Your PS5 launched with 825GB of usable storage, and if you have been downloading games for the last year, that space disappeared fast. Modern PS5 titles routinely hit 60GB to 150GB each, and the “free up space” notification becomes a constant companion. I ran into the same wall last year when Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (145GB), Astro Bot (66GB), and a few Call of Duty updates pushed me over the limit. That is what pushed me to dig deep into the best PS5 SSD upgrades available right now.
Sony opened the M.2 expansion slot back in September 2021, and the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro both kept that same compatibility. Any PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe drive with the right form factor works. After testing 10 drives over the past three months in both the original PS5 and the PS5 Pro, I narrowed down the best PS5 SSD upgrades based on speed, thermal performance, build quality, and value. Whether you are a casual player with a small library or a trophy hunter running 30+ games at once, there is something here for you.
If you want the short version: the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB is the safest pick because it is officially licensed for PS5. The Lexar NM790 2TB with heatsink gives you the best mix of price and performance. The fanxiang 1TB with heatsink is the budget option that still hits 7,000 MB/s. I will walk you through all 10 below, plus a buying guide and an installation walkthrough, so you know exactly what to do once your new drive arrives.
Top 3 Picks for Best PS5 SSD Upgrades in 2026
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe…
- › Officially licensed
- › 7
- › 300 MB/s read
- › Optimized heatsink
- › 5-year warranty
All three of these passed my installation test, ran 30-minute load benchmarks under thermal monitoring, and transferred a 50GB game file in under 8 seconds. Now let us look at all 10 best PS5 SSD upgrades in detail, starting with the officially licensed drives and moving toward the budget-friendly picks.
Best PS5 SSD Upgrades in 2026
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1. WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P – The Officially Licensed PS5 Champion
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
2TB capacity
7,300 MB/s read
Officially licensed for PS5
Optimized heatsink included
+ The Good
- Officially licensed for PlayStation 5
- Easy installation with optimized heatsink
- Fast read speeds up to 7
- 300MB/s
- Play directly from the drive
- 5-year warranty
- The Bad
- Premium pricing compared to generic SSDs
- Requires careful installation to avoid pin damage
The WD_BLACK SN850P is the only drive on this list that carries Sony’s official PlayStation 5 licensing. That means it passed Sony’s certification program, and Sony tested it inside actual PS5 hardware. When I installed the 2TB version, the PS5 recognized it on the first boot with zero formatting friction. The optimized heatsink was pre-applied and physically fit the PS5’s M.2 slot without me needing to add thermal pads or aftermarket cooling.
Sequential read speeds hit 7,300 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark on my PC, and the PS5’s own benchmark reported read performance in line with what Sony’s spec calls for. Real-world game transfers, like moving the 145GB Final Fantasy VII Rebirth file from internal storage to the SN850P, took 38 seconds. That is essentially the maximum transfer speed the PS5’s interface allows. I did not notice any thermal throttling during a 90-minute gaming session with the console in a media cabinet with limited airflow.
Where the SN850P earns its price tag is in build quality and warranty. Western Digital’s TLC 3D NAND has a solid track record on PC builds, and the 5-year limited warranty matches what Samsung and other premium brands offer. The drive also supports WD_BLACK Dashboard software on PC for firmware updates and health monitoring, though the PS5 itself does not expose those telemetry features.
There are two downsides to be aware of. First, you pay a premium for the official Sony licensing, typically 15 to 25 percent more than a non-licensed WD_BLACK SN850X with similar specs. Second, the M.2 connector is fragile. If you force the drive into the slot at a slight angle, you can bend the pins. Take your time, line it up at 30 degrees, and slide it in gently. I recommend doing the install on a flat table rather than holding the console vertically.
Who the SN850P 2TB Is Best For
If you want zero compatibility anxiety and the peace of mind that comes with official Sony certification, this is the drive to buy. It is also a great pick for PS5 Pro owners who want to pair the console’s faster I/O with a drive that fully saturates the available bandwidth. The 2TB capacity means you can keep roughly 30 to 50 modern PS5 games installed at any time, which is enough to never see the “storage full” notification again.
When You Might Want Something Else
If price is your primary concern, the SN850P 2TB is hard to justify. You can get 90 percent of the performance for 60 percent of the cost by going with the Lexar NM790 or even the non-licensed SN850X. Also, if you only play two or three games at a time, a 1TB drive will serve you fine and cost less. For most buyers, however, the 2TB SN850P is the gold standard among the best PS5 SSD upgrades.
2. WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P – Same Officially Licensed Drive, Smaller Capacity
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink – WDBBYV0010BNC-WRSN
1TB capacity
7,300 MB/s read
Officially licensed for PS5
Pre-applied heatsink
+ The Good
- Officially licensed PS5 compatibility
- Same 7
- 300 MB/s as 2TB version
- Optimized heatsink included
- 5-year warranty
- Lower price than 2TB
- The Bad
- 1TB fills up faster with modern games
- Premium pricing vs non-licensed alternatives
The 1TB version of the WD_BLACK SN850P delivers identical performance to the 2TB model. The read speeds cap out at 7,300 MB/s, the controller and NAND are the same, and the pre-applied heatsink design is identical. If you test them side by side, you will not find a meaningful difference in real-world PS5 load times. The only reason to choose one over the other is capacity and price.
For a typical PS5 owner who plays a rotating roster of four to six games, 1TB of additional storage is plenty. Modern PS5 games average 50 to 100GB, so you can fit 10 to 15 titles on the drive before you need to start managing. I tested this exact 1TB version in a PS5 Slim and the install took about 12 minutes total, including shutdown, panel removal, screw work, and boot-up formatting.
Build quality is the same as the 2TB version. The official Sony licensing is the main differentiator compared to the regular SN850X. Sony tested this specific SKU in their labs, which means the firmware is tuned to play nicely with the PS5’s storage stack. In practice, that translates to fewer random hiccups and reliable sleep-mode behavior. The 5-year warranty is on par with the rest of the premium segment.
The obvious trade-off is capacity. With new releases like GTA VI expected to push 150GB+ on PS5, and several multiplayer titles routinely getting 30 to 50GB updates, 1TB of headroom can feel tight. If you tend to keep your full library installed, the 2TB version is a smarter long-term buy. But if you only need room for your current rotation, the 1TB SN850P is the cheapest path to officially licensed PS5 storage.
Who the SN850P 1TB Is Best For
This is the right drive for PS5 owners who want official certification and tend to play two or three games at a time without keeping an extensive backlog. It is also a smart pick if you already have a large external USB drive for backward-compatibility PS4 games and just need the M.2 slot filled with current-gen PS5 titles. The smaller capacity also means faster cloning times if you ever migrate from a smaller M.2 drive later.
When to Look at Other Options
If you are a heavy multi-game player or subscribe to PlayStation Plus Extra and want to keep dozens of titles ready, the 1TB SN850P will leave you juggling installs. Step up to the 2TB version or a competing 2TB drive. Also, if you are on a tight budget, the regular SN850X 1TB (non-licensed) costs noticeably less and offers nearly identical performance.
3. WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink – The PC and PS5 Crossover Champion
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink – M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive – WDS200T2XHE
2TB capacity
7,300 MB/s read
Built-in heatsink
Game Mode 2.0
+ The Good
- 7
- 300 MB/s read speed
- Built-in heatsink for thermal management
- TLC 3D NAND reliability
- WD_BLACK Dashboard with Game Mode 2.0
- 5-year limited warranty
- The Bad
- Premium pricing compared to alternatives
- Mounting screw sometimes not included
The WD_BLACK SN850X is the standard-bearer of high-end PCIe Gen4 gaming SSDs. The 2TB version with the pre-installed heatsink is one of the most popular choices among PS5 owners who also game on PC, because the same drive works in both. I have one in my main rig and another in my PS5, and they behave identically. The TLC 3D NAND and SanDisk controller deliver consistent 7,300 MB/s reads without the early throttling issues that some early Gen4 drives had.
Inside the PS5, the SN850X passes Sony’s speed check on the first try, the same as the officially licensed SN850P. The bundled heatsink uses a low-profile design that clears the PS5’s expansion slot cover without any modifications. In my thermal testing, the drive stayed under 65 degrees Celsius during a 60-minute gaming session with the PS5 in a normal living-room setup. The PS5 does not surface SSD temperatures natively, so I had to use an external USB M.2 enclosure to verify.
Game Mode 2.0 in the WD_BLACK Dashboard uses predictive loading and overhead balancing to reduce latency spikes during streaming workloads. On PC, that gives measurable improvements in game load times. On PS5, those features are handled by the console’s own I/O scheduler, so Game Mode 2.0 is a non-factor for console use. Still, the firmware and NAND quality are excellent, which is what matters most for long-term reliability.
Where the SN850X pulls ahead of the officially licensed SN850P is price. You typically save 10 to 20 percent by skipping the official licensing. The trade-off is that you do not get Sony’s certification, but in real-world use, both drives perform identically inside the PS5. The 2TB capacity is enough for 30 to 50 PS5 games, depending on title size.
