If you're thinking about expanding your PlayStation game collection, getting your hands on the best SSD for PS5 should be a top priority. Although the PS5 Slim that released in November 2023 contains slightly more storage than the original launch version of the console, most current PS5 owners only have an allowance of about 660GB of internal space to work with.
With the installation sizes of many top games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Horizon: Forbidden West coming in at well over 100GB, your internal storage can fill up pretty fast - no matter which version of the console you own. Fitting your PS5 with a compatible SSD takes only a couple of minutes and can dramatically increase your storage capacity, letting you keep a larger library of games installed on the console at the same time.
As there are lots of options on the market right now, we have tested a wide range of SSD models and carefully compiled this helpful list in order to outline all of the very best choices for your specific needs or budget. Once you have made your SSD purchase, be sure to consult our guide on how to install a PS5 SSD which walks you through the installation process step-by-step. If you want to consider some other storage options, take a look at our guide to the best PS5 external hard drives.
The Quick List
Best overall
This officially-licensed PS5 SSD from WD Black is the best overall option for the vast majority of PS5 players. Tailor-made for the console ensuring complete compatibility, our testing shows that the WD Black SN850 performs fantastically across the board.
Best budget
It's hard to fault the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade given its affordable price tag. You get big name performance for a low price with this SSD - just bear in mind that, as you might expect when buying a cheaper product, you lose some build quality.
Best high-end
The Samsung 990 Pro is our top choice if you have the cash to splash. It's a little pricey, but if you're willing to take the hit to your wallet you will be rewarded with ultra-fast performance.
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Best standalone heatsink
The PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit is a popular choice because of its nifty aluminum heatsink that replaces the console's standard M.2 port cover. We found that this addition improved thermal performance in our testing.
Best endurance
If you want to save money by picking up an older model, the Samsung 980 Pro still holds up as an excellent SSD for PS5 and features exceptional endurance that's hard to beat at this price.
The best SSDs for PS5 in 2024
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The best overall SSD for PS5
✅ You want a drive made specifically for PS5: We tested to ensure PS5 compatibility, but the WD Black SN850 is officially licensed by Sony.
✅ You want smooth performance: The WD Black SN850 impressed in our testing, offering read speeds around 6,550MB/s which is more than enough to have all of your games loading quickly and running smoothly.
❌ You want more than 2TB: A 1TB or 2TB WD Black SN850 will be the best choice for most players, but pricey alternatives like the Samsung 990 Pro offer up to 4TB for those with larger libraries.
Put simply, the WD Black SN850 is the best overall SSD for PS5. This storage drive, which is famously used by the console's architect Mark Cerny, far exceeds the 5,500 MB/s read requirements from Sony and comes fitted with a thick heatsink to ensure that thermal throttling doesn't impact your gaming performance when the console begins to heat up.
It's also a great value option as, in 2024, it is entirely possible to pick up the 1TB variant for around the $150 mark, with the bigger 2TB configuration frequently retailing at, or under, $200. Although we don't recommend it quite so strongly, the standard non-branded heatsink model can frequently be found hovering around $130. Just be aware, however, that you will need to fit your own heatsink in order to use this model with your PS5.
In our testing, we found that the WD Black SN850 delivered top end performance and achieved 6,550 MB/s in Sony's own internal benchmark. It's a testament to just how well constructed the drive is, with its in-house controller and SanDisk flash memory, that it can easily still keep up with some of the best in the industry years after its launch.
- Read more: WD Black SN850 review
The best budget SSD for PS5
✅ You want the best value: The Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade undercuts the competition while providing similar performance when used with PS5.
✅ You only need 1TB: The 1TB variant of the Adata XPG Gammix S70 offers the best price-per-gigabyte value on this list.
❌ You’re considering 2TB or above: If you want to go bigger with your storage, which is understandable given the large size of many modern games, consider alternatives.
The Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade is a brilliant budget SSD for PS5. It is competitively priced compared to its rivals and performs just as well as some of the flagship models in our roundup. In our testing, we found that this drive clocked in at whopping 6,384 MB/s sequential read speed.
The build quality of the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade is where the more modest pricing becomes the most apparen, however. The low-profile heatsink, while adequate enough, just isn't as robust as what you'll find on more high-end offerings. Considering that the 1TB version costs just $84.99 / £87.13 / $161.95 and the 2TB comes in at only $169.99 / £161.52 / AU$362.78, this is something that we think can be overlooked.
