The latest PS5 update from Sony means you can now expand the internal storage of your PS5, via the addition of a Solid State Drive and as always we're here to help you find the best M.2 SSD option for you.
Generally, with compatibility, there are several 'tick boxes' to follow to ensure your chosen accessories work, but Sony has stated in their requirement list that even if an M.2 SSD meets the requirements on paper, it may not work as expected.
It's worth doing an extra layer of research with every internal SSD you consider for your PS5 to avoid disappointment, but for now, here are some of the internal SSD worth checking out on your search.
And if you're not too keen on taking apart your PS5, then remember, you can still grab one of these awesome external SSDs to store your PS5 games and give you some extra breathing room, and all you need to do is plug them in. The same goes for some of the best hard drives for PS5 too.
You can find the requirements we're basing our selections on below.
So let's get into it.
Best Internal SSD for PS5
- WD Black SN850
- Samsung 980 PRO
- ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE
- Patriot Viper VP4300
- GIGABYTE AORUS Gen4
- MSI Spatium M480
- Seagate FireCuda 530 Heatsink
- Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus
- PNY XLR8 CS3040
- Crucial P5 Plus
Requirements
- PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD
- 250GB - 4TB capacity
- 5,500MB/s read speed or faster
- Socket Type: Socket 3 (Key M)
- 22mm width (25mm width is not supported)
- See the full list of requirements here.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Western Digital - WD Black SN850
click to enlarge
+ 10When looking for expandable storage you'll likely come across Western Digital and the WD Black SN850 is a solid internal SSD that may be compatible with the PS5.
Western Digital promise to deliver quality by offering a 5-year limited warranty with this SSD and in terms of storage, you'll get up to 2TB which is a decent amount to store all your games.
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This SSD is also extremely fast, claiming to deliver up to 7,000 MB/s read and 5,600MB/s write speeds which should decrease data transfer and loading screen time.
The WD Black SN850 even comes with RGB lights which are fully customisable (Windows Only).
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Samsung - Samsung 980 PRO
click to enlarge + 10Samsung also tends to deliver consistent quality when it comes to storage expansion and the 980 Pro is no exception.
Again, you're getting lightning-fast read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and up to 2TB of storage which is a remarkable combination for any internal SSD.
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This Samsung drive also offers a wide range of storage options meaning if you're only looking for an extra 250GB of storage you don't have to spend as much.
The Samsung 980 Pro also features thermal control technology to maintain maximum performance and stop the SSD from overheating.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Adata - ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE
click to enlarge + 10The ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE looks to be a marvellous SSD for your PS5 if you're looking to have plenty of storage capacity.
Its 2TB of space will allow you to install a handy few games and practically triple the internal SSD's space and then some, providing you with enough capacity to last for a good while.
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Respective reads and writes of 7400 MB/s and 6800 MB/s also make the ADATA XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE one of the quicker SSDs on our list and provide you with some blazing-fast transfer speeds and load times.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Patriot - Patriot Viper VP4300
click to enlarge + 10If you're looking for a powerful internal SSD for your PS5 from a manufacturer you may not have considered in a while but still offers a lot of oomph then the Patriot Viper VP4300 should be a good choice.
Its blazing-fast read and write speeds of 7400 MB/s and 6800 MB/s are not to be sniffed at, especially given this is arguably more of an affordable option than other SSDs on this list.
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A capacity of 1TB also allows you to store a good few games on board, but if you do want anything bigger then it is possible to pick up the Patriot Viper VP4300 in a 2TB configuration.
You'll also find two heatsinks present with this SSD - one is a smaller and thin graphene layer, whilst the other is a fuller-size aluminium one that we think looks amazing.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Gigabyte - GIGABYTE AORUS Gen4
click to enlarge + 10Another standout internal SSD is the Gigabyte AORUS Gen 4.
While you may be familiar with the Gigabyte as delivering some of the best motherboards and best HDMI 2.1 monitors, their Gen 4 SSD should be equally brilliant to match.
In terms of storage, 2TB should be more than enough to hold a decent amount of games and give you the extra storage you're searching for.
The Gigabyte AORUS Gen 4 also boasts spectacular read and write speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and 5,500MB/s respectively, which we think makes it a worthy choice from this list.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 MSI - MSI Spatium M480
click to enlarge + 10A fantastic internal SSD for PS5 is the MSI Spatium M480.
1TB's worth of storage should practically double what you get with the PS5's own standard 825GB internal SSD and should be able to hold a fair amount of games.
Its read and write speeds of 7000MB/s and 6800MB/s respectively also make the MSI Spatium M480 one of the quickest SSDs on our list and also means games should be able to be loaded in no time at all.
