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Use-Case Guide
Top-rated external SSDs optimized for PlayStation 5 storage expansion. Compare speeds, capacities, and console compatibility.
Expanding your PlayStation 5 storage requires an external SSD that meets Sony's speed baselines and offers seamless game play. These drives deliver the read/write performance needed for fast loading, smooth asset streaming, and quick game transfers - all via USB connection.
Seagate
Price as of Jul 3, 2026, 4:11 AM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Western Digital
Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Western Digital
Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Western Digital
Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Seagate
Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Seagate
Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We have evaluated 6 drives to find the best best external ssd for ps5. The Seagate FireCuda External USB-C leads our ranking with 8.8/10 and 1.0 GB/s sequential reads.
When choosing an external SSD for best external ssd for ps5, pay close attention to the interface. Drives here range from 2.0 GB/s to 1.0 GB/s. Our top pick, the Seagate FireCuda External USB-C, exemplifies what to look for in this category. USB 3.2 Gen 2 is sufficient for most users, but Thunderbolt and USB4 models unlock higher throughput for demanding workflows.
Multi-terabyte external SSDs command a premium over HDDs. Evaluate whether your workflow benefits from the speed advantage or whether a HDD would serve as cheaper bulk storage.
Prices reflect the lowest available across major retailers. Real-world performance may vary based on host hardware and workload.
To see how these drives compare by raw speed and throughput, review the detailed benchmarks in our Fastest USB4 External Drives or Fastest Thunderbolt & USB4 External SSDs guide.
Value
Budget-friendly 1TB external SSDs ranked by price. Find the best value 1TB portable storage.
Value
High-capacity 4TB external SSDs with the lowest cost per gigabyte. Max storage for minimal spend.
Buying Guide
Top-rated external SSDs for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC gaming. Fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and high-capacity options.
Buying Guide
Professional Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB4 external SSDs validated for Mac workflow compatibility and APFS performance.
Buying Guide
Durable, weather-resistant external SSDs with IP65-IP67 ratings. Drop-proof and dust-proof for field work and travel.
Buying Guide
External SSDs optimized for macOS - Time Machine backups, APFS compatibility, and Thunderbolt/USB-C performance.
Visit our spec comparison tool to compare drives side-by-side, or browse our full library of buying guides and rankings.
You may also want to read our performance-focused Fastest USB4 External Drives guide or Fastest Thunderbolt & USB4 External SSDs.