10 Best PS5 Memory in 2026

The PS5’s internal 825GB drive fills up fast. You buy one launch title, a few Game Pass-esque downloads, and suddenly you’re deciding which game to delete before installing the next big release. Sony solved this with an M.2 expansion slot, but the options can be confusing: PCIe Gen4 speeds, heatsink requirements, and the separate world of external HDDs for older games. We sorted through the market to find the best PS5 memory upgrades in 2026, covering both internal NVMe SSDs that mount inside the console and external drives that offload PS4 titles and act as a game vault.

TL;DR: The WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB is the one most people should buy: officially licensed, plug-and-play with a custom heatsink. For serious game hoarders, the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB offers massive capacity at top speed. The fanxiang S770 500GB is the budget entry point for quick expansion. And if you just need to store PS4 games and free up console space, the Seagate Game Drive 5TB external drive is the obvious pick.

Comparison Table

#	Product	Type	Speed (Read)	Capacity	Price	Best for
1	WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB	Internal NVMe	7,300 MB/s	1TB	$219.99	Official compatibility, no-fuss install
2	WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB (Heatsink)	Internal NVMe	7,300 MB/s	2TB	$389.95	Maximum internal capacity at top speed
3	WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB (Heatsink)	Internal NVMe	7,300 MB/s	1TB	$259.99	Premium performance, slightly lower price than SN850P
4	fanxiang S770 500GB	Internal NVMe	7,300 MB/s (PC) / 3,700 MB/s (PS5)	500GB	$99.99	Budget internal expansion for a few games
5	fanxiang 1TB S880ER (Heatsink)	Internal NVMe	7,000 MB/s	1TB	$189.99	High-speed 1TB with bundled heatsink
6	SIX X7400 1TB	Internal NVMe	7,350 MB/s	1TB	$174.99	Speed-focused alternative to WD_BLACK
7	Fikwot FX660 1TB	Internal NVMe	4,800 MB/s	1TB	$155.99	Affordable Gen4 with adequate PS5 speeds
8	Fanxiang S690Q 1TB	Internal NVMe	4,800 MB/s	1TB	$155.99	Another budget 1TB, slower but functional
9	Seagate Game Drive 5TB	External HDD (USB 3.2)	~160 MB/s	5TB	$178.84	Massive cold storage for PS4 games
10	YOTUO Portable 1TB External HDD	External HDD (USB 3.0)	~100-120 MB/s	1TB	$69.99	Ultra-budget external for PS4 and multi-device use

Prices are as of the time of writing and may fluctuate. Check each product page for current pricing.

How we picked

• Speed tier that meets PS5 requirements. The PS5 demands a PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive with a minimum read speed of around 5,500 MB/s to play PS5 games directly from the slot. Gen3 drives or slower Gen4 drives won't work for the main expansion. We prioritized drives that hit or exceed that threshold, and noted the ones that fall short for budget-minded buyers who only need external storage.
• Heatsink compatibility. Sony requires an M.2 SSD to have a heatsink for thermal management inside the tight console chassis. Some drives come with one pre-installed; others need an aftermarket heatsink. We only picked drives that either include a heatsink or are commonly used with one.
• Capacity and value per gigabyte. We looked at the full range from 500GB to 5TB, but focused on the sweet spots where price per gigabyte makes sense. A 500GB drive is cheap but only holds a few AAA titles; 2TB is expensive but a one-time upgrade that lasts years.
• Internal vs. external trade-off. Internal NVMe drives let you play PS5 games directly with full speed. External USB drives can only store and play PS4 games, but offer enormous capacity for less money. We included both so you can choose based on whether you mainly need breathing room for PS5 titles or a game vault for older library.
• Brand reputation and warranty. We favored brands with a track record in storage and at least a three-year warranty. Some lesser-known brands offer competitive specs and lower prices, but we flagged the potential trade-offs in long-term reliability.
• Real-world usability. Installation should be straightforward: plug in, format in the PS5 menu, and go. Drives that are officially licensed or widely documented for PS5 use ranked higher.

1. WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P: Best Overall

This is the drive Sony had in mind when it built the M.2 slot. The WD_BLACK SN850P comes in a package that feels almost like a first-party accessory: the heatsink is tuned to the console’s airflow, the screw and mounting bracket match the PS5’s chassis, and the 7,300 MB/s read speed saturates the PCIe Gen4 bus. Installation takes about ten minutes, and the PS5 immediately recognizes it as internal storage.

