Best SSD for PS5: which M.2 SSD fits and what it costs

Which SSD fits the PS5?

According to Sony, an M.2 NVMe SSD with PCIe 4.0 x4 and 250 GB to 8 TB of storage, 30 to 110 mm long, with cooling and no more than 11.25 mm thick in total. M.2 SATA SSDs are not supported.

Sony's requirements:

Source: PlayStation, add M.2 SSD storage.

The number after M.2 describes the size: 2280 means 22 mm wide and 80 mm long. Almost all desktop SSDs use this size. Sony lists the same requirements for all PS5 model groups and only distinguishes the installation steps between the CFI-1000 model group and the CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 model groups.

Which SSDs do manufacturers list for the PS5?

Several manufacturers name specific lines as suitable for the PS5. Western Digital even has the WD_BLACK SN850P officially licensed. According to the manufacturers, these lines meet Sony's specs, heatsink included.

Sources: Samsung 990 PRO, Samsung 9100 PRO, Samsung 9100 PRO 8 TB, WD_BLACK SN850P, Seagate FireCuda 530R, Kingston FURY Renegade, Lexar NM790.

Other SSDs can fit too if they meet Sony's specs. Then check the interface (PCIe 4.0 x4 or newer), read speed and especially the height including the heatsink. Many cheap SSDs with "PS5" in the title lack a clear statement from the manufacturer.

How much does a PS5 SSD cost?

Among the lines manufacturers list for the PS5, Lexar NM790 w/Heatsink 1 TB is currently the cheapest per TB on amazon.com at $204.99 per TB. The TB index of all M.2 NVMe SSDs is $132.05 per TB. SSDs with a heatsink and a PS5 listing usually cost more than basic models.

PS5 SSDs with a manufacturer listing on amazon.com, new offers, as of Oct 28, 2026 at 1:17 AM UTC

The table only shows lines the manufacturer lists for the PS5, and only offers ratioDB currently finds on amazon.com. All NVMe SSDs are in the list M.2 NVMe SSD.

How much storage does the PS5 have, and which size pays off?

The original PS5 has 825 GB, of which 667.2 GB is usable. The PS5 Slim came with 1 TB, a newer Digital Edition has 825 GB again, and the PS5 Pro has 2 TB. On an 825 GB console, a 2 TB SSD adds more than twice the internal storage.

For most players, a 2 TB SSD is a good balance of price and space. If you want many large games installed at once, go for 4 TB. According to Sony, the PS5 takes up to 8 TB.

Does a PS5 SSD need a heatsink?

Yes. Sony says an M.2 SSD should not be used without cooling such as a heatsink or heat transfer sheet. If the SSD already has a heatsink, do not add a second one.

The dimensions matter: with cooling, the SSD may be at most 11.25 mm thick and 25 mm wide, with at most 8.0 mm above the board, according to Sony. The lines in the table above are listed by their manufacturers with a heatsink for the PS5. If you buy an SSD without a heatsink, you need a suitable PS5 heatsink as well. Make sure both together fit the dimensions (PlayStation).

Is a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it for the PS5?

Not necessarily for the PS5. Sony requires PCIe 4.0 x4 and recommends 5,500 MB/s, which many PCIe 4.0 SSDs already meet. Samsung lists the PCIe 5.0 9100 PRO as fitting the PS5, but it usually costs more per TB.

PCIe 5.0 SSDs are backward compatible: Crucial says the T705 is "backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 systems" (Crucial T705). A PCIe 5.0 SSD can make sense if you plan to move it into a PC with PCIe 5.0 later. The differences between the interfaces are explained in the guide NVMe vs SATA.

How do I install an SSD in the PS5?

Sony describes the installation step by step for each model group. The latest system software must be installed first. When you turn the PS5 on after installing, it guides you through formatting the SSD.

The key points:

1. Update the system software: Sony requires the latest version before installation.
2. Pick the right guide: the steps differ between the CFI-1000 model group and the CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 model groups. Sony shows where to find the model number on a separate help page.
3. Check the dimensions: SSD and heatsink together must fit the specs, otherwise the cover will not close.
4. Format: according to Sony, the formatting guide appears when the console turns on. All data on the SSD is erased and cannot be recovered. An SSD that was already used in another PS5 does not need to be formatted again.

The full guide with pictures is directly at PlayStation.

Is an external hard drive enough for the PS5?

For storing games yes, for playing PS5 games no. According to Sony, PS5 games cannot be played directly from USB storage, while PS4 games can. The USB storage must be 250 GB to 8 TB and connected at 5 Gbps or faster.

An external hard drive is much cheaper per TB than a PS5 SSD. It works as storage for PS5 games you are not playing right now and for PS4 games (PlayStation, extended storage). To play, you move a PS5 game back to the internal SSD or the M.2 SSD. Which external drive pays off is shown in the guide Best external hard drive.

What should I look for when buying a PS5 SSD?

4 things: PCIe 4.0 x4 or newer, at least 5,500 MB/s read, a heatsink within Sony's dimensions and the right capacity. The safest choice are lines the manufacturer explicitly lists for the PS5.

A short checklist:

1. Interface: M.2 NVMe with PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0, no M.2 SATA SSD.
2. Speed: 5,500 MB/s read or more according to the datasheet.
3. Cooling: factory heatsink or a separate PS5 heatsink, together no more than 11.25 mm thick.
4. Capacity: 1 TB to 4 TB for most players, at most 8 TB.
5. Price per TB: larger SSDs are often cheaper per TB, the table above shows current values.

How does ratioDB compare PS5 SSDs?

ratioDB fetches the amazon.com prices of all listed M.2 SSDs every 2 hours and converts them into price per TB. The table in this guide only shows lines the manufacturer lists for the PS5.

Every offer is listed with condition, price, capacity and timestamp. Used and refurbished SSDs are labeled and never count toward the TB index. Read speeds come from the manufacturers' specs. All rules are on the methodology page.