Is your PlayStation 5 already screaming for more space? You’re not alone! Modern games are huge, and that internal SSD fills up faster than you can say “download complete.” It’s frustrating when you have to constantly delete older favorites just to make room for the next big release. Choosing the right external storage can feel like navigating a maze of confusing terms like M.2, USB 3.2, and expansion cards.
Finding the perfect external drive for your PS5 is key to keeping your entire game library accessible without slowing down load times. You want speed, reliability, and a price that doesn’t break the bank. This deep dive cuts through the jargon. We will clearly explain exactly what works best for your console, whether you need affordable backup or lightning-fast gaming expansion.
Keep reading to discover the top external storage solutions guaranteed to maximize your PS5 playtime. Let’s stop deleting games and start playing!
Top External Storage For Ps5 Recommendations
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED Built with matching firmware to seamlessly work with all models of PS5 and PS4.
- PS5 READY Store your PS5 games and transfer them to the console when it’s time to play.
- WORKS WITH PS4 Store and play all your PS4 games directly from the external hard drive.
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT 2 TB of capacity means no more sacrificing, deleting or redownloading games.
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED Launch into action in under two minutes with easy plug-and-play setup.
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED Built with matching firmware to seamlessly work with all models of PS5 and PS4.
- PS5 READY Store your PS5 games and transfer them to the console when it’s time to play.
- WORKS WITH PS4 Store and play all your PS4 games directly from the external hard drive.
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT 5 TB of capacity means no more sacrificing, deleting or redownloading games.
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED Launch into action in under two minutes with easy plug-and-play setup.
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows. For Mac users, first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
- Up to 6TB[1] that can hold up to 150 games[3], so that you can save old favorites and still have room for new titles.
- Portable form factor with sleek metal top covering that provides fast access to your growing game library
- Speeds up to 130MB/s[2] to push your console or PC to new levels
- Compatible with Xbox Series X|S (play and store Xbox One games / archive Xbox Series X|S games) and PlayStation 5 (play and store PS4 games/archive PS5 games) consoles
- Premium HDD with 3-year limited warranty, purpose-built for gamers based on WD_BLACK quality and reliability
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows. For Mac users, first format the drive and select the ExFat format.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
- 【Plug and play for home and office equipment】YOTUO HDD01 USB 3.0 external hard drive. Suitable for Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10/11, Linux, Mac OS system. As well as laptops, desktop computers, PS4, PS5, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, XBOX series X/S and other office equipment and gaming equipment. The product is plug-and-play when used in Windows, Mac.
- 【The first time you use this product in your gaming device, you will need to install an external hard disk into your gaming device】XBOX Simply follow the steps prompted by the system pop-up window to use it in the device. PS5 may receive the message "This USB drive's file system is unsupported" when plugging in an external hard disk and may display an incorrect storage capacity. There is no need to worry. You can simply find "USB Storage Device" in the "Settings" screen, follow the steps prompted by the system to install the drive and format it, and it will be ready for use. PS4, please find "USB Storage Device" in "Device" interface in "Settings".
- 【Gaming device manufacturer restrictions for different generations of games】Due to restrictions imposed by gaming device manufacturers, the PS5 can read and run PS4 games directly from an external hard drive, but cannot run PS5 games directly from an external hard drive; PS5 games on the external hard drive need to be moved to the device in order to run. Similarly, the Xbox X Series and Xbox S Series can only run Xbox One games directly from an external hard drive.
- 【Patented silicone sleeve protects hard drive】 The patented silicone sleeve inside wraps around the hard disk. It protects the hard disk more effectively against shocks and drops.
- 【About the discrepancy between the nominal capacity and the actual capacity】The actual capacity of the hard disk is not the same as the nominal capacity because the measurement method (binary) used by the hard disk manufacturer is different from the measurement method (decimal) used by the computer system. This is normal.
Choosing the Best External Storage for Your PS5: A Simple Buying Guide
Your PlayStation 5 has amazing games. Soon, you might run out of space. That’s where external storage comes in! This guide helps you pick the right drive so you can keep playing your favorites without deleting anything.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at these important parts of the external drive:
Speed is Everything: USB Connection
- USB 3.0 or Faster: This is super important for PS5. Slower drives might not work well for playing PS5 games directly.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 or USB 3.2: These connections offer the fastest speeds, which is best if you plan to play PS5 games directly from the external drive (more on that later!).