What sets the SN850P apart from the very similar SN850X is the official license. It’s a small thing, but it means you never second-guess firmware compatibility or heatsink fit. The 1TB version holds roughly 15 to 20 modern games, depending on file size. For most people, that’s the difference between constantly managing storage and actually keeping a full library installed.

The only real drawback is the price premium over the SN850X. You are paying for the convenience of a drive that was designed specifically for the PS5. If you are comfortable installing a third-party heatsink or don’t mind buying a bare drive, the SN850X offers identical performance for less.

Pros:

• Officially licensed for zero-compatibility worry
• Pre-installed heatsink that matches the PS5 slot perfectly
• Fastest Gen4 speeds available (7,300 MB/s reads)
• Includes all mounting hardware in the box

Cons:

• Costs more than the equivalent SN850X
• Only available up to 1TB (currently)

Best for: Anyone who wants the safest, simplest internal PS5 storage upgrade and is willing to pay a small premium for Sony’s blessing.

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2. WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink: Best High-Capacity Internal Drive

If you need to store every PS5 game you own without compromise, the SN850X 2TB is the play. It hits the same 7,300 MB/s reads as the SN850P but gives you twice the capacity. Write speeds also reach 6,300 MB/s, which matters when you are moving game installs from the internal drive or copying large files.

The heatsink version is essential for PS5 use. Without it, the drive would throttle under sustained load. WD_BLACK includes a stylish black finned heatsink that fits the console’s expansion bay without any modification. The drive also supports WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows) for health monitoring and Game Mode 2.0 features like predictive loading, though those PC-side perks don’t apply inside the PS5.

The price is steep. At just under $400, this is the most expensive option in this roundup. But if you factor in cost per gigabyte, it’s actually in line with the SN850P. You are paying for a premium drive that will stay relevant well into the PS5 generation.

Pros:

• 2TB capacity stores 40+ games
• Sequential reads and writes among the fastest on the market
• Heatsink version designed for easy PS5 installation
• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• High upfront cost
• Overkill if you only need a little extra space

Best for: Gamers with a large digital library who want to install everything at once and never think about storage again.

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3. WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB with Heatsink: Premium 1TB Alternative

This is essentially the same drive as the SN850P, minus the official PlayStation branding. The SN850X 1TB with heatsink offers the same 7,300 MB/s read and 6,300 MB/s write speeds, same sleek black heatsink, and same rock-solid performance. The only difference is the price tag: it’s about $40 cheaper than the SN850P at typical retail.

For that discount, you lose the official license. That means no guarantee from Sony that the drive plays perfectly with every firmware update (though WD_BLACK has an excellent track record). You also get a slightly different mounting screw, but it works fine. If you are comfortable following a YouTube install tutorial, this is the smarter buy.

The 1TB capacity is the most versatile point in the lineup. It’s enough to keep a handful of the biggest games handy without breaking the bank, and it reads and writes faster than any PS5 game can actually demand. You will notice the difference when loading into a massive open world versus a slower drive.

Pros:

• Identical performance to the SN850P at a lower price
• Pre-installed PS5-compatible heatsink
• Excellent sustained write speeds for large file transfers

Cons:

• No official Sony license (minor risk)
• Price still higher than some competitors

Best for: Gamers who want top-tier speed and a 1TB capacity but don’t need the officially licensed badge.

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4. fanxiang S770 500GB: Budget Internal Expansion

Not everyone needs a terabyte. If you just want to free up enough space for one or two more PS5 games without a heavy outlay, the fanxiang S770 500GB is the cheapest way into the internal slot. It’s a PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive that hits up to 7,300 MB/s on PC, but on PS5 it tops out around 3,700 MB/s due to the console’s implementation and the drive’s own controller limitations. That’s still well above the PS5’s minimum requirement for internal expansion, so game loading times will be comparable to the stock drive.

The drive comes with a heatsink pre-installed, which is critical for PS5 use. The heatsink is relatively compact but gets the job done. The 500GB capacity is honest about what it is: enough for two or three big games like Gran Turismo 7 or Call of Duty, but you will fill it quickly if you game across multiple genres.

At $99.99, the S770 is the lowest-priced internal NVMe in this guide. The trade-off is that you are getting a lesser-known brand with a shorter track record. fanxiang offers a 5-year warranty, but long-term reliability data is thin compared to WD_BLACK or Seagate.

Pros:

• Very affordable entry point for internal expansion
• Includes a heatsink
• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Only 500GB; fills up fast
• PS5 read speed cap at around 3,700 MB/s (still adequate)
• Brand reputation less established

Best for: Budget-conscious gamers who need just a little extra room for a couple of PS5 games and are willing to sacrifice capacity for price.