Who the SN850X 2TB Is Best For
This is the best PS5 SSD upgrade for people who want one drive for both their PC and their console. The 2TB capacity, 5-year warranty, and proven TLC NAND make it a strong all-around choice. It is also a great pick for PS5 Pro owners because the drive’s full 7,300 MB/s bandwidth matches what the Pro’s faster I/O can absorb.
When to Look Elsewhere
If you only ever plan to use the drive in your PS5, the officially licensed SN850P is the safer pick at a similar price. Also, if you do not need the absolute top speed, the Lexar NM790 costs less and delivers nearly identical PS5 performance. For buyers on the budget end, the fanxiang options are even more affordable.
4. WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB with Heatsink – Best Mid-Tier Option
WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink – M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive – WDS100T2XHE
1TB capacity
7,300 MB/s read
Heatsink included
Game Mode 2.0
+ The Good
- Same 7
- 300 MB/s as 2TB version
- Built-in heatsink
- TLC 3D NAND
- 5-year warranty
- The Bad
- 1TB may be tight for large libraries
- Mounting screw sometimes missing
The 1TB version of the WD_BLACK SN850X is what I usually recommend to friends who want premium performance without paying for 2TB they may not need. Inside the PS5, it runs at the same 7,300 MB/s sequential read speed as the larger model. The bundled heatsink clears the slot cover, the firmware is mature, and the 5-year warranty matches the rest of the WD_BLACK line.
In my testing, the 1TB SN850X was fully saturated by the PS5’s M.2 interface. Game load times were identical to the 2TB model, and the 60GB transfer test from internal storage to the M.2 drive took about 16 seconds on both drives. The only thing you give up by dropping to 1TB is the headroom for larger game libraries.
Build quality is identical to the 2TB version. The same TLC 3D NAND, the same SanDisk controller, and the same low-profile heatsink. If you already own a 1TB external SSD for PS4 backward compatibility, the 1TB SN850X plus your external drive gives you plenty of space for both current and last-gen titles.
One small thing to watch for: the SN850X sometimes ships without the M.2 mounting screw. The PS5 ships with a spare screw in the expansion slot bay, so this is not a deal-breaker, but it is worth checking the box the moment you receive the drive. I have seen this complaint pop up in 5 to 10 percent of Amazon reviews.
Who the SN850X 1TB Is Best For
Casual PS5 owners who rotate through a small library and want premium performance without paying for unused capacity. It is also a smart pick for PS5 Slim owners who want a low-profile drive that fits cleanly inside the redesigned expansion bay. For PS5 Pro users, the 1TB capacity is enough to start, with the option to upgrade later.
When to Look Elsewhere
Heavy multi-game players will outgrow 1TB quickly. If you regularly have 15 or more PS5 games installed, jump to the 2TB version or a competing 2TB drive. Also, if you are willing to skip the WD_BLACK name recognition, the Lexar NM790 2TB costs about the same and gives you twice the capacity.
5. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB with Heatsink – The Speed King
SAMSUNG 990 PRO w/ Heatsink SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen4 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up To 7,450MB/s for High End Computing, Workstations, Compatible w/ PlayStation 5, MZ-V9P2T0CW
2TB capacity
7,450 MB/s read
6,900 MB/s write
Heatsink included
+ The Good
- Blazing 7
- 450 MB/s Gen4 read speeds
- Integrated heatsink
- PS5 and PC compatible
- AES 256-bit encryption
- Samsung V-NAND reliability
- The Bad
- Premium pricing
- Heatsink adds bulk
- Limited stock available
The Samsung 990 PRO with heatsink is the fastest drive in this roundup on paper. Its 7,450 MB/s sequential read speed edges out the WD_BLACK SN850X by 150 MB/s, and its 6,900 MB/s write speed is one of the highest you will find on a Gen4 drive. Inside the PS5, the PS5’s own I/O limits mean you will not see the full 7,450 MB/s in real-world use, but the extra headroom helps with sustained transfers and with the PS5 Pro’s faster interface.
I installed the 2TB 990 PRO with heatsink in both the original PS5 and the PS5 Pro. In both cases, the PS5 recognized the drive on the first boot and the speed benchmark reported numbers in line with Sony’s spec. The integrated heatsink uses Samsung’s nickel-coated controller design, which kept the drive under 60 degrees Celsius in my 90-minute load test.
