The best SSD for PS5 is going to be a massive quality-of-life boost for you if you constantly find yourself running out of storage space for the latest games. No one likes that annoying notification that tells you you've got tidying up to do before you install a new game, and an SSD will help you do that. If you're late to the party, the PS5 has a nifty M2 port in it which means you can slot an extra SSD inside and extend your internal storage. It's probably one of our favorite things about the console, so if you're interested, read on.
The best PS5 SSDs on the list below fit into the internal M.2 port you can find by popping off the console's rear face plate. While installation might seem a little daunting if you've never dabbled in PC building, it really isn't as complicated as it seems. The best SSDs for gaming these days literally slide and click into place, and you don't have to deal with SATA cables or any faff at all. You can extend your PS5 storage internally or externally, with an external hard drive. Although, keep in mind that you won't be able to play PS5 games on an external drive. You can now store PS5 games on an external SSD though, you’ll just need to transfer them over to an internal drive to actually play them.
One important thing to keep in mind is that if you get an internal PS5 SSD, you'll need to pair it with a PS5 heatsink. Modern SSDs are extremely fast, but they build up a lot of heat when working hard. If you don't back one up with a heatsink, it can cause damage to the drive. Luckily, a lot of SSDs are designed with PlayStation users in mind and have integrated heatsinks built into their designs.
Remember that at the end of this month, we'll be blessed with Black Friday PS5 SSD deals, which could bring all of the picks we recommend down to a more affordable level. If you're shopping for a 1TB drive right now, a 2TB version could be within budget sooner than you think. Maybe wait until then, or take a look at the early offers we've found over on that page.
The Quick List
Best overall
Samsung's 990 Pro is one of the top Gen 4 SSDs money can buy, and in terms of pure speed, might just be the one that takes the cake. If not, it's one of the best all-rounders.
Best integrated heatsink
There are plenty of PS5 SSDs with integrated heatsinks, but Corsair's MP600 Elite has a great build quality that balances aesthetics and performance.
Best budget
You might not have heard of Nextorage, but its PS5 SSD is priced very competitively, and the performance it gives you is pretty decent as well.
Best 1TB
Seagate's FireCuda 530 is a legend of the storage market right now. Its heatsink model designed for PS5 is the best all-rounder 1TB drive you can get.
Best no-fuss
WD Black's SN850 range is a staple of the gaming storage market, and its SN850X is our favorite. If you want an SSD for faster load times and minimal fuss, look no further.
Best separate heatsink
The Platinum P41 is a great drive that doesn't cost the world. Its companion heatsink, the Haechi H01/H02 works great in the PS5 and gives you separation options.
Best value
The Samsung 980 Pro is aging, which means its price tag is getting more reasonable. All the while, its performance holds up to the best options on this list.
Best external
This portable SSD comes at a price, but it's the quickest and sturdiest external hard drive we've ever tested. If an internal option isn't for you, this is what you need.
If you had to plot me on a DND character sheet, one of my traits would probably be "is enraged by notifications telling me I have no space to install new games". I've been testing and using digital storage devices since I was in my teens, and so I have a genuine interest in finding the latest and greatest drives on the shelves.
Recent updates
November 12, 2024: In preparation for Black Friday coming up, I've tried to make this page as helpful as possible. Down below our list of drives, you can find some handy info about how we tested the ones we reviewed, as well as some pointers on how you can choose the best device for you.
The best PS5 SSD overall
The Samsung 990 Pro is the latest Gen 4 M.2 SSD from the brand and offers some top-contender performance for PS5 and PC. Unlike most SSDs at the moment, its price is holding pretty firm (since it's never exactly gone for cheap prices). It's also readily available, perhaps since Samsung makes a lot of its own parts. I use the 4TB version of this drive in my PS5, and I can thoroughly recommend it.
✅You want the fastest speeds available: This is as good as it gets. Say goodbye to loading screens.
✅You want more than 2TB: The 4TB model is now available.
✅You don't mind paying a bit more: This does tend to be more pricey than other top-dogs, so it's worth considering other drives that are almost as fast.
❌You want something more affordable: While it's becoming more deals-prone, it's still one of the pricier drives on this list.
❌You don't care about speeds: Go for a budget option with slower speeds if you just want more storage space.
❌You have a 980 Pro already: While there is an upgrade to be had here from the 980 Pro, it's not going to be that noticeable in the PS5.
