With the advent of the PS5, Sony took a significant leap forward by incorporating an internal M.2 PCIe slot, allowing gamers to enhance the console's built-in 825GB storage with off-the-shelf SSDs. This move was a refreshing departure from their past practices, such as the pricey memory cards used with the PS Vita and PSP. Now, you can seamlessly integrate high-performance SSDs like our top pick, the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX, which delivers nearly the same fast loading times as the console's proprietary drive.
Best SSDs for PS5:
Our Top Pick### Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
9See it at Amazon
### Crucial T500
0See it at Amazon
### Samsung 990 Evo Plus
0See it at Best Buy
### WD_Black P40
1See it at Amazon
There are a few key considerations for selecting an SSD for your PS5. You'll need a PCIe 4.0 or better drive, which supports speeds up to 7,500MB/s, a major leap over the 3,500MB/s of Gen 3 M.2 SSDs. The PS5 accommodates various sizes of M.2 drives, but the M.2 2280 is the most common and recommended choice.
It's also crucial to choose an SSD with a built-in heatsink, given the tight space and potential for overheating in the PS5's SSD slot. The heatsink should not exceed 11.25mm in height, a specification met by most compatible SSDs. This ensures your drive won't overheat and throttle its performance, maintaining optimal speeds.
In terms of capacity, a 1TB drive is typically sufficient to double your storage and accommodate a substantial game library, including heavyweights like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. However, for avid collectors, larger 4TB drives are available, albeit at a higher cost.
PS5 SSD Basics
The market is brimming with SSDs perfectly tailored for the PS5's M.2 slot. With increased competition, you can find high-speed drives at competitive prices, often under $100. For larger capacities like the upcoming 8TB SSD from Western Digital, expect prices to exceed $500.
Ensure your SSD is an NVMe PCIe 4.0 model with dimensions no larger than 110mm x 25mm x 11.25mm, including the heatsink. The PS5's limited internal space necessitates a heatsink to prevent overheating and performance throttling. Most SSDs come with an optional heatsink, but if you need a separate one, ensure it fits within the height restrictions of 8mm above or 2.45mm below the drive.
Your chosen SSD should have sequential read speeds of at least 5,500MB/s. Most PCIe 4.0 drives exceed this, with speeds typically around 7,000–7,500MB/s. The PS5's own speed test will confirm if the drive is fast enough for PS5 games, typically peaking at around 6,500MB/s.
Consider the warranty and endurance rating of your SSD, measured in TBW (Terabytes Written). This indicates how much data the drive can handle over its lifespan. Most SSDs come with a five-year warranty and use TLC NAND, which offers a balanced performance and durability for gamers.
Given the PS5's initial 825GB and the PS5 Slim's 1TB, expanding storage is often necessary. Games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Baldur’s Gate 3 can quickly fill up your space. The M.2 expansion slot allows for additional storage from 250GB to 8TB. A 1TB drive offers a good balance between capacity and cost, while 4TB options cater to larger libraries.
For external storage, consider using an external hard drive. While these can't run PS5 games directly, they are useful for storing and transferring PS4 games and preventing the need to redownload large files.
For installation guidance, refer to our comprehensive guide on upgrading your PS5 storage, ensuring a smooth process even if you're not a hardware expert.
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
Best PS5 SSD
Our Top Pick### Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
9With blazing read speeds up to 7,100MB/s and a preinstalled heatsink, this SSD is primed to load data quickly and efficiently. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential read speed: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write speed: 5,800MB/s
- NAND type: 3D TLC
- TBW: 700TB
PROS
- Excellent value
- High read speed
CONS
- Not the fastest drive around
The Corsair MP600 was among the first SSDs marketed specifically for the PS5 and remains a top choice. While newer PCIe 5.0 drives offer higher speeds, the PS5 can't fully utilize them, making the Corsair MP600's performance more than adequate. At around $80 for a 1TB drive, it's a cost-effective option for expanding your PS5 storage.
2. Crucial T500
Best Budget PS5 SSD
### Crucial T500
0Offering 1TB of storage with a heatsink for under $100, this SSD provides impressive speeds and doubles your PS5 storage effortlessly. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential read speed: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write speed: 6,800MB/s
- NAND type: Micron TLC
- TBW: 600TB
PROS
- TLC 3D NAND flash memory
- Impressive speeds
CONS
- No 4TB option
The Crucial T500 stands out as a value-driven SSD, offering a performance boost over its predecessor, the P5 Plus. With a 1TB capacity and a heatsink, it's an ideal choice for those looking to expand their PS5 storage without breaking the bank. Its Micron TLC 3D NAND ensures fast read and write speeds, making it a solid choice for gamers.
3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus
Best PS5 SSD Without Heatsink
### Samsung 990 Evo Plus
0A high-performance SSD available in capacities up to 4TB, though it requires a separate heatsink. See it at Best Buy
Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1TB – 4TB
- Sequential read speed: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write speed: 6,300MB/s
- NAND type: Samsung V-NAND TLC
- TBW: 600TB (1TB), 1200TB (2TB), 2400TB (4TB)
PROS
- Excellent performance for the money
- Extremely fast load times
CONS
- Doesn't come with a heatsink
The Samsung 990 Evo Plus delivers outstanding performance at a reasonable price. While it lacks a built-in heatsink, requiring a separate purchase, its speed and capacity options make it a strong contender for PS5 storage expansion. Its performance is more than sufficient for PS5 games, offering quick load times comparable to the console's internal drive.
4. WD_Black P40
Best External PS5 SSD
### WD_Black P40
1This 1TB external SSD offers 2,000MB/s read speeds and multi-platform compatibility, though it can't run PS5 games directly. See it at Amazon
Product Specifications
- Capacity: 1TB
- Sequential read speed: 2,000MB/s
- Sequential write speed: 2,000MB/s
- NAND type: WD TLC
- TBW: 600TB
PROS
- Faster than traditional hard drive
- Multiplatform support
CONS
- Can't run PS5 games
The WD_Black P40 is an external SSD that offers a convenient solution for expanding storage without opening your PS5. While it can't run PS5 games, it's perfect for storing and transferring files across platforms, including PS4 games playable directly from the drive. Its fast read speeds make it a valuable asset for data management.
PS5 SSD FAQ
Is an SSD worth it for PS5?
Given that a significant portion of the PS5's internal 825GB SSD is reserved for system files, leaving roughly 650GB for games, additional storage is crucial for avid gamers. The PS5 Slim and Pro models offer more storage, but for those who juggle multiple games or enjoy live service titles that expand over time, an SSD is an essential upgrade.
What speed SSD should I get for PS5?
Your SSD should have a read speed of at least 5,500MB/s to meet PS5 requirements. Most PCIe 4.0 drives easily meet this standard, with speeds generally above 6,500MB/s, ensuring optimal performance for game loading and data transfer.
When is the best time to buy a PS5 SSD?
PS5 SSDs can be a significant investment, but prices have become more competitive. Prime Day in July, along with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offer the best opportunities for discounts, helping you save money on your purchase.
Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs worth it for the PS5?
No, PCIe 5.0 SSDs are not worth the extra cost for the PS5. The console supports PCIe 4.0 and cannot fully utilize the higher speeds of PCIe 5.0 drives, making PCIe 4.0 SSDs a more cost-effective choice.