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5. fanxiang 1TB S880ER with Heatsink: High-Speed 1TB Bargain

The fanxiang S880ER steps up to 1TB with a claimed 7,000 MB/s read speed. On the PS5, it likely performs closer to 4,000-5,000 MB/s (as is typical with these third-party controllers), but that’s still more than enough to saturate what the console demands. It’s a PCIe Gen4 drive with NVMe 2.0 support, and it includes a heatsink that’s thicker than the S770’s, suggesting better thermal headroom during extended sessions.

What makes this drive stand out is the price-to-capacity ratio. At $189.99, it costs almost $70 less than the SN850X 1TB. For that savings, you give up a bit of peak speed and the reassurance of a household name. But the drive still feels premium: the heatsink is aluminum with a brushed finish, and the PCB is well constructed. fanxiang provides a 5-year warranty.

The biggest catch is that fanxiang notes this drive is not compatible with Mac OS. That’s irrelevant for PS5 use, but it hints at potential firmware quirks. On the PS5, the drive formats and runs fine, but we’d still recommend the WD_BLACK if your budget allows. If you need to save money, this is a solid alternative.

Pros:

• 1TB capacity with high-speed Gen4 interface
• Bundled heatsink fits PS5
• Significantly cheaper than tier-one brands

Cons:

• Peak speeds may not match WD_BLACK in real-world PS5 usage
• Brand support and long-term reliability unproven at scale

Best for: Gamers who want a full 1TB internal upgrade on a moderate budget and are comfortable with a less established brand.

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6. SIX X7400 1TB: Speed-First Alternative

The SIX X7400 is an intriguing newcomer. It’s a PCIe Gen4x4 drive that claims 7,350 MB/s reads, which is technically faster than the WD_BLACK counterparts. In practice, the PS5 won’t push beyond its own Gen4 ceiling, but the headroom means this drive will never be a bottleneck. Write speeds are not listed on the product page, but based on the controller (likely a Phison E18 or similar), they are probably competitive.

The heatsink included with the X7400 is a slim aluminum block, and the drive comes with a screwdriver and mounting screw in the box. The packaging is minimal but thoughtful. The five-year warranty is standard fare.

The main reservation is simply that SIX is not a household name. The brand is relatively new, and there are very few field reports about long-term durability. The drive’s pricing at $174.99 positions it as a middle-ground option between the budget fanxiang drives and the premium WD_BLACKs. If you want something that looks good on paper but are willing to take a minor risk, it could be worth the gamble.

Pros:

• Claimed read speeds beat the competition
• Includes all necessary hardware for installation
• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Unfamiliar brand with limited track record
• No detailed write speed spec provided

Best for: Early adopters who prize headline speed specs and don’t mind trying a new brand.

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7. Fikwot FX660 1TB: Adequate Speed at a Budget

The Fikwot FX660 takes a different approach. Instead of chasing the highest possible speeds, it settles at 4,800 MB/s reads and 2,900 MB/s writes. That is below the PS5’s recommended 5,500 MB/s threshold for internal expansion, but many users report that the console still accepts drives around this speed for PS5 game storage (the requirement is a guideline, not a hard wall). However, you may get a warning message, and performance could be inconsistent with the most demanding games.

The FX660 uses a graphene heat dissipation sticker rather than a full metal heatsink. That’s a potential concern: the PS5’s M.2 bay gets hot, and a sticker may not handle sustained loads as well as a finned heatsink. For light gaming sessions it’s fine, but if you play for hours, the drive might throttle.

At $155.99, it’s the cheapest 1TB internal option here. That low price comes with compromises. It works, and it will give you more space, but it’s not the optimal choice for a primary internal drive. If your budget absolutely cannot stretch to the fanxiang S880ER, the FX660 will get the job done for medium-sized games.

Pros:

• Very affordable 1TB internal drive
• Includes graphene heat dissipation sticker
• 5-year warranty

Cons:

• Speeds fall short of PS5’s recommended minimum
• No traditional heatsink (may run hot in closed console)
• Unknown brand reliability

Best for: Budget builders who need a lot of cheap flash storage and are willing to accept potential performance variability.

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8. Fanxiang S690Q 1TB: Another Budget 1TB Candidate

The Fanxiang S690Q is nearly identical to the Fikwot FX660 on paper: 4,800 MB/s reads, no integrated heatsink (just a thermal pad sticker), and a similar price point ($155.99). It’s also from a brand that’s trying to establish itself. The S690Q uses PCIe Gen4 x4 and NVMe 1.4, which is a generation behind the NVMe 2.0 supported by fanxiang’s own S880ER.