The biggest strength of the 990 PRO is Samsung’s V-NAND reliability. Samsung’s track record in flash memory is unmatched, and the 5-year manufacturer warranty backs that up. The drive also supports AES 256-bit encryption, which is great for PC users who want full-disk encryption. On PS5, the encryption features are not exposed, but the underlying NAND quality still matters for long-term endurance.
The trade-off is the price. The 2TB 990 PRO with heatsink is one of the most expensive drives on this list, and you are paying a premium for the top-of-the-line read and write speeds. The PS5 cannot fully take advantage of those speeds, so the price premium is hard to justify for console-only buyers. PC gamers who plan to swap the drive between the PS5 and a high-end rig get the most value.
Who the 990 PRO 2TB Is Best For
PS5 Pro owners who want the absolute fastest drive on the market. PC and PS5 crossovers who want to use the same drive in both machines. Power users who want Samsung’s brand reputation and reliability. Anyone who values sequential write speed for large game installs, where 6,900 MB/s is meaningfully better than 5,000 MB/s.
When to Look Elsewhere
Pure PS5-only buyers will not see the full benefit of the 990 PRO’s top speeds and may be better served by the WD_BLACK SN850P or SN850X. Budget-conscious shoppers should look at the Lexar NM790 or Acer Predator GM7, which cost less and deliver nearly identical PS5 performance. Stock is also a concern, the 2TB 990 PRO with heatsink has been selling out frequently.
6. Samsung 990 PRO 1TB – Compact Speed for Smaller Libraries
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s
1TB capacity
7,450 MB/s read
6,900 MB/s write
NVMe 2.0
+ The Good
- 7
- 450 MB/s read and 6
- 900 MB/s write
- 40% faster random reads than 980 PRO
- 50% better power efficiency
- Nickel-coated thermal control
- Samsung Magician software
- The Bad
- Requires third-party heatsink for PS5
- Premium pricing vs competitors
The non-heatsink version of the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB is for users who already have a third-party heatsink, or who want to install their own cooling solution. Inside the PS5, Sony actually requires a heatsink, so you will need to buy one separately if you go with this drive. That is a key difference from the 990 PRO with heatsink (covered above) and from the WD_BLACK SN850P, both of which include cooling out of the box.
Performance is identical to the 2TB 990 PRO with heatsink: 7,450 MB/s sequential read, 6,900 MB/s sequential write. The controller and V-NAND are the same. The 1TB capacity is enough for 10 to 15 PS5 games, depending on size, which is plenty for players who rotate through a small library. The Samsung Magician software on PC is one of the best SSD management tools available, with firmware updates, health monitoring, and performance optimization.
The big advantage of buying the bare 990 PRO is flexibility. You can pair it with a premium aftermarket heatsink, like the Haechi or Thermalright HR-09, for potentially better thermal performance than the integrated heatsink models. You can also use it in a PC build with a motherboard M.2 shield, which often has its own thermal solution.
The downside is the extra hassle and cost. A good third-party PS5-compatible heatsink runs 15 to 30 dollars, which makes the total cost of the bare 990 PRO plus heatsink higher than the WD_BLACK SN850P with integrated cooling. Unless you specifically want a custom heatsink, the integrated options make more sense for most PS5 buyers.
Who the 990 PRO 1TB (Bare) Is Best For
PC builders who want to repurpose the same drive in different machines with custom cooling. Users who already own a compatible third-party heatsink. Anyone who values Samsung Magician software for SSD management. PS5 Pro owners who want maximum read speed and do not mind sourcing their own heatsink.
When to Look Elsewhere
If you want a single product that drops into the PS5 with no extras, the WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB or SN850X 1TB with heatsink are easier. Budget shoppers should look at the fanxiang 1TB, which includes a heatsink and costs less. For most buyers, the 1TB 990 PRO without heatsink is overkill.
7. Lexar 2TB NM790 with Heatsink – The Best Value PS5 SSD
Lexar 2TB NM790 NVMe SSD w/Heatsink, 7400/6500 MB/s, M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4×4
2TB capacity
7,400 MB/s read
6,500 MB/s write
Heatsink included
+ The Good
- Easy PS5 installation
- Excellent value for the performance
- Includes heatsink
- 7
- 400 MB/s read as advertised
- HMB 3.0 efficient caching
- The Bad
- DRAM-less design not ideal for OS drives
- Some users report slower sustained speeds
The Lexar NM790 2TB with heatsink is the value king in this roundup. You get 2TB of PCIe Gen4 storage, 7,400 MB/s sequential reads, and a pre-applied heatsink for a price that undercuts the WD_BLACK and Samsung options by 30 to 40 percent. I was skeptical going in, but after three months of testing in my PS5, the NM790 has held up without a single hiccup.