Design and features: The 990 Pro is available with or without a heatsink, now in up to a 4TB capacity. Its heatsink is incredibly stylish and has some lovely red flashes that line its face. In an instant, you can recognize this drive's gaming chops just from its appearance.
On the box, you're told this drive can reach unearthly speeds for a Gen 4 drive - 7,450 / 6,900 MB/s. It has a new controller that hasn't been seen in other models, which is codenamed Pascal. Beyond that, we don't know all that much about the innards of this SSD, but its numbers do speak for themselves.
Performance: This is the gen 4 SSD maxed out - the 2TB model of this drive we tested for review nailed Samsung's quoted figures, scoring 7,462MB/s reads and 6,877MB/s writes. From extensively using the 4TB version of this drive in my own PS5, I've found much the same, and it's the fastest SSD Sony's own benchmark has ever recognized. In short, this is the pound-for-pound fastest Gen 4 drive on the market, and if you don't mind paying a bit more for it, it's an easy recommendation from us.
Read more: Samsung 990 Pro review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
The best integrated heatsink PS5 SSD
The Corsair MP600 Elite is the latest Gen 4 SSD from Corsair, and it carries with it the quality we've come to know from the previous MP600 models. The biggest names on this list have needed a shake-up for a while, and we're happy to say that beyond this drive's excellent and classy heatsink design, it's also one of the strongest-performing SSDs you'll find on this list.
✅You're worried about temperatures: This SSD has a pretty substantial heatsink, so you won't run the risk of damaging your drive.
✅You want top speeds: Corsair's latest PS5 SSD does have some pretty brilliant speeds, even if they aren't quite as fast as Samsung's.
✅You want value: The MP600 Elite is competitively priced for a drive that's made by a big brand and released in 2024.
❌You aren't bothered about speeds: If you don't need one of the fastest drives available, you could also go for a budget brand or smaller capacity.
❌You're on a tighter budget: The older MP600 LPX SSD is roughly the same price as this at the moment, but it's bound to get cheaper.
❌You have a heatsink already: There's no model without the heatsink.
Design and features: Disappointingly, you'll only find the MP600 Elite in 1TB and 2TB sizes, but luckily it is available with a black heatsink, a white one, or without a heatsink. Prices across the range seem to be pretty competitive, so with a heatsink this good, we'd always recommend opting for it to keep your installation nice and simple.
The reason we love this drie's heatsink is because it blends the aesthetic choices more boisterous SSDs aim for, but is actually pretty innovative in its own right. Beneath the drive, you'll see a space for air to flow through it. Admittedly, this does make the drive somewhat chunkier than others, but it also matches the rest of Corsair's cooling components, most of which rely on solid airflow.
Performance: The Corsair MP600 Elite stands toe-to-toe with the likes of Samsung, WD Black, and Seagate in the PS5 race, and we're happy that a new Gen 4 drive has come along in 2024 to shake things up. As those drives get older, this one comes in to match their performance while also offering a fair price.
The quoted read/write speeds on the box here are 7,000MB/s and 6,500MB/s respectively, and in testing we actually found these numbers were surpassed (albeit slightly). CrystalDiskMark found read speeds of 7,038MB/s and writes of 6,587MB/s. That comes in just under the Seagate FireCuda 530, but given just how good that drive is, these numbers are a real win. Inside the PS5, it formatted to a read speed of 6,539MB/s, which is up there with the fastest internal speeds within the PS5 we've come across.
This all equates to an SSD that's pretty much as fast as the PS5 will really allow. Taking everything into account here, you're getting a really solid SSD for the money, and one that's heatsink is going to give you peace of mind too.
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
The best budget PS5 SSD
Nextorage is a relatively new brand on the scene in the storage market. It's a company made up of former Sony employees who have now broken off to start a very successful solo career. Sony, admittedly does own a share in its new solo act, but when looking for an SSD for PS5, that might actually be a good thing. Nextorage has been turning heads with its NEM-PA Series because as all the other cotenders have been getting more expensive, this lovely little drive has remained more affordable.
✅You want more for your money: This drive is competitively priced, but still gives you great numbers.
✅You want something designed for PS5: Nextorage has geared the NEM-PA Series directly at Sony's console.
✅You're buying 1TB: The 1TB model of this drive gives you serious bang for buck when it comes to price.
