The 6 Best SSDs for PS5 on Earth Today

Key Points

• Our choice for the #1 Best Overall SSD for PS5 is Seagate FireCuda 530 4TB SSD
• Sony started developing PS5s in 2015 and released the first console in 2020.
• An SSD for PS5 delivers data at speeds of up to 5.5GB per second.
• The SSD memory stick reduces latency in data delivery. 
• While shopping for an SSD, ensure it will fit into the PS5’s narrow slot and that your memory drive has a heatsink.

Gaming on PS5 is one of the most exciting pastimes. However, disappointment comes when you cannot download all your favorite games. You might have to delete some titles, but you cannot decide which ones. However, you don’t have to delete anything by installing the best SSD for PS5 on earth today.

The PS5 has 825GB of storage, and approximately 667GB is for downloading games. A PS5 game takes about 50GB, meaning you can install about 13 games before you run out of space. PlayStation 5 now has a storage expansion slot for your gaming library. After weeks of reviewing numerous options, our picks for the best SSDs for PS5 are:

History Computer’s Top Picks for Best SSD For PS5

#1 Best Overall SSD for PS5: Seagate FireCuda 530 4TB SSD

The Seagate FireCuda 530 4TB SSD takes top honors for maximum storage with a capacity of 4TB and is our choice for the #1 Best Overall SSD for PS5. You could start with a 1TB or 2TB model if you’re on a tight budget. It has read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s and a write speed of 6,900MB/s. This results in games that load in seconds. Additionally, the dazzling write speeds offer you quick saves.

Further, this solid-state drive has a built-in heat sink, but you can opt for the non-heatsink version. We prefer buying the former unless you’re a DIY enthusiast. Compared to PCle Gen3 NVMe, the FireCuda 530 is two times faster. SATA SSDs don’t even come close, as the FireCuda outperforms them by 12 times.

Having said that, this SSD packs the 3D TLC NAND memory technology and is fully compatible with PS5. Even more impressive, you get a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. However, considering its price tag on Amazon, it is pricey.

Pros	Cons
The memory drive has an attractive design	It is an expensive SSD
This SSD boasts fast performance with a cooling heatsink.
It is compliant with the PCle 4.0 interface.

Best SSD for PS5 With a Heatsink: Samsung 980 Pro with Heatsink

The Samsung 980 Pro 1TB with Heatsink is our pick in the best SSD for PS5 with a heatsink category. With read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s, it is one of the best SSDs for the PS5 on earth today. You cannot look down on its performance. It may not be the fastest Gen 4.0 SSD, but its speed is amazing.

On the other hand, you also get a custom-made heatsink. In addition, the 980 Pro has effective thermal control thanks to Samsung’s nickel-coating technology. As a result, you won’t have to worry about downtime that arises from overheating. The SSD features storage options of 1TB and 2TB, so most games can fit comfortably. Once installed, transferring your PS5 games from internal storage to the SSD takes a few minutes. Its closest competitor is the WD Black SN850, which is slightly more expensive.

In addition, installing the Samsung 980 Pro is a breeze. First, remove your PS5 cover, unscrew the metal panel, and insert the SSD in the slot provided. Once completed, re-attach the metal panel and PS5 cover. 

Pros	Cons
Setting up the drive is straightforward.	The drive is only available in 1TB and 2TB storage capacities.
It delivers fast and reliable performance.

Best Fast SSD for PS5: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G is a state-of-the-art SSD that can handle anything you throw at it. You can choose from the three storage options: 1TB, 2TB, and 4 TB. Glitchy playback should never hamper your gaming adventure. The Rocket 4 Plus-G features a 1,600MT/s B47R flash, an improved version of the previous 1,200MT/s Micron. With a faster flash, the memory drive delivers fast performance. Moreover, the SSD comes with complimentary software you can download, called the Rocket Control Panel.

Speed is critical, and the Sabrent Rocket 4 does not disappoint. In fact, it boasts a read-write speed of 7,000/6600MB/s, allowing fast game transfer from the PS5 console. The heatsink on the Rocket 4 Plus does not go unnoticed, and it helps maximize cooling. 

As one of the best SSD for PS5 on earth today, the Sabrent comes with a 5-year warranty or the equivalent of 3,000TBW. But it is the storage capacity that caught our attention. When you have a memory drive offering you 4TB (4,000GB) of storage space, you can consider saving 60+ PS5 or 100+ PS4 game titles.

Pros	Cons
The SSD has a high storage capacity of 4TB.	The memory drive overheads are high during heavy workloads.
It maintains a consistently low temperature.	It has a high MSRP.
The drive has complimentary software.

Best Improved PS5 SSD: WD_Black SN850X

The WD_Black SN850X is our pick for the best improved PS5 SSD. It offers tremendous value with a stunning 7,300MB/s read speed. Likewise, the write speed of 6,350MB/s is very close to that of the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus. The speed translates to around a 5% read improvement compared to the previous version. Writes speed also improved by 28%.

The product’s storage options are 1TB, 2TB, and 4 TB. The SN850, the SSD’s earlier version, didn’t have a 4TB model. Nonetheless, you won’t notice that the write speed is not as fast as our top-rated SSD. What is most impressive is that it beats the Crucial P5 Plus hands down regarding the sequential write speed. Another notable aspect is that the Black SN850X utilizes software that displays useful information, such as the drive’s health status. You will also find settings and tools for an enhanced user experience.

