External hard drives are quite essential if your PS5 console internal storage does not have enough space to store a game. The PS5 comes with an in-built solid-state-drive (SSD) for super quick transfer speeds, but its maximum capacity is limited from 250GB to 4TB. This may sound like a massive amount of storage, but still may not be enough if you are a gaming geek.

Why should I buy a PS5 external hard drive?

Games can take up a lot of space and with the PS5 operating system already blocking up to 20% of the SSD, you may soon need more space to play your favorite games. To solve this storage issue, you should invest in PS5 external drive.

Things to consider when buying a PS5 external hard drive

An external hard drive helps you expand your storage capabilities. You can easily solve your storage issues with the best PS5 external hard drive. PS5 has an SSD expansion bay, which is an available option to add storage. Another option is to plug in an external drive, which could be a great place to store games. This way games are accessible at any time without any need for internet connectivity. Before you spend money on the external hard drive you should understand that you cannot just pick anything you see.

• There are certain hardware requirements in order to ensure seamless performance when combined with the console. You should understand what the PS5 external hard drive can do and can’t do for you.
• You can store PS4 and PS5 games on an external drive, but can only play PS4 games directly from these drives.
• To play PS5 games, you need to copy PS5 games back to the system’s internal SSD. Solid State Drive (SSD) and Hard Disk Drive (HDD), both act as PS5 storage so you can buy them.
• Make sure the external storage drive meets the hardware requirements for extended storage for your PS5. Samsung T7 5GB Portable SSD is perhaps the best portable SSD for PS5 console.
• WD Black D10 Game Drive 8TB offers massive storage space. But, before you can start using an extended USB storage drive, you need to format it.

Below mentioned are some of the best PS5 external drives available in the market today:

1. Samsung Portable SSD T5 - The best overall PS5 external hard drive

Storage Size	1 TB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	C
External Power	No
Price	$99.99

Product description - This external hard drive is compact and overall the best PS5 external hard drive. The 1 TB storage drive is smooth, quiet in operation, and quickly transfers data. With 1 TB of storage space, you actually double the storage that you get from PS5’s internal storage. Samsung Portable SSD T5 promotes speed to the next level. T5 transfer speed is up to 4.9x times faster compared to an external HDD.

You will be amazed to witness how quick transfers and backups of large-sized data and high-resolution photos can take place using T5. It comes in an aluminum finish with a rounded corner for easy holding.  T5 has no moving parts, is shock resistant, and has an optional password protection.

You can easily connect T5 to an extensive range of devices like PCs, Macs, and smartphones.

Buy in Amazon; Buy in Bestbuy

2. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD - The best PS5 external hard drive for budget buy

                                                                                                                    

Storage Size	500GB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	C
External Power	No
Price	$71.99 (clearance sale on bestbuy)

Product description - This sleek little external drive offers high-speed transfers of up to 550MB/s. The design is compact, pocket-sized, shock-resistant, and vibration-resistant. It is crafted to withstand external harmful elements like water and dust. The storage space with 500GB is not massive, but it is adequate to store about 10 big-budget titles or a lot more small to medium budget titles. 

Please remember that if you plan to use this drive for anything other than movies, music, or pictures, you are supposed to format it.

Buy in Bestbuy

3. OWC 250GB Envoy Pro Elektron- The fastest pocket-sized PS5 external hard drive

 

Storage Size	250GB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	C
Extrenal Power	No
Price	$99.00
Compatible Devices	Desktop, iPad Pro, Chromebook

 Product description - This is another excellent external solid-state drive for PS5. The built is tough, miniature so that you can carry it from one place to another without fear of it breaking. The transfer speed is pretty impressive at 1011MB/s, which ensures you do not have to wait too long for your games to load. However, the storage capacity is a little bit low at 250GB for base model. OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is compatible with Thunderbolt and USB Macs, PCs, iPad Pro, and Chromebooks.

