The PlayStation 5’s M.2 expansion slot is one of the easiest console upgrades to install — but Sony has strict requirements for the drives you can use. The PS5 needs an M.2 NVMe SSD that fits the 2280 form factor, has a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, hits at least 5,500 MB/s sequential reads, and — crucially — comes with adequate thermal management, either as an officially licensed drive or with a heatsink that physically fits the slot’s tight tolerances. This guide rounds up the best PS5 SSDs in 2026, leading with Sony-licensed picks and including verified heatsink-equipped Gen4 drives.
Our picks were chosen on what Sony actually requires for PS5 storage: M.2 2280 form factor, PCIe Gen4 NVMe, sustained sequential reads of 5,500 MB/s or higher (every drive on this list comfortably exceeds 7,000 MB/s), and heatsink-equipped or PS5-licensed designs that fit the console without modification. Prices range from around $170 for a 1TB starter to around $300 for premium 2TB options. Below is an at-a-glance comparison, then a closer look at each drive and a buyer’s guide covering Sony’s official requirements, heatsink fitment, and the install process every PS5 owner should know.
Best SSDs for PS5 at a Glance
| SSD | Best For | Standout Spec | Approx Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB (PS5 Licensed) | Top pick — Sony-licensed 2TB | Officially licensed, heatsink, up to 7,300 MB/s | around $300 |
| WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB (PS5 Licensed) | Sony-licensed 1TB option | Officially licensed, heatsink, 7,300 MB/s | around $249 |
| Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB | Best non-licensed alternative | 990 PRO + factory heatsink, 7,450 MB/s | around $302 |
| acer Predator GM7 1TB | Affordable Gen4 1TB | M.2 2280, 7,400 MB/s, Gen4 NVMe | around $185 |
| Predator GM7000 2TB | Big-capacity Predator pick | 2TB, 7,400 MB/s, Gen4 NVMe with DRAM | around $300 |
| SIX NVMe 1TB with Heatsink | Budget PS5 expansion (verify cooling) | 1TB Gen4, listed with heatsink | around $170 |
1. WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB Officially Licensed for PS5
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB is the standout pick for PS5 storage and the drive Sony itself endorses for the platform. It is an officially PlayStation-licensed M.2 NVMe SSD with a heatsink that is specifically engineered to fit the PS5’s expansion bay without modification, runs at up to 7,300 MB/s sequential reads, and ships with 2TB of capacity. At around $300 it is positioned at a premium, but it is also the only drive on this list that carries the PlayStation-licensed designation.
For PS5 owners who want zero ambiguity about installation and compatibility, the SN850P is the answer. The heatsink is sized to fit the console’s narrow M.2 channel with proper clearance, the firmware is tuned by WD specifically for the PS5’s storage subsystem, and Sony’s official licensing means it is the safest, most-supported choice. The 2TB capacity is enough to hold dozens of large modern PS5 titles alongside saves and media. If you want the best, most-trusted PS5 SSD upgrade you can buy, the SN850P 2TB is the obvious choice.
Pros: Officially Sony-licensed for PS5, factory-fit heatsink, 7,300 MB/s, 2TB capacity.
Cons: Premium price; heatsink design is fixed (no custom cooling options).
2. WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB Officially Licensed for PS5
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0010BNC-WRSN
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The WD_BLACK SN850P 1TB is the smaller-capacity Sony-licensed option, matching the 2TB on every spec — heatsink design, PS5 licensing, firmware tuning, and sequential reads up to 7,300 MB/s — at half the storage. It is a confirmed M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive built for the PlayStation 5’s expansion bay. At around $249 it is the entry point into Sony-licensed expansion storage.
This is the pick for PS5 owners who want the official-licensing guarantee and PS5-fit heatsink but do not need 2TB or cannot stretch the budget. 1TB is enough to hold a healthy rotating library of current games, the same heatsink and firmware as the 2TB version means no compromise on fitment or reliability, and the PlayStation-licensed branding gives the same official endorsement. For a more affordable, officially supported PS5 storage upgrade, the SN850P 1TB is exactly right.
Pros: Sony-licensed for PS5, same heatsink and firmware as 2TB, 7,300 MB/s in 1TB.
Cons: 1TB fills faster than 2TB with large modern PS5 titles.
3. Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink SSD 1TB for PS5
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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB is the standout non-licensed pick, and the strongest alternative to a Sony-licensed drive on the list. It is Samsung’s flagship Gen4 990 PRO controller paired with a factory-integrated heatsink specifically designed for PS5 expansion bay fitment, with sequential reads up to 7,450 MB/s — the fastest Gen4 ceiling here. At around $302 it is priced shoulder-to-shoulder with the SN850P 2TB despite being 1TB.
