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The best PS5 external hard drives for storing all your games
The worst part of gaming is finding enough storage to download all the games you want without having to get rid of some titles. This is where the best PS5 drive comes in handy.
A PS5 external hard drive can improve your gaming experience in multiple ways. Most importantly, it gives you more storage for PS4 and PS5 game data.
The best external hard drive allows you to access your PS4 game data to play at any time. To do the same with PS5 games, you'll need to copy the game's data from an external hard drive onto the PS5's SSD. While this might seem like an extra step, PlayStation states it's quicker than re-downloading a game.
With all of these things in mind, I rounded up the five best PS5 external hard drives.
Also:
- Affordable for a 5TB external hard drive
- 3-year limited warranty
- Available in a variety of storage capacities
- Slightly larger than other 5TB hard drives
WD_Black 5TB P10 game drive features: Capacity: 5TB | Compatible with PC, PlayStation, and Xbox | Includes an 18-inch USB Type-A to Micro-B cable | 2.5-inch hard disk form factor
WD_Black's P10 hard drive is one of the highest-rated hard drives compatible with PlayStation 5. With over 27,000 reviews on Amazon, the product has a 4.8/5 rating with 86% of reviewers giving it a five-star rating.
The sleek metal covering makes this external hard drive one of the most unique-looking storage components on the market. Along with the rugged look, the design makes it incredibly durable, so you can take your gaming on the road with you.
Most importantly, it has ample storage. You can hold up to 125 games at one time, giving you access to a vast library whenever you want. And you can transfer data up to 5Mbps with its USB-A to Micro-B cable with the SuperSpeed interface.
- Won't break the bank
- Quick access to your gaming library with "Always On" mode
- Only has 2TB of storage
Toshiba Canvio portable external hard drive features: Capacity: 2TB | Compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac | Has an "Always On" mode for use whenever you need | Can store up to 50 games
If you want a reliable but cheap option, the Toshiba Canvio portable external hard drive is for you. Toshiba's gaming storage component has a sleek but small design that allows you to bring your games anywhere you go.
Best of all, you can store up to 50 PS4 and PS5 games at one time. For PS5 games, you'll need to download them on the console's SSD first before copying the data to the external hard drive. It's also compatible with other gaming consoles like Microsoft Xbox Series X/S.
With over 26,000 reviews on Amazon, this hard drive has average 4.5/5 rating. Though the capacity is just 2TB, you're getting a top-notch product from a trusted brand with options available for more storage. Plus, it comes with a two-year warranty
- Great external drive to store more than a few games
- Small and sleek design makes it perfect for travel
- Doesn't automatically backup
- Reformatting needed if using with Mac
WD Elements portable external hard drive features: Capacity: 5TB | Compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac | SuperSpeed USB-A cable for transfers up to 5Gbps | NTFS file system
Don't let the small size get you twisted -- this drive is very powerful. With 5TB of storage and the capability to connect to an assortment of devices, this hard drive can be used for gaming, work, and even personal use.
It delivers fast transfer speeds when connected using the USB 3.0 port. Speaking of ports, it's also compatible with USB 2.0. By transferring data from a gaming pc, you can improve performance by reducing its memory usage, making it faster for processing high-graphic games.
If 5TB is too much, there are multiple options for smaller hard drives, including 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. Best of all, the compact size makes it perfect for a variety of gaming setups, and you can take it with you easily. Western Digital offers a two-year warranty on this PS5 drive.
- Easy to set up
- Works with an assortment of devices
- Slightly larger and heavier than competitors
- More expensive than others on this list
Seagate portable external hard drive HDD features: Capacity: 5TB | Compatible with PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox, and more | Read speed: 120 MB/s | Automatically recognizes software required when plugged in
I know someone who uses this exact hard drive, and they love it. It's a great drive for storing PlayStation content as well as files from your computer and other gaming consoles. In turn, it can improve computer performance by freeing up memory -- a must for gamers.
You'll also enjoy fast transfer rates thanks to the USB 3.0 port. The external hard drive also comes with an 18-inch cable, giving you more wiggle room to accommodate your gaming setup.
In the review section of most hard drives, people complain they have to format their drive before storing information on it. This storage unit automatically recognizes the software and formatting needed to provide a seamless experience on any device.
