Is your PlayStation 5’s storage filling up faster than you can say “download complete”? You’re not alone! Many gamers find themselves constantly juggling games, deleting favorites to make room for new adventures. It’s frustrating when you have to choose between that exciting new release and the epic RPG you’ve been playing for weeks.
Choosing the right PS5 storage expansion can feel like a quest in itself. There are so many different types of drives, confusing specs, and compatibility issues to consider. You want to boost your gaming library, but you don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on something that won’t work or won’t be fast enough for your next-gen console.
But don’t worry! This post is here to guide you through the maze of PS5 storage solutions. We’ll break down what you need to know, from the fastest NVMe SSDs to more budget-friendly external options. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to pick the perfect storage upgrade, so you can spend less time managing files and more time playing your favorite games.
Our Top 5 Ps5 Storage Expansion Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Ps5 Storage Expansion Detailed Reviews
1. WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles
Rating: 9.3/10
Level up your PlayStation 5 experience with the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD. This officially licensed storage expansion is built specifically for your PS5, making installation a breeze with its custom-fit heatsink. You can store a huge library of games and play them directly from the drive, saving you the hassle of transferring or deleting titles. Get ready for super-fast loading times and smooth gameplay thanks to its impressive read speeds.
What We Like:
- Officially licensed for PS5, so it works perfectly.
- Comes with a heatsink designed for easy PS5 installation.
- Store tons of games, up to 100 on the 4TB model!
- Play games straight from the SSD – no need to move them.
- Super-fast speeds up to 7,300MB/s for quick loading.
- Includes a 14-day trial of PlayStation Plus Premium | Deluxe.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 14-day PlayStation Plus trial is only for new subscribers.
- Actual user capacity can be less than advertised due to formatting.
This WD_BLACK SSD is a fantastic upgrade for any PS5 owner looking for more space and faster performance. It’s a simple way to expand your gaming world.
2. Seagate Game Drive for PS5 2TB External HDD – USB 3.0
Rating: 8.7/10
Tired of deleting your favorite PS5 games to make room for new ones? The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 2TB is here to help! This officially licensed external hard drive gives you plenty of space for your growing game library. Its cool blue LED light adds a touch of style to your setup. Plus, it’s super easy to take your games with you wherever you go.
What We Like:
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED: It works perfectly with both PS5 and PS4 consoles because it has matching firmware.
- LET IT SHINE: The blue LED light makes your drive look extra cool.
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT: With 2TB of storage, you can keep all your games without having to delete or redownload them.
- TOTALLY PORTABLE: It’s lightweight, so you can easily carry your entire game collection with you.
- PS5 READY: You can store your PS5 games on it and then transfer them to your console when you’re ready to play.
What Could Be Improved:
- The actual usable storage space might be a little less than the advertised 2TB.
This Seagate Game Drive is a fantastic solution for any gamer who needs more storage. It’s a simple way to keep your games organized and accessible.
3. WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming Solid State Drive with Heatsink – Works with Playstation 5
Rating: 8.7/10
Get ready to supercharge your gaming experience with the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming Solid State Drive. This drive is built for speed, making your games load super fast. It’s also great for powerful computers that do a lot of work. Plus, it has a special heatsink to keep it cool when you’re playing games for a long time.
What We Like:
- Blazing fast speeds up to 7,300 MB/s for quick loading times.
- Plenty of space to store all your favorite games and files.
- The optional heatsink keeps the drive cool during intense gaming.
- WD_BLACK Dashboard helps you manage your drive and customize lights.
- Works with PlayStation 5 for enhanced gaming.
What Could Be Improved:
- The WD_BLACK Dashboard is only available for Windows computers.
This SSD is a fantastic upgrade for any gamer or power user. It delivers incredible performance and keeps your system running smoothly.
4. MOVE SPEED HB7450 2TB SSD for PS5 with Heatsink TLC NAND
Rating: 8.8/10
Ready to supercharge your gaming or boost your PC’s speed? The MOVE SPEED HB7450 2TB SSD is here to deliver! This internal solid-state drive uses the latest PCIe 4.0 technology to give you lightning-fast speeds, making game loading and file transfers a breeze. It’s also designed to work perfectly with your PS5, giving you tons of extra space for all your favorite games.
What We Like:
- Blazing fast speeds up to 7450MB/s for quick game loading and file transfers.
- Perfectly compatible with PS5, laptops, and PCs, offering easy upgrades.
- Generous 2TB capacity lets you store up to 50 PS5 games.
- Built-in heatsink helps keep the SSD cool, preventing slowdowns.
- Comes with everything you need for easy installation: heatsink, screws, and a screwdriver.
- High-quality components and rigorous testing ensure reliability and a long lifespan.
What Could Be Improved:
- The heatsink needs to be installed by the user, though instructions are provided.
The MOVE SPEED HB7450 2TB SSD is a fantastic upgrade for gamers and anyone needing more storage and speed. It offers impressive performance and reliability, making it a solid choice for your PlayStation 5 or computer.
5. YOTUO Portable External Hard Drive Storage Expansion Mobile HDD USB 3.0 USB-C for PC
Rating: 9.5/10
Expand your digital world with the YOTUO Portable External Hard Drive. This sleek black 1TB drive offers super-fast USB 3.0 and USB-C connections, making it ideal for PCs, Macs, gaming consoles, and more. It’s designed for both work and play, giving you plenty of space for your important files and favorite games.
What We Like:
- It’s plug-and-play for most Windows devices, making it super easy to use right away.
- The patented silicone sleeve protects the hard drive from bumps and drops.
- It’s slim, compact, and lightweight, so you can take it anywhere.
- USB 3.0 offers super-fast transfer speeds, up to 5.0 Gbit/s.