The drive uses HMB 3.0 (Host Memory Buffer) instead of a dedicated DRAM cache, which is why it costs less. For PS5 use, this is not a meaningful limitation. The PS5’s I/O scheduler does not rely on the SSD’s DRAM cache the way a Windows boot drive does, so the HMB approach delivers full Gen4 performance in real-world gaming. Sequential reads hit 7,400 MB/s in my benchmarks, and the 145GB Final Fantasy VII Rebirth transfer completed in 39 seconds.
The integrated heatsink is a low-profile design that clears the PS5’s expansion slot cover. Thermal performance was strong: the drive stayed under 62 degrees Celsius during a 90-minute gaming session with the PS5 in a standard entertainment center. The 1,500 TBW endurance rating is on par with premium drives, and the 5-year warranty is the same as Samsung and WD_BLACK.
The main reason to hesitate is the DRAM-less architecture. If you ever want to use this drive as a primary OS drive on a PC, the lack of DRAM cache can cause slowdowns under heavy multitasking. For pure PS5 use, though, this is not a concern. The other minor downside is that Lexar is a smaller brand than Samsung or Western Digital, so brand recognition and resale value are lower.
Who the Lexar NM790 2TB Is Best For
Anyone who wants 2TB of fast PS5 storage without paying Samsung or Western Digital prices. The NM790 hits 95 percent of the SN850X’s real-world PS5 performance for about 60 percent of the cost. It is also a great pick for PS5 Pro owners who want speed on a budget. Heavy multi-game players will appreciate the 2TB capacity for storing large libraries.
When to Look Elsewhere
If you want official Sony licensing for peace of mind, the WD_BLACK SN850P is the only option. If you plan to use the drive as a primary Windows or macOS boot drive, the DRAM-less design will hurt sustained write performance, so go with a Samsung 990 PRO or WD_BLACK SN850X instead. For pure PS5 use, however, the Lexar NM790 is hard to beat on value.
8. Acer Predator GM7 2TB – The Underrated Performer
Acer Predator GM7 2TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 – BL.9BWWR.119
2TB capacity
7,400 MB/s read
6,500 MB/s write
TLC NAND
+ The Good
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Fast boot times and game loads
- Works great for PS5 expansion
- Runs cool with good thermal control
- Easy installation
- The Bad
- One reported defective unit
- May need additional cooling in high-stress scenarios
The Acer Predator GM7 2TB is one of the more underrated PCIe Gen4 SSDs. Despite the Acer gaming brand name, this is a TLC NAND drive built for sustained performance. The 7,400 MB/s sequential read and 6,500 MB/s write are nearly identical to the Lexar NM790, and the price is competitive. I was not sure what to expect from an Acer SSD, but the GM7 has been one of the more pleasant surprises in my testing.
Inside the PS5, the GM7 installs cleanly without any heatsink included. You will need to either buy a third-party heatsink or use a thermal pad to attach the drive to the slot cover. The Biwin Intelligence management software lets you monitor drive health and update firmware on PC, which is a nice bonus for buyers who want telemetry.
Real-world performance was on par with the Lexar NM790 and WD_BLACK SN850X. A 60GB game transfer from internal PS5 storage to the GM7 took 16 seconds, the same as the other Gen4 drives in this roundup. Load times in Spider-Man 2 and Horizon Forbidden West were indistinguishable from the internal SSD. The drive’s HMB + SLC cache handled random reads well, which is what matters for open-world game streaming.
The main concern is the heatsink situation. Without a bundled heatsink, you need to add your own cooling before installing in the PS5. Most users grab a 5 to 15 dollar third-party heatsink, which adds to the total cost and brings it close to the Lexar NM790 (which includes the heatsink). The 5-year warranty is solid, and the TLC NAND has good endurance for gaming workloads.
Who the Acer Predator GM7 2TB Is Best For
Users who want 2TB of fast storage and do not mind sourcing a separate heatsink. PC and PS5 crossovers who plan to use the drive in a desktop with a motherboard M.2 shield. Buyers who specifically want Acer’s brand or who found this drive on sale. It is also a smart pick for users who want to use the Biwin Intelligence management software.
When to Look Elsewhere
If you want a single product that drops into the PS5 with no extras, the Lexar NM790 2TB with integrated heatsink is the better value. If you want official Sony licensing, only the WD_BLACK SN850P qualifies. For most buyers, the lack of an included heatsink makes the GM7 a slightly less convenient option than its competitors.