Also, the memory drive comes with a heatsink, ensuring that overheating is the least of your concerns. Besides, the WD_Black SN850X fits perfectly in the PS5’s M2 slot. It is one of the best SSDs for PS5 on earth today that comes with a 5-year warranty, equivalent to your gaming console’s lifetime.

Pros	Cons
The SSD has a 4TB capacity model.	It is a pricey SSD.
It has a heatsink to prevent overheating.
The SSD maintains peak performance under heavy workloads.

Best Underrated PS5 SSD: Patriot Viper VP4300 1TB

The Patriot Viper VP4300 1TB is our top choices for the best underrated PS5 SSD, plus it has a fancy name that sounds cool. PS5 game creators use interesting names to depict the theme and other aspects of games. In the same way, SSD manufacturers are never short of creativity. The SSD’s capabilities may have been underrated, but it will amaze you once you try it out.

First, it has peak read speeds of up to 7,400MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,800MB/s. These are amazingly close to those of the best overall SSD for PS5, the Seagate FireCuda 530. However, the Viper VP4300 does not just pack these numbers for marketing’s sake. Instead, it backs them up with compelling performance.

The device comes with a 1TB SSD, but you can also get a capacity of up to 2TB. It also comes with two integrated heatsinks comprising a thin graphene and an aluminum layer. Further, the Patriot Viper VP4300 has a cool appearance. Who wouldn’t want to have fancy add-ons in their PS5? 

Pros	Cons
It has a unique design.	The SSD is only available in 1TB and 2TB capacities.
It comes with two heatsinks.

Best PS5 SSD Without a Heatsink: Crucial P5 Plus

The Crucial 5 Plus PS5 SSD stands out as the best PS5 SSD without a heatsink and boasts impressive read speeds of 6,600MB/s. As a gaming enthusiast familiar with electronic DIY, attaching a heatsink should not be difficult. The Crucial P5 Plus comes in three capacities of 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Adding 2TB to the already existing 667GB of the PS5 translates to a total storage capacity of 2.667TB. Moreover, it packs 630K/700K IOPS, which results in short booting and loading times. At 5,000MB/s, the write speed is not too bad either.

However, it does not have a built-in heatsink, but this should not worry you much as dozens of heatsinks are available for $20 or less. While selecting a heatsink to install on your gaming console, check that it conforms to Sony’s criteria. 

Pros	Cons
It has a pleasant design.	The SSD is less efficient with increased load.
The device has a five-year warranty.
It has good read and write speeds.

How to Pick the Best SSD for the PS5: Step by Step

There are four considerations when choosing the best SSD for PS5 on earth today:

• Sony recommendation
• Your storage target
• PS5 SSD slot
• SSD with a heatsink

Let’s review each consideration in more detail. 

Sony Recommendation

According to Sony, the gaming console manufacturer recommends installing an NVMe PCle 4.0 SSD. Additionally, the SSD’s sequential read speed should be upward of 5,500MB/s. An SSD matching these two aspects offers fast-loading games and optimal running speed.

Your Storage Target

How much storage do you seek to add to your gaming console? PS5 has an M.2 expansion slot for adding an SSD whose capacities range from 250GB to 4TB. Of course, everything depends on your preferences. A low or medium-capacity SSD is okay if you only want to add a few games. However, if you have an entire gaming library and would like to expand it further, shoot for maximum storage. 

PS5 SSD Slot

Perhaps this is the most important consideration. PlayStation 5 gaming consoles have a narrow M.2 SSD slot measuring 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm (4.33 x 0.984 x 0.442 inches). As a result, the space is also cramped and shallow. Fortunately, most SSDs for PS5 conform to these measurements.

SSD with a Heatsink

SSDs emit a lot of heat during operation. As a result, they can overheat, resulting in damage and corrupted data. Therefore, you cannot operate the memory device without having a way to dissipate the heat. Doing so gives you peace of mind, peak performance, and data safety. Most drives have a built-in heatsink. Therefore, we recommend investing in an SSD with a heatsink. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy one separately and install it manually.

What to Know Before Buying the Best SSD for PS5

PlayStation 5 offers only 667.2GB of storage for games and related content. If you love playing games and periodically retrieving them from your system or switching between games, you need a high-capacity SSD. Otherwise, you’ll have to contend with downloading, deleting, and re-downloading games. So shoot for SSDs with a memory capacity of 2TB and beyond.

The PS5 has a bandwidth of around 5,000MB/s or 5.5GB per second. It takes 0.27 seconds to load 2GB on a PlayStation 5. Therefore, when upgrading your storage, look for an SSD with fast read and write speeds. An M.2 NVMe SSD will match or surpass PlayStation 5 data transfer speeds.

Prices of the best SSD for PS5 on earth today are competitive, depending on your choice. For example, the price of 1TB SSDs is under $100, while 2TB SSDs retail at under $200. These might change but may not oscillate too far from the stated range. 

Using the Best SSD for PS5 on Earth Today: What It’s Like

Technically, you can increase your PS5 storage with an external HDD. However, you cannot run PS5 games from an external drive. Instead, you need to copy the games into the PS5’s internal storage, which takes 5-10 minutes. An SSD cuts the slack with faster downloads. It can attain speeds of up to 7,000MB per second. Therefore, installing an SSD is among the best PS5 upgrades you will ever make.