One of the best SSDs for PS5 in 2026

[ad_1] Storage fills up quick on a PS5, particularly when a single sport can take up as a lot area as a complete last-gen library. Including moreSSD area is the best method to cease taking part in Tetris together with your installs, and as soon as it's arrange, your console hundreds video games simply as rapidly because it does from the built-in drive. It's a small improve that makes a giant distinction when you bounce between a number of titles directly.

The tough half is realizing which SSDs truly work with the PS5. You want a drive that meets Sony’s pace necessities and stays cool underneath lengthy play classes. Some fashions embrace a heatsink, whereas others allow you to use your individual to avoid wasting a bit cash. We examined the highest choices and picked the most effective SSDs for PS5 that can assist you improve with out problem.

Learn extra: These are the most effective SSDs in 2026

Desk of contents Finest SSDs for PS5 in 2026 <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white object-contain @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/6rWLf.n58muzoGF1gfqocw--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-04/49f28410-df88-11ed-bfdd-2e090e7ab17c" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Corsair

li]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6"> Capability: As much as 8TB | Sequential learn efficiency: 7,100MB/s | Sequential write efficiency: 6,800MB/s | Connection: M.2

The Corsair MP600 Professional LPX makes it to the highest of our record for the most effective PS5 SSD for being the whole bundle. It’s quick, gives wonderful efficiency and browse speeds of as much as 7,100MB/s. It additionally comes with a pre-installed heatsink and a five-year guarantee.

Better of all, the MP600 is inexpensive. After launching at $190, you'll be able to routinely discover the 1TB variant on sale for as little as $80, whereas the 2TB mannequin fluctuates in value between $110 and $150. The 4TB and 8TB fashions are much less of a discount. The MP600 can be not the quickest NVMe on this record. Nonetheless, so far as no-fuss choices go, it’s arduous to beat.

Execs Constructed-in heatsinkAffordable Cons Not the quickest Gen4 mannequin $167 at Amazon <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white object-contain @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/XDyu2SwwbUsPcnO3nToChQ--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-09/3ad149e0-704a-11ef-b9f7-0e93291eaa66" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Essential

li]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6"> Capability: As much as 4TB | Learn efficiency: 7,300MB/s | Write efficiency: 6,800 MB/s | Connection: M.2

If you wish to save a bit of cash by putting in your individual heatsink, the Essential T500 is a good possibility. With learn speeds of as much as 7,300MB/s, it surpasses Sony’s technical necessities, and you may continuously discover the 1TB mannequin on sale for as little as $60. Essential additionally gives a model with a heatsink, so it’s value including each the Corsair MP600 and Essential T500 to a value watch record and shopping for whichever mannequin is cheaper if you’re able to improve your PS5.

Execs FastAvailable with or with out heatsink $148 at Amazon <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white object-contain @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/UU0horYCMxjnD0hqHa8_AQ--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2023-04/633d2340-df8c-11ed-9775-79b93248983d" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> SABRENT

li]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6"> Capability: As much as 8TB | Sequential learn efficiency: 7,000MB/s | Sequential write efficiency: 6,600MB/s | Connection: M.2

Of all of the SSDs on this record, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is probably the most fascinating. It comes with a singular heatsink that you just set up rather than the storage enlargement slot’s steel cowl. Sabrent claims this design improves cooling efficiency. In consequence, anticipate to pay greater than you'll for a mannequin with a generic heatsink, with the 1TB variant coming in at round $110 and the 2TB mannequin costing between $220 and $280.

Execs PS5-specific heatsink design Cons Not as quick as different optionsExpensive relative to different drives $130 at Amazon <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white object-contain @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/K.QhXv3sS9BhAr7sKALBoA--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media-mbst-pub-ue1.s3.amazonaws.com/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-09/54745ec0-704d-11ef-b9f7-a4f0b6c8b213" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> SAMSUNG

li]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6"> Capability: As much as 4TB | Learn efficiency: 1,050MB/s | Write efficiency: 1,000MB/s | Connection: USB 3.0

As I clarify under, you'll be able to’t run PS5 video games from an exterior drive — however you should utilize one to retailer any video games you aren’t taking part in in the intervening time, together with older PS4 video games.

