Best SSDs for PS5 (2026)
The PS5 internal SSD is only 667 GB usable. After a few AAA games, it is full. Adding an NVMe Gen 4 M.2 SSD via the expansion slot is the best way to expand. Sony requires Gen 4 speeds and M.2 2230 or 2280 form factor. I track every compatible SSD on Amazon and rank by price per TB.
PS5 SSD requirements
The PS5 expansion slot accepts M.2 NVMe Gen 4 SSDs with 2230 or 2280 form factor. Minimum recommended read speed: 5,500 MB/s. A heatsink is required. Many SSDs include one, or you can use the PS5 built-in heatsink cover (newer models). Capacities from 250 GB to 4 TB are supported.
Quick Verdict
- Who this is for
- PS5 owners who have run out of internal storage and want to install more games without constant deleting and re-downloading.
- What usually wins
- A 2 TB NVMe Gen 4 SSD with a heatsink. This roughly triples your usable PS5 storage and keeps your full game library installed. 1 TB is the minimum worth buying.
- Prioritise
- Price per TB at 2 TB capacity. Any Gen 4 NVMe drive meeting the 5,500 MB/s spec will perform identically in-game, pay for space, not brand.
Prices updated daily from Amazon.com. All links go directly to the retailer. Details.
Bottom line: the lowest price-per-TB pick on this page right now is the XISHUO NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive, 2 TB new, at $129.90 ($64.95/TB) on Amazon.com. Check the current price.
Best 2TB PS5 SSDs
The sweet spot for PS5 storage expansion. 2 TB Gen 4 NVMe drives ranked by price per TB.
XISHUO NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive
TICOWTEK M.2 2280 SSD PCIe NVMe Internal Solid State Drive
2TB AData Legend 710 PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 2280 SSD Solid State Disk
Patriot P400 Lite 4TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 SSD
Fikwot FX660 4TB M.2 SSD, PCIe Gen 4x4 Dynamic SLC Cache - Speeds up to 5000MB/s M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD, Upgrade Storage for PC Computer, Laptop and PS5
Mac mini M4 Pro Hard Disk SSD 2TB 4TB
Fikwot FN950 4TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280,Read Up to 5000MB/s, Configure SLC Cache, Internal Solid State Drive for PS5 Laptop Desktop
Fikwot FN960 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4 x4 2280 Internal Solid State Drive with Heatsink, Up to 5,000MB/s, Dynamic SLC Cache, Compatible with PS5 Internal SSD
Best 1TB PS5 SSDs
Budget PS5 expansion. 1 TB adds room for 10–15 more games without breaking the bank.
XISHUO NVMe SSD Internal Solid State Drive
GUDGA 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 SSD
ALYNCE JS890 SSD 1TB, PCIe Gen3 NVMe M.2 2280, Up to 3000MB/s
Acclamator 1TB SSD NVMe M.2 2280 PCIe Gen3x4 Internal Solid State Drive, Read Up to 2500MB/s with 3D NAND Flash Compatible with Laptop & PC Desktop N20
ADATA SSD Legend 710 M.2 1TB PCIe Gen3 x4 M.2 2280 Solid State Drive, Design for Creator Gaming, Read Speed up to 2,400 MB/s, 3D NAND, LDPC, AES 256-bit Encryption
Vansuny 1TB NVMe M.2 Internal Solid State Drive PCIe 3.0 TLC M.2 SSD 3D NAND 2280 Speed up to 3400/2900MB/s Internal Solid State Hard Drive PCIe SSD
SUNEAST 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 NVMe Gen3x4 SSD
JOIOT 1TB SSD PCle 3.0x4, NVMe M.2 2280, Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 3500MB/s,Storage for PC, Laptops, Gaming and More, V-NAND Technology, Max Speed,Black
Best 4TB PS5 SSDs
Maximum PS5 storage. 4 TB drives for players with massive game libraries who never want to uninstall again.
Patriot P400 Lite 4TB PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 SSD
Fikwot FX660 4TB M.2 SSD, PCIe Gen 4x4 Dynamic SLC Cache - Speeds up to 5000MB/s M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD, Upgrade Storage for PC Computer, Laptop and PS5
Mac mini M4 Pro Hard Disk SSD 2TB 4TB
Fikwot FN950 4TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280,Read Up to 5000MB/s, Configure SLC Cache, Internal Solid State Drive for PS5 Laptop Desktop
Fikwot FN960 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4 x4 2280 Internal Solid State Drive with Heatsink, Up to 5,000MB/s, Dynamic SLC Cache, Compatible with PS5 Internal SSD
KingSpec NX Series 4TB Gen3x4 NVMe M.2 SSD, Up to 3500MB/s, 3D NAND Flash M2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, for Desktop and Laptop
Crucial P3 PCIe Gen3 NVMe 4TB SSD, Up to 3,500MB/s Read, Laptop & Desktop (PC) Compatible, Solid State Drive – CT4000P3SSD8
Fikwot FX550 NVMe SSD 4TB M.2 SSD PCIe 3.0×4, Read Up to 3,600 MB/s, M2 2280 Internal Soild State Drive, Compatible with Desktop, Laptop and Mini PC, QLC NAND Flash
How to Choose
PS5 SSD shopping is straightforward once you know the requirements.
Gen 4 required
The PS5 expansion slot does not support Gen 3 NVMe drives. Gen 5 drives will work but are capped at Gen 4 speeds, no benefit to paying extra for Gen 5.
Capacity
1 TB holds 10–15 PS5 games. 2 TB holds 25–30. 4 TB is overkill for most players but future-proofs you. At current prices, 2 TB offers the best value.
Heatsink
The PS5 expansion slot requires thermal management. Many 2026 SSDs ship with a heatsink included. If yours does not, aftermarket PS5 SSD heatsinks cost under $10.
Brand does not matter for performance
PS5 game load times are virtually identical across all Gen 4 NVMe drives. Samsung, WD, Crucial, Kingston, Sabrent. Buy whichever is cheapest at your target capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SSD does PS5 need?
The PS5 expansion slot requires an M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD in 2230 or 2280 form factor, with a minimum recommended sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s. Gen 3 NVMe drives will not work. Gen 5 drives will work but run at Gen 4 speeds, so there is no benefit to paying extra for Gen 5 on a PS5.
Do I need a heatsink for the PS5 SSD expansion?
Yes, thermal management is required. Many 2026 SSDs include a heatsink in the box — check the listing before buying. If yours does not, aftermarket PS5 SSD heatsinks cost under $10. Some PS5 models include a built-in heatsink cover that works without an add-on, but double-check your hardware revision.
What capacity PS5 SSD should I buy?
2 TB is the practical recommendation. The PS5 ships with 667 GB usable, and modern titles run 50–100+ GB. 2 TB roughly triples your usable PS5 storage and holds 25–30 games. 1 TB adds room for 10–15 titles on a tighter budget. 4 TB exists if you never want to uninstall again, but the per-TB cost is higher — check the live price comparison on this page.
Does it matter which brand PS5 SSD I buy?
No, for game performance. Any Gen 4 NVMe drive meeting the 5,500 MB/s spec loads PS5 games at virtually identical speeds regardless of brand. Samsung, WD, Crucial, Kingston, and Sabrent all perform the same in-game. Buy whichever 2 TB Gen 4 option ranks lowest in price on this page — the brand difference is marketing.
Can I use an external USB drive with PS5 for game storage?
External USB drives can store PS5 games but not run them directly. You need to copy a title from external to internal storage before playing. Backward-compatible PS4 games run fine from USB external. The internal NVMe expansion slot is the only way to expand your playable PS5 game storage without transferring files.
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