Best answer: Just like the PS4, the PS5 supports external hard drives and SSDs up to 8TB, so that's the maximum amount of storage you can have in addition to its built-in SSD. When it comes to internal storage options, your SSD can only go up to 4TB.
Why do I need more storage on my PS5?
Every PS5 comes packed with an 825GB internal SSD, and only about 667GB of that is usable for your games. When games can reach 50GB to even 100GB each, that only leaves room for a handful. And if you happen to buy smaller games around 20GB, you're still looking at a few dozen that you can store at any one time. If you play games frequently, you likely have more games than that. Since it can be a hassle to continually delete and redownload games, you'll want to pick up some extra storage.
Does the PS5 support internal SSDs?
Though the PS5 didn't launch with internal SSD support, it was later added in an update for all players. It can be a bit of a hassle to add an SSD because you need to take the console apart, but it's well worth your time if you're using any of the best SSDs for PS5. You'll need to make sure any internal drive you want to use meets the following requirements:
| Spec | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD |
| Capacity | 250GB – 4TB |
| Cooling structure | Heatsink (single or double-sided) |
| Sequential read speed | 5,500MB/s or faster |
| Module width | 22mm width |
| Form factor | M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110 |
| Socket size | Socket 3 (Key M) |
| Length | 30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm |
| Height | Less than 11.25mm |
| Total size w/ cooling structure | Smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H) |
PlayStation 5 games can only be played off of an internal SSD. PlayStation 4 games, however, can both be stored and played off an external hard drive or SSD connected to your PS5.
What size SSD should I buy for my PS5?
Any external SSD connected to your PS5 must have a minimum capacity of 250GB or a maximum capacity of 8TB. If it's internal, that maximum capacity drops to 4TB. Any size in between should work, and most people tend to buy either 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB drives for their storage. Just make sure that it supports at least SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps and connects through USB 3.0 or later.
Can I use an external hard drive with my PS5?
Yup. Even though PS5 games need an internal SSD at the moment, you can still use your old PS4 HDDs on PS5 to play backward-compatible PlayStation 4 games. It's not always ideal because they'll load slower, but it does save up your internal storage for the games that actually need it. Again, the exact capacity limits apply.
Complete with a heatsink
Western Digital is a premiere storage company that offers an excellent internal SSD compatible with PS5. You can select a model ranging from 500GB to 2TB.
The most bang for your buck
Seagate is a reliable brand frequently used for gaming, and its 8TB HDD is compatible with PS5 through its USB 3.0 connection. Just plug it in, format it, and you're ready to store all of your games. This shouldn't fill up anytime soon.
