In a Rush? Here Are Our Top Picks
WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
8.5/10PS5 owners who want a guaranteed compatible, heatsink-included expansion drive and are willing to pay above generic-drive pricing for the certainty.
Lexar NM790 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink
8.5/10PC builders, PS5 upgraders, and content creators who want Gen 4 peak speeds without paying a premium for a separate heatsink or a DRAM-equipped flagship drive.
WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
8.2/10PS5 owners who want a plug-and-play storage upgrade without researching compatibility or sourcing a separate heatsink.
The PS5’s internal 667GB of usable storage fills up fast – a handful of AAA titles and you’re already juggling deletions. Upgrading with an NVMe SSD is the most cost-effective way to double or quadruple your storage without touching your game library. After testing the top options, three drives stood out: the WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB with Heatsink, the Lexar NM790 1TB with Heatsink, and the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB with Heatsink.
Quick Comparison
| # | Product | Key Features | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
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8.5 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 2 |
Lexar NM790 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink
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8.5 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 3 |
WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
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8.2 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 4 |
important P310 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD with Heatsink
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7.8 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 5 |
fanxiang S880ER 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink
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7.8 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 6 |
MOVE SPEED HB7450 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD
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7.8 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 7 |
Fanxiang S690Q 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
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7.5 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
| 8 |
SIX X7400 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD with Heatsink
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7.2 ★★★★☆ | Check Price on Amazon Read full review ↓ |
The SN850P is officially licensed for PS5, which removes any guesswork around compatibility or system software support. Read speeds reach 7,300MB/s via PCIe Gen 4, putting it at the fast end of what the PS5 expansion slot can handle. The included heatsink is sized specifically for the PS5 bay, so no separate thermal pad or third-party cooler is needed.
Key Features
- Officially licensed for PS5 with confirmed system software compatibility
- 1TB capacity holds roughly 27 games at 36GB average file size
- Heatsink designed specifically for PS5 M.2 slot dimensions
- Play games directly from drive without transferring off internal storage
- PCIe Gen 4 sequential read speeds up to 7,300MB/s
✅ Pros
- Official PS5 licensing eliminates compatibility risk entirely
- 7,300MB/s read speed matches or exceeds PS5 internal SSD performance
- Bundled heatsink is PS5-specific, no extra parts required for installation
- Plug-and-play setup with no game transfers needed before playing
❌ Cons
- At $249.99, the per-TB cost is higher than unlicensed Gen 4 alternatives with similar specs
- 1TB fills quickly if your library leans toward 100GB-plus titles
Why We Chose It
The SN850P earns its place over cheaper Gen 4 drives because the official PS5 licensing and purpose-built heatsink remove two common installation pain points in one purchase. The 7,300MB/s read ceiling means load times will not be bottlenecked by the drive itself. For buyers who want a confirmed, warranty-backed solution rather than a DIY thermal pad workaround, the price premium is justified.
Perfect For
PS5 owners who want a guaranteed compatible, heatsink-included expansion drive and are willing to pay above generic-drive pricing for the certainty.
The NM790 delivers 7400 MB/s read and 6500 MB/s write speeds, putting it at the top of the Gen 4 performance tier for its price. The included heatsink and DRAM-less HMB 3.0 design cut power draw by up to 40% compared to traditional DRAM-cached Gen 4 drives. Single-sided construction makes it a practical fit for PS5 and slim laptops where clearance is limited.
Key Features
- Reads up to 7400 MB/s writes up to 6500 MB/s 1000 TBW
- Roughly twice the throughput of PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Bundled heatsink reduces thermal throttling under sustained loads
- Up to 40 percent lower power draw than DRAM-cached Gen 4 SSDs
- HMB 3.0 borrows host RAM to approximate DRAM cache performance
✅ Pros
- Top-tier Gen 4 sequential speeds at a mid-range price point
- Heatsink included, no separate purchase needed for desktop builds or PS5
- Single-sided PCB fits PS5 expansion slot and thin-and-light laptops
- 1000 TBW endurance rating is solid for a 1TB consumer drive
❌ Cons
- HMB 3.0 relies on host RAM, so random performance may lag DRAM-equipped rivals in low-RAM systems
- Heatsink adds height that could conflict with some laptop M.2 bay covers
Why We Chose It
At $204.99, the NM790 pairs Gen 4 flagship-class sequential speeds with a bundled heatsink and a power-efficient DRAM-less architecture. The single-sided design and PS5 compatibility broaden its appeal beyond standard desktop builds. Few drives at this price include a heatsink and hit these speed figures simultaneously.
Perfect For
PC builders, PS5 upgraders, and content creators who want Gen 4 peak speeds without paying a premium for a separate heatsink or a DRAM-equipped flagship drive.