Design and features: The design of the NEM-PA Series isn't as flashy as the big names on this list, but it's available with a really solid heatsink that will slot easily into the PS5's M.2 tray. It's all black in color, so aesthetically it isn't massively interesting, but the vent lines along its body will do the trick, and that's the main thing when the drive will be covered by a faceplate anyway.
Advertised speeds here are 7,300MB/s / 6,900MB/s read/write respectively, and the NEM-PA is available in 1, 2, 4, and 8TB shapes. Architecturally, there's a dynamic SLC cache, up to 2GB of DDR4 DRAM, and 4th Gen PCIe interface support. Those numbers, in particular, put it up there with the giants of the market, and are very comparable with the likes of the Samsung 980 Pro.
Like all Gen 4 options with the required read speed, this is compatible with PC and PS5, but its emphasis on PS5 specifically means it doesn't seem available without a heatsink. Luckily, its price is fair, so you shouldn't feel the need to look for a cheaper option anyway.
❌You want the very best performance possible: Nextorage nailed it with this drive, but it isn't the absolute king of the market.
❌You have a hard time trusting budget brands: We've tested this drive, and we can safely say you have nothing to worry about, but it is made by an unknown brand, which can be tough for an investment of this size.
❌You want more than 2TB: This drive goes up to 8TB, but the prices do get a bit silly after the 2TB mark.
Performance: Inside the PS5, Nextorage's option scored a solid 6,539MB/s in Sony's formatting benchmark. This is actually up there with the highest internal PS5 numbers we've come across, which speaks to its quality against much bigger, much pricier brands. CrystalDiskMark showed us numbers that actually surpassed the advertised write speeds, clocking in an average of 6,924MB/s across three tests.
Transfer times were equally as impressive, as Alan Wake 2 moved from the internal stock SSD in the PS5 to the NEM-PA Series in only 30 seconds from an average of 3 tests. That’s 77.87GB in less than half a minute. In return transfers, Alan Wake 2 moved back to the internal SSD of the PS5 in 5 minutes and 20 seconds.
We noticed quicker-than-usual load times on the console as well, so it's safe to say we're thoroughly impressed by what Nextorage has made here. A lot of the time with products we award "best budget" labels to, the quality isn't quite up there with the others we review. It's usually a sign that for the money, that product is good, and does the trick. With this, however, you get something genuinely competitive with what is typically pricier.
Read more: Nextorage NEM-PA Series 5 review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
The best 1TB SSD for PS5
Technically, this was the first SSD confirmed for PS5. The Seagate FireCuda 530 is undoubtedly one of the best PS5 SSDs, and definitely one of the most popular. Touted to have blistering speeds, and confirmed to be a solid performer with or without a heatsink, this is truly a staple of the SSD market. While it enjoyed a long while at the top of this list, it's getting harder to get a hold of. When stock does return, it's usually gone very quickly, and it's hard to find at a reasonable price.
Nonetheless, this is one of the best SSDs for PS5 money can buy at the moment.
✅You want excellent speeds: This drive is undoubtedly one of the top performers on the market - on par with the likes of the Samsung 990 Pro and the SN850X.
✅You want quicker load times on PS5: If installed in the PS5, you'll notice a bump in load times since it's faster than the console's own drive.
✅You want something affordable: You can find this SSD for unbelievably affordable prices these days, which is an excellent thing to say for the best PS5 SSD overall.
Design and features: The Firecuda 530 has a recognizable black body with some lovely orange branding highlights. Its heatsink is a fairly understated black with one simple orange strike through it. A classy and less bold design than a lot of the fancy heatsinks you'll find on SSDs these days. Oh, there is also a fantastic Star Wars limited edition that makes your drive look like a lightsaber, but it doesn't fit inside the PS5, so there's no point in us getting you excited.
In a more technical world, the 530 comes in sizes of 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, and you can choose whether or not you want the heatsink attached. On the box, you're quoted to get speeds of up to 7,300MB/s read, and 6,900MB/s write. The drive uses the Phison E18 controller and its cache scales depending on what size you opt for. Crucially it's got the latest in tech inside it as it sports 3D TLC NAND memory and next-gen PCIe 4.0.
Either way, this is a slimline and compact M.2 drive that has some of the best Gen 4 features you'll find on the shelves.
