What Hard Drives Are Compatible with PS5? (2025 Guide)

Expanding your PlayStation 5 storage is easier than ever, but it’s crucial to choose the right hard drive or SSD for your needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best compatible options—both internal and external—so you can confidently add affiliate links for your readers.

PS5 Storage Expansion: What You Need to Know

Internal SSDs (M.2 NVMe): Required for playing PS5 games directly from expanded storage. Must meet Sony’s strict specs.
External Drives (USB HDD/SSD): Great for storing and playing PS4 games, or archiving PS5 games. PS5 games must be moved to internal storage to play.

Official PS5 Internal SSD Requirements

To be compatible, an internal SSD must meet these criteria1 2 3:

Requirement	Details
Interface	PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)
Capacity	250GB – 8TB
Sequential Read Speed	5,500 MB/s or faster
Form Factor	2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110
Heatsink	Required (built-in or added separately)
Total Size (with Heatsink)	Up to 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm

Best Internal SSDs for PS5 (2025)

Product Name	Capacity Options	Key Features	Notes
WD Black SN850X	1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Fast, reliable, PlayStation-licensed	Heatsink version recommended4 5
Samsung 990 Pro	1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Top-tier speed, great endurance	Heatsink model available4 6
Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD	1TB, 2TB	Officially licensed, easy install	Pre-installed heatsink6
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB	Excellent value, built-in heatsink	Widely recommended7 8
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink	1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Budget-friendly, good performance	No DRAM, but great value6
Crucial T500	1TB, 2TB	High speed, reliable	Heatsink version preferred9

Best External Hard Drives & SSDs for PS5

Note: External drives are ideal for storing PS4 games and archiving PS5 games. PS5 games must be moved to internal storage to play10 1112.

Top External SSDs

WD Black P50 Game Drive SSD
500GB–4TB, up to 2,000MB/s, rugged design, gaming-focused11 13
Samsung T7 Shield / T7 Portable SSD
500GB–2TB, up to 1,050MB/s, compact, durable, great for fast transfers10 14 15
Seagate Game Drive SSD
1TB–2TB, PlayStation-branded, reliable performance16 17
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
500GB–2TB, rugged, fast, portable11 14

Top External HDDs

Seagate Game Drive for PS5
2TB–5TB, officially licensed, plug-and-play18 12
WD Black P10 Game Drive
2TB–5TB, affordable, robust, trusted brand18 13
Toshiba Canvio Gaming
1TB–4TB, budget-friendly, reliable18 12

Quick Reference Table

Type	Product Name	Capacity Options	Key Features
Internal SSD	WD Black SN850X	1TB–4TB	Fast, heatsink, PS5-licensed
Internal SSD	Samsung 990 Pro	1TB–4TB	Top speed, reliable
Internal SSD	Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD	1TB–2TB	Official, easy install
Internal SSD	Corsair MP600 PRO LPX	1TB–8TB	Value, built-in heatsink
External SSD	WD Black P50 Game Drive	500GB–4TB	Rugged, fast, gaming design
External SSD	Samsung T7 Shield	500GB–2TB	Compact, durable, fast
External HDD	Seagate Game Drive	2TB–5TB	Official, large capacity
External HDD	WD Black P10 Game Drive	2TB–5TB	Affordable, robust
External HDD	Toshiba Canvio Gaming	1TB–4TB	Budget, reliable

How to Choose the Right Drive

For playing PS5 games:
Use a compatible internal M.2 NVMe SSD with a heatsink.
For storing/playing PS4 games or archiving PS5 games:
Use any high-quality external USB 3.0/3.2 HDD or SSD.

Installation Tips

Internal SSD:
Open the PS5’s side panel, insert the SSD into the M.2 slot, secure it, and reassemble. The PS5 will prompt you to format the drive on first boot919.
External Drive:
Plug into any USB port. Format as extended storage if prompted.

Final Advice

Always check for the latest firmware updates and ensure your chosen drive meets Sony’s official requirements for best performance and compatibility1 23.

What type of hard drives are compatible with PS5?

Internal Storage Expansion:
The PS5 supports PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSDs with a minimum read speed of 5,500 MB/s and a heatsink. Supported form factors include 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110. The SSD must fit within Sony’s specified size limits1 23.
External Storage:
You can use USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 external hard drives (HDD or SSD) for storing and playing PS4 games, or for archiving PS5 games. PS5 games cannot be played directly from external drives4 5 67.

Can I use any external hard drive with my PS5?

No, not all external hard drives are compatible. The drive must support USB 3.0 or higher, have at least 250GB capacity, and be formatted to FAT32 or exFAT. Drives from reputable brands are recommended for reliability and speed8 45.

Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?

No, PS5 games cannot be played directly from external USB drives. You can store PS5 games on an external drive, but to play them, you must move them back to the internal SSD. PS4 games, however, can be played directly from external storage9 5 10 67.

What are the best internal SSDs for PS5?

WD Black SN850X
Samsung 990 Pro
Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink
Crucial T500

All of these meet Sony’s requirements and are widely recommended for performance and reliability211.

What are the best external hard drives and SSDs for PS5?

External SSDs: WD Black P50, Samsung T7 Shield, Seagate Game Drive SSD, SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
External HDDs: Seagate Game Drive for PS5, WD Black P10, Toshiba Canvio Gaming

These are popular for their speed, durability, and compatibility12 513.

How do I install an internal SSD in my PS5?

Power off and unplug your PS5.
Remove the side panel to access the SSD bay.
Insert the compatible M.2 SSD and secure it.
Replace the cover, plug in the console, and format the SSD via the PS5 settings menu310.

What should I do if my PS5 does not recognize my external hard drive?

Ensure the drive is USB 3.0 or higher and properly formatted (FAT32 or exFAT).
Try reconnecting or restarting the console.
Use a different USB port or cable.
If the drive is still not recognized, it may be incompatible or faulty8.

Can I use both an internal SSD and an external hard drive at the same time?

Yes, you can use both simultaneously. The internal SSD is for PS5 games, while the external drive is ideal for PS4 games and archiving PS5 games93.

Does the PS5 Slim support the same SSDs as the original PS5?

Yes, any SSD compatible with the original PS5 will also work with the PS5 Slim, as both have the same M.2 storage bay. Just ensure the heatsink fits within the physical space2.

What is the minimum recommended SSD size for PS5?

A 1TB SSD is generally recommended, as game sizes are large and smaller drives fill up quickly. Larger capacities (2TB or more) are ideal for heavy gamers2.