One in every of my favourite moveable drives is the Samsung T7. It will possibly write information at a speedy 1,000 MB/s. In case you plan to make use of the drive completely for at-home use, it can save you cash by shopping for the common mannequin as an alternative of the ruggedized Protect variant. I’ve been utilizing T7 drives to retailer my pictures, music and video games for years, they usually have but to fail me. The newest mannequin, the Samsung T9, boasts learn/write speeds of as much as 2,000MB/s.

Execs AffordableReliableRugged variant out there Cons Can’t play PS5 video games from exterior drive $110 at Amazon How we check PS5 SSDs I’ve examined a lot of the SSDs really useful on this record, both for PS5 or pc use. I additionally purchased and used our prime choose in my very own PS5.

PS5 SSD FAQs How a lot PS5 storage do I want? The PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Professional can settle for inner drives with between 250GB and 8TB of storage capability. In case you already personal a PS5, chances are high you might have an affordable thought of how a lot storage you want to your sport library. In case you’re shopping for an SSD with a brand new PS5 or PS5 Professional, or shopping for for another person, it’s harder to inform what you may want for a high-performance expertise.

PS5 video games are smaller on common than their PS4 equivalents, sometimes taking on between 30GB and 100GB, with some notable (and very talked-about) exceptions. In case you’re a fan of the Name of Obligation sequence, putting in Black Ops 6 and Warzone 2.0 can eat as much as 240GB. In different phrases, a full Name of Obligation set up will take up greater than one-third of the PS5’s inner storage. In case you’re not a CoD fan, although, chances are high you’ll be good to retailer between six to 10 video games on a daily PS5 internally earlier than working into issues.

You additionally want to contemplate your web pace. In case you reside in an space with sluggish broadband, the “you'll be able to simply obtain it once more” rationale doesn’t actually work. At my outdated residence, a 100GB obtain took me round eight hours, throughout which period it was troublesome to concurrently watch Twitch or, say, publish articles about upgrading PS5 SSDs. Maintaining video games round on the off-chance you’ll wish to play them in some unspecified time in the future is sensible.

Aaron Souppouris / Engadget

Off the bat, there's mainly no level in going for a 250GB PS5 SSD. Economically, 250GB drives aren’t that less expensive than 500GB ones — and virtually, that basically isn’t plenty of area for contemporary video games to reside on. 500GB drives could be a respectable possibility, however after years of declining costs, I believe the candy spot for most individuals is to go for a high-capacity 1TB or 2TB drive, which ought to run you at most $200. The latter will greater than double the PS5 Professional’s storage with out breaking the financial institution.

Until you’re rolling in money and wish to flex, 4TB and 8TB fashions ought to largely be averted, as you’ll find yourself paying extra per gigabyte than you'll with a 1TB or 2TB drive.

Whereas the 825GB PS5 solely gives 667GB of storage, that’s largely as a consequence of storage being reserved for the working system and caching. In case you set up a 1TB PS5 SSD, you will have, inside a margin of error, 1TB of storage out there for video games. Out of the field, the PS5 Professional gives 1.86TB of storage for video games, although you'll be able to eke out extra when you delete the pre-installed Astro’s Playroom (gasp).

Since neither the PS5 Slim nor PS5 Professional function up to date CPU structure, all of our suggestions will work with no matter PS5 mannequin you personal.

Are you able to play PS5 video games on an exterior SSD? Exterior arduous drives are inclined to price lower than inner SSD counterparts (and there’s an excellent probability you may personal one already). Sadly, there are restrictions on what you are able to do with them. An exterior SSD connects to your PS5 through USB, and is just appropriate for enjoying PlayStation 4 video games, or storing PS5 titles. That’s helpful if in case you have something however the most effective high-speed web — it’s quicker to maneuver a PS5 sport out of “chilly storage” on an exterior drive than it's to re-download it — or wish to preserve your PS4 library available.

