{"id":64658,"date":"2026-02-25T11:35:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:35:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/test\/?p=64658"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:35:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:35:08","slug":"best-ssds-for-ps5-storage-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cameraegg.org\/test\/best-ssds-for-ps5-storage-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Best SSDs for PS5 Storage Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Running out of space on your PS5 is an inevitable rite of passage for every gamer today. With modern titles like Call of Duty exceeding 200GB, that internal 825GB drive disappears before you know it. I\u2019ve spent years testing storage solutions, and adding an M.2 NVMe SSD is the single best upgrade you can make. While the WD_BLACK SN850X is my current top pick for its sheer consistency, choosing the right drive involves balancing speed, heat management, and your budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Our Top Picks at a Glance<\/h2>\n
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\n Best Overall<\/span>\n WD_BLACK SN850X (with Heatsink)<\/strong>\n Blazing speeds meets rock-solid reliability.<\/span>\n Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Best Value<\/span>\n Crucial T500 (with Heatsink)<\/strong>\n Incredible performance for a lower price.<\/span>\n Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n Budget Pick<\/span>\n Corsair MP600 Pro LPX<\/strong>\n High performance at an entry price.<\/span>\n Check Price at Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Best SSDs for PS5 Storage Expansion: Detailed Reviews<\/h2>\n\n
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\ud83c\udfc6 Best Overall<\/div>\n

WD_BLACK SN850X (with Heatsink) View on Amazon<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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Best For:<\/span> Hardcore gamers wanting peak performance.<\/div>\n
Key Feature:<\/span> 7,300 MB\/s read speeds.<\/div>\n
Rating:<\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

The WD_BLACK SN850X is widely regarded as the gold standard for PS5 expansion, and for good reason. After installing this in my own console, the load times in Spider-Man 2 were virtually indistinguishable from the console\u2019s built-in storage. It delivers sequential read speeds up to 7,300 MB\/s, which comfortably exceeds Sony\u2019s 5,500 MB\/s recommendation. This specific model comes with a sleek, pre-installed low-profile heatsink that fits perfectly into the PS5\u2019s expansion slot without any modifications. I find this drive exceptionally reliable; it handles long gaming sessions without thermal throttling, which is a common pitfall for cheaper drives. The only minor drawback is that it often carries a slight premium over “no-name” brands, but given Western Digital’s track record in storage longevity, it\u2019s a price worth paying for peace of mind and top-tier speed. It\u2019s a set-it-and-forget-it solution that just works.<\/p>\n

Check Price on Amazon US<\/a>, UK<\/a>, CA<\/a>, DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <\/p>\n

\u2713 Free Shipping \u00b7 \u2713 Easy Returns \u00b7 \u2713 Secure Checkout<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\ud83d\udc8e Best Value<\/div>\n

Crucial T500 (with Heatsink) View on Amazon<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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Best For:<\/span> Price-conscious performance seekers.<\/div>\n
Key Feature:<\/span> 232-layer TLC NAND technology.<\/div>\n
Rating:<\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

If you want the best performance-to-dollar ratio, the Crucial T500 is your best bet. Released in late 2023, it utilizes cutting-edge NAND technology to deliver read speeds up to 7,400 MB\/s. In my testing, I noticed that the T500 is remarkably power-efficient, which means it generates less heat than older Gen4 drives. This is a massive plus for the PS5\u2019s cramped internal bay. You’ll notice that even during massive 100GB game transfers, the drive maintains steady speeds. Crucial includes a very well-built heatsink that looks almost “factory” when installed. While it lacks the aggressive branding of the WD_BLACK, its internal specs are arguably more modern. The only real limitation is that the 500GB model is significantly slower than the 1TB and 2TB versions, so I strongly recommend sticking to at least the 1TB variant to get the performance you’re paying for.<\/p>\n

Check Price on Amazon US<\/a>, UK<\/a>, CA<\/a>, DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udcb0 Budget Pick<\/div>\n

Corsair MP600 Pro LPX View on Amazon<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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Best For:<\/span> Beginners on a tight budget.<\/div>\n
Key Feature:<\/span> Specifically optimized for PS5.<\/div>\n
Rating:<\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