This is the pick for PS5 owners who specifically want Samsung’s controller and firmware reputation while still hitting the console’s thermal and physical requirements. The heatsink is purpose-built for the PS5 M.2 slot tolerances, the 990 PRO controller is widely considered the best Gen4 NVMe controller on the market, and sequential reads up to 7,450 MB/s give you the headroom Sony asks for several times over. For brand loyalists or builders who already trust Samsung’s NVMe range, this is the natural alternative to a licensed WD.
Pros: Samsung’s top Gen4 controller, factory heatsink for PS5, 7,450 MB/s sequential reads.
Cons: 1TB capacity at a 2TB SN850P price; no Sony licensing — verify fitment on arrival.
4. acer Predator GM7 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 NVMe
acer Predator GM7 1TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 - BL.9BWWR.118
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The acer Predator GM7 1TB is the affordable Gen4 1TB pick that meets Sony’s PS5 requirements. It is an M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe drive with sequential reads up to 7,400 MB/s, well above Sony’s 5,500 MB/s minimum. At around $185 it is one of the cheapest drives on this list that hits the PS5 spec sheet without compromise, though you should plan to add a compatible aftermarket heatsink before installation since it does not ship with one preinstalled.
This is the pick for the value-minded PS5 owner who wants a 1TB upgrade and is willing to source a separate heatsink. The 7,400 MB/s sequential ceiling is essentially identical to the SN850P and 990 PRO on paper, the M.2 2280 form factor and Gen4 NVMe interface are exactly what Sony specifies, and the Predator brand offers a budget-friendly alternative to the major NAND-maker drives. Pair it with a low-profile PS5-compatible heatsink (often under $15) and you get full PS5 performance at a meaningful saving.
Pros: 7,400 MB/s Gen4, M.2 2280, full Sony spec compliance, affordable 1TB price.
Cons: Does not ship with a heatsink — add a PS5-compatible one before installing.
5. Predator GM7000 2TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 with DRAM
Predator M.2 SSD 2TB GM7000 with DRAM cache NVMe 1.4 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 Ultra high speed (maximum read: 7400MB/s, max write: 6700MB/s) 3D NAND TLC Internal SSD Compatible with PS5 Pro - BL.9BWWR.106
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
The Predator GM7000 2TB is the high-capacity Predator pick, stepping up to 2TB with DRAM cache for sustained performance under load. It is a confirmed M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe drive with sequential reads up to 7,400 MB/s, DRAM-equipped controller for consistent random IO, and at around $300 it competes directly with the SN850P 2TB on price while lacking only the Sony licensing.
This is the pick for the PS5 owner who wants 2TB at competitive pricing and does not need official licensing. The DRAM cache makes a real difference for game-loading consistency over long sessions, the sequential read figure matches the licensed drives essentially point-for-point, and 2TB is enough capacity for a serious PS5 library. As with the GM7 1TB, plan for a PS5-compatible heatsink — it does not ship with one. For a value-leaning 2TB Gen4 alternative to the SN850P 2TB, the GM7000 is the strongest contender.
Pros: 2TB Gen4 with DRAM cache, 7,400 MB/s, M.2 2280, competitive pricing vs licensed drives.
Cons: No heatsink included; no Sony licensing — verify aftermarket cooling fitment.
6. SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 1TB with Heatsink for PS5
Prime SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0-1TB m.2 2280 ssd, Read UP to 7350MB/s 1TB for Gaming PS5 Memory Storage Expansion with Heatsink, Internal Solid State Hard Drive PCIe gen 4x4 Nvme for Laptop Desktop pc
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated.
Rounding out the list is the SIX NVMe 1TB, the cheapest pick at around $170 and the budget option for adding storage to the PS5. The listing describes it as a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with a heatsink specifically aimed at PS5 memory expansion, and sequential reads up to 7,350 MB/s — comfortably above Sony’s 5,500 MB/s minimum. We include it with one honest caveat: this is a generic-brand drive marketed at PS5 use, not a Sony-licensed product, and the bundled heatsink is unverified for PS5 chassis fitment.
If the bundled heatsink does fit the PS5 expansion bay (the dimensions are usually called out in product photos), this is the cheapest way to add 1TB of additional PS5 storage. The PCIe Gen4 interface and 7,350 MB/s sequential read figure both clear Sony’s official requirements, and the 1TB capacity matches the licensed SN850P 1TB at a significantly lower price. Before installing, measure the heatsink against the PS5 bay’s published dimensions (or check buyer photos confirming fitment) — with that verified, it is a reasonable budget pick.
