The Best PS5 SSDs You Can Buy in 2025: Speedy M.2 Drives for Your Console

Boost Your PS5 Storage: A Guide to the Best SSDs

For several console generations, gamers were limited by built-in storage. The PS5 changed that with its M.2 PCIe slot, allowing for easy SSD expansion beyond the console's initial 825GB (or 1TB for the Slim). This guide explores the best SSD options for enhancing your PS5 experience.

TL;DR - Top PS5 SSD Picks:

Our Top Pick: Corsair MP600 Pro LPX (See it on Amazon!)

Best Budget: Crucial T500 (See it on Amazon!)

Best Without Heatsink: Samsung 990 Evo Plus (See it at Best Buy!)

Best External: WD_Black P40 (See it on Amazon!)

PS5 SSD Requirements and Recommendations:

• Interface: PCIe 4.0 (or Gen 4) or faster. This enables speeds up to 7,500MB/s, significantly faster than Gen 3 SSDs.
• Form Factor: M.2. While the PS5 accommodates various sizes, the 2280 is most common.
• Heatsink: Essential due to the heat generated by PCIe 4.0 SSDs. Either a built-in heatsink or a separate compatible one (under 11.25mm tall) is necessary.
• Capacity: Choose based on your needs. 1TB is a popular choice, effectively doubling storage, while larger capacities (up to 8TB) offer more extensive game libraries at a higher price.

Key Considerations:

• Warranty: Look for a solid warranty (typically 5 years) and a high TBW (Terabytes Written) rating, indicating the drive's endurance.
• NAND Type: TLC NAND is a good balance of performance and affordability for gaming. MLC is more durable but expensive, while QLC offers lower endurance. All drives listed here use TLC.
• Sequential Read Speed: The PS5's internal speed test peaks around 6,500MB/s, so drives significantly faster than this offer diminishing returns.

Addressing the Need for Expansion:

With the PS5's limited base storage, an SSD is highly recommended for gamers with extensive libraries or those who play large games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Baldur's Gate 3. The M.2 slot allows for easy expansion from 250GB to 8TB.

External Storage Options:

While not ideal for running PS5 games, external SSDs (like the WD_Black P40) offer faster transfer speeds than traditional hard drives, useful for storing and accessing PS4 games and transferring data.

Detailed SSD Reviews:

1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX: Excellent value, fast read speeds (up to 7,100MB/s), and a pre-installed heatsink. A 1TB version can be found for under $80. TBW rating of 700TB.

2. Crucial T500: Best budget option, offering high speeds (up to 7,300MB/s read), a heatsink, and 1TB of storage for a reasonable price. TBW rating of 600TB (1TB model).

3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus: High performance without a premium price. Requires a separate heatsink. Offers various capacities (1TB-4TB) with TBW ratings ranging from 600TB to 2400TB.

4. WD_Black P40: A fast external SSD (2,000MB/s read), useful for storing PS4 games and transferring data. Cannot run PS5 games.

PS5 SSD FAQ:

• Is an SSD worth it? Yes, especially if you have a large game library or play large-scale games.
• What speed SSD? At least 5,500MB/s read speed (PCIe 4.0). Anything above 6,500MB/s offers minimal additional benefit for PS5.
• Best time to buy? Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday often offer discounts.
• Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs worth it? No, the PS5 doesn't utilize their full capabilities.

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Contributions by Danielle Abraham and Callum Bains