Performance is the most important factor with any SSD for PS5 and the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade is no slouch where speed is concerned. We were impressed to see some top-end games like Horizon: Forbidden West and Death Stranding: Director's Cut loading faster on this PS5 SSD than when played on the console's native storage. If you're on a tight budget, we think that the 1TB model is a hard value to beat given just how fast it is.
- Read more: Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade review
The best high-end SSD for PS5
✅ You want the best speeds: The Samsung 990 Pro delivers the best performance of any SSD on this list.
✅ You want the best build quality: The build quality is also a cut above the rest, offering a reliable and durable PS5 storage solution.
❌ You're on a strict budget: There's no getting around the fact that the Samsung 990 Pro is pricey. The older Samsung 980 Pro could be a better buy if you've got limited funds.
The Samsung 990 Pro maxes out what's possible with NVMe Gen 4.0 technology in a way that few other SSDs for PS5 can. Available in either 1TB or 2TB configurations, this high-speed drive is seriously impressive across the board compared to the competition.
In our testing, we found that the Samsung 990 Pro was able to achieve read and write speeds of 7,465.49MB/s of 6,887.68MB/s respectively in our industry standard tests. That's a considerable improvement on the brand's previous flagship model - increasing the drive's speed by around 50%. Loading times and file transfer times are equally impressive. In our testing, around 10GB of data made the jump to this NVMe SSD in less than four seconds which is incredibly fast.
Keep in mind that the Samsung 990 Pro is a little pricier than some other SSDs for PS5 in our roundup at the moment. You can currently expect to pay around $169.99 / £155 / AU$265 for the 1TB version and $289.99 / £283.99 / AU$439 for the larger 2TB variant. This high price tag is what keeps this drive from reaching the top spot in our roundup but we're sure that it will begin to receive regular discounts in the coming months. It also happens to run quite hot when pushed to its limits, so be sure to get the version with the PS5 compatible heatsink installed (or fit your own) for the best experience.
- Read more: Samsung 990 Pro review
The best SSD for PS5 with standalone heatsink
✅ You want an excellent SSD and heatsink combo: The heatsink included here protects the drive from heat damage, improving longevity.
✅ You’re after consistent performance from your PS5: We were able to achieve a fairly consistent 1 GB/sec transfer speed in our testing, suitable for playing games or transferring large file sizes.
❌ You're new to SSD installation: The installation process here is different from any other entry on this list due to the unique heatsink cover. If you haven't fitted an SSD before, consider the simpler WD Black SN850 instead.
The PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit combines the powerful PNY CS3140 Gen 4.0 drive with the company's custom-designed heatsink that has been made exclusively for the console. What really sets this kit apart from other storage sticks at a similar price point is how its heat spreader completely replaces the stock M.2 port shield that comes with the system. This enables better performance and advanced airflow.
This also not only means that you're protecting your SSD for PS5 from damage, but that you can get the most out of the high-performance drive thanks to the reduced running temperature. In our testing, we found that the read speeds, while no longer the absolute fastest on the market, were still incredibly quick and consistent. With a benchmark figure of 6,198 MB/s sequential read speed, this model zooms past many others at a similar price point when it comes to performance.
Price-wise, you're looking at spending $106.98 /£190.79 for 1TB, $180.98 for the 2TB model and $485.98 for 4TB variants. Those based in the US are getting the best deal by going for the Gaming Kit combo. If you're based in either the UK or Australia, then getting the PNY CS3140 and PNY PS5 SSD heatsink cover separately could be your best option as it can run cheaper. It's around £200 / AU$239.57 for 1TB, and £243.50 / AU$392.62 for 2TB at RRP but you can expect frequent discounts.
- Read more: PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit review
The best endurance SSD for PS5
✅ You want a competitively priced SSD for PS5: The price of this drive has decreased massively now there is a newer model on the market.
✅ You're after a drive with great endurance: Our testing found that the Samsung 980 Pro has some of the strongest write endurance that we've seen to date.
❌ You want the fastest SSD for PS5: The Samsung 980 Pro is no longer the flagship SSD it once was. It has since been replaced by the 990 Pro, which offers better speeds.
