Best PS5 external hard drives
Date:
Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:11:45 +0000
Description:
We've rounded up the best PS5 external hard drives on the market.
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Looking for the best PS5 external hard drives right now? Then you're in the right place. A recent PS5 firmware update means that external storage has become even more helpful on Sonys latest console: before the update, external drives could only store PS4 games , but now PS5 titles can live on external drives too.
With Black Friday 2021 taking place on November 26, we're expecting to see a wide variety of external hard drives on sale. We've already seen some early Black Friday PS5 external hard drive deals pop up, so it's a great chance to increase your storage for less. Whether you're picking up a faster SSD external drive or a high-capacity HDD, there's plenty of enticing deals to take advantage of. We'll also be keeping our eye out for any discounts come Cyber Monday , which falls on November 29.
Its a welcome new feature: with more PS5 games arriving, huge PS4 game libraries playable on the console, and no sign of Sonys official upgrade
SSDs, a high-quality external drive could become your best PS5 accessory .
The update makes the PS5s storage situation pleasingly clear. The best external hard drives can now store PS5 games, but youll have to transfer them back to the console to play them. Its helpful because you can easily mix and match the PS5 games youre playing without relying on a sluggish internet connection. If youve got an extensive library of PS4 games, your PS5 can run them directly from the external drive, which means that you can save your
PS5s SSD for the latest titles. Best PS4 external hard drives PS5 storage : everything you need to know Xbox Series X storage : everything you need to know
External storage has never been this useful on the PS5, and there are loads
of external drives that you could use. That choice can be daunting, but weve rounded up the top options and divided them into three essential categories.All youve got to do now is figure out what kind of drive you need and then get your favorite games downloading. Best PS5 external hard drives
at a glance Crucial X8 Samsung T7 WD Black P50 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD Seagate Game Drive Toshiba Canvio Basics WD Black P10 WD My Passport WD Elements Desktop WD Black D10 G-Technology ArmorATD Best PS5 external SSDs
Our countdown kicks off with external SSDs, which are undoubtedly the most eye-catching choice for external storage. Theyre the fastest external drives by far, which means they outpace conventional hard disks and make the most of the PS5s USB bandwidth in terms of loading and transfer times, theyre your best options. Plenty of external SSDs offer more speed than the PS5 can handle, too, which makes them functional on PCs and laptops with Thunderbolt, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and Gen 2x2 ports. Loads of SSDs are also tiny and have ruggedized features, so theyre perfect if you need a drive for frequent transport.
External SSDs have downsides, too: theyre more expensive than hard disks, and their capacities tend to be smaller unless youre willing to spend vast
amounts of money. Here are the best PS5 external SSDs around: (Image credit: Micron Technology, Inc.) Crucial X8
An affordable and effective mainstream SSD option Capacity: 1TB - 2TB | Interface: Thunderbolt 3/USB-C | Dimensions: 53mm x 110mm x 11.5mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 97g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Tough relatively compact exterior Affordable pricing Good speeds More pace available elsewhere Some smaller drives available
The Crucial X8 uses an NVMe SSD, which means its got more speed than older
and more affordable SATA SSDs. Its pace gets close to saturating the PS5s USB ports its not the fastest option when it comes to portable SSDs, but the Crucial is easily good enough to tackle console use.
Crucials drive withstands shocks, vibrations, 7.5ft drops, and extreme temperatures, so itll survive life on the road and around the house, and its robust design joins with impressive dimensions and impressively low prices.
Be aware, though, that there are lighter or slimmer drives available elsewhere, and more pace can be found on rivals, although youll have to pay for it. The Crucial may not be the slimmest, lightest or fastest, but its never far off and its always pretty affordable, and that makes it a good choice. (Image credit: Samsung) Samsung T7
Samsung crams solid performance into a tiny, affordable SSD Capacity: 500GB - 2TB | Interface: Thunderbolt 3/USB-C | Dimensions: 57mm x 85mm x 8mm (WxDxH)
| Weight: 58g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Tiny chassis Consistently faster Cheaper than rivals Not the quickest drive
Samsung has proven itself to be the modern master of the SSD, so its no surprise that its latest portable drive is impressive.