Performance should be adequate for PS4 games stored on an external enclosure, but as an internal expansion drive it carries the same caveats as the FX660. The PS5 may reject it for native PS5 game installation, or performance may be spotty. If you plan to use it strictly as a cold storage drive inside a USB enclosure, it’s fine. But for the expansion slot, we’d look elsewhere.

The S690Q does have a 5-year warranty, and fanxiang offers lifetime technical support, per their product page. That adds some peace of mind. Still, spend a bit more for the S880ER if you want a fanxiang drive that definitively works with PS5.

Pros:

• Low price for a 1TB NVMe
• 5-year warranty and lifetime support

Cons:

• Slow for a Gen4 drive (4,800 MB/s)
• No included heatsink (requires aftermarket purchase)
• Speed may not be sufficient for PS5 internal expansion

Best for: PC users who also want a drive that can occasionally be used with a PS5 via external enclosure.

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9. Seagate Game Drive 5TB: Best External Game Vault

Sometimes you don’t need speed. You need space. The Seagate Game Drive 5TB is an external hard drive officially licensed for PlayStation consoles, and it does exactly one thing well: it gives you five terabytes of plug-and-play storage for PS4 games. It also stores PS5 games, but you can’t play them from the drive; you have to transfer them back to the console first.

The drive is compact for a 5TB HDD, about the size of a paperback. It’s powered by a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 cable, no external power brick required. Setup is genuinely as easy as plugging it in and formatting in the PS5 menu. No tools, no screwdrivers.

The write speeds are around 150 MB/s, which is fine for playing PS4 games directly from the drive. The biggest limitation is that it only works with PS4 software and acts as a vault for PS5 titles. If you have a large PS4 library, this is the most cost-effective way to keep them all installed. For PS5 games, you still need internal expansion.

Pros:

• 5TB capacity at a reasonable price
• Officially licensed, plug-and-play with PS5 and PS4
• No external power needed
• Works as a general-purpose external drive for other devices

Cons:

• Cannot play PS5 games from the drive
• Slower than any internal NVMe option
• HDD is more fragile than solid-state drives if dropped

Best for: PS4 game hoarders and anyone who wants to keep a massive library of older titles accessible without swapping discs.

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10. YOTUO Portable 1TB External HDD: Ultra-Budget Multi-Device Drive

The YOTUO 1TB is the cheapest way to add storage to your PS5 setup. At $69.99, it’s an external HDD that connects via USB 3.0 or USB-C. It includes a patented silicone sleeve for drop protection, which is a nice touch for a portable drive. The drive works with PS4 games (play directly) and can store PS5 game files for later transfer.

Performance is typical for a budget HDD: read speeds around 100-120 MB/s. For PS4 games, that’s fine. For backing up screenshots or transferring small files, it’s fine. For any modern PS5 game, you wouldn’t want to play from it.

The YOTUO also works with PC, Mac, Xbox, and even Android and iPhones (with the right adapter). It’s a versatile tool, not just a console accessory. The downside is that 1TB is modest for a modern game collection; you could fill it with five or six large games. And as an external drive, it’s not a substitute for internal NVMe expansion.

Pros:

• Very low price point
• Includes protective silicone sleeve
• USB-C and USB 3.0 compatibility
• Works across multiple platforms

Cons:

• Only 1TB, fills up quickly with modern games
• HDD speeds are slow
• Cannot play PS5 games from the drive

Best for: Casual players on a tight budget who need basic storage for PS4 games and general file backup.

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Buyer's Guide: How to Choose PS5 Memory

Choosing the best PS5 memory for your needs comes down to three big questions: do you need internal expansion or external storage, how much space do you need, and how fast should it be?

Internal NVMe vs. External HDD

The most fundamental split in PS5 storage is between internal expansion and external USB drives. Internal M.2 NVMe SSDs install directly into the console’s expansion slot and allow you to play PS5 games at full speed. External drives (HDD or SSD) connect via USB and can only store and play PS4 games. They can also store PS5 games but you must copy them back to the internal drive before playing. If you primarily play PS5 titles, invest in a fast internal NVMe. If your backlog is mostly PS4 games, an external HDD gives you much more capacity for the money.

Read and Write Speeds

The PS5 requires an M.2 SSD with a sequential read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s to support the fastest game loading. Many drives exceed that, but the difference between 5,500 MB/s and 7,300 MB/s is negligible in real-world gaming (we’re talking sub-second load time variations). Where speed matters more is when copying large game files or if you use the drive as a scratch disk for media creation. Budget drives with read speeds around 4,800 MB/s may still work in the PS5 slot but could trigger a warning or suffer stuttering in the most data-intense games.

