One of the best SSDs for PS5 in 2024

When Sony released the PlayStation 5 in 2020, it wasn’t attainable to increase the console’s storage. Fortunately, that modified with a software update that the corporate pushed out lower than a 12 months later. And with how massive some sport installs have change into in recent times, it’s a superb factor, too: the PS5’s built-in 667GB of area could have been ok within the system’s first 12 months, however in 2024, the default drive is totally limiting.

The excellent news is a regular PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD can remedy all your PS5 storage woes. If that mess of acronyms has you recoiling, don’t fear: you’ll see that it’s not all that difficult. And if all you need to know is what the most effective PS5 SSDs are, they’re proper on the prime.

Learn extra: These are the best SSDs in 2024

Greatest PS5 SSDs in 2024

Corsair

Capability: As much as 8TB | Sequential learn efficiency: 7,100MB/s | Sequential write efficiency: 6,800MB/s | Connection: M.2

The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX makes it to the highest of our listing for the most effective PS5 SSD for being the whole bundle. It’s quick, providing glorious 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 may routinely discover the 1TB variant on sale for lower than $100, whereas the 2TB mannequin will set you again between $160 and $210. It’s not the quickest NVMe on this listing, however so far as no-fuss choices go, it’s laborious to beat the MP600.

Execs

• Constructed-in heatsink
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not the quickest Gen4 mannequin

$95 at Amazon

Essential

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 personal heatsink, the Crucial T500 is a good choice. With learn speeds of as much as 7,300MB/s, it greater than meets Sony’s technical necessities, and you’ll steadily discover the 1TB mannequin for as little as $60 when it’s on sale. Essential additionally provides a model with a heatsink, so it’s value including each the Corsair MP600 and Essential T500 to a value watch listing and shopping for whichever mannequin is cheaper once you’re able to improve your PS5.

Execs

• Quick
• Out there with or with out heatsink

$82 at Amazon

SABRENT

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 listing, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is essentially the most attention-grabbing. It comes with a novel heatsink that you simply set up rather than the storage enlargement slot’s steel cowl. Sabrent claims this design improves cooling efficiency. Anticipate to pay greater than you’d for a mannequin with a extra generic heatsink, with the 1TB variant coming in at $130 and the 2TB mannequin costing between $230 and $280.

Execs

• PS5-specific heatsink design

Cons

• Not as quick as different choices
• Costly relative to different drives

$130 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

Capability: As much as 4TB | Learn efficiency: 1,050MB/s | Write efficiency: 1,000MB/s | Connection: USB 3.0

As I clarify beneath, you may’t run PS5 video games from an exterior drive — however you should use one to retailer any video games you aren’t taking part in in the meanwhile (and that features older PS4 video games). One in all my favourite moveable drives is the Samsung T7. It could write information at a speedy 1,000 MB/s. When you plan to make use of the drive completely for at-home use, it can save you cash by shopping for the usual mannequin as an alternative of the Defend variant, which has a rugged exterior for additional safety for many who are all the time on the go. I’ve been utilizing T7 drives to retailer my photographs, music and video games for years, and I’ve but to see one fail me. The most recent mannequin, the Samsung T9, boasts learn/write speeds of as much as 2,000MB/s.

Execs

• Inexpensive
• Dependable
• Rugged variant obtainable

Cons

• Can’t play PS5 video games from exterior drive

$70 at B&H Photo

How we check PS5 SSDs

After serving to to take care of this information for the previous two years, I’ve examined a lot of the SSDs advisable on this listing, both for PS5 or pc use. I additionally purchased and used our prime choose in my very own PS5.

How a lot PS5 storage do I want?

The PlayStation 5 will settle for inner drives with between 250GB and 8TB of storage capability. When you already personal a PS5, chances are high you’ve an inexpensive thought of how a lot storage you want ​​to your sport library. When you’re shopping for an SSD with a brand new PS5, or shopping for for another person, it’s tougher to inform what you would possibly want for a high-performance expertise.

PS5 video games are somewhat smaller on common than their PS4 equivalents, sometimes taking over between 30GB and 100GB, with some notable (and highly regarded) exceptions. When you’re a fan of the Name of Obligation collection, putting in Modern Warfare III and Warzone 2.0 would require about 250GB. In different phrases, a full Name of Obligation set up will take up greater than one-third of the PS5’s inner storage. When you’re not a CoD fan, although, chances are high you’ll be good to retailer between six to 10 video games in your PS5 internally earlier than operating into issues.

You additionally want to think about your web pace. When you stay in an space with gradual broadband, the “you may simply obtain it once more” rationale doesn’t actually work. At my outdated dwelling, a 100GB obtain took me round eight hours, throughout which era it was troublesome to concurrently watch Twitch or, say, publish articles about upgrading PS5 SSDs. Holding video games round on the off-chance you’ll need to play them sooner or later is smart.

Off the bat, there’s principally no level in going for a 250GB PS5 SSD. Economically, 250GB drives aren’t that less expensive than 500GB ones — and virtually, that actually isn’t quite a lot of area for contemporary video games to stay on. 500GB drives, coming in at round $60 to $80, are an honest choice, however the candy spot for many is to go for a high-capacity 1TB drive, which ought to run you about $100. That may greater than double the PS5 storage you’ve obtainable for video games with out breaking the financial institution.

In case you have the cash, 2TB drives typically provide marginal financial savings per gigabyte, and may typically be discovered when different fashions are out of inventory. Until you’re rolling in money and need to flex, 4TB and 8TB fashions ought to principally be averted, as you’ll find yourself paying extra per gigabyte than you’d with a 1TB or 2TB drive.

