PlayStation 4 prices range from $200 to $500 depending on the model and where you buy

A new PlayStation 4 costs between $200 and $500. The PS4 Slim, the current standard model, sells for around $200 to $300 at major retailers. The PS4 Pro, which has better graphics and processing power, runs $300 to $500. Used consoles cost less — typically $150 to $350 — but come with no manufacturer warranty and may have unknown wear on the hardware.

Price varies by retailer, sales, and bundle deals. Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and GameStop all stock PS4 consoles, and prices shift weekly. You may find a Slim bundled with a game for $250 to $300, or a Pro with extra controllers for $400 to $450. Used marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace have wider price swings because individual sellers set their own rates.

The PS4 has been on the market since 2013, so stock is stable and discounts are common. You are unlikely to find a brand-new console at a loss, but sales happen regularly during holidays and promotional periods.

Key Takeaways

  • The PS4 Slim, the standard current model, costs $200 to $300 new from major retailers.
  • The PS4 Pro, with upgraded graphics and processing, costs $300 to $500 new.
  • Used PS4 consoles sell for $150 to $350 depending on condition and model, but carry no manufacturer warranty.
  • Bundles that include a game or extra controller typically cost $50 to $100 more than the console alone.
  • Price varies by retailer and changes weekly, so checking multiple stores can save you $20 to $50.

PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: what the price difference buys you

The PS4 Slim is the entry-level option at $200 to $300. It plays all PS4 games at 1080p resolution on a standard TV. It has 500GB of storage, which holds roughly 10 to 15 full games before you need to delete older ones to make room. The Slim is quieter and uses less power than the original PS4, and it is the model you will find most often in stock.

The PS4 Pro costs $300 to $500 and is built for 4K TVs. It renders games at higher resolution and frame rates, which means sharper visuals and smoother motion if your TV supports 4K. It has 1TB of storage — double the Slim — so you can keep more games installed. The Pro also handles demanding games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 more smoothly than the Slim, though both play the same games.

If you own a 4K TV and play graphics-heavy games, the Pro is worth the extra cost. If you have a standard 1080p TV or play less demanding titles, the Slim does the job and saves you $100 to $200.

Where to buy and what to watch for on price

Major retailers — Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and GameStop — all carry PS4 consoles at similar prices. Best Buy and Amazon often match each other's prices within a few dollars. GameStop sometimes offers trade-in credit if you bring an old console, which can lower your out-of-pocket cost by $30 to $100. Walmart and Target occasionally run sales during back-to-school season and the winter holidays.

Used consoles from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and local game shops are cheaper upfront but riskier. A used Slim might cost $150 to $250, and a used Pro $250 to $350. The risk is that you do not know how hard the previous owner played it — the hard drive could fail, the fan might be loud, or the controller ports might be worn. Used consoles have no manufacturer warranty, so repairs come out of your pocket.

Refurbished consoles sold by retailers like Best Buy or Amazon are a middle ground. They cost $180 to $350, have been tested and cleaned, and usually come with a 90-day to one-year warranty. This is safer than a private sale but cheaper than new.

Storage and what it costs to expand

The PS4 Slim comes with 500GB of storage. After the operating system takes its share, you have roughly 400GB usable. A single large game like Call of Duty or Final Fantasy XV takes 100GB to 150GB, so you can fit three or four major titles before the drive fills up.

You can expand storage with an external hard drive. A 2TB external drive costs $40 to $80 and plugs into the USB port on the back of the console. This gives you room for 15 to 20 games. The PS4 Pro's 1TB drive means you start with more space, but an external drive is still useful if you play many large games.

Replacing the internal hard drive with a larger one is possible but requires opening the console and is not recommended unless you are comfortable with hardware. An external drive is simpler and cheaper.

Bundle deals and what they include

Retailers often sell PS4 consoles bundled with games or extra controllers. A common bundle is the Slim with one popular game — God of War, Spider-Man, or Horizon Zero Dawn — for $250 to $300. This saves you $20 to $40 compared to buying the console and game separately.

Some bundles include an extra controller (the console comes with one), which costs $50 to $70 on its own. A bundle with console, game, and second controller typically runs $300 to $350. Check whether the bundle includes a game you actually want — a discount on a game you would not play is not a saving.

Pro bundles are less common but do appear during sales. You might find a Pro with a game for $400 to $450, or with two controllers for $450 to $500.

PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now subscriptions

PlayStation Plus is a separate monthly subscription that costs $10 to $18 per month, depending on the tier. It is required to play online multiplayer games and gives you access to a rotating library of free games each month. Most players who own a PS4 subscribe to at least the basic tier.

PlayStation Now is an optional subscription service that costs $10 to $18 per month and lets you stream or read hundreds of PS4, PS3, and PS2 games. It is not required to play, but it is useful if you want to try games before buying them or replay older titles.

Neither subscription is included in the console price, so budget for these costs separately if you plan to play online or want access to a game library. Annual plans are cheaper than paying month to month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PS4 still worth buying in 2024?

Yes. The PS4 has a large library of games, prices are low, and new games are still being released for it. The PlayStation 5 is newer and more powerful, but it costs $400 to $500 and has fewer games available. If you want to play PS4 games cheaply, the Slim is a solid choice.

Can I play PS5 games on a PS4?

No. PS5 games only work on a PlayStation 5. A PS4 plays PS4 games, PS3 games (on the original PS4 model only), and some PS2 and PS1 games. If you want to play the newest games, you need a PS5.

What is the difference between a used and refurbished PS4?

A used console is sold as-is by a previous owner with no warranty. A refurbished console has been tested, cleaned, and repaired by the seller or manufacturer and usually comes with a warranty. Refurbished is safer but costs more than used.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to play single-player games?

No. You only need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer. Single-player games like God of War and The Last of Us work without a subscription. You do need a free PlayStation Network account to read and play any game.

How much storage do I really need?

The 500GB Slim is enough if you play three or four games at a time and delete old ones. If you like to keep 10 or more games installed, add a 2TB external drive for $40 to $80. The 1TB Pro gives you more breathing room but still benefits from an external drive if you play many large games.