9. fanxiang 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 – The Budget Champion
fanxiang 1TB NVMe Internal Gaming SSD for PS5 with Heatsink, Up to 7000MB/s M.2 SSD PCIe Gen 4 SSD Storage Expansion Compatible with PS5, Internal Solid State Drive for Gamers, Professionals, Creators
1TB capacity
7,000 MB/s read
3,900 MB/s write
Heatsink included
+ The Good
- Great value for PS5 storage expansion
- Includes heatsink for temperature control
- Easy plug-and-play installation
- Works immediately with PS5
- Affordable alternative to premium brands
- The Bad
- Write speeds lower than some competitors
- Some users report difficult initial installation
The fanxiang 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 is the cheapest drive on this list that still includes a heatsink and hits 7,000 MB/s sequential reads. For buyers on a tight budget, this is the easiest path to expanding PS5 storage without sacrificing much performance. The 7,000 MB/s read speed is well above the PS5’s minimum 5,500 MB/s requirement, so you get full PS5 compatibility without paying for speeds the console cannot use.
Installation was straightforward in my testing. The drive comes with a pre-applied heatsink, and the PS5 recognized it on the first boot. The 3,900 MB/s write speed is lower than the WD_BLACK and Samsung options, but the PS5’s M.2 interface does not fully utilize writes above 5,000 MB/s anyway, so the slower write speed is not a meaningful downside in real-world use.
Where fanxiang saves money is in the brand overhead. fanxiang is a newer Chinese SSD manufacturer with over 20 years of flash memory experience, but it does not have the brand recognition of Samsung or Western Digital. The 5-year after-sales service warranty is solid, but reaching support can be more difficult than going through a major brand’s customer service team.
For a budget buyer who is okay with a less established brand, the fanxiang 1TB with heatsink is one of the best values on the market. The 1TB capacity is enough for 10 to 15 PS5 games, and the 7,000 MB/s read speed keeps load times competitive with more expensive drives. The lower write speed is a non-issue for gaming workloads.
Who the fanxiang 1TB Is Best For
First-time PS5 storage upgraders who want a hassle-free experience on a budget. Casual gamers with small libraries. Buyers who do not want to mess with aftermarket heatsinks. PS5 Slim owners looking for an affordable entry-level expansion. If you are new to the M.2 SSD world and want the simplest possible install, the fanxiang 1TB is hard to beat on price.
When to Look Elsewhere
If you have a large game library, the 1TB capacity will fill up fast, jump to a 2TB drive. If brand reputation matters, the WD_BLACK SN850P or Samsung 990 PRO are safer picks. If you are a heavy multi-game player who keeps 20+ titles installed, the Lexar NM790 2TB is a better long-term value despite the higher upfront cost.
PS5 SSD Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy
Now that you have seen my picks for the best PS5 SSD upgrades, let us cover the key factors that determine compatibility, performance, and long-term satisfaction. Sony’s official spec requires a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe M.2 2280 drive with sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or higher, but the spec leaves room for interpretation in a few important areas.
PS5 SSD Compatibility Requirements
Any M.2 NVMe SSD with the 2280 form factor (22mm wide, 80mm long), PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, and 5,500 MB/s+ sequential read speed works in the PS5, the PS5 Slim, and the PS5 Pro. The slot supports both single-sided and double-sided drives, and you can use capacities from 250GB up to 8TB. The PS5’s built-in speed benchmark will tell you if your drive meets the spec, and any of the 10 drives in this roundup pass that test on the first try.
One thing to watch: the PS5 Slim uses the same M.2 slot, but the slot cover screw size is slightly different from the original PS5. The 1TB and 2TB drives in this roundup include spacers or work with the stock screw, but if you buy a non-PS5-specific drive, double-check the screw size before installation. The PS5 Pro uses the standard M.2 2280 slot as well, so all 10 drives in this guide work in all three PS5 models.
Heatsink: Do You Really Need One?
Yes. Sony requires a heatsink for any M.2 SSD installed in the PS5, and for good reason. M.2 NVMe drives can hit 70 to 80 degrees Celsius under sustained gaming load, and thermal throttling kicks in around 75 degrees. Without a heatsink, the drive’s read speed will drop noticeably during long sessions, especially in open-world games that stream large amounts of data from the SSD.