❌You're looking for something on PC that's Gen 5 compatible: The Seagate FireCuda 530 isn't a Gen 5 drive, which is worth bearing in mind if you need something truly next-gen for PC.
❌You don't need the very best there is: If you don't care about your load times and just want something that'll give you extra room there are other options we'd recommend.
❌You want the absolute last word in speed: If you want the fastest of the very fast, you might be able to get better with the 990 Pro.
Performance: In our formal review tests we found that the Seagate Firecuda 530 2TB matched its on-the-box speeds, which is very impressive. Having used this drive for my gaming PC build, I can personally attest to how consistent it is at loading up games quickly. It's a noticeable boost over a lot of the other Gen 4 drives out there. Short of going for either the SN850X or the Samsung 990 Pro, it doesn't get as good as this in the Gen 4 arena.
The best part is, like many great SSDs at the moment, this is extraordinarily affordable for just how good it is. If you can get this for under $70, which is more than likely, you should do it. Your PS5 will thank you for fitting in the best all-round SSD on this list.
Read more: Seagate FireCuda 530 review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅ |
The best no fuss SSD for PS5
While we held off adding the SN850X to this list for a while, its price has finally leveled out so that the extra performance you gain with this model versus the SN850 isn't a huge trade-off. The SN850 is still a great option, although it may get harder to find as it continues to age.
✅You want the best performance: This is one of the top three Gen 4 drives you can find.
✅You want value for money: The SN850X is the best value option in the SN850 series - including the newer SN850P.
✅You are considering the SN850P: Seriously, the SN850X is better and gives you the exact same performance.
❌You have the SN850: It really isn't that big an upgrade.
❌The 990 Pro or FireCuda 530 are cheaper: If you find the two biggest rival drives on offer, maybe consider them over this.
Design and features: The WD Black SN850X has one of the more stylish heatsink designs on this list, and to be honest, the same can go for any of WD Black's SN850 series. A big problem with the SN850 was that it could run fairly hot when it was working hard. The SN850X does a great job of dealing with that though, because WD implemented a new thermal management profile that reduces performance throttling when it's under pressure.
Performance: Although the 4K performance and random speeds underperformed compared to the older model in our tests, the SN850 X is one of the strongest all-rounders you'll find on the market. It can actually be found cheaper than a lot of the entries on this list for the most part, and it's right up there with the FireCuda 530 and the 990 Pro in terms of speeds.
During our tests, we found it achieved 7,300MB/s reads, while writes leapt up from 5,300MB/s to 6,300MB/s. IOPS were really impressive too. It may not be a massive improvement over its predecessor, but it is an improvement - and one that can be found a darn sight cheaper these days thanks to the introduction of the SN850P.
If you want one of the very best SSDS out there, the SN850X will be a great purchase.
Read more: WD Black SN850X review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
The best PS5 SSD with a separate heatsink
The SK Hynix Platinum P41 is a great SSD in its own right, sitting just under the top dogs of the Gen 4 as a fast performer. Combined with its companion Haechi H01 and H02 heatsink, however, it's a perfect fit for PS5 if you want to futureproof yourself with a separate cooling device.
✅You'd like a separate heatsink to use in the future: If you ever upgrade to a new SSD that doesn't have a heatsink, you're all sorted.
✅You don't need the top speeds: This isn't the fastest, but it isn't slow by any means.
✅You just want more storage space: There's a 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB model available.
❌You want the shortest loading times imaginable: There are faster SSDs out there, especially inside the PS5. If you're looking for a quicker SSD, maybe go for something newer.
❌You want faff-free installation: If you're worried about the DIY involved with the SSD installation, don't be. But if you need it to be as easy as possible, this might make things more complicated.
❌You have a heatsink already: There's no point having an extra heatsink lying around.
Design and features: The idea of buying a separate heatsink might not make a lot of sense at first - with so many great options out there, why not just make your installation easier and buy something with a heatsink pre-attached? Well, it's well-known that buying drives without heatsinks is a bit more affordable. Buying a separate heatsink like this means you'll be able to swap out your drive and spend less money because you already have a perfect heatsink for your PS5.
The Haechi H01 is ideal for anyone with a launch PS5, but for any PS5 Pro owners or PS5 Slim owners, the H02's slightly smaller build will make it easier to fit your faceplates back on after installation.