Its available in capacities between 500GB and 2TB, and theres plenty to like: its barely longer than a bank card, and its 8mm thickness and 58g weight make it the smallest and lightest portable SSD in this group. If you want to use this drive for secure functions alongside your consoles, it has AES 256-bit encryption.
The T7 is quick enough to nearly saturate the PS5s USB ports, although
Seagate and LaCies drives are faster. That speed advantage isnt essential for PS5 use, but it could be a dealbreaker if you want to use the drive with PCs and laptops too. Also bear in mind that while the Samsung T7 has reasonable build quality, but it doesnt have the drop, shock, and temperature certifications of its rivals.
The price is lower than most rivals, and the Samsung combines decent speeds with tiny dimensions. Its ideal if you want good pace at a lower price than most other portable SSDs. (Image credit: WD) WD Black P50
Superb speed and design with a high price Capacity: 500GB - 4TB | Interface: Thunderbolt 3/USB-C | Dimensions: 62mm x 118mm x 14mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 115g
| Warranty: 5yr RTB Extremely fast Robust, good-looking exterior Five-year warranty Pricier than most portable SSDs Larger than many rivals
WD Black products are usually bold, and the P50 portable SSD is no different thanks to an exterior made of ridged, black metal.
The exterior is rock-solid and withstands drops and bumps, so itll withstand everyday life. Beyond the design, youll find an NVMe drive that tops out at a mighty 2,000MB/s. That pace is far beyond what the PS5 can handle, but it
does mean that the P50 will saturate the consoles USB ports and deliver maximum speed. It also means that you can use that pace on devices with future-proofed USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt 3 ports.
There are downsides to this drive. Its heavier and thicker than most portable SSDs, and its more expensive than most.
If youve got the cash and need a product thats great for the PS5 and ideal
for the future, though, the WD Black P50 is a tremendous, future-proofed choice. (Image credit: LaCie) LaCie Rugged SSD Pro
Great speed and impressively robust design Capacity: 1TB - 2TB | Interface: Thunderbolt 3/USB-C | Dimensions: 65mm x 98mm x 17mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 100g | Warranty: 5yr RTB Rock-solid build quality Very fast Five-year warranty
Pricey Thicker than most portable SSDs
Most portable SSDs have shock and drop-resistant designs, but few drives go
as far as the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro. Its officially rated for water
resistance, three-meter drops, two tons of crush resistance and dust resistance, so its virtually indestructible perfect if you need a gaming drive to take on the road. Its even got a flap that closes to protect the USB-C port.
This tough hardware sits inside a smart and subdued rubber casing, and a generous five-year warranty protects the LaCie.
The rugged design doesnt come at the expense of speed. This is another drive that saturates the PS5s USB ports and heads beyond 2,000MB/s if youve got the right hardware, which makes it ideal for console use now and other devices in the future.
The design means that the LaCie is a little heavier and thicker than most SSDs, and its very expensive. But if you need a drive with lashings of speed and tough design, its worth the outlay. (Image credit: Seagate) Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD
Bold design meets great speed at a cost Capacity: 500TB 2TB | Interface: Thunderbolt 3/USB-C | Dimensions: 53mm x 104mm x 10mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 100g
| Warranty: 5yr RTB Customizable RGB LEDs Great speeds Generous warranty Relatively expensive
The Seagate FireCuda drive is one of the more expensive SSD options around, but it does offer a band of customizable RGB LEDs that can display hundreds
of colors and synchronize with Razer peripherals. No other drive here
provides that feature.
Elsewhere, the Seagate has great build quality, which makes it easier to live with although the sharp corners are annoying. The five-year warranty also offers good protection. In terms of performance, its great like the Samsung, WD and LaCie drives, the Seagate saturates the PS5s USB ports and offers even more speed on devices with compatible USB or Thunderbolt ports.
If you dont need that future-proofed speed, consider the Seagate Barracuda Fast SSD. Its still quick enough to handle the PS5, and it doesnt have RGB LEDs, but it is cheaper than the FireCuda.