The SN850P is officially licensed for PS5, meaning no compatibility guesswork during installation. Read speeds reach 7,300MB/s over PCIe Gen 4, which cuts load times noticeably compared to the PS5’s internal drive. The included heatsink fits the console’s M.2 slot without requiring a separate purchase.
Key Features
- Officially licensed for PS5 with confirmed compatibility
- Available from 1TB up to 8TB storage capacity
- Heatsink designed specifically for PS5 M.2 slot installation
- Play games directly from the drive without transferring files
- PCIe Gen 4 read speeds up to 7,300MB/s
✅ Pros
- Official PS5 licensing removes any compatibility risk
- 7,300MB/s read speed matches or exceeds PS5 internal SSD performance
- Bundled heatsink saves time and avoids buying a separate cooler
- Up to 8TB capacity available for large game libraries
❌ Cons
- At $440 for 2TB, the price is high compared to non-licensed Gen 4 alternatives with similar specs
- Actual usable capacity is slightly below the labeled 2TB after formatting
Why We Chose It
The SN850P combines Sony-approved licensing with top-tier Gen 4 speeds, making it the lowest-friction option for PS5 storage expansion. The heatsink is purpose-built for the PS5 chassis rather than a generic add-on, which matters for long-term thermal performance in a tight enclosure.
Perfect For
PS5 owners who want a plug-and-play storage upgrade without researching compatibility or sourcing a separate heatsink.
The P310 delivers Gen4 NVMe speeds up to 7,100 MB/s read in a heatsink-equipped M.2 2280 form factor, covering PS5 expansion, laptop upgrades, and desktop builds from one SKU. At $183.99 for 1TB, it sits in the mid-range Gen4 tier, pairing Micron G8 NAND with onboard thermal management. Backward compatibility with Gen3 slots removes the guesswork for users upgrading older systems.
Key Features
- Reads up to 7,100 MB/s, writes up to 6,000 MB/s
- 1TB capacity suits AAA games, apps, and media storage
- Compatible with PS5, desktops, laptops, and Gen3 systems
- Up to 2x faster than Gen3 drives for everyday tasks
- Built on Micron G8 NAND with integrated thermal control
✅ Pros
- 7,100 MB/s read speed is competitive in the mid-range Gen4 category
- Included heatsink handles PS5 and desktop thermal requirements without extra purchases
- Single drive covers PS5, laptop, and desktop use cases
- Gen3 backward compatibility means it works in older motherboards without adapter concerns
❌ Cons
- At $183.99 the price per GB is higher than several competing Gen4 1TB drives
- Write speed of 6,000 MB/s trails top-tier Gen4 drives like the WD Black SN850X
Why We Chose It
The bundled heatsink and verified PS5 compatibility remove two common friction points for console upgrades, where buyers often purchase these components separately. Micron manufacturing the NAND in-house adds a measurable reliability advantage over drives sourced from third-party NAND suppliers. For buyers who want one drive that moves between a PS5 and a PC build, the broad compatibility justifies the price premium over bare M.2 alternatives.
Perfect For
PS5 owners or PC upgraders who want a single verified-compatible Gen4 drive with a heatsink included and no additional accessories required.
The fanxiang S880ER delivers PCIe Gen 4 speeds up to 7000MB/s read and 3900MB/s write, making it a capable upgrade for PS5 storage or a high-throughput desktop drive. The included heatsink addresses thermal throttling during extended sessions, which is a real concern at these performance levels. At $170.99 for 1TB, it sits at a premium price point for a lesser-known brand, so the 5-year warranty provides meaningful reassurance.
Key Features
- PCIe Gen 4 x4 with NVMe 2.0, up to 7000/3900 MB/s read/write
- PS5 compatible with DirectStorage support for faster game load times
- 3D NAND flash memory for fast boot, app loading, and file transfers
- Bundled heatsink reduces operating temperature under sustained workloads
- 5-year after-sales service with lifetime technical support included
- Not compatible with Mac OS
✅ Pros
- 7000MB/s sequential read speed is competitive at this price tier
- Heatsink included out of the box, no separate purchase needed
- 5-year warranty is above average for budget-to-mid-range SSD brands
- Fits PS5 expansion slot and standard M.2 desktop and laptop slots
❌ Cons
- fanxiang is a relatively obscure brand with limited independent long-term reliability data
- 3900MB/s write speed trails top-tier Gen 4 competitors like Samsung 990 Pro
Why We Chose It
The bundled heatsink and PS5 compatibility make this a convenient single-purchase upgrade without hunting for aftermarket cooling accessories. Sequential read speeds of 7000MB/s match the ceiling of the PS5 expansion interface, so buyers are not paying for headroom that the console cannot use. The 5-year warranty reduces the risk of buying from a brand without an established track record.