Buy in Amazon 

4. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB- The best value PS5 external hard drive

 

Storage Size	1TB
Storage Type	HDD
USB	Type A to Micro B
Hard disk Interface	USB 2.0/3.0
Price	$44.99
Compatible Devices	PC, Mac (requires formatting)
Data Transfer Rate	5 gigabits per second

 Product description – With this EDD, you will get a decent amount of storage at a low price. If you want an affordable and simple hard drive to store a good amount of data you opt for Toshiba Canvio Basics. It is a useful HDD for a budget buy. If you need a reliable backup drive that is also faster, then this should be your go to option.

Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB is mostly recommended for Xbox One. You can store all your documents and media in one place and travel with them effortlessly. Its 1TB storage capacity provides enough space to store your movies, music, and photos.

Buy in Amazon

5. Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB – Best external hard drive that is compact, yet fast

 

Storage Size	1TB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	Type A or Type C
Hard disk Interface	USB 3.2
Price	$139.99
Compatible Devices	Laptop, Desktop, Television
Read Speed	1050 Megabytes Per Second

Product description - There is so much to love about Samsung T7 Portable SSD. It is extremely tiny and is incredibly fast for an external SSD. It is well-built, drop-resistant, shock-resistant, and powered by dynamic thermal guard technology. It means the device self protects itself from overheating by automatically slowing the transfer speed.

Samsung T7 reads up to 1050MB/s and transfers data in a flash at approx 9.5x faster than an external HDD.

Buy in Bestbuy

6. WD Black D10 8TB HDD- Best external hard drive with high capacity.

Storage Size	8TB
Storage Type	HDD
USB	Type A
Hard disk Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 1
Price	$199.99
Compatible Devices	Laptop, Desktop, Gaming Console
Read Speed	259 Megabytes Per Second

Product description - It is an excellent choice to stash your enormous pile of old PS4 games along with new ones in this device. With its massive 8TB storage capacity, you can store all your favorite old pet games so you can always revisit them whenever you want. D10 also comes with extra USB ports perfect for charging controllers or expanding your PS5’s USB connectivity.

This is a great choice if you want to store all your downloaded games, media, and more in one place.

Buy in Walmart

7. Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD 1TB- Another great SSD for PS5

 

Storage Size	1TB to 16TB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	Type C
Hard disk Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Price	$219.99 (1TB)
Compatible Devices	Laptop, Desktop, Gaming Console
Transfer Speed	up to 2000MB/s

 Product description - True gamers want more than massive storage from the best external hard drive for PS5. Gaming experiences reach a new height if an external hard drive emits colorful lighting along with fast data transfers. Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD is amazingly fast and the tiny notch around the casing can be lit up in your favorite color.

This one is a definite must if you want super quick transfer speed and instantaneous loading of games. Another plus point of this external PS5 hard drive is that this is backed by a three-year data recovery in case you lose it. You can enjoy long-term peace of mind with this buy.                                                                                                  

Buy in Amazon

8. Crucial X6 Portable SSD 1TB- The best budget PS5 external SSD

 

Storage Size	500GB to 4TB
Storage Type	SSD
USB	Type C to A
Hard disk Interface	USB 3.2
Price	$97.98 (1TB)
Compatible Devices	Gaming Console
Read Speed	up to 540 Megabytes Per Second

Product Description - It has a huge storage capacity, which is enough for 50 hours of video, 10,000 photos, 3,000 songs, or 200GB of documents with still space left for more. You can easily connect your Crucial X6 Portable SSD to USB-A host devices like older PCs, Macs, PS4s, or XBOX Ones. This super-compact design is cheaper than its counterparts.

With this external storage device, you get decent capacity at a reasonable rate. It is tiny, lightweight, and can easily fit between your fingertips.

Buy in Amazon

Video about how to choose a best PS5 external hard drive

Which PS5 external hard drive should I buy?

HDD and SSD are both storage devices that are used to store a large volume of digital data. HDD uses an older form of technology whereas SSD uses modern technology. This makes SSD faster and more reliable than HDD. But when it comes to budget buying, HDD is a cheaper option that can cater to your need as well. Not everyone needs massive storage options as they have little or limited requirements.

Conclusion

If you can afford an SSD, you should go for it. As SSD has no moving parts so chances of failure over time are less. You should know that PS5 internal storage already has about 825GB worth of space, so 1TB of the external hard drive will double it, and 2 TB will triple it, and so on. More space means you need to spend more, so make your decision carefully and according to your needs.