Is your PlayStation 5 running out of space faster than you can download new games? You are not alone! The PS5 is a fantastic machine, but those massive game files eat up storage space quickly. It feels frustrating when you have to delete an old favorite just to install the latest blockbuster title.
Choosing the right extra storage for your PS5 can feel like a maze. Do you need an internal SSD or an external hard drive? Which speeds are fast enough for next-gen games? These questions can stop you from expanding your gaming library. Getting the wrong type means slow loading times or even games that won’t run properly!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to know about PS5 storage options. You will learn the differences between internal and external solutions and discover which one fits your budget and gaming habits best. Get ready to stop deleting games and start playing more!
Top 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.
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
- 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.
- 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.
- Built-in 1TB Capacity USB 3.0 External Gaming Hard Drive (no bulky power adapter required)
- You can play PS4 games directly from USB extended storage, which lets you save space on your PS5 console storage for PS5 games. To play PS5 games, you need to copy game data from your USB extended storage drive back to your PS5 console's internal SSD storage. It’s much quicker to copy a PS5 game from USB extended storage than to re-download it.
- Compatible with PS5 Game Console, Expand game console storage instantly! NOTE: You cannot download PS5 games direct to USB Hard Drive, It has to download to internal SSD and then "Move/Copy" to USB HDD after that. (about 3 ~ 5 min transfer a game)
- PS5 Game has to play on internal SSD, you can "Move & Store" your PS5 Games from SSD to USB HDD when you're not play it. And it's always faster than re-download it online. That will free up your Internal SSD Space for more games.
- 【Officially Licensed SSD 】This external SSD uses specially-selected materials and has passed our exclusive quality inspection to work with PS5 / PS4.
- 【Eliminate PS5(R) Storage Shortages】You can expand the free space on your system by saving PS5(R) game data and PS4(R) game titles onto this product.
- 【Reduce Loading Times on PS4(R)】 Reduce game loading times for more enjoyable gameplay experiences.
- 【Compact Stick Type】The cable-free and compact USB stick design enables easy connection with your game console without taking up space.
- 【Accessories】 Setup Guide / Warranty Statement
- 【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.
- PCIe 4.0 SSD Extreme Performance: M.2 SSD 1TB adopts PCIe Gen 4 x 4 controller, supports NVMe 2.0 technology, featuring sequential read/write speeds of up to 7100/5300 MB/s, the PCIE 4.0 1TB SSD NVMe SSD is fit for most motherboards and Desktops, Laptops, All-in-one PCs, and etc, FANXIANG S880ER with Heatsink SSD for PS5 delivers incredible storage performance
- NVME SSD 1TB for Gaming: Designed for hardcore gamers, S880ER with Heatsink PCIe 4.0 SSD is compatible with PS5 and DirectStorage, enables faster loads for an extreme gaming experience, and it is your best partner for victory in Game. Upgrade your game console storage, enabling a extraordinary experience in game
- Professional Performance for Working: Built-in high-quality 3D NAND flash memory that delivers incredibly high transfer speeds for short boot time, fast application loading, and fast file processing. M.2 SSD 1TB is designed for high performance, and enabling a extraordinary experience in productivity for professionals, and videomakers even under heavy workloads
- Efficient Thermal Control: S880ER with Heatsink M.2 SSD for PS5 has unique heatsink design, which can effectively help reduce the temperature of the PCIe 4.0 SSD when it is working. Even during extended gaming sessions or intense data processing tasks, the SSD for PS5 remains cool, maintaining consistent high performance. This means no slowdowns, allowing you to enjoy peak speeds at all times
- 5-Year Service: Our 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 come with a 5 years after-sales service and lifetime technical support. FANXlANG is a trustworthy storage product brand with more than 20 years of manufacturing experience
The Ultimate Buying Guide for PS5 Storage Solutions
Your PlayStation 5 is amazing! It lets you play incredible games. But those games take up a lot of space. You need good storage to keep playing. This guide helps you choose the best storage for your PS5.
Key Features to Look For
When buying PS5 storage, look for these important things. They make a big difference in how well your storage works.
Speed is Everything
- Read/Write Speeds: Fast speeds mean games load quickly. Look for SSDs (Solid State Drives). They are much faster than old hard drives.
- Compatibility: Make sure the storage officially works with the PS5. Sony has specific rules.
Capacity Matters
- Storage Size: How much space do you need? Games are big! 1TB or 2TB are good starting points. Think about how many games you want installed at once.
Cooling System
- Heatsinks: Fast storage can get hot. A built-in heatsink keeps the drive cool. This stops it from slowing down during long gaming sessions.
Important Materials Used in PS5 Storage
The stuff storage is made of affects how long it lasts and how fast it runs.
Internal M.2 SSDs (The Best Choice)
- These drives use flash memory chips. Good quality chips last longer.
- They connect directly inside your PS5 console.
- They need a metal heatsink attached. This metal pulls heat away from the electronics. Aluminum is a common, effective material for heatsinks.
External Hard Drives (HDD or SATA SSDs)
- These are good for storing PS4 games or older games you are not playing right now.
- They connect using a USB cable.
- These are usually slower than internal M.2 drives.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some features make your storage better. Others can cause problems.
Quality Boosters
- Brand Reputation: Stick to well-known brands that specialize in fast memory. They use better components.
- Official Certification: Storage that Sony officially approves works perfectly with the console.
Quality Reducers
- No Heatsink: If you put a fast internal SSD in without a good heatsink, it can overheat. This slows down your game loading times.
- Slow USB Speeds: If you use an external drive, using an older USB port (like USB 2.0) will make loading times very slow. Always use the fast USB ports on the PS5.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the storage changes what you should buy.
The Power Gamer (Internal Upgrade)
If you play many brand-new PS5 games, you need the fastest option. Install an M.2 SSD inside your console. This lets you play PS5 games directly from the new drive with no slowdowns. This gives you the best, smoothest experience.
The Collector (External Backup)
Do you have tons of PS4 games? Do you want to save space on your main internal drive? An external USB SSD or HDD is perfect. You store the older games there. You can switch them back to the internal drive when you want to play them. This is cheaper storage, but PS5 games *must* be played from the internal or compatible internal expansion.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About PS5 Storage
Q: Can I just use any old USB hard drive for my PS5 games?
A: You can use an external drive for storing PS4 games or for keeping PS5 games you aren’t playing right now. But you must play new PS5 games from the internal storage or a compatible internal M.2 SSD expansion.
Q: What is the fastest way to add storage to my PS5?
A: The fastest way is installing a compatible M.2 NVMe SSD inside the console. Make sure it meets Sony’s minimum speed requirements.
Q: Do I need to buy a separate heatsink?
A: If you buy an internal M.2 SSD that does *not* come with a heatsink already attached, yes, you must buy one. The PS5 needs that cooling to work right.
Q: How much storage space should I get?
A: 1TB is a good start. If you download many big games like *Call of Duty*, consider 2TB or more. Games often take 100GB or more!
Q: Will my old PS4 games load faster on a new external SSD?
A: Yes, they will load faster than on the old PS4 hard drive. But they still won’t load as fast as native PS5 games running on the internal drive.
Q: How hard is it to install an internal SSD?
A: It is not too hard if you follow instructions carefully. You need a small screwdriver. You open a panel on the console and slide the new drive in. Watch a video guide first!
Q: What does “NVMe” mean in the storage description?
A: NVMe is a technology that lets the drive talk to the computer very, very fast. It is what makes modern SSDs so speedy.
Q: Do external SSDs need power adapters?
A: Most external SSDs you plug into the PS5 get power directly from the USB port. They do not usually need a separate wall plug.
Q: Can I move games between my internal drive and an external drive?
A: Yes, you can easily move games back and forth using the Settings menu on the PS5.
Q: Does the size of the external drive affect its speed?
A: No, the physical size (like 1TB vs 4TB) does not change the speed. Only the type of technology inside (SSD vs HDD) and the USB connection speed matter.