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It's also got its own heatsink which is handy for being compatible with your PS5 as it means you don't have to do any other installation work. One of the key requirements for PS5 internal SSDs is that must have a heatsink.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Seagate - Seagate FireCuda 530 Heatsink
click to enlarge + 10As the first confirmed drive to be compatible with the PS5, the Seagate FireCuda 530 Heatsink is definitely one of our top choices.
You'll find brilliant transfer speeds with reads of 7300 MB/s and storage options ranging from 500GB to 4TB, so you could easily make this your main drive.
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The fact it comes with its own heatsink is also a massive bonus, as it means there's no DIY work to be done. One of the key requirements for the PS5 is that it has to have a heatsink, regardless of implementation.
There's also some of the latest SSD tech with 3D TLC NAND memory packed inside the FireCuda 530, which allows for higher storage capacities and faster speeds than previous generations. On the subject of speed, the fact that it's also PCIe Gen 4.0 is also a big help.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 Sabrent - Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus
click to enlarge + 10The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is another fantastic PCle M.2 Gen 4 SSD.
The standout feature of this storage expansion unit is its huge capacity potential with up to 4TB of additional storage which we think should last a long time and be difficult to use up.
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You're also getting those highly sought-after ultra-fast read speeds with 7,000 MB/s enabling you to dive into the action more quickly.
The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is also designed to be exceptionally quiet and maintain a cool temperature which we think makes it a real winner in our eyes.
Best Internal SSD For PS5 PNY - PNY XLR8 CS3040
click to enlarge + 10PNY is no stranger when it comes to developing outstanding solid-state drives and we think the XLR8 CS3040 could be one of their best yet.
This drive boasts read speeds of up to 5,600 MB/s which is still incredibly fast even when compared to the best external SSDs for gaming.
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Thanks to its compact design weighing a mere 6.6 grams, PNY boasts that this SSD is up to 30 times more robust than an HDD.
The PNY XLR8 CS3040 could be another potential choice for the PS5.
Best M.2 SSD For PS5 Crucial - Crucial P5 Plus
click to enlarge + 10Another excellent M.2 SSD for PS5 is the Crucial P5 Plus.
This internal SSD comes with either 500GB, 1TB or 2TB of additional storage and superfast read speeds of up to 6,600 MB/s.
This M.2 SSD also boasts advanced features such as full hardware-based encryption, dynamic write acceleration, and adaptive thermal protection.
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These should work together to keep your data secure and enhance the reliability of your storage.
The Crucial P5 Plus is also backwards compatible with most Gen 3 systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internal SSDs for PS5
When it comes to internal SSDs, there are a few questions that are worth considering before proceeding with your purchase.
What size SSD do I need for PS5?
The right SSD size ultimately comes down to your specific needs as well as budget.
You can expand your PS5 storage anywhere from 250GB all the way up to 4TB, and while you can usually get 250GB for under $100, a 4TB M.2 SSD will likely set you back by more than $500.
Most casual gamers won't need anywhere close to 4TB of storage, we'd say getting yourself 1TB is going to be the sweet spot for most people.
Is it worth it to get an internal SSD for PS5?
It's completely up to you, but we'd say that it's worth it for those who really value not having to move around files or have anything attached to their console.
Unlike the Seagate expansion card, one of the best SSDs for Xbox Series X, Sony doesn't have its own solution to expand internal PS5 memory, but nowadays there are plenty of options to pick from that work with the console.
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But for most people, we'd think having one of the best external SSDs for gaming, or even one of the best hard drives for PS5 is more than enough.
Why buy an internal SSD for PS5?
Opting for an internal M.2 SSD for PS5 offers a convenient solution for those wanting to upgrade their PS5's internal storage whilst also keeping it simple in terms of installation.
In addition, going for an internal SSD also allows for an increase in usable capacity so games can be played on the PS5 directly, as opposed to installing them on an external HDD or SSD and then having to move them over onto the internal storage to play them.
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Not only this, but internal M.2 SSDs are significantly faster than both external HDDs and SSDs.
For example, the Samsung 980 Pro boasts read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s whereas the WD_Black P50, an external SSD, offers up to 2,000 MB/s read speeds.
Is installing an internal SSD easy to do with the PS5?
It actually is quite straightforward, granted you get one that fits. There are already numerous videos on this online, so you should be able to do it with ease.
Sony has even produced their own official guide on how to install an M.2 SSD into your PS5, you can check that out here.
How much should I spend on an internal SSD for PS5?
They can be quite pricey, so consider it more like a major upgrade to your console if you want a fair bit of space and performance.
Many of the above list, for example, come in at well over $100.
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