Whereas the 825GB PS5 solely gives 667GB of storage, that’s largely attributable to storage being reserved for the working system and caching. When you set up a 1TB PS5 SSD, you may have, inside a margin of error, 1TB of storage obtainable for video games.

Lastly, all of our suggestions will work with the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro.

Are you able to play PS5 video games on an exterior SSD?

Exterior laborious drives are likely to price lower than inner SSD counterparts (and there’s a superb likelihood you would possibly personal one already). However sadly, there are restrictions on what you are able to do with them. An exterior SSD connects to your PS5 by way of USB, and is simply appropriate for enjoying PlayStation 4 video games, or storing PS5 titles. That is helpful if in case you have something however the most effective high-speed web — it’s sooner to maneuver a PS5 sport out of “chilly storage” on an exterior drive than it’s to re-download it — or need to preserve your PS4 library available.

As a result of limitations right here, you don’t want the highest-performing mannequin, though it’s best to go for SSDs over HDDs for improved switch speeds and cargo instances. Any fundamental moveable drive from a good model will do, with the Essential X9 Professional and Samsung T5 being choices we’ve tried and may advocate.

Which SSD playing cards are appropriate with the PS5?

The official answer to this query is an “M.2 Socket 3 (Key M) Gen4 x4 NVME SSD.” However even inside that seemingly particular description, there are nonetheless extra issues to think about. The primary necessities Sony has laid out for compatibility come down to hurry, cooling and bodily dimensions.

For pace, Sony says drives ought to be capable to deal with sequential reads at 5,500MB/s. Early testing confirmed that the PS5 would settle for drives as gradual as 4,800MB/s, and that video games that faucet into the SSD frequently — resembling Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart — 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 danger that, if you happen to don’t have already got that drive mendacity round, is just not value taking. Simply because we haven’t discovered points but doesn’t imply there gained’t be video games that may very well be problematic sooner or later. The worth distinction between these marginally slower Gen4 drives and those that meet Sony’s spec is just not big, and also you would possibly as nicely cowl all of your bases.

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

It ought 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, resembling a heatsink.” The utmost peak supported by Sony’s slot is 11.25mm, of which solely 2.45mm might be “beneath” the drive.

This beforehand meant a number of the hottest heatsinked Gen4 SSDs, together with Corsair’s MP600 Professional LP, wouldn’t match throughout the PS5’s storage enlargement slot. Since Engadget first printed 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 can work for the PS5.

The one part in an NVMe SSD that actually 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 comprehend it must be positioned there to raised dissipate warmth.

So, head to your PC part vendor of alternative, and choose up principally something that meets the advisable 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 suggestion 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 beneath management. Once you’re looking, simply make certain the answer you go for measures not more than 25mm large 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 searching 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 benefit from the brand new customary, and although Gen5 drives are backward appropriate, they’re dearer than their Gen4 counterparts. Simply purchase the quickest and highest-capacity Gen4 mannequin you may afford.

Learn how to set up an SSD into your PS5

Earlier than trying so as to add extra storage by way of a PS5 SSD, guarantee that you’ve Sony’s latest software installed. When you’re up-to-date, set up of a PS5 SSD is pretty simple. Sony recommends a #1 Phillips or crosshead screwdriver, however this is not rocket science. Any crossed screwdriver of an identical dimension will do high-quality.

1. Energy every thing all the way down to take away the stand

Earlier than trying so as to add extra storage by way of an NVMe, guarantee that you’ve Sony’s latest software installed. When you’re up-to-date, set up of a PS5 SSD is pretty simple. Sony recommends a #1 Phillips or crosshead screwdriver, however this is not rocket science. Any crossed screwdriver of an identical dimension will do high-quality.

Start by powering down your PS5, unplugging every thing, eradicating the stand and flipping it over to its underside. In case you have a launch PS5, that’s the facet with the disc drive; if in case you have the launch Digital Version, it’s the facet with out the PlayStation brand cutout.

Sony has a video information to popping off the surface cowl right here, however the gist is you gently carry up the opposing corners and slide the panel towards the flat finish of the console. There’s a knack to this, and it requires little or no effort or energy. When you’re not getting it, somewhat than power issues, readjust your grip and take a look at once more.

2. Entry the drive bay

When you’ve received every thing open, you’ll see an oblong piece of steel with a screw holding it in place. Take away that screw and also you’ll be capable to entry the drive bay.

You’ll see 5 holes inside, every numbered equivalent to the usual SSD drive lengths I discussed earlier. The one numbered 110 can have a steel insert and screw inside. You could unscrew the screw with a screwdriver, after which unscrew the insert together with your fingers and transfer it to the related gap. For many drives, it’s going to be 80.

3. Slot within the SSD

Then take your SSD and slot it in. The slot is on the edge closest to the quantity “30,” and SSDs are keyed to solely slot in a technique, so once more, no power is required. If it’s not sliding in, don’t power it. You’ll discover the SSD doesn’t sit flat. That’s high-quality and is as meant.

4. Screw the drive bay again in

As soon as the SSD is seated, take the screw you faraway from the insert, line it up with the little notch on the finish of your SSD, and push down so it meets the insert. Give the screw a number of turns — it doesn’t should be very tight — and also you’re executed.

Exchange the steel cowl and screw it down, after which slide the plastic outer shell again on.

Once you first activate the PS5, it’ll immediate you to format the drive. Try this! You might have now efficiently expanded your console’s storage, and may set about downloading and shifting video games to it.

We’ll be updating this information as extra SSDs come to market and onto our check bench, so be at liberty to bookmark it for once you want it.