Best SSD for PS5 – fast, budget, and heatsink options
In this article, we delve into the realm of storage expansion for Sony’s flagship console, focusing on finding the best SSD for PS5. Following the launch of the PS Portal, Sony’s handheld streaming accessory, there’s been a rush of renewed attention toward the PlayStation 5. As gamers seek to enhance their gaming experience with faster load times and expanded storage, selecting the right SSD becomes crucial. With so many AAA titles getting their release this year, the timing for investing in a storage solution couldn’t be better.
The PlayStation 5, with its powerful hardware, is designed to take advantage of the speed and efficiency of solid-state drives, making the choice of an SSD an essential consideration for any user looking to upgrade their system.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best SSD for PS5
In our pursuit of the best SSD for your PS5 console, we closely examined several key factors to make our selections. Our primary focus was on SSDs that meet or hopefully exceed the speed requirements of the PS5, ensuring no compromise to game load times or data transfer speeds. Alongside this, we considered a range of storage capacities to suit different user needs, from casual gamers to those with extensive game libraries. This included 512 gigabytes to hard-core 4TB options, for gamers looking to maximise their PS5 and its storage. Naturally, larger drives with more storage will come with a higher price tag, but in most cases the larger the drive the less you will pay per gigabyte of storage overall.
Furthermore, we scrutinized user reviews and feedback for real-world performance insights and cross-referenced our findings with publicly available benchmarks. Durability, brand reputation, and price-to-performance ratio were also critical aspects of our evaluation, ensuring that our recommendations offer the best value and reliability for PS5 users. Of course, our in-depth topic knowledge of storage solutions and gaming hardware means that our choices are well-rounded, and no matter your budget there should be an option within this list that suits your gaming needs.
There’s also likely to be plenty of SSD deals for Black Friday across Amazon, so keep an eye on our Black Friday SSD Deals hub to see if you can get a PS5 storage solution with a hefty discount. However, you can also check out our guides for more hardware-specific SSDs such as the best PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, and the best NVMe SSDs to keep gamers of all system requirements happy.
Best SSD for PS5 – fast, budget, and heatsink options
- Exceptionally fast read/write speeds
- Wide range of storage capacities
- Compatible with PS5 architecture
- Higher price point
- May overheat without proper ventilation
- Limited color options to match PS5 aesthetics
The Kingston Fury Renegade SSD is designed for gamers and power users who demand high-speed data transfer. With PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 interface and 3D TLC NAND technology, it delivers impressive read/write speeds, making it ideal for the PS5. It boasts a capacity range from 500GB to a maximum of 4TB, ensuring enough space for extensive AAA game libraries.
Installing this SSD in a PS5 dramatically reduces load times and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Its high transfer speeds are perfect for demanding titles with large texture files and ensure smooth gameplay. The high-capacity options mean more games can be stored directly on the SSD, reducing the need to constantly manage storage space.
The Kingston Fury Renegade is best suited for avid PS5 gamers who play graphically demanding games and seek a seamless gaming experience. It’s also ideal for those who want to expand their console’s storage without compromising on its speed and performance, and takes the top spot as our Editor’s Choice for as the best SSD for your PS5.
- Ultra-fast read/write speeds
- Reliable and durable build quality
- High storage capacity options
- Premium price
- No smaller capacity (less than 1TB) options
- Requires adequate cooling due to high speeds
The Samsung 990 Pro is a standout with its leading-edge PCIe Gen 4.0 interface. This PS5-compatible offers top-tier read speeds of up to 7000 MB/s and write speeds of up to 5100 MB/s, thanks to its impressive V-NAND technology. This SSD is available in 1TB and 2TB variants, fitting a variety of user needs.
The lightning-fast speeds of the 990 Pro mean near-instantaneous game load times and smooth in-game transitions, making it ideal for fast-paced games on the PS5, and hence, the PS Portal. Its reliability and durability also mean gamers can trust it not to fail during crucial gaming moments. The Samsung 990 Pro is perfect for hardcore gamers who demand the fastest possible load times and a top-notch gaming experience, made by a top-notch manufacturer. As one of the fastest PS5 SSDs, it’s a great fit for those who want a blend of speed and high storage capacity for their PS5.
