readily available, and we got our hands on the new console. Find out our gaming editor’s thoughts in our Nintendo Switch OLED review.

There are two PS5 consoles – a disc edition (RRP £479.99) and a digital edition (RRP £389.99) – and some come bundled with games or accessories. As the names suggest, the only difference between the consoles is that one has a disc drive.

We have found that one of the best ways of tracking them in real-time is by following dedicated Twitter accounts, specifically @PS5StockAlertUK and @StockCheckerUK

Some stores, including Smyths Toys and GAME, often let customers pre-order the console in-store, which could be another way to get a console in 2022 – so you’d better act fast if you want one by Christmas. 

The main trend for many PS5 listings hasn’t changed in recent months: the consoles aren’t in stock for long, and most drops sell out quickly after going live. Plus, many stores now have a ‘one console per customer’ policy in place. 

It should also be noted that there are sometimes PS5 consoles available at eBay, but the pricing is often inflated by hundreds of pounds above the RRP by resellers.

Where to buy PS5: Top retailers to check

Remember, there are two consoles, the standard edition and the digital; the PS5 Digital Edition doesn’t have a disc drive to play physical copies of the games.

We can’t guarantee you’ll get a console but check the links below for the latest stock. At some retailers, you can also sign up to the mailing lists for further updates.

Buy PS5 UK

Buy PS5 (US)

Unfortunately, PS5 stock issues are a global problem. However, remember that the PS5 isn’t geo-locked, so you can buy from any retailers below and still play your UK games. We’ll keep track and update you with the latest deals, but we expect they’ll be snapped up extremely quickly.

When will the PS5 be back in stock in the UK?

As more and more people have been managing to purchase a PS5 in the UK, stock is slowly but surely becoming more readily available across various different retailers (see above for details). Whenever stock does come in, though, it’s still best to act quick as it can sell out within minutes of going live.

Twitter accounts such as @PS5StockAlertUK inform gamers of when new stock might be released to give them a chance to purchase the console and tell us when it should be in stock at different retailers.

Expect stock shortages to continue for a while yet, but it is notable that the console is, at least, a little more readily available than it has been in the last couple of years.

Can I get a PS5 in-store?

It’s best to check with your local retailers about PS5 stock. Stores such as GAME allow you to place yourself on a waiting list so you can be told when your shiny new PS5 is available for purchase and to pick up. You can pre-order like this in a variety of retailers, so it’s worth asking if you can at any and all of them.

Some retailers, such as Argos, are also making the console available via Click and Collect so you can order online and collect it from your local store. There do seem to be regional variations, though, so Click and Collect may not be an option for all retailers or stores. We suggest checking with your local store for details on how it is working in your area.

Where can you buy a PS5 in the UK?

There are a good number of stores where you can buy a PS5 in the UK. While most of the time you’ll see that a site says something along the lines of “working tirelessly to get more stock,” you might just luck out if you keep visiting the right places. It’s worth checking the following retailers for PS5 stock regularly:

Amazon 

Amazon has the standard disc edition and digital edition of the PS5 up for order. Keep heading back to the site to see if it’s in stock or not. You can also get bundles with games from Amazon, but the prices of these are a little too steep to properly recommend.

Currys

Currys is selling bundles of the PS5 with a couple of games, a couple of controllers, and a Barracuda X Headset. The retailer is not currently selling the console by itself. Regardless, the bundles offer solid value for money if you can afford the initial outlay.

Very 

Very is selling the PS5 God of War Ragnarök bundle only. It’s the standard disc-drive edition of the console. Remember to keep checking back for stock.

Smyths Toys

Smyths Toys is selling all sorts of bundles for the PS5. If you’re lucky with stock (remember to keep checking back), you can pick up a console in whatever form you desire, bundles including extra games, controllers, and more.

John Lewis

A good option for the early birds among us because John Lewis loves to release PS5 stock as early as 6am. The retailer may not be your first port of call for gaming accessories and consoles, but John Lewis has a load of good bundles on offer, including one with an extra controller, Horizon Forbidden West, and a copy of FIFA 23 for £669.99.

PS5 Accessories

Despite all the troubles with the PS5 console, there’s generally been good availability when it comes to the PS5 accessories. Naturally, the DualSense Controller and charging station are the most popular, but there are also various other accessories on offer, including the Pulse 3D headset and Media Remote.

