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Choose an internal M.2 SSD if you want to launch PS5 games from added storage. Choose an external SuperSpeed USB drive to archive PS5 games for later transfer or to play compatible PS4 games directly. A PS5 game stored on USB must be copied back to the console’s internal storage or an installed M.2 SSD before you can play it.
At a glance: what each drive lets you do
| Use | Internal M.2 SSD | External USB drive |
|---|---|---|
| Play PS5 games from the added storage | Yes, if the SSD meets Sony’s requirements and is installed. | No. Copy the game to console storage or an M.2 SSD first. |
| Play compatible PS4 games from the added storage | Yes. | Yes, directly from the drive. |
| Capacity in Sony’s guidance | 250 GB to 8 TB. | 250 GB to 8 TB. |
| Connection requirements | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe, Key M; form factor and cooling dimensions apply. | SuperSpeed USB. |
| Best fit | More PS5 and PS4 games ready to launch. | Keeping PS5 games installed for later transfer, or playing compatible PS4 games. |
Sony’s PS5 and PS4 storage guidance and external-storage guidance describe the USB option as additional storage, not a way to launch PS5 games.
When an internal M.2 SSD makes sense
An M.2 SSD adds storage from which the PS5 can launch PS5 and PS4 games. It is the right choice if your main goal is to expand the library you can play without first moving games between drives. Sony’s M.2 installation and compatibility guidance sets specific interface, capacity, speed, and physical-fit requirements.
Check the full drive and heatsink specifications
- Interface: PCIe Express Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD with Key M. M.2 SATA drives are not supported.
- Capacity: 250 GB to 8 TB.
- Supported sizes: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110; lengths are 30, 42, 60, 80, or 110 mm.
- Maximum width: 25 mm.
- Maximum thickness: 11.25 mm total, including up to 8.0 mm above the board and 2.45 mm below it.
- Sequential read speed: Sony recommends 5,500 MB/s or higher.
- Cooling: An effective heat-dissipation structure, such as a heatsink or heat-transfer sheet, is required. Check that the complete drive-and-cooling assembly fits within Sony’s dimensions.
Sony supports both single-sided and double-sided SSDs but does not support drives using Host Memory Buffer. Meeting the listed specifications does not guarantee that every M.2 SSD will work. Before buying, confirm the exact model’s interface, dimensions with its cooling structure, and read-speed specification rather than relying on a headline speed or a generic “M.2” label.
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#1 Best Overall
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0010BNC-WRSN
- 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 4TB[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.
What to expect from M.2 performance
Sony recommends at least 5,500 MB/s sequential reads, but that figure is a compatibility recommendation, not a guarantee that every game will perform exactly as it does on the PS5’s internal SSD. Sony cautions that some games may not deliver identical performance even when an M.2 SSD exceeds 5,500 MB/s.
When an external USB drive makes sense
A SuperSpeed USB drive is useful when you want to keep PS5 games installed but do not need them ready to launch immediately, or when you want to play compatible PS4 games directly from external storage. Sony lists SuperSpeed USB 5, 10, and 20 Gbps connections and capacities from 250 GB to 8 TB in its external-storage guidance.
Rank #2
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
- 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.
- To play a PS5 game saved on the USB drive, copy it back to console storage or an installed M.2 SSD first.
- Compatible PS4 games can be played directly from USB extended storage.
- Keeping a PS5 game on USB can save console storage space and may make it quicker to reinstall than downloading it again or installing it from disc, according to Sony.
Formatting a USB drive as extended storage erases the data already on it. Back up files you need before formatting; see Sony’s PS5 storage-management guidance.
How to choose
- Pick M.2 if you want added space for PS5 games you can launch directly, and you are prepared to verify compatibility and cooling fit.
- Pick USB if your priority is inexpensive-to-manage archive space, keeping PS5 games installed for later transfer, or playing compatible PS4 games from the drive.
- Use both if you want an active library on M.2 and a separate holding area for games you are not currently playing. A USB-stored PS5 title still needs to be copied back before play.
Installation and setup notes
For an M.2 SSD
- Update the PS5 system software before installation, as Sony advises in its M.2 installation guide.
- Confirm the SSD is PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, Key M, within Sony’s 250 GB to 8 TB range, and one of the supported lengths.
- Check the dimensions of the complete SSD and its heatsink or other cooling structure against Sony’s width and thickness limits.
- Install the drive following Sony’s console-specific instructions. Do not assume that any M.2 drive will work solely because it fits physically.
For an external USB drive
- Back up any files on the drive that you want to keep.
- Connect a SuperSpeed USB drive within Sony’s 250 GB to 8 TB capacity range.
- Format it as USB extended storage using the PS5’s storage settings. Formatting erases the drive’s existing data.
