Upgrade Your PS5: Top-Rated M.2 SSDs for Enhanced Performance

Boost Your PS5's Storage: A Guide to the Best SSDs

For several console generations, gamers were limited by the built-in storage. The PS5, however, offers a welcome change with its internal M.2 PCIe slot, allowing for easy expansion with off-the-shelf SSDs. This is a significant improvement, especially considering the PS5's relatively small initial storage capacity (825GB). Upgrading with a high-performance SSD, like the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX (our top pick), dramatically improves loading times, bringing them close to the console's internal drive speed.

TL;DR - Top PS5 SSD Recommendations:

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

Key Considerations for PS5 SSD Selection:

• Interface: Requires PCIe 4.0 (or Gen 4) or higher for speeds up to 7,500MB/s. Gen 3 drives are significantly slower.
• Form Factor: Must be an M.2 drive. While the PS5 accommodates various sizes, the 2280 is the most common and recommended.
• Heatsink: Essential due to the heat generated by PCIe 4.0 SSDs. Choose a drive with a built-in heatsink (maximum height 11.25mm) or purchase a compatible separate heatsink.
• Capacity: Select the storage capacity to meet your needs. 1TB is a popular choice, effectively doubling the console's storage. Larger capacities (up to 4TB or more) are available but at a higher cost.
• Warranty and Endurance: Check the warranty period (typically five years) and the TBW (Terabytes Written) rating, indicating the drive's lifespan. TLC NAND is a good balance of performance and endurance for gaming.

PS5 SSD FAQs:

• Is an SSD worthwhile? Absolutely, if you play multiple games or large live-service titles. The PS5's base storage fills up quickly.
• Required SSD speed? Minimum 5,500MB/s read speed. 6,500MB/s or higher is ideal but beyond that offers diminishing returns for the PS5.
• Best time to buy? Prime Day (July), Black Friday, and Cyber Monday often offer significant discounts.
• Are PCIe 5.0 SSDs necessary? No. The PS5 doesn't fully utilize PCIe 5.0 speeds; a PCIe 4.0 drive is sufficient and more cost-effective.

Individual SSD Reviews:

1. Corsair MP600 Pro LPX: Excellent value, high read speeds (up to 7,100MB/s), pre-installed heatsink. A strong contender despite not being the absolute fastest available. 1TB version has a 700TBW rating.

2. Crucial T500: Best budget option. High speeds (up to 7,300MB/s read), includes a heatsink, and offers good value for the price. 1TB model offers 600TBW.

3. Samsung 990 Evo Plus: High performance at a reasonable price. Excellent speeds (up to 7,250MB/s read) but requires a separate heatsink. TBW varies by capacity.

4. WD_Black P40: A fast external SSD (2,000MB/s read) offering convenient external storage, though it cannot run PS5 games directly. Useful for PS4 games and data transfer.

Remember to consult our guide on PS5 storage upgrades for installation assistance. Upgrading your PS5's storage is a straightforward process, even for non-technical users.