Over the past few console generations, gamers were often limited by the built-in storage of their consoles. With the PS5, Sony made a significant leap forward by incorporating an internal M.2 PCIe slot, allowing users to expand storage with off-the-shelf SSDs. This move was a refreshing change, especially considering Sony's past practices with the PS Vita and PSP, which used costly proprietary memory cards. The PS5 comes with a modest 825GB of storage, but with the M.2 slot, you can enhance your console's storage capacity using high-end PC SSDs like the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX, our top pick, which offers nearly the same fast loading times as the console's built-in drive.
TL;DR - These Are the 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 specific requirements to consider when choosing an SSD for the PS5. You need a PCIe 4.0 or Gen 4 drive, which supports speeds up to 7,500MB/s, significantly faster than the 3,500MB/s of Gen 3 M.2 SSDs. The PS5's M.2 slot is designed to accommodate various sizes of M.2 drives, though the most common size you'll encounter is the M.2 2280.
It's also crucial to select an SSD with a built-in heatsink. The PS5's SSD slot is in a tight space with limited airflow, which can cause PCIe 4.0 SSDs to overheat. A heatsink is essential to prevent performance throttling and ensure the drive's longevity. The heatsink should not exceed 11.25mm in height, and fortunately, most SSDs meet this criterion.
When considering capacity, think about your storage needs. A 1TB drive is often sufficient to double your PS5's storage, allowing you to install multiple large games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. If you have a larger gaming library, you might opt for a 4TB drive, though these are more expensive.
For Xbox owners, check out our roundup of the best SSDs for Xbox Series X. Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Callum Bains.
AnswerSee ResultsPS5 SSD Basics
There are numerous SSDs compatible with the PS5's M.2 slot, thanks to increased competition and lower prices. You can find high-speed, cost-effective options for under $100, but larger capacities like the upcoming 8TB SSD from Western Digital can cost over $500.
Ensure the SSD you choose is an NVMe PCIe 4.0 model with dimensions up to 110mm x 25mm x 11.25mm, including the heatsink. The PS5's internal space is limited, which can lead to high temperatures, making a heatsink essential to prevent performance issues or damage. Most SSDs come with an optional heatsink, but if you need to buy one separately, make sure it fits within the height limit of 8mm above the SSD or 2.45mm below.
You'll need an SSD with at least 5,500MB/s sequential read speeds. Most PCIe 4.0 SSDs meet this requirement, typically offering speeds between 7,000-7,500MB/s. The PS5's internal test will confirm if the SSD is fast enough for PS5 games, typically peaking at around 6,500MB/s.
Check the SSD's warranty and endurance rating, often measured in TBW (Terabytes Written). This indicates how much data the drive can handle before potential failure. Most SSDs come with a five-year warranty and varying TBW ratings.
Consider the type of NAND memory used in the SSD: QLC, TLC, or MLC. TLC NAND, used in our recommended drives, offers a good balance between durability and cost. QLC is less durable but more affordable, while MLC is more durable but pricier.
Given the PS5's limited storage, especially with games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Baldur's Gate 3 taking up over 100GB each, expanding storage is often necessary. The M.2 slot supports SSDs from 250GB to 8TB, with 1TB being a popular choice for balancing capacity and cost. Larger capacities up to 4TB are available for those with extensive libraries.
For additional storage, you can use an external hard drive or SSD. While external SSDs offer high speeds, they cannot run PS5 games directly, though they are useful for storing and transferring games, particularly PS4 titles that can be played directly from the external drive.
For installation help, refer to our guide on how to upgrade your PS5 storage. No hardware expertise is required to complete the upgrade.
1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
Best PS5 SSD
Our Top Pick: Corsair MP600 Pro LPX
9
With read speeds up to 7,100MB/s and a pre-installed heatsink, this SSD is ready to quickly load data. It's an excellent value option with high read speeds, though it's not the fastest drive available.
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 one of the best. Although it can't compete with newer PCIe 5.0 SSDs, the PS5 can't utilize much faster speeds anyway. At around $80 for a 1TB version, it's a cost-effective choice.
Rated for a sequential read speed of 7,100MB/s and write speeds up to 5,800MB/s, it meets PS5 compatibility requirements. On the PS5, it achieves around 6,500MB/s, which is fast enough for most PS5 games.
The 1TB version has a durability rating of 700TBW, meaning it's warrantied until it writes 700TB over its lifetime. This is unlikely to be an issue for most PS5 gamers.
2. Crucial T500
Best Budget PS5 SSD
Crucial T500
0
This 1TB drive offers high speeds and includes a heatsink, all for a budget-friendly price. It's a great value, especially with its performance improvement over the P5 Plus.
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
For just over $100, the Crucial T500 doubles your PS5's storage and includes a heatsink. Its Micron TLC 3D NAND memory ensures high performance, with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s and write speeds up to 6,800MB/s.
The 2TB version offers even more storage and faster speeds, with a doubled TBW rating of 1,200TB, though a 4TB option is unavailable.
3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus
Best PS5 SSD Without Heatsink
Samsung 990 Evo Plus
0
The Samsung 990 Evo Plus offers excellent performance at a reasonable price, though it doesn't come with a heatsink. It has a lower endurance rating than the more expensive 990 Pro, but it's still more than sufficient for console use.
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
Rated for up to 7,250MB/s sequential read speeds, the PS5's storage test rates it at 6,137MB/s, which is fast enough for PS5 games. It loaded Metaphor: Refantazio in just 4.37 seconds, slightly faster than the native drive.
As a DRAM-less SSD, it has lower peak performance in professional workloads, but this doesn't affect its performance in the PS5. You'll need to purchase a separate heatsink, which is affordable and widely available.
4. WD_Black P40
Best External PS5 SSD
WD_Black P40
1
The WD_Black P40 is an external SSD that connects to the PS5 via USB, offering 1TB of storage with read speeds up to 2,000MB/s. It's faster than traditional hard drives but cannot run PS5 games directly.
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
This external SSD is perfect for storing PS5 game data without needing to reinstall, and it supports PS4 games played directly from the drive. It's also compatible with Xbox and PC, making it a versatile storage solution.
PS5 SSD FAQ
Is an SSD worth it for PS5?
Yes, especially if you play multiple large games simultaneously or enjoy live service games that increase in size over time. The PS5's built-in storage can quickly become insufficient, making an SSD one of the best accessories for expanding your storage capacity.
What speed SSD should I get for PS5?
You should get an SSD with a minimum read speed of 5,500MB/s. Most PCIe 4.0 SSDs exceed this, and speeds above 6,500MB/s are ideal for the PS5.
When is the best time to buy a PS5 SSD?
The best times to buy a PS5 SSD are during sales events like Amazon Prime Day in July, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, when prices are significantly reduced.
Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs worth it for the PS5?
No, PCIe 5.0 SSDs are not worth it for the PS5. The console only supports PCIe 4.0 and cannot fully utilize the higher speeds of PCIe 5.0 SSDs, making PCIe 4.0 SSDs a more cost-effective choice.
