If you’ve been waiting for the PlayStation 5 to hit the "budget" phase of its life cycle, I have some pretty annoying news for you. Usually, by the time a console has been out for over five years, we’re seeing deep discounts and "Greatest Hits" bundles that make the hardware feel like a steal.
That isn't happening this time.
In fact, if you're looking at how much is a PS5 now, you’ll notice something weird. Prices aren't going down; they’re actually creeping up. While we’re used to tech getting cheaper as it ages, the PS5 is defying the laws of consumer electronics. Between the massive AI boom hoovering up all the world’s RAM supply and Sony’s mid-generation refresh, the "cheap PS5" is becoming a bit of a myth.
The Current Sticker Price: What You'll Actually Pay
Right now, in early 2026, the price depends heavily on which "flavor" of the console you're chasing. Sony has moved almost entirely to the "Slim" chassis, and the beefy original 2020 models are mostly found in the refurbished bins.
The PS5 Slim Digital Edition is basically the entry point. Expect to shell out around $499.99. If you remember this thing being $399 back in the day, yeah, those times are gone.
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Then you have the PS5 Slim with the Disc Drive. This one usually sits at $549.99. It’s the standard choice for anyone who still likes physical media or wants to buy used games from a local shop to save a few bucks on software.
Finally, there’s the PS5 Pro. This is the powerhouse Sony launched to keep up with high-end PCs. If you want the best possible frame rates for GTA 6 when it drops later this year, you’re looking at an MSRP of $749.99.
Honestly, it's a lot of money. You've got to really love those exclusives to justify nearly eight hundred bucks for a console that doesn't even come with a vertical stand or a disc drive in the Pro's case.
Why the Price Isn't Dropping (Blame the AI)
It feels like everything is more expensive these days, but there’s a specific reason for the PS5’s price resilience. It’s the memory. Specifically, the GDDR6 RAM that makes the PS5's graphics so smooth.
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The same factories that make the RAM for your gaming console are now being redirected to make high-end memory for AI data centers. Companies like NVIDIA and OpenAI have so much cash that they’re basically outbidding everyone else for the components. Because of this "RAM crisis," Sony actually raised prices in August 2025, and there are rumors from insiders like Tom Henderson that we might see another 20% jump by mid-2026.
Basically, Sony can’t afford to lower the price because the parts inside the box are getting more expensive to source, not less.
Where to Find the Best Deals Right Now
If those MSRP numbers made you wince, there are still ways to shave off a hundred bucks if you're smart about where you look.
- The Bundle Loophole: Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are currently running "Winter Sale" deals on specific bundles. For example, the Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle has been spotted for $399.99 (Digital) and $449.99 (Disc) at GameStop and Best Buy. Even if you don't care about the Fortnite skins, it's essentially a $100 discount on the hardware itself.
- Refurbished Units: PlayStation Direct is your best bet here. They sell "Certified Refurbished" base models for $399.00. These are cleaned, tested, and come with a Sony warranty, which is way safer than buying off some random person on Facebook Marketplace.
- The Trade-in Strategy: If you’re sitting on an old PS4 or even a base PS5 and want to upgrade to the Pro, GameStop is still the king of trade-ins. Some people are managed to get the PS5 Pro for closer to $350 after trading in their old console during "pro-day" events.
Is the PS5 Pro Worth the Extra $200?
This is the big question everyone is asking. If the standard PS5 is already $550, is it worth jumping all the way to $750?
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It depends on your TV. If you’re playing on a 1080p screen from ten years ago, no way. You won't see the difference. But if you have a 4K OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Pro is kinda transformative. Games like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine (expected later this year) use PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) to make the image look incredibly sharp without the "shimmer" you sometimes get on the base model.
Also, the Pro comes with a 2TB SSD. The standard Slim only has 1TB. Considering how big games are now—Call of Duty alone takes up a massive chunk—that extra terabyte is worth about $100 on its own.
What Most People Get Wrong About PS5 Costs
One thing people often forget when asking how much is a PS5 now is the "hidden" costs. Sony has also bumped up the price of the DualSense controllers. A new one will set you back about $74.99.
If you go digital-only, you're also locked into the PlayStation Store prices. While there are frequent sales, you lose the ability to buy a used copy of Elden Ring for $20 at a garage sale. Over the life of the console, that extra $50 for the disc drive version almost always pays for itself in savings on used games.
Actionable Steps for Your Purchase
If you're ready to pull the trigger, don't just pay full price at the first store you see.
- Check the bundles first: Look specifically for the "Fortnite Flowering Chaos" or "Astro Bot" bundles. Even if you don't want the game, these are currently the only way to get a "new" PS5 for under $450.
- Monitor the memory market: If you see news about further RAM shortages, buy sooner rather than later. The predicted price hikes for mid-2026 are looking more likely as component stockpiles from 2025 run dry.
- Visit PlayStation Direct: Before going to Amazon, check Sony's official site for refurbished stock. It’s the most reliable way to get a $399 price tag without the risk of a "lemon" console.
- Audit your TV: If you can't afford a high-end 4K HDR TV right now, stick with the PS5 Slim. The Pro is a waste of money if your display can't output what the console is pushing.
The days of the $299 console "slim" revision are likely over for this generation. Between inflation and the AI industry's hunger for chips, the current prices are probably as low as they're going to get for a while.