The Corsair MP600 Pro LPX was designed from the ground up with the PS5 in mind. The “LPX” stands for Low Profile, ensuring the heatsink fits perfectly under the console’s intake plate. While it\u2019s often priced lower than Samsung or WD, it doesn’t sacrifice much in terms of speed, boasting a sequential read of 7,100 MB\/s. In practical scenarios, like loading up Elden Ring, you won’t feel any difference compared to more expensive drives. I appreciate how honest Corsair is about their specs; they don’t overpromise. The honest limitation here is the write speed on smaller capacities, which can dip once the cache is full, but for gaming\u2014where read speed is king\u2014this is a non-issue. It\u2019s an incredibly solid, no-frills choice for anyone who just wants to double their storage without spending a fortune. It\u2019s proof you don\u2019t need to spend $200 to get a premium experience.<\/p>\n

Check Price on Amazon US<\/a>, UK<\/a>, CA<\/a>, DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <\/p>\n

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\u2b50 Premium Choice<\/div>\n

Samsung 990 Pro (with Heatsink) View on Amazon<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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Best For:<\/span> Power users and enthusiasts.<\/div>\n
Key Feature:<\/span> Industry-leading IOPS and speed.<\/div>\n
Rating:<\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

Samsung\u2019s 990 Pro is frequently cited as the best consumer SSD on the market, and its performance in the PS5 is nothing short of spectacular. It pushes the PCIe 4.0 interface to its absolute limit with read speeds hitting 7,450 MB\/s. What sets this apart for me is the sophisticated thermal management. The integrated heatsink features futuristic RGB lighting (which you won’t see inside the PS5, unfortunately) and a nickel-coated controller that keeps temperatures incredibly low. This is the drive for someone who wants the absolute best and is willing to pay for the Samsung brand reliability. While early firmware issues were a concern, current batches are rock-solid. You’re getting a drive that will likely outlast the console itself. It feels like the luxury sports car of storage; you might not *need* all that power every day, but you’ll certainly be glad it’s there when loading huge open-world assets.<\/p>\n

Check Price on Amazon US<\/a>, UK<\/a>, CA<\/a>, DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udc4d Also Great<\/div>\n

Seagate FireCuda 530 View on Amazon<\/a> <\/h3>\n
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Best For:<\/span> Endurance and high-volume usage.<\/div>\n
Key Feature:<\/span> Extremely high TBW (Terabytes Written) rating.<\/div>\n
Rating:<\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n

The Seagate FireCuda 530 was one of the first drives officially recommended by industry experts for the PS5, and it remains a powerhouse. Its standout feature isn’t just the 7,300 MB\/s speed, but its endurance. With a rating of 2,550 TBW (for the 2TB model), this drive is built to handle constant writing and rewriting of data. If you are the type of gamer who constantly deletes and reinstalls massive games, or if you use your console for heavy video capture, this drive is practically indestructible. I find the partnership with EKWB for the heatsink design to be a stroke of genius; it\u2019s one of the most efficient thermal solutions I\u2019ve seen in this form factor. It is often more expensive than the WD_BLACK or Crucial options, which keeps it from the top spot, but for sheer durability, it is unmatched in the current market.<\/p>\n

Check Price on Amazon US<\/a>, UK<\/a>, CA<\/a>, DE<\/a> \u2192<\/span> <\/p>\n

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Buying Guide: How to Choose SSDs<\/h2>\n
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Choosing an SSD for your PS5 isn’t just about finding the biggest number on the box; it’s about meeting Sony’s strict hardware requirements to ensure your console stays healthy and fast. You need a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD. While Sony suggests a minimum read speed of 5,500 MB\/s, I always recommend aiming for 7,000 MB\/s to future-proof your setup as games become more demanding. You should expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $180 depending on the capacity (1TB vs 2TB). Prioritize drives that include a pre-installed heatsink. While you can buy a “bare” drive and attach a third-party cooler, the factory-installed ones are precision-engineered to fit the PS5\u2019s tight tolerances and provide the most reliable heat dissipation. Don’t be swayed by Gen5 drives yet; the PS5 cannot utilize their extra speed, and they are significantly more expensive.<\/p>\n

Key Factors<\/h3>\n