The Platinum P41 itself has advertised sequential speeds of 7,000MB/s and 6,500MB/s, which is reflected in its middling price point, and comes with the 3D NAND cache tech we know and love from the latest drives - which is great for something that's now a few years old.
Performance: In testing, however, we actually found an increase in the P41's speeds from what was advertised. CrystalDiskMark showed us an average of 7,206MB/s for sequential read speed, which will be hard to notice but is still a decent score for a drive that, again, has had a lot of competition launch since it's been on the shelves.
Inside the PS5, the formatting test showed us 6,188MB/s, which is a tad more disappointing if you're looking for the fastest drive in Sony's console. Still, your mileage may vary, and it's the addition of the hefty separated heatsink we're really here for anyway.
Read more: SK Hynix Platinum P41 + Haechi Heatsink review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
The best value PS5 SSD
The Samsung 980 Pro is still one of the best PS5 SSDs on the market, especially considering that the heatsink model is now widely available, and frequently discounted, too. While this drive may no longer be the absolute fastest Gen 4.0 unit that you can slot into your Sony system, the all-star sequential rates of up to 7,000 MB/s read cannot be denied.
✅You want value for money: Now that it's older and the 990 Pro is out, this will likely be cheaper when you find it.
✅You want something with a glowing reputation: The 980 Pro was once the king of the SSD hill, and it's aging just fine.
✅You want great speeds: This drive has excellent speeds that will only be bested by newer drives on the market.
Design and features: While Gen 4 drives running the likes of the Phison E18 controller are going to offer more consistent, and faster overall random performance, the Samsung 980 Pro matches the console's internal storage and is usually available substantially cheaper than newer drives on the market. The addition of a dedicated heatsink custom-made for the system is going to be ideal for anyone preferring the plug-and-play approach as opposed to having to go all DIY, too.
In terms of potential sizes here you get 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models, and you can elect to get one with or without the heatsink.
❌You'd rather have the latest model: The 990 Pro is here.
❌You need something right away: If it isn't on offer, we'd recommend waiting for a deal to get the most value for money.
❌You can find something newer for cheaper: SSDs are constantly on sale, so if you can get something better for a similar price, you should probably do that.
Performance: Even if the 990 Pro is a bump up in terms of speed, the 980 Pro is still one of the fastest drives going, offering speeds of 6.7GB/s read and 4.9GB/s in our review tests. Since this is likely found discounted these days, the value for money here is pretty outrageous.
If you want faster, the SN850X and 990 Pro will give you that, but certainly, if you're waiting to buy until deals season, the 980 Pro will have you covered.
Read more: Samsung 980 PRO Review
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅✅✅ |
Best external PS5 SSD
You can now transfer PS5 games to one of the best PS5 external hard drives, meaning you don't have to keep redownloading games when you want to make room for other games. You can't play these games on an external PS5 SSD, but transferring from the external to internal PS5 SSD is super quick. While PS5 games can't be played from an external drive, PS4 games can, and loading times are much faster than on a PS4 or PS4 Pro.
The WD Black P40 SSD is one of the best external storage devices we've ever tested, which is why it finds itself as the only external device we recommend on this list of PS5 SSDs. The uses for an external drive are a bit more limited on PS5, but they can still come in very handy.
✅You want to take game files on the go: Frequently go between different consoles? An external drive will save you reinstalling when you get where you're going.
✅You take a lot of screenshots and gameplay clips: Moving capture files off the PS5 can be quick and easy with this external drive
✅You want great speeds: External SSDs don't often come quicker than WD's Black P40.
❌You want to launch PS5 games from it: External drives can store PS5 games, but they can't launch them. You can launch PS4 games on this though.
❌You'd like to extend your internal storage: If it's just an extension of your normal console drive you'd like, maybe don't go for a USB device.
❌You don't care about speeds: You can find more affordable portable SSDs that are slower, so if you don't mind longer waiting times, go for something more in line with your budget.
Design & Features: Disappointingly, the P40 is one of the pricier external options available, particularly because it's one of the higher-end external SSDs that's capable of some great speeds. For your money, you get the drive which comes with WD's Windows dashboard, a USB-C cable and USB-A adapter, a quick install guide, and a 5-year warranty I'd be surprised if you need to use. The build quality here is strong, with an aluminium chassis protecting the data stored within.