- Store games on the drive according to their intended use: compatible PS4 games can be played there, while PS5 games must be transferred back to console or M.2 storage before launch.
Price and speed: what is not established
Sony’s support pages specify compatibility and use, not current prices or model-by-model benchmark results. They therefore do not establish which option is cheaper for a particular capacity, or how quickly an individual drive will load a given game. Compare current drive listings and independent tests for the exact models you are considering; treat Sony’s M.2 read-speed figure as a recommendation, not a game-performance benchmark.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Best Value
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MOVE SPEED HB7450 2TB SSD for PS5 with Heatsink TLC NAND, PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Internal Solid State Drive - Up to 7450MB/s, 3D Storage Expansion Compatible with PS5, Desktops and Laptops
- 【NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 High Speed Interface】MOVE SPEED 2tb SSD is supported by cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 technology, with a read and write speed of up to 7450MB/s and 6500MB/s, which reduce the delays of the games and operating system. The PCIe 4.0 interface is 2 times faster than the PCIe 3.0 and 13.5 times faster than the SATA SSD, ensuring lightning fast game loading and file transfer times. Nvme pcie 4.0 ssd use less power and get more performance, making it the best choice for upgrading.
- 【Compatible with PS5 & Large Capacity】MOVE SPEED M.2 2tb SSD perfectly compatible with PS5, laptop, PC. Featuring an M.2 2280 (80mm) form factor, it's compact and easy to install. M.2 ps5 ssd offers large storage capacity of 1TB/2TB, providing ample storage space for work, study or games. Unrivaled performance and large storage capacity make it easily upgradeable and be ready at all the time. With up to 2TB storage, your PS5 has extra room to store up to 50 games. Always ready for next games.
- 【Premium Quality】Our m.2 ssd for PS5 utilizes high-quality 3D Nand flash memory chips and cutting-edge Maxio MAP1602 controller technology. After 6 rounds of extreme tests(16 hours of high and low temperature aging test, 8 hours of 2000 times of dormancy test, 48 hours of continuous transmission test), almost 80-hour rigorous test prove its stability and long service life.
- 【Plug and Play & Strongly Cooling】The NVMe m.2 SSD has a built-in 1mm graphene composite heat sink, which can strongly cool down the chip by 10 degrees during works or games, avoiding high-temperature slowdown and jamming, and our package comes with an heat sink(not installed), screws and screwdriver. Easy installation, plug and play. Cools and maintains exceptional performance during overloaded. Notes:The heatsink install tutorial can be found on our details page, or ask our after-service team.
- 【What's in the Box】Package includes a 2TB solid state drive SSD, heatsink(not installed), screws, screwdriver, user manual. 7 x 24 friendly and efficient customer service, 30 days 100% return and refund if there're any problems with the ssd. With the strong R&D and production support of our own MOVE SPEED factories, we can provide consumers with the ultimate product experience and after-sales service.
Rank #4
fanxiang 2TB NVMe Internal Gaming SSD for PS5 with Heatsink, Up to 7100MB/s M.2 SSD PCIe Gen 4 SSD Storage Expansion Compatible with PS5, Internal Solid State Drive for Gamers, Professionals, Creators
- PCIe 4.0 SSD Extreme Performance: M.2 SSD 2TB 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 2TB 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 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 2TB 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 2TB 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
Rank #3
SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0-1TB m.2 2280 ssd, Read UP to 7350MB/s 1TB for Gaming PS5 Memory Storage Expansion with Heatsink, Internal Solid State Hard Drive PCIe gen 4x4 Nvme for Laptop Desktop pc
- Unleash Upgraded power - Employing PCIe Gen4x4 High Speed Interface, SIX X7400 nvme m.2 ssd confer it UP to 7350MB/s read speeds. With faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth and throughput.
- Work and Play - Whether you pursue science or culture, X7400 m.2 ssd 1TB accentuates ferocious performance for heavy computing and immersive gameplay. Get up to 40% fast performance for heavy-duty applications in data analytics, content creation, gaming and more.
- Match ur Next-level M.2 SSD - Compatibility ready for laptop, desktop or PS5 storage expansion, X7400 internal 1TB ssd is easy to install to extend lifecycle and storage. Speed up your bootups, file transfers, and game loads for tech-savvy users or hardcore gamer.
- Purpose Built - SIX X7400 m.2 nvme ssd ps5 is built for achieving immersive gameplay, experiencing uninterrupted gameplay and incredibly short load times. Breathe in. Focus. Breathe out, X7400 lightning-fast loading are ready for your final boss.
- 5 Years Limited Warranty & What u Get - Your X7400 nvme m.2 ssd is safeguarded for 5 years by SIX Limited Warranty Service. To improve your installation experience, X7400 provide all you need for installation(such as screw, screwdrivers, heatsink and so on).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