Despite its age, the Samsung 980 Pro continues to be an excellent SSD for PS5. This is in large part thanks to its excellently designed heatsink and solid write endurance. If you're after an NVMe storage drive that's going to be able take a lot of punishment, the thick aluminum chassis of this model has enough strength to bear some very intense workloads - just don't try and throw it out of a window or something as that probably wouldn't end very well.
The Samsung 980 Pro is quoted by Samsung as being able to reach sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and we found in our testing that this model came very close and could achieve 6,783 MB/s. That's more than fast enough for file transfers and puts this drive far above the recommended 5,500 MB/s speeds that the PS5 console requires.
Thanks to the arrival of an even new model, the Samsung 990 Pro, the Samsung 980 Pro has received a series of welcome price cuts. You can regularly find it available for around $150 when shopping for the 1TB model or between $199 and $220 for the 2TB variant if you need that extra storage space. With a 5-year warranty, you also have peace of mind knowing it is guaranteed for a fair chunk of the PS5 console generation.
- Read more: Samsung 980 Pro review
PS5 SSD Requirements
PS5 games can only be played from a compatible internal NVMe SSD or the console's own native storage. Below you will find the key requirements that need to be met in order to be compatible with the system's M.2 port:
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Header Cell - Column 1 |
|---|---|
| Format | PCIe Gen 4.0 (x4) M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Capacity | 250GB, 500GB, 1Tb, 2TB or 4TB |
| Read Speed | 5500MB/s or faster |
| Total size with heatsink | 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm |
| Form factor | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 |
| Heatsink | Required |
All the SSDs in our roundup meet or exceed the recommended requirements set by Sony and are natively PS5-compatible. Keep in mind that regardless of which drive you choose, you will need a PS5 SSD heatsink. This is because the console has no way to dissipate heat with the M.2 port. Without a heatsink, the temperature of your SSD could become dangerously hot and not only potentially damage the SSD but also your console.
How to install a PS5 SSD
To install your SSD, you will need your PS5 console, a Phillips #1 or similar cross-head screwdriver, and your PS5 compatible SSD. For safety reasons, make sure that your console is completely powered off and unplugged before proceeding.
First, place your console with the power button facing towards you and the PlayStation logo facing down. If you own the launch PS5 model, remove the top console cover by pulling it upwards slightly and sliding it to the right. If you have the newer PS5 Slim, look for the section of the cover labelled with a triangle and pull it away from the console until you hear a click.
With the cover removed, locate the expansion slot cover. Use your screwdriver to remove it and set it to one side. Also remove the screw and standoff fitted in the expansion slot bay and place them to one side.
Next, hold the SSD at an angle and slot it into the exposed M.2 port. Once its contacts are in place, push it down and screw it in. Once it is fitted, replace the expansion slot cover and screw that in too.
Finally, reattach the console cover and you’re ready to go. Connect the console back to its power supply and turn it on.
The best SSD for PS5 - FAQs
Should I buy a 1TB or 2TB SSD for PS5?
The minimum size that we would recommend when buying an SSD for PS5 would be at least 1TB. Given the sizes of many games, anything smaller than this is likely to fill up incredibly quickly. If you are somebody who downloads lots of games, consider larger sizes like 2TB instead.
Which SSDs are compatible with the PS5?
The only SSDs that will work in the PS5 are Gen 4.0 NVMe models with heatsinks. Gen 3.0 models are too slow to reach the minimum recommended read speeds of 5,500 MB/s. Fortunately, the prices are continuing to fall on products from some of the biggest names in the storage world making this one the best time to consider investing in a new drive.
Do I need a heatsink for my SSD on PS5?
Yes, you absolutely need a PS5 SSD heatsink in order to use an SSD properly on the console as they help keep the SSD cool. Excessive heat for prolonged lengths of time can damage or corrupt the drive which is the last thing you would want after splashing out on new hardware. Installing your own heatsink, while often cheaper, is a bit of pain so we recommend picking up an SSD which has one installed already.
How we test SSDs for PS5
We test SSDs for PS5 by recording the file transfer times in a range of tests in addition to the loading times in popular games. The official Sony benchmark tool gives us a consistent way to measure the sequential read and write performance. After that, we compare how the PS5 SSD that we are testing stacks up against the console's internal storage drive to see if it is on par or surpasses what the system does as standard. We also look at the asking price for the drives and compare them with the performance from competing products which factors into our overall verdict.