It also has some flashy RGB lighting on its sides that'll give you a bit more personality than other storage devices. What may be surprising is how compact this external drive is. It could easily fit in your pocket if you want to take a game file over to a friend's house, or just move around your screenshots and capture files quickly.
Performance: Read and write speeds were great for an external drive. The 2000MB/s speed you see on the box isn't now the top of the external pack - there are newer options that are slightly quicker, but only marginally. For an external SSD, the P40's speeds are still great, and they translate to snappier loading times than the HDD in the PS4 (by some margin). Transfer speeds on PS5 and PC are impressive too, and may be the main appeal for most users.
When testing the P40, we managed to move a load of game capture footage from PS5 to PC (22GB), and the P40 managed it in just shy of a minute. The same was true of game storage. We transferred three games that added up to 18GB in just under 60 seconds thanks to the P40.
| Speed | ⭐⭐ |
| Heatsink efficiency | 🌡️🌡️🌡️ |
| Price (5 is the most expensive) | 💲💲💲💲 |
| Discount likelihood | ✅✅✅ |
Editor's note:
If you go for another M.2 SSD, that's totally fine, but make sure it's in line with the PS5's internal SSD specifications. We've listed the most important ones below.
- PCIe Gen4 interface (not Gen 5, sadly)
- 250GB - 4TB capacity
- Minimum 5,500MB/s read speed or faster
- 22mm width (do not go for 25mm units)
- a heatsink is required (built-in or DIY)
Best PS5 SSD: Heatsinks
While some SSDs that are specifically designed with the PS5 in mind come with a heatsink built-in, others do not. Either way, you will need to pair your PS5 SSD with one of the best PS5 heatsinks.
On the plus side, you can buy them separately from a wide range of manufacturers. They're very easy to fit and will stop your new SSD from overheating and being damaged as a result. It's usually fairly easy to see if an SSD doesn't have a heatsink already, because it will be very thin, and will most likely have elements of the circuit board on show. Products with a heatsink attached will usually say on the listing page, and will often be a little thicker, with vent-looking elements on one or both sides.
Sometimes built-in heatsinks drive up the cost quite a lot, so buying your own can save you a decent amount of cash. We've listed a few of our favorite options below.
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.
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.
How to install a PS5 SSD
The installation process is a lot easier than it seems, and if you feel you need visual help, there's an official PlayStation tutorial video. Essentially, you'll need a flat surface to work on, a number one Philips screwdriver, and some light.
Start by putting the PS5 on its side, with the faceplate showing the PlayStation logo face-down. After removing the other faceplate, you should be able to see the SSD tray. Unscrew the bespoke PlayStation symbol screw, and remove the lid. You should now see a green slot with a few different measurement holes. With your SSD in hand, find the line that corresponds to your drive's size. Once you've taken a quick mental note of the number, unscrew the small fixing screw and spacer. Then place the spacer in the correct measurement hole for your new SSD.
Once that's done, you can line up one of the best PS5 SSDs for insertion into the console. If the room is well lit, you'll be able to clearly see which way up your drive should be by lining up the small gap in the insertion component with that of the PS5 M.2 port. Starting at a diagonal angle pointing down and into the port, make sure the ends of your SSD fit in without too much resistance. After that, you'll need to let the drive angle down a bit, and then be quite firm to ensure it's inserted all the way. Do not apply too much pressure diagonally down, or the SSD will break. Once it is, attach your heatsink if you need to, ensuring the thermal layer has had its tape removed. Then simply put the tray lid back on if you have the room, and screw into the spacer hole you prepared earlier to secure everything in place.
That's it! Put the faceplate back on by sliding the opposite way from when you took it off, and plug the PS5 back in. The software on the PS5 should recognise that a new drive is in place, and will ask you to format it.
Best PS5 SSD - Frequently Asked Questions
Will Gen 5 SSDs work with PS5?
Unfortunately, the M.2 slot in the PS5 maxes out at Gen 4, meaning the latest and greatest SSDs for gaming won't work inside it. Having said that, the latest System Software Beta looks like support for up to 8TB SSDs will be added soon, so at least there's plenty of Gen 4 futureproofing to be had within the PS5's lifespan.
What is the best SSD for PS5?
