Best SSD for PS5 in 2026: Complete Buying Guide
Find the best M.2 NVMe SSD for your PS5. Compare PS5-compatible drives by price per TB, speed, and value. Updated for 2026.
Quick Answer: Best PS5 SSDs Right Now
Looking for the best SSD for PS5 in 2026? Here are our top picks:
| Recommendation | Best For | Why | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB | Overall best | Reliable, fast, 5-year warranty | View on Amazon |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB | Gamers | Optimized for gaming, heatsink option | View on Amazon |
| Crucial T705 2TB | Future-proofing | Gen 5 speeds at competitive prices | View on Amazon |
Compare all PS5-compatible drives by price per TB on our tracker.
What Makes an SSD "PS5 Compatible"?
Sony has specific requirements for PS5 expansion storage. Not all NVMe drives will work. Here's what you need:
Mandatory Requirements
- Interface: M.2 NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 4 x4 or newer)
- Read Speed: 5,500 MB/s or faster (sequential)
- Form Factor: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110
- Width: 22mm (standard M.2)
- Max Height with Heatsink: 11.25mm
Capacity Options
| Capacity | Usable Space | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 500GB | ~460GB | Tight budget, few games |
| 1TB | ~930GB | Moderate library |
| 2TB | ~1.8TB | Best value, large library |
| 4TB | ~3.7TB | Maximum storage |
Our Recommendation: 2TB offers the best price per terabyte for most users.
Top PS5 SSD Picks for 2026
1. Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
The Samsung 990 Pro remains one of the most reliable and fastest SSDs for PS5.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 7,450 MB/s read speed | Premium price |
| 5-year warranty | Heatsink version harder to find |
| Excellent thermal performance | |
| Available with heatsink |
➡️ Check current price on Amazon
2. WD Black SN850X 2TB
Western Digital's WD Black SN850X is a PS5 favorite.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 7,300 MB/s read speed | Runs warm without heatsink |
| With or without heatsink options | |
| Game Mode 2.0 predictive loading | |
| 5-year warranty |
➡️ Check current price on Amazon
3. Crucial T705 2TB
The Crucial T705 is the latest Gen 5 option that's backwards compatible with PS5.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 14,500 MB/s read (future-proof) | Gen 5 speed wasted on PS5 |
| Works perfectly in PS5 Gen 4 slot | Requires good cooling |
| Competitive Gen 5 pricing | |
| 5-year warranty |
➡️ Check current price on Amazon
Compare all these drives by price per TB to find today's best deal.
Price Per TB: The Smart Way to Compare
Don't just look at the sticker price. A $150 1TB drive costs $150/TB, while a $240 2TB drive costs only $120/TB.
Our price tracker calculates this automatically so you can find the true best value.
Current Market Average (2026)
| Capacity | Good Price/TB | Great Price/TB |
|---|---|---|
| 1TB NVMe | $80-100 | Under $80 |
| 2TB NVMe | $60-80 | Under $60 |
| 4TB NVMe | $70-90 | Under $70 |
Installation Guide
Installing an SSD in PS5 takes about 5 minutes:
- Power off your PS5 completely
- Remove the side panel (white cover)
- Unscrew the expansion slot cover
- Install your SSD (with heatsink attached)
- Replace the screw and covers
- Boot up - PS5 will format the drive automatically
Important: Some games can only run from internal storage. You can move games between drives anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an external SSD instead?
Yes, but with limitations. External USB SSDs can store PS5 games but cannot run them. You must transfer games to internal storage to play. External drives are great for PS4 games, which run directly from USB.
Do I need the fastest SSD available?
No. Any SSD meeting the 5,500 MB/s requirement will perform identically in PS5. Faster drives (7,000+ MB/s) offer no benefit for console gaming—save money on a mid-tier drive.
How long do SSDs last?
Modern NVMe SSDs have rated endurance of 600-1,200 TBW (terabytes written) for 2TB models. For typical gaming use (writing 50GB/day), this equals 30+ years of lifespan. Drive failure from age is extremely rare.
Final Verdict
For most PS5 owners, a 2TB NVMe SSD offers the best balance of capacity and value. The Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN850X are proven performers, while the Crucial T705 offers future-proofing if you also game on PC.
Use our NVMe SSD price tracker to compare current deals and find the lowest price per terabyte before you buy.