Heatsink and Thermal Management

The PS5’s M.2 bay sits directly in the console’s airflow path, but it can still get warm. Sony recommends an SSD with a heatsink. Some premium drives come with one pre-installed; others require you to buy a separate heatsink (often a third-party aluminum heatsink costs $10-15). If a drive does not include a heatsink, factor that into your total cost. Drives that use graphene stickers instead of metal heatsinks are not recommended for the PS5 slot; they dissipate heat less effectively under sustained load.

Capacity and Future-Proofing

Modern PS5 games average 50-100GB each, with some exceeding 150GB (like Call of Duty or Destiny 2). A 500GB internal drive holds roughly three to five games. A 1TB drive holds eight to twelve. A 2TB drive holds eighteen to twenty-five. The right capacity depends on your gaming habits. If you bounce between a few titles, 1TB is the sweet spot. If you have a large digital library and want everything installed, go for 2TB. External HDDs can be had in 4TB to 8TB sizes for cheap, but only for PS4 games.

DRAM Cache and Controller

Higher-end NVMe drives include DRAM cache (like the fanxiang S770, which lists DRAM in its title). DRAM helps with random read/write performance and maintains consistent speeds as the drive fills up. Budget drives often use HMB (Host Memory Buffer) or dynamic SLC cache instead, which borrows system RAM or uses part of the NAND as a pseudo-cache. For PS5 gaming, the difference is minor, but if you plan to use the drive as a PC boot drive later, DRAM matters more.

Warranty and Brand Support

Storage drives are reliable, but failures happen. A 5-year warranty is standard on higher-end drives and even some budget models. Check the warranty terms: some brands require registration, and coverage for international buyers may vary. Established brands like WD_BLACK and Seagate have proven track records for RMA support. Newer brands like fanxiang, Fikwot, and SIX offer competitive pricing but may have less responsive support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any M.2 NVMe SSD with my PS5?

No. The PS5 only accepts M.2 2280 form factor (the standard 80mm length) NVMe SSDs using PCIe Gen4 x4 or higher. The drive must also have a heatsink. Some drives that are slightly below the recommended 5,500 MB/s threshold may still work, but performance is not guaranteed.

Does the PS5 support external SSDs for playing PS5 games?

No. Even the fastest external SSD connected via USB cannot run PS5 games directly. The USB port bandwidth is slower than the internal PCIe interface. External drives can store PS5 games for later transfer and can run PS4 games, but native PS5 titles require the internal expansion slot.

Do I need a heatsink for a PS5 internal drive?

Yes, Sony explicitly recommends one. Without a heatsink, the drive may overheat under load and throttle performance or cause instability. Most drives built for PS5 come with a heatsink pre-installed. If yours doesn’t, you can buy a third-party heatsink for around $10.

How do I install an M.2 SSD in my PS5?

Remove the side panel, unscrew the M.2 expansion bay cover, insert the drive at a 45-degree angle, push it down, and secure the retaining screw. Then replace the cover and side panel. Turn on the console and you will be prompted to format the drive. It takes about ten minutes.

Can I use a 500GB SSD in the PS5 expansion slot?

Yes, you can use a 500GB drive. The PS5 accepts drives from 250GB up to 4TB (and potentially 8TB with future firmware updates). A 500GB drive is a cheap way to add a few games, but you will fill it quickly with modern AAA titles.

What is the difference between official licensed and unlicensed drives?

Officially licensed drives like the WD_BLACK SN850P have been tested and certified by Sony for compatibility with all PS5 firmware versions. Unlicensed drives will likely work fine, but there is a small chance a future system update could break compatibility. Licensed drives usually come with a tuned heatsink and exact mounting hardware.

Is it worth getting a 2TB SSD for PS5?

If you own many digital games and dislike managing storage, absolutely. A 2TB drive stores about 20-25 large titles, which covers most people’s active rotation for years. It is expensive, but it is a one-time purchase that eliminates the need to delete and redownload games.

Final Verdict

The best PS5 memory upgrade for most people is the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P. It delivers top-tier performance, comes with a custom heatsink, and bears Sony’s official license for total peace of mind. If you need more space and can stomach the cost, the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB is the ultimate library expansion. For budget buyers, the fanxiang S770 500GB provides internal expansion for under $100, though you trade capacity for the low price. And if your storage problem is about PS4 games rather than PS5 titles, the Seagate Game Drive 5TB is the most cost-effective way to keep your entire back catalog installed without touching the console’s internal slot. Pick the one that matches how you actually play, and you won’t have to stress about storage again.

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