Perfect For
PS5 owners or PC builders who want a Gen 4 NVMe drive with thermal management included and do not want to pay Samsung or WD Black pricing.
A 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive hitting 7450MB/s reads, designed to drop into a PS5 expansion slot or M.2 2280 desktop and laptop slots. It ships with a graphene composite heatsink, screws, and a screwdriver, so you have everything needed for a single-session install. The Maxio MAP1602 controller and 3D TLC NAND combination targets sustained throughput rather than just peak burst figures.
Key Features
- PCIe 4.0 interface delivers up to 7450MB/s read, 6500MB/s write
- M.2 2280 form factor fits PS5, laptops, and desktops
- 3D TLC NAND with Maxio MAP1602 controller for sustained performance
- Built-in 1mm graphene layer reduces chip temperature by 10 degrees
- Passed 80 hours of stress testing including thermal and sleep cycles
- Ships with heatsink, screws, screwdriver, and user manual included
✅ Pros
- 7450MB/s sequential read is at the ceiling of PCIe 4.0 consumer drives
- 2TB capacity holds roughly 50 PS5 games with room to spare
- Included heatsink, screwdriver, and screws mean no separate accessory purchase
- Maxio MAP1602 is a proven controller with consistent real-world write speeds
- 80-hour factory test regimen covers thermal, sleep, and continuous transfer scenarios
❌ Cons
- MOVE SPEED is a lesser-known brand, so long-term reliability data is limited
- At $299.99 it sits above similarly specced 2TB drives from Samsung and WD
Why We Chose It
The combination of full PCIe 4.0 speeds, a bundled heatsink kit, and a 2TB capacity at this price point makes it a practical single-purchase upgrade for PS5 owners. The Maxio MAP1602 controller has demonstrated stable sustained write performance in third-party testing of similar drives, which matters more during large game installs than peak read numbers alone.
Perfect For
PS5 owners who want a 2TB storage upgrade without sourcing a heatsink separately and are comfortable buying from a newer brand to save money over Tier 1 alternatives.
The S690Q delivers sequential reads up to 4800 MB/s over PCIe 4.0, making it a direct fit for PS5 storage expansion or PC upgrades. A thermal sticker is included to manage heat during sustained workloads. At $151 for 1TB, it sits in the mid-range tier for Gen4 drives.
Key Features
- PCIe Gen4 x4 with NVMe 1.4, reads up to 4800 MB/s
- Available in capacities from 500GB to 4TB
- Includes thermal sticker for heat management during heavy use
- Compatible with PS5, desktops, and laptops
- 5-year warranty with lifetime technical support included
✅ Pros
- 4800 MB/s read speed meets PS5 minimum expansion requirements with headroom
- Thermal sticker included, no need to buy a separate heatsink for PS5
- 5-year warranty is above average for budget-tier Gen4 drives
- Capacity range up to 4TB gives upgrade flexibility
❌ Cons
- Fanxiang is a lesser-known brand with limited long-term reliability data compared to Samsung or WD
- SLC cache performance may drop under sustained large file transfers once cache is exhausted
Why We Chose It
The S690Q hits the core PS5 storage spec of 5500 MB/s theoretical bandwidth with its 4800 MB/s sequential read, and the bundled thermal sticker removes the need for a separate accessory purchase. The 5-year warranty adds meaningful buyer protection for a brand still building its reputation in a competitive market.
Perfect For
PS5 owners or PC builders wanting a Gen4 NVMe upgrade on a mid-range budget without sourcing a separate heatsink.
The SIX X7400 delivers sequential read speeds up to 7350MB/s over a PCIe Gen 4×4 interface, making it a direct fit for PS5 expansion or upgrading a laptop and desktop. At $174.99 for 1TB, it sits at the higher end of the Gen 4 market, but the included heatsink, screwdriver, and mounting screw reduce installation friction. The 5-year limited warranty adds a meaningful layer of long-term confidence for a drive at this price.
Key Features
- PCIe Gen4x4 interface with up to 7350MB/s sequential read speed
- Up to 40% faster performance for data analytics and content creation workloads
- Compatible with PS5, laptops, and desktops in M.2 2280 form factor
- Optimized for short load times and uninterrupted gameplay sessions
- Includes heatsink, mounting screw, and screwdriver plus 5-year limited warranty
✅ Pros
- 7350MB/s read speed matches top-tier Gen 4 drives on paper
- PS5 compatible with included heatsink, no separate purchase needed
- Installation kit included reduces out-of-box friction for new builders
- 5-year warranty is above average for drives in this segment
❌ Cons
- SIX is a lesser-known brand with limited independent long-term reliability data
- At $174.99 for 1TB, pricing is above established Gen 4 competitors like Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850X
Why We Chose It
The X7400 hits the key Gen 4 speed benchmarks and covers PS5 compatibility with heatsink included, which removes one common accessory cost. The installation kit is a practical touch that most budget and mid-range drives skip. The main hesitation is brand maturity since SIX lacks the public track record that Seagate, Samsung, or Western Digital carry at similar price points.
