Summary
- The PS5 disc drive is now available again at PlayStation Direct and Amazon US.
- However, the shortage in the United States continues, and current stock may sell out quickly.
- This scarcity may be linked to the PS5 Pro, which does not come with a built-in disc drive.
As of mid-January 2025, the PlayStation 5 disc drive has returned to select U.S. retailers. But based on recent patterns, PS5 owners should consider purchasing soon, as availability is expected to be limited.
Launched in 2020, the PS5 Digital Edition was Sony's first console to release without an optical disc drive. Four years later, the disc-less PS5 Pro continued this trend. Both the mid-generation upgrade and the newer Slim models are designed with modularity, enabling users to add an externally purchased disc drive. Many PS5 owners in the United States have opted to do so, leading to months of limited supply for Sony's official accessory.
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While the PS5 disc drive remains scarce across the U.S., some national retailers have received new stock since the start of the year. As of January 15, the accessory is listed at its standard price of $79.99 on both Amazon U.S. and Sony's PlayStation Direct store. Game Rant also found a third-party seller offering the drive through Walmart, though this option comes with a 50% markup, raising the price to $122. With only three units left at the time of writing, this reseller’s listing is more of a backup plan than a practical way to add physical media support to a PS5.
Where To Buy PS5 Disc Drive Right Now
Store
Price
Amazon
$79.99
PlayStation Direct
Walmart (reseller)
$122
PlayStation Direct Limits PS5 Disc Drive Orders
On its official PlayStation Direct store, Sony limits disc drive purchases to one per customer. This policy has been used consistently to deter scalpers from hoarding high-demand items. For example, pre-orders for the PlayStation Portal, as well as Sony’s 30th-anniversary consoles and accessories, were also restricted to one per buyer.
The ongoing disc drive shortage has been a source of frustration for U.S. PS5 owners for several months. A similar supply issue emerged in the United Kingdom in late 2024. The timing points to a possible connection with the November 7 launch of the PS5 Pro, which, unlike the standard PS5, is not sold with an integrated disc drive. As a result, gamers seeking the highest performance within Sony’s ecosystem while retaining the ability to use physical media must buy the disc drive separately.
Given that the accessory is still unavailable at major retailers like Walmart, GameStop, and Best Buy, it's clear that supply challenges in the U.S. are not yet resolved. How long these shortages will last remains uncertain.
$424 $500 Save $76 $424 at Amazon $425 at Best Buy $425 at Newegg $500 at Target $500 at Sony