If you want sensational speed and RGB LEDs, the Seagate serves up those alongside a generous warranty. Its an impressive and eye-catching option.
Best portable PS5 external hard drives
Portable hard disks combine large capacities with relatively low prices and small physical sizes. That makes them ideal for storing extensive collections without spending loads, and they also work well if you need to take your
drive on the road or around the house. They cant compete with SSDs for speed, though, and they also tend to be more expensive than conventional desktop
hard drives. Check out our favorite portable PS5 external hard drives, below: (Image credit: Seagate) Seagate Game Drive
The only officially-licensed option for PlayStation Capacity: 2TB 4TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 76mm x 114mm x 9.6 12mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 135g 149g | Warranty: 2yr RTB Official PlayStation license Middling pricing Light and slim Other drives are faster
The Seagate Game Drive is the only external hard disk officially licensed by Sony. While its technically licensed for PS4 devices, these drives will work with the PS5, and it wouldnt be a surprise to see the licensing extended to Sonys latest machines.
Its available in capacities of 2TB and 4TB and is also available in The Last of Us and Marvels Avengers designs if youd like something to represent your favorite game. Both capacities are solid options for ample storage, and both are cheaper than the WD drives only the Toshiba Canvio Basics is more affordable. In terms of speed, its mid-range: fine, but not particularly impressive.
Seagates drive is lighter and slimmer than most rivals, and it has a robust aluminium exterior thats stronger than the plastic Toshiba. Its not fast or feature-packed, but its a good-looking, affordable and official option.
(Image credit: Toshiba) Toshiba Canvio Basics
The best option for external storage on a budget Capacity: 500GB 4TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 78mm x 109mm x 14 19.5mm(WxDxH) | Weight: 140g 218g | Warranty: 2yr RTB Very cheap Loads of capacities available Middling speeds Mediocre build quality
Toshibas drive is the cheapest portable hard disk here by some distance, and its also the only one available that drops right down to a 500GB capacity. If youre on an extreme budget and you know that you only need a drive for a handful of key games, then that makes the smallest Canvio appealing.
The low price, broad range of capacities and no-nonsense design pair with reasonable weight and dimensions, but the Canvio also has compromises. Its
not particularly fast, so its not suitable if you want the quickest hard disk available to play your old PS4 library or transfer PS5 games to the consoles SSD. Also bear in mind that its plastic exterior has mediocre build quality, so its not the best option for tossing into a bag. Still, this is a solid choice if you need external storage on a tight budget. (Image credit: WD) WD Black P10
Not cheap, but its got good design and performance throughout Capacity: 2TB 5TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 88mm x 118mm x 12.8mm 20.8mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 140g 230g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Solid hard disk speeds Good design and build quality Decent warranty Pricier than many hard disks Not
slim or light
The WD Black P10 is the most expensive portable hard disk here, and the P10 tries to justify the cost in several important ways. Its got a robust metal exterior that offers rock-solid build quality for frequent transport, and its ridged design makes it eye-catching.
The P10s internal hard disk is the fastest out of the quartet of portable
hard disks here. While its still a long way behind the PS5s internal SSD, it means slightly faster loading times for PS4 games and quicker PS5 game transfers.
The P10 also has a three-year warranty, which is an extra year of protection when compared to the cheaper Toshiba and Seagate drives.
Hard disks may not compete with SSDs when it comes to speed, but the WD Black P10 offers good performance and design, and its still far more affordable
than an SSD and with bigger capacities. If youd like reasonable performance and rock-solid design, the P10 is the top choice. (Image credit: Western Digital) WD My Passport
A solid mid-range option in every department Capacity: 1TB 5TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 75 x 107 x 11mm 19mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 120g
210g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Decent speeds Slim and light design Versatile specification SSDs are faster Some hard disk rivals are quicker
The WD My Passport drives occupy the middle ground in the portable hard disk market. These products offer reasonable speeds that sit between the quicker
WD Black P10 and the slower Toshiba Canvio, which is reflected in the mid-range pricing.
The My Passport is one of the slimmest portable hard drives around, and its weight levels arent bad either its lighter than the WD Black and Toshiba Canvio products. At smaller capacities its the lightest drive in this group.