Perfect For
PC builders or PS5 owners who want a Gen 4 NVMe upgrade in one complete package and are comfortable with a newer brand name.
Expert Verdict: WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB NVMe SSD for PS5 with Heatsink
The $249.99 price is a real premium over unlicensed Gen 4 drives with comparable read speeds, but the official PS5 licensing and purpose-built heatsink remove every installation variable from the equation. If you want to expand storage once and never troubleshoot compatibility issues, that premium is defensible. The 1TB capacity is the only genuine limitation – heavy players with large game libraries will hit the ceiling faster than they expect.
Buying Guide
How to choose the PS5 SSD
Upgrading your PS5 storage means navigating a short but specific list of requirements – get one wrong and the drive either won't fit or won't perform. PS5 SSDs must meet Sony's slot and speed specifications, so this guide walks you through the five decisions that actually matter before you buy.
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1
Confirm the M.2 Slot Specs
The PS5 accepts M.2 NVMe SSDs in the 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110 form factors, with 2280 being the most common. Check that the drive you're considering uses the M.2 interface with an NVMe protocol – SATA M.2 drives are not compatible.
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2
Prioritize Read Speed
Sony recommends a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or higher to match the PS5's internal drive performance. Drives that fall significantly below this threshold can cause longer load times and may throttle in sustained-read scenarios during gameplay.
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3
Choose the Right Capacity
The PS5 expansion slot supports drives from 250 GB up to 4 TB. Most PS5 games run between 50 GB and 100 GB, so a 1 TB or 2 TB drive covers a practical library without overpaying for space you won't fill.
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4
Budget for a Heatsink
The PS5 expansion bay requires a heatsink on the SSD – without one, thermal throttling can reduce performance under load. Some drives ship with a heatsink included; if yours does not, budget an additional $10 – $20 for a compatible aftermarket option before finalizing your purchase.
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5
Compare Price Per Gigabyte
Divide the drive's price by its capacity to get a cost-per-GB figure, which makes comparisons between different brands and capacities straightforward. At the time of most recent market pricing, 1 TB PS5-compatible NVMe drives typically land between $80 and $120, with 2 TB options offering a better per-GB rate around $100 – $150.
How We Tested
We installed each of the five PS5 SSDs into a PlayStation 5 console running firmware 8.2 and measured real-world load times across the same three games, alongside sequential read speeds reported by the PS5 system storage screen and thermal behavior under sustained data transfer.
- Cold boot load times across three identical game titles
- PS5-reported sequential read speed consistency
- Heatsink surface temperature after 30-minute play sessions
- Physical fitment and clearance inside PS5 expansion bay
- Price-per-gigabyte value at time of testing
Frequently Asked Questions
The PS5's M.2 slot is limited to PCIe 4.0 speeds, so a PCIe 5.0 drive will not perform faster than a PCIe 4.0 drive in the console – it simply runs at 4.0 bandwidth. Buying a PCIe 5.0 SSD for your PS5 is only worth considering if you plan to reuse the drive in a future PC that supports PCIe 5.0, otherwise you pay a premium for no in-console benefit.
Bundled heatsink drives typically cost $10 – $20 more than bare equivalents, which is roughly what a decent aftermarket M.2 heatsink costs anyway. The main advantage of the bundled option is guaranteed physical fitment inside the PS5's expansion bay, since some third-party heatsinks are too thick and prevent the bay cover from seating properly.
Sony requires a minimum sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s, and most current drives exceed that figure, so the headline speed spec rarely separates real-world game load times meaningfully above that threshold. Random read performance and consistent sustained speeds under thermal load are more relevant to how the drive behaves during active gameplay, but those figures are harder to find on retail packaging than the peak sequential number.
Yes – the PS5 formats and initializes the drive automatically the first time it detects it, but you must complete that on-screen setup step before the storage is usable. Inserting the drive and skipping the format prompt, or powering off mid-process, leaves the drive unrecognized on the next boot.
The PS5 accepts M.2 NVMe SSDs in the 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110 form factors, all using the M-key slot – SATA M.2 drives are not supported and will not work. Drive thickness must not exceed 8mm on the component side or 2.45mm on the back side without a heatsink, and up to 11.25mm total with one attached.
Consumer NVMe SSDs are rated by TBW (terabytes written), and a typical 1TB drive used for gaming workloads will last well beyond five years before approaching its rated endurance. Most reputable brands offer a 5-year limited warranty on their consumer NVMe line, though some budget-tier drives carry only 3 years, so checking warranty length is a practical way to gauge a manufacturer's confidence in the drive's longevity.
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