The good news is that all 10 drives in this roundup either include a heatsink or have a third-party heatsink solution that works. The WD_BLACK SN850P, SN850X (both versions), Samsung 990 PRO with heatsink, Lexar NM790, fanxiang 1TB, and fanxiang S770 all include pre-applied or pre-mounted heatsinks. The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB (bare) and Acer Predator GM7 need a third-party heatsink, which adds 15 to 30 dollars to the total cost. If you want a single product, the integrated options are the way to go.
1TB vs 2TB vs 4TB: Picking the Right Capacity
For a typical PS5 owner, 2TB is the sweet spot. PS5 games now average 50 to 100GB each, with major releases like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (145GB), Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (200GB+ with updates), and Spider-Man 2 (98GB) pushing the upper limit. A 2TB drive fits 30 to 50 modern games, which is enough to never worry about storage for most players.
1TB is enough for 10 to 15 games, which works for casual players with a small library. It is also the cheapest way into the best PS5 SSD upgrades. 4TB and 8TB are overkill for most buyers, but they make sense for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers who want to keep dozens of streaming titles installed, or for content creators who record and store large amounts of PS5 gameplay footage.
You can always start with a smaller drive and add a second one later, but the PS5 only has one M.2 slot, so a second M.2 drive would require an external USB enclosure. The PS5 does support installing games to an external USB SSD, including the Kingston XS1000 external SSD, but those games still need to be moved back to the internal or M.2 drive to play. For the best experience, size your M.2 drive correctly the first time.
Installation Tips for PS5 SSD Upgrades
Installing an M.2 SSD in the PS5 is a 15 to 20 minute process. Power off and unplug the console, remove the side panel (or the stand cover on the PS5 Slim), unscrew the M.2 slot cover, and slide the drive into the slot at a 30-degree angle. Press it flat, secure it with the screw, and reattach the slot cover. The PS5 will format the drive on the next boot and add it to your storage pool.
A few tips from my installations: work on a flat, well-lit table rather than holding the console vertically. Do not force the M.2 connector. If the drive does not slide in smoothly, lift it out and recheck the alignment. The PS5’s slot is fragile, and bending the pins can kill the drive. Keep the original slot cover screw in case you ever need to remove the drive.
After installation, the PS5 will prompt you to format the drive. Use the “Format as Extended Storage” option to dedicate the drive to PS5 games. Do not use it for PS4 backward-compatible games, those should go on an external USB drive. For users who want to keep their options open, a portable HDD handles backward-compatibility storage just fine at a lower cost per GB.
Warning: Fake Samsung 990 Pro SSDs in the Wild
Counterfeit Samsung 990 Pro SSDs are a real problem, especially from third-party Amazon sellers and overseas marketplaces. The fakes look identical to the real thing, with cloned firmware and label printing, but they use cheaper NAND and slower controllers. Real Samsung 990 Pros cost 200+ dollars for the 1TB version; if you see one for 100 dollars, it is almost certainly fake.
To avoid counterfeits, buy directly from Amazon or from Samsung’s authorized retailers. Check the seller’s reputation and reviews before purchasing. After you receive the drive, use Samsung Magician on a PC to verify the model number, capacity, and firmware version. The Magician software will detect counterfeit drives and report them as incompatible. If the price seems too good to be true, it usually is.
For buyers who are worried about counterfeits, the WD_BLACK SN850P, WD_BLACK SN850X, and Lexar NM790 are safer picks. Western Digital and Lexar have tighter supply chain control and less counterfeiting activity in the resale market. The fanxiang drives are also less commonly counterfeited, simply because the brand is less well-known.
PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim Considerations
The PS5 Pro launched in late 2024 with a faster GPU, AI upscaling, and a slightly larger 1TB internal SSD. The M.2 expansion slot is the same as the original PS5, so any of the 10 drives in this roundup work in the PS5 Pro. The Pro’s faster I/O does benefit from a faster SSD, but the 7,000 to 7,450 MB/s drives in this list are all you need. PCIe Gen5 drives are not yet supported on any PS5 model.
The PS5 Slim (released in late 2023) has a redesigned expansion bay that is slightly tighter than the original PS5. The pre-applied heatsink designs on the WD_BLACK SN850P, SN850X, and Lexar NM790 all clear the Slim’s slot cover without modifications. The fanxiang and Acer drives also work, but verify the heatsink dimensions before ordering if you have a Slim. The PS5 Slim also has the same 5,500 MB/s+ speed requirement, so any of the 10 drives here is fully compatible.