You could go all out when it comes to PS5 accessories and games, but don’t forget a lot of PS4 games are still work Sony confirmed the PS5 backwards compatibility.

""
Sony

DualSense Controller

As to be expected, the PS5 DualSense Controller has also been pretty popular. However, retailers have done a good job at keeping it in stock. Features include a built-in microphone, 3.5mm jack for a headset, a motion sensor and dual actuators that replace traditional rumble motors to provide vibrations and feedback as you play.

Available from these retailers:

If you do not love the white, there are also new red and black PS5 DualSense Controllers available now, too.

DualSense Cosmic Red Controller:

DualSense Midnight Black Controller:

DualSense Charging Station

Another incredibly popular accessory, but this one has had some stock issues. The DualSense Charging Station has been in and out of stock since the PS5 accessories were released. If you’re tempted to buy one, we suggest snatching it up while you have the chance. The charging station can charge up to two wireless controllers at once and do it as fast as your PS5 console would.

HD Camera

Featuring dual wide-angle lenses, the PS5 HD camera captures in full HD. A great accessory if you want to record yourself and your gameplay, with help from your DualSense Controller’s create button. There’s a built-in adjustable stand to help get the shot just right and is smaller enough to fit below or above the TV.

PS5 Media Remote

With a built-in IR transmitter, the PS5 Media Remote allows you to adjust the volume and power settings of compatible TVs, scroll through menus and play/pause entertainment with ease. Available at a range of retailers, including AO, Very and Amazon.

Pulse 3D Headset

This is one of the few PS5 accessories still having some stock issues. However, it is available at a range of retailers, so you should be able to find at least one with stock at any one time. The Pulse 3D Wireless Headset has two built-in microphones and noise-cancellation to tune out distractions. With up to 12 hours of battery life, having to charge mid-way through a game shouldn’t be an issue either.

How to get a PS5: top tips

Bookmark our page and check back for stock

We keep this page updated and have the main retailers that have confirmed restock times. This should save you time because you don’t have to trawl the web yourself.

Make sure you are checking just before any restock time

Most retailers only have PS5 stock for a maximum of 30 minutes. We’ll list confirmed times when we get them, just click through and get ready as when that stock appears, it’ll be gone as fast as you can say ‘I want a PS5’.

Have your payment details ready and the money in your account

When the console was first released, some people reported struggles to have their console confirmed or message cropping up that it was checking payment. A console is not confirmed until you’ve paid, so make sure you remove all barriers by having the money in the account you’re using and the details ready to hand.

Move fast

This may seem obvious, but there’s no pondering. If you know you want the PS5, decide which version, then get checking those links! As fast as stock appears, it disappears.

Don’t worry

If you don’t get a console straight away, keep checking back. Yes, it’s hard to get one right now, but there’s always the next restock! Retailers are dropping stock almost every week now, so there is plenty of chance to get your hands on a console – don’t give up.

How can you tell which retailers will have PS5 stock?

Keeping track of which retailers have PS5 consoles and accessories in stock is a challenge. Recent stock drops have sold out in minutes, barely giving most of a chance to pull the website.

In order to make sure you’re ahead of the curve and are ready and waiting for the drop, we have a team of experts dedicated to scrolling the web for intel.

It’s far from an exact science, but we collate information from the retailers, along with sources such as Stock Informer, social media and Sony’s own team to make sure our updates are accurate and reliable. After all, no one wants to be sat endlessly refreshing a page for a stock drop that never comes.

These updates are done daily to find the latest dates and times that retailers are due to drop stock. After half a year of stock issues, many retailers have got into patterns with their stock drops, and this can help us predict when more PS5 stock will be available.

We keep all our links updated, too, so you can click straight through to the product page because those extra seconds are precious when you’re after PS5 stock.

How much does PS5 cost?

The PS5 price is £479.99 in the UK – that’s a little more than the Xbox Series X. There is the cheaper PS5 Digital Edition at £389.99 (Xbox Series S is cheaper). The digital console has the same specs as the standard PS5; it just doesn’t have the physical disc drive.

Remember to keep checking back with your preferred retailers and stock checkers and maybe head in-store to pop yourself on a waiting list and you should get a PS5 if you’re lucky enough.

For more help, check out our comparison on the PS5 vs PS4. Or, see how the new Sony console compares in our guide to PS5 vs Xbox Series X.  Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.