Best PS5 & PS4 Storage Upgrades – Faster Loads, More Space, Smart Value
Best PS5 and PS4 Storage Upgrades offer one of the easiest ways to boost performance, load games faster, and expand your library without deleting older titles. Whether you’re adding an internal SSD to a PS5 or using an external drive for PS4, a good upgrade delivers smoother gameplay and more room for modern, high-size game installs.
This guide compares the best internal SSDs and external HDD/SSD options for PlayStation users, with direct links to deeper storage categories on our site. Prices, speeds, and capacities change often—so check back frequently for updated recommendations and storage insights.
PS5 Internal SSD Upgrades (NVMe M.2)
The PS5 supports M.2 NVMe SSDs that meet Sony’s strict speed requirements (5,500 MB/s or faster). These upgrades install directly into the console and behave like built-in storage, providing fast load times and instant access to your games.
- Required Speed: 5,500 MB/s minimum
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Heatsink Needed: Yes (built-in or added separately)
Explore our NVMe guides for deeper comparisons:
- M.2 NVMe Drives – Full price-per-TB breakdowns
- Internal SSD Storage – SATA & NVMe options
External Storage for PS5 (For PS4 Games Only)
The PS5 can use external SSDs and HDDs for storing and playing PS4 games. PS5 games can be stored externally, but must be moved to internal SSD storage to play.
- Best For: Expanding PS4 game library space
- Drive Types: USB 3.0 SSDs or HDDs
- Common Capacities: 1TB – 8TB
Compare our external drive categories:
- External SSD Drives – Fast, portable, and ideal for PS4 game storage
- External 3.5″ HDD – High capacity for huge libraries
- External 2.5″ HDD – Affordable, compact storage
External Storage for PS4 (Full Game Support)
The PS4 allows both PS4 games and apps to run directly from external drives. This makes upgrading storage incredibly simple—just plug in a USB drive and format it for use.
Best choices:
- External SSD: Faster load times for open-world and texture-heavy games
- 2.5″ External HDD: Best budget option for large libraries
- 3.5″ Desktop HDD: Best for multi-terabyte storage
PS5 vs PS4 Storage Requirements
| Console | Internal Upgrade | External Drive Use | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 | M.2 NVMe SSD (up to 4TB+) | PS4 games only | High-speed NVMe SSD |
| PS4 | Internal 2.5″ SATA SSD/HDD | Full game support | External SSD for speed, HDD for size |
Recommended Storage Types
1. NVMe SSD (Fastest, PS5 Only)
Use our in-depth NVMe category for performance and value comparisons:
2. SATA SSD (PS4 Internal Upgrade)
SATA SSDs dramatically reduce loading times on PS4.
3. External SSD (PS4 and PS5 Storage for PS4 Games)
4. External HDD (Best Cheap Storage for Big Game Libraries)
PlayStation Storage Performance Tips
- Use exFAT for maximum compatibility with external drives.
- PS5 games must run from internal NVMe storage.
- PS4 games load fastest from external SSDs.
- External HDDs are best for large, slow-paced games.
- NVMe SSDs provide the largest boost for PS5 open-world games.
Authoritative External Resources (Non-Affiliate)
- Sony – Official PS5 SSD Installation Guide
- Digital Foundry – Storage Performance Tests
- Tom’s Hardware – NVMe & SSD Benchmarks
- TechRadar – Best PS5 SSDs
Last updated: 11-21-2025 • Storage categories updated daily with new pricing and performance data.