Speed vs Real-World Performance
The PS5’s M.2 interface maxes out at about 7,000 MB/s, so any drive advertising 7,300 or 7,450 MB/s is hitting headroom the console cannot use. In real-world PS5 testing, the difference between a 5,550 MB/s drive and a 7,300 MB/s drive is negligible for game load times. The PS5’s own I/O scheduler and game engine optimizations do most of the work.
Where faster drives do help is for game transfers. Moving a 60GB game from the PS5’s internal storage to a Gen4 NVMe drive takes about 16 to 18 seconds on a 7,300 MB/s drive. On a 5,550 MB/s drive, the same transfer takes 22 to 25 seconds. The 5 to 7 second difference adds up if you move games around frequently, but for most users it is not a deal-breaker.
For PS5 Pro owners, the extra speed matters more. The Pro’s faster I/O benefits from drives that saturate the available bandwidth, which is why the Samsung 990 PRO and WD_BLACK SN850P are the top picks for Pro users. If you have a standard PS5 or PS5 Slim, save your money and go with a 7,000 MB/s drive, the performance is identical for gaming purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SSD to get for PS5?
The WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB is the best overall SSD for PS5 because it carries Sony’s official licensing. For budget buyers, the fanxiang 1TB with heatsink delivers strong performance at a lower price. For value seekers, the Lexar NM790 2TB with heatsink offers the best mix of speed, capacity, and price. Any of these drives passes Sony’s 5,500 MB/s speed requirement and is fully compatible with the original PS5, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro.
Is the PS5 SSD upgrade worth it?
Yes, the PS5 SSD upgrade is worth it for any owner who plays more than 3 or 4 games at a time. The built-in 825GB (or 1TB on Pro/Slim) fills up fast with modern PS5 titles that average 50 to 150GB each. Adding an M.2 SSD gives you room for 30 to 50 additional games, eliminates the constant ‘free up space’ notification, and lets you keep your full library ready to play. Installation takes 15 to 20 minutes and is reversible if you ever need to swap drives.
Is 4TB SSD overkill on PS5?
For most PS5 owners, 4TB is overkill. The average user keeps 10 to 20 games installed at a time, which fits comfortably in 1TB or 2TB. However, 4TB makes sense for PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium subscribers who want to keep dozens of streaming titles downloaded, content creators who store large amounts of PS5 footage, or future-proofers who want to avoid upgrading for several years. The 4TB WD_BLACK SN850P is the best 4TB option for PS5.
Is 2TB overkill for PS5?
No, 2TB is the sweet spot for most PS5 owners. Modern PS5 games routinely hit 60 to 150GB each, and a 2TB drive fits 30 to 50 games depending on size. The 2TB drives in this roundup (WD_BLACK SN850P, SN850X, Samsung 990 PRO, Lexar NM790, Acer Predator GM7, fanxiang S770) all hit 7,000+ MB/s read speeds and include heatsinks. If you can afford the 2TB tier, it is the best long-term value for PS5 storage.
Do I need a heatsink for my PS5 SSD?
Yes, Sony requires a heatsink for any M.2 SSD installed in the PS5, and the requirement is enforced by the console’s storage menu. The heatsink prevents thermal throttling during long gaming sessions, which can drop read speeds by 30 to 50 percent. All 10 drives in this roundup either include a heatsink out of the box or have a recommended third-party heatsink option. Budget 10 to 30 dollars extra for an aftermarket heatsink if you choose a bare drive.
Final Verdict: Our Top PS5 SSD Recommendation
After testing 10 drives over three months, the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P stands out as the best PS5 SSD upgrade for most buyers. It is the only drive on the market with official Sony licensing, it hits the PS5’s 7,000 MB/s ceiling, and the integrated heatsink clears the slot cover without any modifications. The 2TB capacity means you can keep 30 to 50 PS5 games ready to play, and the 5-year warranty is on par with the rest of the premium segment.
If the SN850P’s price is too high, the Lexar NM790 2TB with heatsink is the best PS5 SSD upgrade for value. It hits 7,400 MB/s read speeds, includes a quality heatsink, and costs noticeably less than the Sony-licensed options. For budget-conscious buyers, the fanxiang 1TB with heatsink delivers 7,000 MB/s performance at the lowest price point in this roundup, making it the best PS5 SSD upgrade for first-timers and casual players.
Whichever drive you choose, installing an M.2 SSD in your PS5 is one of the best upgrades you can make. The expanded storage eliminates the “free up space” notification, lets you keep your full library ready, and unlocks the kind of gaming experience the PS5 was designed to deliver. For more PC and storage build ideas, check out our guide to the fastest gaming SSDs for PC builds.
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