The best SSDs for your PlayStation 5

There are a lot of great games to play on PS5, but the console’s paltry built-in storage will only let you experience a few at a time, depending on their file sizes. If you’re looking for the best PS5 SSD that allows you to fit as many of the best PS5 games, updates, apps, screenshots, and saves as you want, you’ve come to the right place.

Expanding the storage of your PlayStation 5 isn’t as expensive (or as difficult) as you may fear. And, best of all, many M.2 SSDs are compatible, so you can shop for the one that’s right for your budget. There are however some conditions. The first is speed. Sony states that you must choose one with a fast response time. PCIe 4.0Model with at least a six-second sequential reading speed 5,500 MB/s. All the options in this section meet this criteria.

The second is that the PS5 can only handle one M.2 SSD, which has a maximum capacity of 250 GB, and up 4 TB. Needs its own heatsinkIt will work correctly. Many of our choices come with one installed, an advantage that can result in slightly more expensive heatsink-less versions. If you are looking for a low-profile heatsink, the Amazon price is only $10.99. It can be easily installed in under ten minutes.

For each SSD, we’ve listed the specs provided by the manufacturer, but it’s important to note that their speed may not directly impact load times or gameplay.

PS5 SSDs of the highest quality

Corsair MP600 Pro LPX

When the cost of the Corsair MP600Pro LPX SSD drops to such a low level, it is worth looking at. The MP600 yields a slightly faster read speed than Samsung’s 980 Pro below. For $89.99 (normally $184.99), you can get the 1 TB version SSD. You’re getting about 11 GB per dollar spent, which is among the best value on this page. You can get the 2TB version for $169.99, which is normally $209.99.

Samsung 980 Pro

Because it is one of the first PCIe 4.0 SSDs, the Samsung 980 Pro M.2 SSD has been a popular choice. It’s also a good value, thanks to its great performance, falling price, and wide availability. Amazon currently offers 1TB and 2TB versions for just $109.99 or $159.99.

Critical P5 Plus

If you want a lot of speedy storage for under $100, check out Crucial’s P5 Plus. But don’t forget to snag this M.2 SSD heatsink to fix onto it before you go to install it in your PS5. At $80.99, you’re getting just over 12 GB per dollar spent.

Crucial P5 Plus SSD

Price at publishing time.

Sequential read speed: 6,600 MB/s

Sequential writing speed: 5,000 MB/s

Fastest PS5 SSDs

WD_Black SN850X

WD_Black, an outgrowth of Western Digital also offers an M.2 SSD that can be used with PlayStation 5, based on its SN850X SSD line. The 2TB SN850X with heatsink is available at Best Buy right now for $179.99, originally $334.99. That’s about 11 GB per dollar spent, which is a good value.

Amazon has the 1-TB version as well for $109.99.

The newer Samsung 990 Pro promises even faster sequential read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s; however, it’s considerably more expensive than the above WD_Black recommendation. A 1 TB version, without the heatsink, starts at $169.99. The 2 TB model goes for a staggering $289.99. So we recommend either waiting for it to come down a little or buying the WD_Black model. The Verge has more information about the 990 Pro.

4TB PS5 SSDs

WD_Black SN850X

If you’re cool with installing a M.2 heatsink, the heatsink-less version of the SN850X is just as fast as the option above, but cheaper. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable (yet fastest) 4 TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 drives we’ve seen yet. At $399.99, you’re getting 10 GB per dollar spent.

WD_Black SSN850X SSD

Price at publishing time.

Sequential read speed : 7,300 MB/s

Sequential writing speed: 6,600 MB/s

Corsair MP600 Pro LPX

Another appearance is made by the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX. The 4TB version costs $480. That’s not as cheap as the SN850X above, but it isn’t terrible, given its slightly increased speed and having a built-in heatsink. At its current price of $479.99, you’re getting roughly 8.3 GB per dollar spent.

Seagate FireCuda 560

You can buy the Seagate FireCuda530 SSD in sizes from 500GB up to 4TB for as low as $529.99, which is normally $959.99. It seems like a good drive, though we don’t suggest going this route for a 4 TB drive when the SN850X is so affordable by comparison.

Seagate FireCuda SSD 530

Price at publishing time.

Sequential read speed : 7,000 MB/s

Sequential writing speed: 5,100 MB/s

Kingston Fury Renegade

There are sizes available for the Kingston Fury Renegade SSD, ranging from 500GB up to 4TB. If you’re in the market for a larger size, B&H Photo currently has the 4 TB M.2 SSD for a whopping $634.99 (normally $749.99). Again, it’s not a great value, but it exists, and it’s pretty fast.

Kingston Fury Renegade SSD

Price at publishing time.

Sequential read speed : 7,300 MB/s

Sequential writing speed: 5,100 MB/s

External PS5 hard drives

You can also attach larger hard drives via USB to your PS5. However, these can only be used to store a PS5 game’s installation files, not to actually play it (although PS4 games can be both stored and played from an external hard drive). To play PS5 games that you’ve offloaded, you’ll need to transfer the files from the external storage to the console’s internal SSD. This might not sound like a stellar solution, but it’s a clever alternative to redownloading games over and over.

WD_Black D30

The WD_Black D30 Game Drive, a compact, internal drive, is available in 500 GB or 1 TB capacities. Game Drives use a USB C to A interface which allows for transfer speeds as high as 900MB/s.

Drive for WD_Black D30 Gaming System

Price at publishing time.

Maximum Read Speed: 900 MB/s

Maximum Write Speed: 900 MB/s

WD_Black P40

The WD_Black P40 Game Drive SSD offers a slimmer storage solution than the D30 that’s a little more expensive, due to its slimmer design and faster transfer speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. The 1TB WD_Black Black P40 model is currently available at Best Buy for $129.99, which would normally cost $179.99. While the 2TB SSD version costs $199.99 (typically $329.99),

Drive WD_Black P40

Price at publishing time.

Maximum Read Speed: 2,000 MB/s

Maximum Write Speed: 2,000 MB/s

Crucial 8 SSD

While it isn’t quite as fast as the P40 above, the Crucial X8 SSD is still a solid option for giving you more storage for your PS5 without spending a ton. Plus, it’s a little thinner and more unassuming in its design than the gamer-focused P40. The 1 TB Crucial X8 is currently available at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $74 (normally $119.99).

Crucial 8 SSD

Price at publishing time.

Sequential read speed: 1,050 MB/s

Sequential writing speed: