A compelling characteristic of Sony’s PlayStation 5 is its M.2 slot, which accommodates a second inner solid-state drive to complement the gaming console’s normal SSD. Nonetheless, you want a drive that meets Sony’s exacting requirements for interface, thickness, pace, and extra. Fortuitously, lots of immediately’s PCI Categorical 4.0 NVMe SSDs qualify as PS5-compatible, even some that are not expressly marketed as such. We may also help: We’re veteran testers of digital storage means again into the platter drive days, and we’ve got reviewed many PS5-friendly SSDs. Beneath, we have lined up the small print on our favorites, together with our high efficiency decide, Essential’s T500. Then comes a shopping for information that can inform you all you should find out about selecting the best mannequin. Putting in the secondary stick might take some work—click on right here, and we’ll present you the way—however it’ll allow you to maintain a a lot bigger recreation library readily available.
Deeper Dive: Our High Examined Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
August 21, 2025: With this replace, our checklist of really helpful SSDs stays unchanged. Since our final replace, we examined and evaluated 10 new SSDs for inclusion on this roundup and our different SSD roundups.
Greatest Excessive-Efficiency SSD for the PS5
Essential T500
Execs & Cons
Out there in each heatsink and non-heatsink variations
Sturdy benchmark scores
Excessive-quality software program included
Suitable with PlayStation 5
Pretty excessive price per GB
No 4TB model (but)
Backside Line
Micron’s Essential T500 is among the many greatest full-featured PCIe 4.0 inner solid-state drives you should purchase for constructing or upgrading a high-end PC. It is also an excellent match for the PS5.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
TLC
Controller Maker
Phison
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7400 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
7000 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
1200 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
Essential T500 Overview
Greatest Mix of Options and Efficiency in an SSD for the PS5
Acer Predator GM7000
Execs & Cons
Barely exceeds its blistering rated speeds
Good all-around benchmark efficiency
256-bit AES hardware-based encryption
Consists of free cloning-software obtain
PlayStation 5 suitable
Ships with graphene-embedded foam warmth spreader slightly than aluminum heatsink
Backside Line
With blistering throughput speeds and advantageous benchmark outcomes, Acer makes a splash with its Predator GM7000, the primary PCI Categorical 4.0 SSD in its line and each bit as deadly as its gaming laptop computer and monitor brandmates.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
TLC
Controller Maker
InnoGrit
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7400 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
6700 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
1200 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
Acer Predator GM7000 Overview
Greatest Twin-Use (PS5 or PC) Inner SSD
Samsung SSD 990 Professional
Execs & Cons
Spectacular total efficiency
Suitable with PlayStation 5
Consists of highly effective Samsung Magician software program
256-bit AES hardware-based encryption
Mediocre gaming benchmark scores
Backside Line
Samsung’s SSD 990 Professional is a zippy PCI Categorical 4.0 inner drive that is a step up from its predecessor, providing glorious efficiency for inventive duties, if not essentially for gaming.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
MLC
Controller Maker
Samsung
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7450 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
6900 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
600 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
Samsung SSD 990 Professional Overview
Greatest SSD With a Strong Heatsink for the PS5
WD Black SN850X
Execs & Cons
Capacities as much as 4TB
Out there with or with out heatsink
Exceeded each its sequential learn and write pace rankings
Aced PCMark and 3DMark storage assessments
Lacks 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption
Backside Line
The WD Black SN850X takes the corporate’s flagship PCIe 4.0 gaming SSD and makes it even higher, providing larger capability and improved take a look at outcomes (together with a brand new PC Labs file within the 3DMark Storage benchmark). About all it lacks is hardware-based safety.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
TLC
Controller Maker
SanDisk
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7300 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
6600 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
1200 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
WD Black SN850X Overview
Greatest SSD With Excessive (4TB) Capability Choices for the PS5
TeamGroup T-Power Cardea A440 Professional Particular Collection
Execs & Cons
Suitable with Sony’s PlayStation 5
Out there in capacities as much as 4TB
Typically stable efficiency scores
Reasonably priced in contrast with its friends
Wanting its rated sequential learn/write speeds in testing
Comparatively low AS-SSD copy scores
Backside Line
Billed as “Made for the PS5,” TeamGroup’s T-Power Cardea A440 Professional Particular Collection SSD additionally works effectively with laptop computer or desktop PCs, and it is available in capacities as much as 4TB. The PCIe 4.0 drive proved quick in our testing, if a contact wanting its rated speeds.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
TLC
Controller Maker
Phison
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7400 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
7000 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
1400 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
TeamGroup T-Power Cardea A440 Professional Particular Collection Overview
Greatest Finances SSD for the PS5
Kingston Fury Renegade SSD
Execs & Cons
Is available in capacities as much as 4TB
Reasonably priced 1TB and 2TB variations
Matched its sequential learn and write pace rankings in testing
Comes with Acronis True Picture HD backup/cloning software program
Above-par sturdiness (TBW) rankings
Middling total take a look at scores
Lacks hardware-based encryption
Backside Line
The Kingston Fury Renegade SSD provides good worth in a PCI Categorical 4 high-performance gaming SSD, with benchmark scores that have been stable, although out of the highest tier.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Inner
Inner Type Issue
M.2 Sort-2280
Interface (Pc Facet)
M.2 Sort-2280
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
NAND Sort
TLC
Controller Maker
Phison
Bus Sort
PCI Categorical 4.0
Rated Most Sequential Learn
7300 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
7000 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
2000 TBW
Guarantee Size
5 years
Be taught Extra
Kingston Fury Renegade SSD Overview
Greatest Exterior SSD for PS5
Seagate Recreation Drive PS5 Exterior SSD
Execs & Cons
Cool PlayStation aesthetic, with blue RGB lighting strip
Compact and light-weight
Good benchmark efficiency for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 exterior SSD
Costly for the capability
Cannot play PS5 video games straight from the drive
Backside Line
The Seagate Recreation Drive Exterior SSD is expensive, however it’s an excellent performer and a worthy companion for the PlayStation 5, with seems and RGB lighting that evoke the historical past of Sony’s console.
