PS5 Storage Expansion Roundup: M.2 SSD vs External Drive Options

PS5 Storage Expansion Roundup: M.2 SSD vs External Drive Options

Storage

If you’ve been playing on a PS5 for a while, you’ve probably already felt the pinch of running out of storage space. Modern games are massive, and the console’s built-in 825GB SSD fills up faster than you’d expect. The good news is that Sony has made it pretty straightforward to expand your storage, and you’ve got some genuinely great options to choose from. Whether you want to install an internal M.2 SSD for blazing-fast load times or plug in an external drive for convenient game archiving, there’s a solution that fits your budget and play style. In this roundup, we’re breaking down the best M.2 SSDs and external drive options available right now, covering everything from premium picks to solid budget-friendly choices. We’ll walk you through what actually matters when shopping for PS5 storage, highlight some practical and surprisingly capable products, and help you figure out which route makes the most sense for your setup. Let’s get into it.

WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2XHE
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2XHE
Our thoughts

The WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with heatsink is built for fast gaming performance and shorter load times. It offers read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,300 MB/s, helping reduce lag, throttling, and texture pop-ins during play. The M.2 2280 design fits neatly into compatible systems, while the heatsink helps keep performance steady under pressure. It is a solid option for players looking to add responsive, high-speed storage to their setup.

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WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0010BNC-WRSN
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0010BNC-WRSN
Our thoughts

The WD_BLACK SN850P is a PS5-compatible NVMe SSD made for adding extra storage with minimal setup. It offers fast speeds up to 7,300MB/s and includes a built-in heatsink designed for the PS5 M.2 slot, so installation is simple and fit is not a concern. With 1TB of space, it gives players room for more games and smoother storage expansion in one officially licensed package.

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Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe x4 Gen4 SSD - Optimised for PS5 (Up to 7,100MB/sec Sequential Read & 5,800MB/sec Sequential Write Speeds, High-Speed Interface, Compact Form Factor) White
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe x4 Gen4 SSD - Optimised for PS5 (Up to 7,100MB/sec Sequential Read & 5,800MB/sec Sequential Write Speeds, High-Speed Interface, Compact Form Factor) White
Our thoughts

Corsair’s MP600 PRO LPX is a compact M.2 NVMe SSD designed for PS5 storage expansion. It uses PCIe Gen4 speeds for quick game loading, with up to 7,100MB/sec read and 5,800MB/sec write performance. The low-profile aluminum heat spreader helps it fit neatly inside the console while meeting PS5 size requirements. Available in a 1TB capacity, it’s a straightforward way to add faster, reliable storage for your games.

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Western Digital 1TB SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5 Consoles Solid State Drive with Heatsink - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,000 MB/s - WDBBKW0010BBK-WRSN
Western Digital 1TB SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5 Consoles Solid State Drive with Heatsink - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,000 MB/s - WDBBKW0010BBK-WRSN
Our thoughts

Built for PlayStation 5, this official WD_BLACK SN850 SSD adds 1TB of extra space for PS5 and PS4 games. Its built-in heatsink helps with a smoother installation in the PS5 M.2 expansion slot, while Gen4 PCIe performance delivers fast load times and speeds up to 7,000 MB/s. The 1TB model can hold around 50 games, though actual capacity depends on game size and system setup.

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Crucial T500 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Gaming PS5 SSD with Heatsink, Up to 7,300MB/s, TLC NAND, PlayStation 5 Compatible, Laptop, & Desktop (PC), Solid State Drive, Includes 1Mo Adobe CC – CT1000T500SSD5
Crucial T500 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Gaming PS5 SSD with Heatsink, Up to 7,300MB/s, TLC NAND, PlayStation 5 Compatible, Laptop, & Desktop (PC), Solid State Drive, Includes 1Mo Adobe CC – CT1000T500SSD5
Our thoughts

The Crucial T500 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is a fast storage upgrade for gaming, creative work, and everyday use. It delivers read speeds up to 7,300MB/s and write speeds up to 6,800MB/s, helping games load quicker and large files move smoothly. Support for Microsoft DirectStorage can also improve texture rendering and ease CPU load. With 1TB of space, it has room for apps, media, and high-resolution content. The built-in heatsink and PS5-ready design make it a solid fit for compatible consoles, laptops, and desktops. It also includes a 5-year limited warranty and a 1-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

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Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 7400/6500 MB/s Read/Write, Compatible with PS5, for Gamers and Creators, Black (LNM790X001T-RN9NU)
Lexar 1TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Up to 7400/6500 MB/s Read/Write, Compatible with PS5, for Gamers and Creators, Black (LNM790X001T-RN9NU)
Our thoughts

The Lexar NM790 1TB SSD with heatsink is built for fast gaming and creative work. Using PCIe Gen4 NVMe technology, it offers speeds up to 7400 MB/s read and 6500 MB/s write, helping with quick load times and smooth file transfers. It also includes HMB 3.0 and Dynamic SLC Cache for better performance. Designed for desktops, laptops, and PS5, this M.2 2280 drive is a flexible option for users who want speed and compatibility in one package.

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Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink SSD 1TB, NVMe M.2, Speeds Up to 7,450MB/s, Best for PlayStation 5 (PS5 SSD) Console Expansion MZ-V9P1T0CW
Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink SSD 1TB, NVMe M.2, Speeds Up to 7,450MB/s, Best for PlayStation 5 (PS5 SSD) Console Expansion MZ-V9P1T0CW
Our thoughts

Samsung’s 990 PRO Heatsink SSD 1TB is built for fast gaming and demanding PC use, with PS5 compatibility for easy console expansion. Its built-in heatsink helps keep temperatures under control during long sessions, which can support steady performance. With PCIe 4.0 speeds reaching up to 7,450MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write, it is a strong option for users who want quick load times and responsive storage. It is a practical pick for gamers and power users looking for reliable high-speed storage.

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Whether you go with a fast M.2 SSD for seamless internal storage or a reliable external drive for flexible game archiving, there is a solid option on this list for every type of PS5 owner. The right choice really comes down to your budget, how often you play, and how much space you need. Take a look at the links above and see what feels like the best fit for your setup. Any of these picks would serve you well in the long run. Thanks for reading, and happy gaming!