How Much Space Do You Need?
- Capacity: Drives come in different sizes (like 1TB, 2TB, 4TB). Think about how many big games you own. More TB means more room!
- SSD vs. HDD: This is the biggest choice.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
SSDs are much faster. They use flash memory, like a giant USB stick. You *must* use an SSD to play PS5 games directly from the external drive.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
HDDs are cheaper and hold more space. However, you can only use HDDs to store PS4 games or to archive (save for later) your PS5 games. You must move PS5 games back to the internal storage to play them.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your drive lasts and how easy it is to carry around.
The Case Matters
- Metal Casing: Drives with aluminum or metal cases usually handle bumps better. Metal also helps keep the electronics cool.
- Plastic Casing: These are often lighter but might break if dropped.
Portability
Most external drives are small, fitting in your pocket. If you travel a lot, pick a rugged, compact drive that resists shocks.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one drive better than another for your PS5?
What Makes It Better (Improves Quality)
- NVMe SSDs (Internal Type): If you buy an enclosure and put an NVMe SSD inside, that setup offers the fastest possible speeds for playing PS5 games right off the drive.
- Good Cooling: Fast drives get hot. Good design that lets heat escape keeps the drive performing at its best speed.
- Official Compatibility: Sony officially recommends specific drives for direct PS5 play. Check if the drive you want meets Sony’s speed requirements (around 5,500 MB/s read speed for direct play).
What Makes It Worse (Reduces Quality)
- Slow USB Ports: If your drive is fast but you plug it into an older, slower USB port on your PS5, the game loading will slow down. Always use the fast USB ports on the back of the console.
- Cheap Controllers: Some budget drives use older technology inside that slows down when you transfer huge files.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the drive changes what you should buy.
Use Case 1: Playing Old PS4 Games
If you only want to store and play your old PS4 library, a large, affordable **HDD** is perfect. It saves your fast internal PS5 space for new games.
Use Case 2: Playing New PS5 Games Directly
This requires an **External NVMe SSD**. This setup lets you download massive PS5 games and play them without moving them back and forth. This gives you the smoothest experience.
Use Case 3: Archiving PS5 Games
If you finish a PS5 game but want to save it, you can move it to a **slower, cheaper SSD or even an HDD**. You save space, but you must wait for the game to copy back to the main console before you can play it again.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS5 External Storage
Q: Can I play PS5 games directly from any external hard drive?
A: No. You can only play PS5 games directly from a very fast **External NVMe SSD** that meets Sony’s speed requirements. You can store them there, but you must move them to the internal drive to play.
Q: What type of external drive should I buy for PS4 games?
A: A standard **External HDD** (Hard Disk Drive) works perfectly for storing and playing PS4 games on your PS5.
Q: Do I need a special cable to connect the drive?
A: Most external drives come with the correct USB cable. Make sure it is a USB 3.0 cable or better for the best speeds.
Q: How much space do I need?
A: 1TB is a good start, but 2TB or 4TB gives you much more room before you need to manage your library again.
Q: Will an external drive make my PS5 run slower?
A: If you use a fast SSD correctly, you will notice almost no difference in loading times compared to the internal drive. Using a slow HDD for PS5 games will make them load slower.
Q: What is the difference between an external SSD and an internal M.2 SSD for PS5?
A: An internal M.2 SSD connects directly inside the PS5 and becomes part of the main storage. An external SSD connects via USB and is easier to swap out, but it might not be as fast as a perfectly installed internal M.2 drive.
Q: Do I have to format the drive when I plug it in?
A: Yes. When you plug in a new drive, the PS5 will ask you to format it specifically for console use. This erases everything already on the drive.
Q: Should I buy a drive with a cooling fan?
A: For external drives, dedicated fans are rare. Good metal casing usually handles the necessary cooling for most external SSDs.
Q: Can I use the same drive for my PS4 and PS5 storage?
A: Yes! You can use one drive to store PS4 games and archive PS5 games. The PS5 manages where everything goes automatically.
Q: Does the drive need its own power plug?
A: Most portable external SSDs and HDDs draw all the power they need directly from the PS5’s USB port, so no extra wall plug is needed.