- Samsung is the #1 rated flash memory brand
- 9.5x faster than a normal external hard drive
- Smallest option on this list
- Very pricey
- Not as much storage available compared to the other devices
Samsung Portable SSD T7 features: Capacity: 1TB | Read speed: 1,050 MB/s | Write speed: 1,000 MB/s | Has Dynamic Thermal Guard to maintain a cool temperature | Multiple color options including Indigo Blue, Metallic Red, and Titan Gray | Shock-resistant
When it comes to reliability, Samsung is one of the best companies at giving customers their money's worth. This drive differentiates itself from the competitors with its high read and write speeds as well as its temperature control technology. It can write data up to 9.5 times faster than a traditional hard drive.
It's also unique from a security standpoint. It comes with fingerprint and password security to keep your files protected.
The one thing holding this storage drive back is the low amount of storage. Because this drive is a solid-state drive (SSD) and not a hard disk drive (HDD), the speeds are much higher -- but so is the price. If you're willing to fork up the extra cash, this drive is definitely worth it.
Adding to this is the fact the drive is strong and can withstand drops from up to 6 feet. The LED touch indicator is also a nice touch, giving you insight into what your SSD is doing in real time.
What is the best PS5 external storage drive?
The best PS5 hard drive is the WD_Black P10 due to its small size and incredible capabilities when it comes to gaming.
At just $120, the WD_Black P10 game drive is a must-buy for those looking for reliable storage at a price you can't typically find. However, there are also other PS5 external hard drives worth considering if you're looking to receive transfer speeds and decent storage at a fair price. This table illustrates how the best PS5 drives compare based on price, storage, and size:
PS5 drive | Price | Storage | Dimensions |
WD_Black P10 game drive | $120 | 5TB | 3.46 x 4.65 x .5 inches |
Toshiba Canvio portable external hard drive | $75 | 2TB | 4.37 x 3.15 x .53 inches |
WD Elements portable external hard drive | $58 | 5TB | 3.23 x 4.35 x 0.82 inches |
Seagate Portable external hard drive | $110 | 5TB | 4.61 x 4.65 x .79 inches |
SSD pick: Samsung Portable SSD T7 | $90 | 5TB | 2.24 x 3.35 x .31 inches |
Which is the right PS5 drive for you?
Each product has unique features that differentiate it from competitors. Here is a table of what each storage drive brings to the table.
Choose this PS5 drive… | If you want... |
WD_Black P10 game drive | A good-looking, powerful storage device compatible with PS4 and PS5, protected by a sleek metal covering. |
Toshiba Canvio portable external hard drive | An affordable hard drive with an "Always On mode," for access whenever you need it. |
WD Elements portable external hard drive HDD | A compact HDD delivering a SuperSpeed USB-A cable for transfer speeds up to 5Gbps. |
Seagate portable external hard drive HDD | A highly rated hard drive with fast transfer speeds and automatic software recognition. |
SSD pick: Samsung Portable SSD T7 | A reliable, shock-resistant SSD with read and write speeds 9.5 times faster than normal models. |
How did we choose these PS5 external storage drives?
I categorized these PS5 external storage drives after careful research into the specs and reviews of each product. I paid close attention to specific offerings like heatsinks, sequential read speed, how much usable storage they contain, and gaming hardware compatibility.
The WD_Black P10 hard drive is the best storage component available for PS5. The price, internal storage capacity, and rugged look make it perfect for any hardcore gamer. However, the Samsung Portable SSD T7 was a close competitor for the top spot.
Although the Samsung product has shock resistance, easy formatting, and a small, sleek design, the storage is limited to only 1TB. If you don't have too many games and just need the extra storage, this is worth it if you're willing to pay the extra money.
The Seagate portable external HDD can also connect with most devices. The Toshiba Canvio external HDD is compatible with most devices as well, but it costs less. Lastly, the WD Elements portable HDD's small size makes it the best compact option. It takes up less space on your desk, in your bag, and anywhere else you may take it.
What is an external hard drive?
An external hard drive is a portable storage device, mostly used for gaming. These typically come in large storage capacities.
Also: The best external hard drives
How does it work? First, you connect your external hard drive to the device, and then begin transferring files from your device to the external hard drive, in this case from your PS5. The transfer rates vary, but you'll receive a fast connection if the external hard drive has a USB 3.0 port.
What is the difference between an HDD and an SSD?
A hard disk drive (HDD) is basically an older version of a solid-state drive (SSD). An HDD has a rotating disk inside the drive where storage is saved magnetically. On the other hand, an SSD stores data using a chip rather than physically moving parts.
Also: SSD vs. HDD: What's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Are there alternative PS5 drives worth considering?
Although the products below didn't make the top five, these products are great alternatives if my five favorites didn't speak to you. When it comes to storage, you want reliability, speed, and capacity -- and these honorable mentions are still worth the money.