- High read/write speeds
- Great value for the price
- Variety of storage sizes available
- Heatsink may not fit all PS5 cases
- Less known brand reputation
- No additional features like encryption
The Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade is a PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, boasting read speeds up to 7400 MB/s and write speeds up to 6800 MB/s. It employs 3D NAND technology and comes in various sizes from 512 Gigabytes to 4TB, making it a versatile choice for different storage needs.
This SSD offers PS5 users incredibly fast data access, significantly reducing game load times and in-game lag. Its range of sizes caters to casual and hardcore gamers alike, allowing for a tailored storage solution. Moreover, its price-to-performance ratio makes it an excellent value, especially for budget-conscious gamers.
The Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade is ideal for PS5 gamers looking for a balance between high performance and affordability. It’s particularly suited for those who want a significant speed upgrade from their console’s standard storage for a decent price tag.
- Top-tier read/write speeds
- Built-in heatsink for thermal management
- Wide range of storage capacities
- Premium pricing
- Heatsink size might be bulky for some setups
- Limited color options to match the PS5 design
The PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit is designed specifically for gamers, featuring a PCIe Gen 4.0 interface with read speeds up to 7500 MB/s and write speeds up to 6850 MB/s. One of its main perks is the fact that it comes with an integrated heatsink to maintain optimal performance temperatures and is available in capacities from 500GB to 4TB.
This SSD’s blazing-fast speeds are a game-changer for PS5 users, allowing for rapid game loads and smooth in-game performance. The included heatsink is a significant advantage, ensuring sustained performance during long gaming sessions. The range of capacities caters to various storage needs, from light to extensive gaming libraries.
The PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit is perfect for PS5 gamers who prioritize performance and want the reassurance of built-in thermal management. It’s especially suitable for those who engage in long gaming sessions and require a consistently high-performing SSD.
Features and Considerations
When it comes to the PlayStation 5, not just any SSD will do. The console’s unique architecture and high-speed capabilities require SSDs that can keep up, ensuring seamless gameplay and quick access to a vast library of games. However, this doesn’t mean that installation has to be difficult. Your chosen Ps5-compatible SSD should slide and slot into the internal M.2 port you can find by carefully popping off the console’s rear face plate.
Factors such as read and write speed, capacity, durability, and compatibility with the PS5’s enclosure are paramount. Ultimately, you’ll be looking for an SSD that will thoroughly exceed the PS5 minimum specs, meeting a read speed of 5,500MB/s or faster. Heat dissipation is also a critical factor, as high-performance SSDs can generate significant heat under load, and this can end up causing damage to the drive. Therefore, many suitable SSDs for the PS5 come equipped with built-in heatsinks or are compatible with aftermarket cooling solutions to maintain optimal performance.
Good to know
While you now have the option to store PS5 gamers on an external drive, in order to actually play them you’ll need to transfer them over onto an internal SSD located in your PS5 console. While this might seem like a bit of a faff, you will have the advantage of speed, as transferring from an external to an internal SSD is a lot quicker than having to download the game again.
What's the best SSD format for PS5?
For PS5 users looking to upgrade their console’s storage, the ideal SSD format is a Gen 4.0 NVMe model. Sony specifies that the SSD should have a capacity ranging between 250GB and 4TB. Crucially, it must offer a minimum sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s.
Our Verdict
In conclusion, when it comes to upgrading your PS5 with an SSD, each of the options we’ve explored brings its unique strengths to the table. However, the Kingston Fury Renegade SSD stands out as our Editor’s Choice, thanks to its impressive balance of speed, capacity, and value. Its lightning-fast read and write speeds ensure a seamless gaming experience, while its range of storage options caters to both casual and avid gamers.
The Samsung 990 Pro dazzles with its top-tier speed, making it the Fastest SSD pick. For those on a budget, the Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade offers remarkable performance without breaking the bank. And for gamers concerned about thermal management, the PNY XLR8 SSD Gaming Kit, with its integrated heatsink, ensures optimal performance during intense gaming sessions.