Best PS5 heatsink 2024: keep your internal storage cool
The best PS5 heatsinks are essential to the life of your SSD
The best PS5 heatsinks are the number one way to keep your SSD operating as advertised for years to come. SSDs don't exactly come cheap, so buying an SSD without an integrated heatsink can save you some hard-earned cash. These drives still need cooling though, so a heatsink from the list below is vital to make sure your storage device doesn't overheat or get damaged.
Since the M.2 SSD slot in your console can house some of the best SSDs for gaming in the wider market, you don't want to waste your money by letting things degrade from overheating. A PS5 heatsink will not only protect your SSD but will also protect the console - ensuring that excess heat doesn't build up in the inner organs of your PlayStation. If you've spent a lot of money on your PS5, one of the best PS5 SSDs, and then a small fortune on a few digital games, the last thing you want is to see it all get damaged from too much heat building up. One of the best PS5 heatsinks will keep things safe, and cool, and ensure the best performance possible.
Just be aware that if you're buying something for the PS5 Pro or the PS5 Slim, you may need to think differently about what measurements you have to play with. Most heatsinks will fit underneath the console's faceplates just fine, but other bulky ones may struggle, so always check that the model you like is PS5 Slim compatible. Of course, all this DIY and component talk isn't for everyone. If you're still on the fence about getting an internal SSD, you could always make your life a bit simpler and get one of the best PS5 external hard drives. While you won't be able to play PS5 games off an external SSD, you can now store games on one, which makes life a bit easier.
Best PS5 heatsink
The Sabrent is probably our favorite PS5 heatsink and the one that we always recommend first when asked. We wouldn't be surprised if this design starts becoming the default during the PS5's lifespan - it replaces the entire SSD bay door and promotes heat dissipation by transferring SSD heat from the bay to the spacious PS5 interior. And, by the way, if you're interested in the Sabrent SSD itself, then buy one that comes with this heatsink.
SK Hynix's Haechi Heatsink is great to pair with any SSD for PS5. Just keep in mind that if you have a base PlayStation 5 model (the launch version), you're going to want to go for the "Haechi H01", and if you have a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro, you'll want the "H02". The two versions have slightly different sizes which will make fitting your faceplates back on after installation a bit easier.
If you're looking for something to do a solid job and only spend a few beans, however, then this ELUTENG PS5 Heatsink is as good as they get at the budget end of the spectrum. For less than $10 /£10, this is a reliable heatsink that you can put together easily yourself, and tuck away inside the PS5 bay. Though we would 100% recommend putting this PS5 heatsink together using the screw-in method, rather than the banded together approach.
Also rocking the budget-end of the spectrum, the QIVYNSRY PS5 heatsink is another solid sub-$10/£10 option. Cut from the same cloth as the ELUTENG it has a simple design that can be neatly constructed to form a double-sided heatsink that will wrap around your SSD. Overall, this is a simple solution but still a terrific budget PS5 heatsink. Once again, be sure to screw it together to ensure the best and most secure fit for your SSD.
Another PS5 heatsink that replaces the whole bay door, this ElecGear model's innovative form is very functional: Its wing-like structure, 5mm nickel-plated pipe, and thermal pads all combine to funnel heat directly from the SSD straight into the heatsink and out into the PS5's main chassis. Yes, you're spending a fair bit on a metal plate here, but given the desire to get it right and protect one's console and drive, this is an easy PS5 heatsink to recommend.
This is an ingenious PS5 heatsink solution from GrauGear (also called Ineo). The heatsink embraces a wrap-around design, removes the need for any bay door and throws in a copper pipe extension for good measure. The latter takes heat away from directly around the SSD, and 'deposits' it at the console's fan so it can be dispatched. Note: This doesn't seem to be widely available in the US at the moment but keep an eye out for it.
Offering one of the simplest solutions, the Glotrends PS5 heatsink is very much in the 'anything is better than nothing' category. It really is as simple as strapping the heatsink to your drive and plugging it in. The metal clips and rubber band combo will be solid enough for holding it in place, and it's well-reviewed on Amazon which offers confidence too. If you need a quick fix before working up to one of the more substantial items on this list then this is it.
PS5 SSDs with Heatsinks
If you are after a PlayStation 5 SSD that already has a heatsink attached, you'll find all the latest prices on the best models just below.
Best PS5 Heatsink: FAQs
What is a PS5 SSD heatsink?
A heatsink is, in essence, a structure that attaches to your SSD and keeps it cool by taking away the heat made by the drive. One of the few downsides to Gen 4 NVMe SSDs is that they produce a lot of heat, so heatsinks are vital to giving them a long life. They can come in many forms from simple single-sided sheets that just cover the top of an SSD, to double-sided wrap-around units that house the whole stick.
Is a heatsink necessary for PS5?
If you plan on adding an additional SSD to your PS5 console then you absolutely need a heatsink. It is a crucial accompaniment to any SSD you slot in for extra storage and Sony only recommends having an SSD if you also combine it with a heatsink. Heatsinks aren't nearly as expensive as the SSD they'll protect, and there are frequent PS5 deals where you can get them on the cheap.
Of course, if you're adding SSD storage in an external capacity then no heatsink will be required!
Will any heatsink work with PS5?
The key thing to address here is to make sure that the total (SSD + heatsink) size doesn't exceed Sony's recommendations, and indeed the actual SSD bay's dimensions. For the launch model, these are as follows (all maximums): a width of up to 25mm; a length of up to 110mm; and a thickness of up to 11.25mm.
However, you shouldn't have to worry too much about this now as all the best PS5 heatsinks that are geared directly toward the console will have been designed with the size requirements factored in already. If you're buying for the PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim however, these measurements may vary.
If you're on the look out for some larger PlayStation 5 accessories, then check out the best TVs for PS5, best projectors for PS5, and the best PS5 monitors that are available right now.
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Ever since playing Journey at the age of 15, I’ve been desperate to cover video games for a living. After graduating from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in Journalism, I contributed to the Scottish Games Network and completed an Editorial Internship over at Expert Reviews. Besides that, I’ve been managing my own YouTube channel and Podcast for the last 7 years. It’s been a long road, but all that experience somehow landed me a dream job covering gaming hardware. I’m a self-confessing PlayStation fanboy, but my experience covering the larger business and developer side of the whole industry has given me a strong knowledge of all platforms. When I’m not testing out every peripheral I can get my hands on, I’m probably either playing tennis or dissecting game design for an upcoming video essay. Now, I better stop myself here before I get talking about my favourite games like HUNT: Showdown, Dishonored, and Towerfall Ascension. Location: UK Remote
- Rob Dwiar
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