Where to find a PS5 under $400 before GTA 6 launches

1 hour ago 2

Published May 22, 2026, 3:28 PM EDT

PlayStation Direct is selling refurbished consoles for as low as $399

A photo of a PlayStation 5 console with a colorful wave graphic set behind it.

It's no secret that video game hardware isn't getting any cheaper. The ninth console generation is the unlucky first to see hardware become more expensive over time. Sony's PlayStation 5 has seen two price hikes since launch: the first in August 2025 and the second back in April. That means that the PS5 Digital Edition has gone from $399 to $599, while the PS5 Standard Edition (with disc drive) has gone from $499 to $649. With Grand Theft Auto 6 now confirmed to launch on Nov. 19, plenty of console gamers who've been sitting on the fence since 2020 will want to make the leap to current-gen hardware.

Turns out, you can find some pretty solid deals on PS5 consoles in the unlikeliest of places. I'm not talking about eBay or Facebook Marketplace, but PlayStation Direct, Sony's official online storefront for hardware. The store has three refurbished PS5 models available at substantial discounts, and they all include a 12-month manufacturer's warranty. It's a solid option to consider if you're looking to upgrade, but don't want to spend $600 to $900 to do so.

If you're willing to compromise on a slightly older model that offers nearly identical performance, the cheapest option is a refurbished, launch-model PS5 with an 825 GB hard drive and a disc drive for $399. The newer PS5 Slim version of this same console (with a 1 TB hard drive) currently retails for $649. That's a savings of $250 — not too shabby for a slightly chonkier box to go under your television. Even if you don't care about the disc drive, it's still quite a bit cheaper than any other (non-sketchy) option.

The other discounted options at PlayStation Direct include a refurbished PS5 Slim Digital Edition for $499 and a PS5 Slim Standard Edition (with disc drive) for $549. The store does not currently offer a refurbished version of the older, digital-only PS5, though that could change.