Elsewhere, the My Passport has a three-year warranty, which means its got one more year of coverage than the Toshiba and Seagate products, and its
available in blue, black and red shades. The 5TB capacity option also makes this product a little more versatile than its cheaper rivals.
The My Passport is unfussy but effective, with a solid specification, reasonable speed, and decent mainstream performance, making it a very good mid-range choice. Best PS5 desktop external hard drives
External desktop hard drives are the cheapest way to get loads of external space for your gaming collection, but theyre slow and large compared to external SSDs and portable hard drives. If you have loads of games to store and dont need to move the drive from alongside the console, though, they make loads of sense. Check out our best PS5 desktop external hard drives, below: (Image credit: WD) WD Elements Desktop
Not fast or flashy, but its affordable and reliable Capacity: 2TB 18TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 48mm x 135mm x 169mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 910g 950g | Warranty: 2yr RTB Huge capacities available Cheaper than the competition Not particularly fast
The WD Elements range isnt flashy and doesnt include future-proofed features, but it does offer a huge amount of versatility: its capacities range between
a modest 2TB and a vast 18TB, and prices remain sensible, with the cost regularly undercutting the other desktop drives mentioned here.
The Elements drive looks good, with a sleek and sturdy exterior, although
this drive is a little larger and heavier than some of the other desktop options. The performance levels on offer are not spectacular, either: the Elements delivers similar speed to the PS4s hard disk. Thats fine for playing and storing games, but dont expect the levels of pace youll find on an SSD.
As usual, though, a hard disk sacrifices speed to deliver affordability and capacity, and the WD Elements drive offers lashings of space at solid prices. If youve got a huge game collection to store and dont want to spend loads of cash, this is a great choice. (Image credit: Western Digital) WD Black D10
Good hard disk speed and design, but its not affordable or subtle Capacity: 8TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 125mm x 195mm x 44mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 980g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Decent hard disk speed Rock-solid design Extra USB ports Pricier than competitors Not small or light
As with other WD Black products, the D10 places a big emphasis on bold
design, and build quality is superb. Handily, the D10 has a couple of USB ports that can charge controllers and peripherals, which is a handy extra on
a gaming drive.
The D10 is only available in an 8TB capacity, and its a little more expensive than the equivalent size on the WD Elements. The design accounts for some of that, but the price increase is also justified by a 7,200rpm hard disk. Thats quicker than the 5,400rpm drives used in rivals, and it helps bring a little extra speed to the D10.
Happily, that means the D10 is a little quicker than the PS4s internal hard disk, so youll experience better loading times on the PS5 if youve got a
hefty collection of old games, and this drive is the fastest way to transfer PS5 games without shelling out more cash for an SSD.
So, while SSDs offer more pace, the D10 serves up great design and loads of capacity. Its an ideal choice if you want a good-looking and capacious external drive. (Image credit: G-Technology) G-Technology ArmorATD
A top-tier option for frequent travellers Capacity: 1TB 5TB | Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Dimensions: 87mm x 130mm x 21mm 30mm (WxDxH) | Weight: 230g
350g | Warranty: 3yr RTB Great, robust design Relatively affordable Not particularly large Mediocre speeds
The G-Technology ArmorATD has a rugged exterior that can withstand dust,
water splashes, loads of pressure, and drops from a decent distance. It achieves this feat with an aluminium shell, a rubber bumper, and internal shock mounting.
Its impressive given that hard disks have moving parts, and protecting them
is far trickier than safeguarding SSDs. It makes the ArmorATD ideal if you need a drive to use with your PS5 and sling inside a backpack. The ArmorATD uses a 3.5in desktop hard disk, but its designed for portability, so its weight and dimensions sit between larger desktop drives and smaller portable options.
On the inside, the 5,400rpm hard disk means mediocre speeds, so dont expect great loading and transfer times here its reasonable, but not outstanding.
This drive is not great for speed, but it provides tremendous protection and high capacities, and its much cheaper than rugged SSDs. If you need storage and stability on a budget, its top-notch. PS5 vs Xbox Series X : which
console should you choose?
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