Specs & Configurations
Inner or Exterior
Exterior
Interface (Pc Facet)
USB-C
Capability (Examined)
2 TB
Rated Most Sequential Learn
1000 MBps
Rated Most Sequential Write
1000 MBps
Terabytes Written (TBW) Score
Guarantee Size
3 years
Be taught Extra
Seagate Recreation Drive PS5 Exterior SSD Overview
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The Greatest SSDs for PS5 in 2025
Examine Specs
Shopping for Information: The Greatest SSDs for PS5 in 2025
In choosing the inner SSDs featured above, the primary requirement—apart from proving their total mettle as stable gaming SSDs in our benchmarking—was that they meet Sony’s official standards to be used with a PS5. Most however not all of our selections are marketed by their producers as PS5-friendly. (We additionally embody one exterior SSD, the PS5-oriented Seagate Recreation Drive. Though you’ll be able to’t run PS5 video games straight from it—it is usable solely as supplemental storage—it’s steeped within the PlayStation aesthetic and makes an excellent recreation library for the brand-faithful.)
However, quite a few M.2 solid-state drives—some touted as PS5-compatible—fall brief in a single requirement: Their rated knowledge switch pace or throughput is wanting the really helpful 5,500MBps. That is the one spec for which Sony permits some wiggle room. Nonetheless, we’re nonetheless not recommending any under the 5,500Mbps pace threshold, since many of those drives additionally lack a dynamic random entry reminiscence cache (DRAM), as an alternative utilizing a little bit of your laptop’s system reminiscence as a cache. The PlayStation 5 doesn’t help this type of scheme, a reality that may probably cut back drive efficiency when the drive is below duress.
PS5 Drive Dimension: How Tall and Lengthy Can a PS5 SSD Be?
For apparent causes, an SSD’s bodily peak is a crucial consider figuring out its PS5 compatibility. “Top,” on this case, is its thickness. Sony recommends that any SSD for the PS5 have a warmth dissipation gadget—a heatsink or warmth spreader—which can add to its bulk. However it will possibly solely be so massive and nonetheless match.
(Credit score: Molly Flores)
The secondary drive should match within the PlayStation’s M.2 bay, which permits a complete thickness of 11.5mm (as much as 8mm from above the board and as much as 2.5mm from under it). This eliminates most drives with nonremovable, finned heatsinks, however some producers are creating compact heatsinks and skinny warmth spreaders to be used in confined areas.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
As for drive size, the PS5 helps drives from 30mm to 110mm lengthy. In sensible reality, all our picks (and certainly most shopper M.2 SSDs) are the Sort-2280, or 80mm, size.
The Improve: The way to Set up an SSD in Your PS5
Putting in a second SSD in your PlayStation 5 (see our how-to information) isn’t tough. The one instruments you will want are a small (#1) Philips screwdriver and maybe a pair of tweezers for screw dealing with.
(Credit score: Will Greenwald)
Your first step is to run a system replace. Then, you flip off the console’s energy, add a heatsink or spreader to the SSD if one is not already in place, and take away the PS5’s aspect panel. (That may be executed with out instruments however might require a bit of muscle and care.)
PS5 with an SSD in its growth slot (Credit score: Will Greenwald)
Subsequent, take away the growth slot cowl and the M.2 screw, seat the brand new SSD within the growth slot, insert the spacer as indicated, and screw the drive into place. You then shut the PS5 again up, format the brand new drive, and also you’re good to go.
Whether or not you managed to nab your PS5 for near its $499.99 checklist value or paid a major premium in the course of the pandemic, loads of quick, reasonably priced M.2 PCI Categorical 4.0 solid-state drives can slot in its secondary slot. And if you have not purchased a PS5 fairly but, there will be all of the extra suitable SSDs to select from whenever you lastly get your console.
Really useful by Our Editors
So, Which PS5 SSD Improve Ought to You Purchase?
Our key measure, all else being equal on the spec entrance, is to take a look at the price per gigabyte for any drive you’re looking at, utilizing the present sale value. SSD costs are likely to rise and fall, and it is typically potential to attain extra capability than you would possibly assume for those who store round. In case you take a look at the price per gigabyte, a bit of math could make it simple to match the relative worth of two drives of various capacities.
(Credit score: Kyle Cobian)
The PlayStation 5’s built-in SSD has a capability of 825GB, of which 667GB is free out of the field. Typically, it is best to have the ability to match 9 or 10 AAA video games on the drive—immediately’s titles, on common, take 50GB to 60GB of storage, though some are significantly bigger. For instance, Name of Responsibility: Black Ops Chilly Struggle takes the franchise’s development towards ballooning file sizes to a brand new excessive by filling practically 220GB, so your accessible house could also be gone ahead of you’d assume. Fortuitously, the PS5 helps secondary drives with capacities starting from 250GB to a whopping 4TB.
We have additionally damaged out the specs on our favourite examined PlayStation 5-compatible solid-state drives. Since your console has that open M.2 slot, you would possibly as effectively put it to good use. Whereas SSD costs are reasonable in the intervening time, it is smart to future-proof your PS5 by getting the highest-capacity drive you’ll be able to afford and loading it along with your favourite video games. Joyful fragging!