Pros: Cheapest 1TB PS5 expansion option, listed Gen4 7,350 MB/s, bundled heatsink.
Cons: Generic brand; verify heatsink physically fits PS5 expansion bay before buying.
How to Choose an SSD for PS5
The PS5 has specific, non-negotiable storage requirements, and the first filter for any drive is whether it meets them. Sony requires an M.2 NVMe SSD in the 2280 form factor (22mm wide, 80mm long), with a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, and sequential read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s. Every drive on this list exceeds those minimums, but if you shop outside this guide, verify the form factor and Gen4 designation explicitly. SATA M.2 drives and Gen3 NVMe drives will not work in the PS5’s expansion slot.
Thermal management is the second hard requirement, and the one that trips up the most buyers. The PS5’s M.2 bay is narrow, and Sony requires drives to have adequate cooling — either a heatsink that physically fits the slot’s tolerances or a Sony-licensed design that is engineered for the bay. The WD_BLACK SN850P (officially licensed) and Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink ship with PS5-ready heatsinks. The acer Predator GM7 and Predator GM7000 do not — you will need to add a compatible low-profile heatsink (most cost under $15) before install. With generic-branded drives that claim bundled heatsinks, measure twice.
Capacity is where intent and budget meet. 1TB drives — the SN850P 1TB, 990 PRO 1TB, GM7 1TB, and SIX NVMe 1TB — are the most affordable entry point and hold a usable rotating library of modern PS5 games (many of which now exceed 100GB each). 2TB drives like the SN850P 2TB and GM7000 2TB are the choice for serious collectors who want their full library accessible without juggling between the PS5’s internal SSD and the expansion bay. There are larger 4TB PS5-compatible drives on the market, but at the time of writing they sit at a meaningful price premium per gigabyte.
Finally, plan the install. The PS5’s M.2 bay is accessed by removing the side panel — Sony’s instructions are detailed, the process is tool-light, and most users complete it in under ten minutes. Make sure the PS5 is powered down and unplugged, install the drive in the expansion slot with the bundled or aftermarket heatsink in place, then boot the console and follow the on-screen formatting prompt. After format, the PS5 will benchmark the drive and confirm it meets Sony’s performance threshold. If it does not, the console will warn you — at which point you know the drive is not suitable, regardless of what the listing claimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a Sony-licensed SSD for the PS5?
Not technically — any drive meeting Sony’s specs (M.2 2280 NVMe Gen4 x4, 5,500+ MB/s, adequate heatsink) will work. But a Sony-licensed drive like the WD_BLACK SN850P removes all ambiguity: the heatsink is guaranteed to fit, the firmware is tuned for PS5, and you have Sony’s explicit endorsement. For first-time PS5 storage upgrades, licensed drives are the safest choice; for cost-conscious users, an unlicensed drive that meets the specs (like the Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink) is equally valid.
Does my PS5 SSD need a heatsink?
Yes, in practical terms. Sony explicitly recommends adequate cooling, and bare drives without a heatsink can thermal-throttle inside the PS5’s narrow M.2 bay. The SN850P and 990 PRO ship with PS5-fit heatsinks; the Predator GM7 and GM7000 do not, so you will need to add a compatible low-profile heatsink before installing. Aftermarket PS5 M.2 heatsinks are inexpensive — usually under $15 — and well worth the small cost.
Will any PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD work in the PS5?
Only if it also meets Sony’s other requirements: M.2 2280 form factor, at least 5,500 MB/s sequential reads, and adequate heatsinking. A Gen4 drive that fails any of those (for example a smaller M.2 2230, a slow Gen4 with sub-5,500 MB/s reads, or a bare drive without heatsink) is not PS5-suitable. Every drive on this list meets the spec sheet comfortably, with heatsink notes on the ones that need aftermarket cooling.
How much capacity should I get for PS5 expansion?
1TB is the practical minimum for users who play 3-5 active games at a time, since modern PS5 titles regularly hit 80-150GB each. 2TB is the sweet spot for serious collectors who want their full library available without uninstalling between sessions. 4TB exists for power users but currently carries a meaningful cost-per-gigabyte premium compared with 2TB options.
Related Guides
- Best SSDs for Gaming
- Best NVMe SSDs
- Best 2TB NVMe SSDs
- Best 4TB NVMe SSDs
- Best Gaming TVs for PS5
- Best PS5 Accessories
- Best Gaming Headsets
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are accurate as of publication and may change.