- It works with a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, and many gaming consoles like PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
What Could Be Improved:
- Mac users need to format the drive before using it.
- There are specific steps to follow when setting it up with gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
- You can’t run PS5 or Xbox Series X/S games directly from this external drive; you need to move them to the console’s internal storage.
- Data cannot be transferred between different brands of gaming devices or between gaming devices and office equipment.
- There’s a slight difference between the advertised capacity and the actual usable space, which is normal but can be confusing.
This YOTUO external hard drive is a versatile and robust storage solution for all your digital needs. It’s a great way to keep your files and games organized and accessible wherever you go.
Level Up Your PS5 Storage: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Is your PlayStation 5 running out of room for all those amazing games? Don’t worry, expanding your PS5’s storage is easier than you think! This guide will help you find the perfect solution so you can download more games and keep your favorites handy.
Why You Need More PS5 Storage
Modern PS5 games are huge! They can take up 50GB, 100GB, or even more space. The PS5 comes with a built-in SSD, which is super fast, but it fills up quickly. Adding more storage means you won’t have to constantly delete games to make room for new ones. You can keep your entire library ready to play.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for PS5 storage, here are the most important things to consider:
- Speed (Read/Write Speeds): The PS5 uses a super-fast SSD. Your expansion drive needs to be fast too. Look for drives with high read and write speeds. This helps games load quickly and keeps the gaming experience smooth.
- Capacity: How much space do you need? PS5 games are big, so more is usually better. You can find drives that add 1TB, 2TB, or even more storage.
- Compatibility: Not all drives work with the PS5. You need a drive that is officially supported by Sony or meets specific technical requirements.
- Type of Drive: There are two main ways to expand PS5 storage: M.2 SSDs and external HDDs/SSDs.
2. Important Materials and Drive Types
- M.2 NVMe SSDs: These are the best for internal storage expansion. They are small, fast, and plug directly into your PS5. They are usually made with advanced flash memory chips and a heatsink to keep them cool. This is the premium option for the fastest performance.
- External SSDs: These are great for storing PS5 games you aren’t actively playing or for PS4 games. They connect via USB and are easy to plug in and use. They are generally made with similar flash memory as internal SSDs but connect differently.
- External HDDs (Hard Disk Drives): These are the most affordable option for storing PS4 games. They offer a lot of space for the price. However, PS5 games cannot be played directly from an external HDD. You can only store them there and move them to the internal SSD when you want to play. They use spinning platters to store data, which makes them slower than SSDs.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Heatsink: For internal M.2 SSDs, a heatsink is very important. It helps prevent the SSD from overheating, which can slow it down or cause damage. A good heatsink ensures consistent performance.
- Brand Reputation: Stick with well-known brands that specialize in storage. Companies like Samsung, Western Digital (WD), Crucial, and Seagate are known for making reliable and fast storage devices.
- Warranty: A longer warranty period means the manufacturer stands behind their product. This gives you peace of mind.
- Firmware Updates: Sometimes, manufacturers release updates for their SSDs. These can improve performance or fix bugs. Check if the brand offers easy firmware updates.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
- For Serious Gamers: If you play many PS5 games and want the fastest loading times, an internal M.2 NVMe SSD is the way to go. You’ll install it inside your PS5, and it will feel like part of the console.
- For Casual Gamers and PS4 Players: An external SSD is a good balance. You can store PS5 games and play PS4 games directly from it. It’s easy to set up and move between consoles.
- For Budget-Conscious Players: An external HDD is best for storing lots of PS4 games. It’s the cheapest way to get more space, but remember you’ll need to transfer PS5 games to the internal drive to play them.
PS5 Storage Expansion: Your Top Questions Answered
Here are answers to some common questions about expanding your PS5 storage:
Q: What is the fastest way to expand my PS5 storage?
A: The fastest way is to install an internal M.2 NVMe SSD. These drives are designed for the PS5’s speed.
Q: Can I play PS5 games from an external hard drive?
A: No, you can only store PS5 games on an external drive. You must move them to the PS5’s internal SSD to play them.
Q: What kind of M.2 SSD do I need for my PS5?
A: You need an M.2 NVMe SSD that meets Sony’s speed and size requirements. It should be PCIe Gen4 or faster and have a heatsink.
Q: Do I need a heatsink for my M.2 SSD?
A: Yes, a heatsink is highly recommended for M.2 SSDs to prevent overheating and maintain performance.
Q: How much storage capacity should I get?
A: That depends on how many games you play. 1TB or 2TB is a good starting point for most PS5 players.
Q: Can I use any brand of M.2 SSD?
A: Not just any brand. Make sure the M.2 SSD meets Sony’s specifications for speed, size, and interface.
Q: How do I install an M.2 SSD in my PS5?
A: You need to open a specific panel on your PS5, remove a cover, and plug in the M.2 SSD. It’s a straightforward process, but follow the PS5 manual carefully.
Q: Can I use an external SSD to store PS4 games?
A: Yes, you can play PS4 games directly from an external SSD. It’s a great way to free up internal PS5 storage.
Q: Will adding more storage make my PS5 run hotter?
A: A good quality SSD with a heatsink, or a well-ventilated external drive, shouldn’t significantly increase the PS5’s heat.
Q: Is it better to get an internal M.2 SSD or an external SSD?
A: For playing PS5 games directly with the best performance, an internal M.2 SSD is better. For storing games and playing PS4 titles, an external SSD is a good, flexible option.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Sean Kernan, the voice behind esteeringwheel.com.. With a passion for all things automotive, I created this platform to share my journey, insights, and expertise about cars. From the latest tech to timeless driving tips, my goal is to help fellow enthusiasts and everyday drivers navigate the fascinating world of automobiles. Welcome to my corner of the road—let’s steer toward knowledge and discovery together!