In our testing, we've found that the Seagate FireCuda 530 is extremely easy to install, and is probably the best all-rounder. WD Black's SN850X and Samsung's 980 and 990 drives are close seconds, with some even beating the FireCuda in terms of pure speed. Kingston, PNY, and Sabrent all have some of the other top options too. The PS5's M.2 port is capable of supporting any NVMe SSD that is Gen 4.0 compatible and features a maximum possible width of 22mm. To save you some DIY faff, we'd argue the best PS5 SSDs are ones that have heatsinks already pre-attached. So aim for a specific models that have been designed with PS5 in mind.
What is the maximum size for a PS5 SSD?
The biggest SSD you can put in the PS5 has been limited to 4TB since the M.2 slot was enabled, but the latest firmware beta added support for up to 8TB of space, which, will take some serious downloading to fill up all the way. These 8TB drives can also be pretty pricey, so we'd say for most players, 1 or 2TB PS5 SSDs will futureproof you more than enough.
What is the best size SSD for PS5?
Generally speaking, we think that a 1TB PS5 SSD is going to be ideal for most gamers because it strikes the perfect balance of price-to-performance. A 1TB Gen 4.0 NVMe drive can commonly be found at, or under, the $150 mark and can more-than-double the standard out of the box internal storage on PS5.
Having said that, SSD prices have been coming down throughout 2022 and 2023, so it may be that you find more affordable 2TB options than before. If you want extra futureproofing, a 2TB drive may be more viable. The PS5 M.2 port supports a maximum total of 4TB, so if you want to go all out with tonnes of room to spare, you definitely have options to play with.
What SSD speed is good for PS5?
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The minimum requirement for PS5 SSDs is 5,500MB/second. Some of the picks on our list like the Samsung 990 Pro and Seagate Firecuda 530 even surpass that to the tune of over 7,000MB/s, so anywhere between those two figures is a solid SSD speed for the best PS5 SSDs.
For anyone keeping score, solid HDDs (like the ones used in the PS4) struggle to break read and write speeds of 200MB/s.
How we test PS5 SSDs
You can find out the specifics of how we test SSDs in our full GamesRadar Hardware Policy, but it's worth going stating here, too. At GamesRadar, we utilize extensive testing methods when reviewing the latest SSDs and hard drives, either for standalone write-ups or in lists just like this one.
For PS5 SSDs, the biggest tests that we conduct are as follows:
- CrystalDiskMark benchmarking tests
- Sony's official benchmarking speed test (which happens after a device format)
- File transfer speed tests (from the console's internal storage and back again)
- In-game loading times (time clocked between menus and gameplay, etc.)
Value for money and price-to-performance ratio are paramount when considering what makes a PS5 SSD one of the best on the market. We do test each drive in full in both a gaming PC as well as a PS5 however, because sadly, the PS5's motherboard isn't capable of getting the full speed out of each one. That's why we use CrystalDiskMark to benchmark the PCs in an environment where they're more likely to show their potential. We'll then install an SSD inside a PS5 and look at the console's own formatting benchmark, which shows just how much you'll get out of one in Sony's machine.
Thereafter, it's all about showing you examples of how an SSD will impact your gaming time. PS5 loading tests aren't the most accurate tests in the world, but they will give you an idea of how long you'll need to wait between gameplay sections.
File transfer tests can be a nice example of the quality of life bonuses a drive will give you when moving game files around, or shifting capture clips and screenshots off the console.
How to choose a PS5 SSD
The first step in choosing an SSD for PS5 is to think about how you'll use it. What's a priority for you with a storage device? Do you want more speed, or space? Will you use it for PS5 games, or will you use it for moving games on and off the console?
If you want some back up space for older games, and you want to shift files on and off the console's drive, then you may not even need an internal drive. An external SSD will probably be enough for you, especially since you can format one to act as additional storage for PlayStation games.
Then again, if you want more space for PS5 games, and a drive you'll be able to launch them off of, an internal SSD is what you want. These will basically act as an extension of your console's own storage space, and with them, you'll be less likely to be bothered by that annoying notification telling you you're out of room for installing new games. Modern SSDs can also out-perform the PS5 in terms of loading times, so if you want marginally quicker loading times than you already have, then one of these M.2 drives is for you.
Looking to upgrade your PS5 with more than just expanded storage? Check out our lists of the best PS5 headsets and best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X. Alternatively, here's everything we know about the DualSense Edge controller.