As a result of limitations right here, you don’t want the highest-performing mannequin, though you must go for SSDs over HDDs for improved switch speeds and cargo occasions. Any fundamental moveable drive from a good model will do, with the Essential X9 Professional and Samsung T7 being choices we’ve tried and may suggest.

Which SSD playing cards are suitable with the PS5? The official reply to this query is an “M.2 Socket 3 (Key M) Gen4 x4 NVME SSD.” However even inside that seemingly particular description, there are further elements to contemplate. The primary necessities Sony has laid out for compatibility come down to hurry, cooling and bodily dimensions.

For pace, Sony says drives ought to have the ability to deal with sequential reads at 5,500MB/s. Early testing confirmed that the PS5 would settle for drives as sluggish as 4,800MB/s, and that video games that faucet into the SSD often — comparable to Ratchet & Clank: Rift Aside — would trigger no points. Just about the one factor the PS5 will outright reject is one that does not match the Gen4 x4 spec.

In our opinion, although, utilizing a drive slower than the specification is a threat that, when you don’t have already got that drive mendacity round, isn't value taking. Simply because we haven’t discovered points but doesn’t imply there received’t be video games that may very well be problematic sooner or later. The value distinction between these marginally slower Gen4 drives and those that meet Sony’s spec isn’t large, and also you may as properly cowl all of your bases.

Barely extra difficult than pace is cooling and measurement. Most new SSDs are going to be simply high quality; the PS5 can match 22mm-wide SSDs of nearly any size (30mm, 40mm, 60mm, 80mm or 110mm, to be exact). The overwhelming majority of drives you discover can be 22mm broad and 80mm lengthy, so no drawback there.

It needs to be famous that the system can match a 25mm-wide drive, however that width should embrace the cooling resolution. Talking of, Sony says SSDs require “efficient warmth dissipation with a cooling construction, comparable to a heatsink.” The utmost peak supported by Sony’s slot is 11.25mm, of which solely 2.45mm could be “under” the drive.

This beforehand meant among the hottest heatsinked Gen4 SSDs, together with Corsair’s MP600 Professional LP, wouldn't match inside the PS5’s storage enlargement slot. Since Engadget first revealed this information in 2021, most NVMe makers, together with Samsung, have come out with PlayStation-specific fashions that meet these necessities. That stated, if you wish to avoid wasting cash, naked drives are sometimes cheaper and it’s trivial to discover a cooling resolution that may work for the PS5.

The one element in an NVMe SSD that basically requires cooling is the controller, which with no heatsink will fortunately sear a (very small) steak. Most SSDs have chips on just one facet, however even on double-sided SSDs, the controller is prone to be on prime, as producers realize it must be positioned there to raised dissipate warmth.

So, head to your PC element vendor of selection and choose up mainly something that meets the really useful dimensions. search time period is “laptop computer NVME heatsink,” as these can be designed to slot in the confines of gaming laptops, that are much more restrictive than a PS5. They’re additionally sometimes cheaper than those labeled as “PS5 heatsinks.”

One advice is that this $6 copper heatsink, which attaches to the PS5 SSD with sticky thermal interface materials. It really works simply high quality, and in performing stress exams on a PC, we couldn’t discover something steel that didn’t preserve temperatures underneath management. If you’re looking, simply make sure that the answer you go for measures not more than 25mm broad or 8mm tall (together with the thermal interface materials) and has a easy methodology of set up that’s not going to trigger any complications.

One very last thing: When looking for a PS5 NVMe, there’s no purpose to purchase a Gen5 mannequin over a extra inexpensive Gen4 mannequin. As issues stand, Sony’s console can’t reap the benefits of the brand new normal, and although Gen5 drives are backward suitable, they’re dearer than their Gen4 counterparts. Simply purchase the quickest and highest-capacity Gen4 mannequin you'll be able to afford.

How one can set up an SSD into your PS5 In case you want steering on how one can set up your new NVMe into your PS5 or PS5 Professional, we've a separate information detailing all of the steps right here. Set up is fairly simple, however our how-to will help you when you're caught. Simply make word: Earlier than making an attempt so as to add extra storage through a PS5 SSD, guarantee that you've Sony’s newest software program put in.