The best PS5 external hard drive is a must-have for any gamer looking to add more storage to their console. But how hard is it to find a good external hard drive right now?
You’re probably in the market for something with better portability and power than your older external hard drive but that still has the capacity and speed to keep up with your data needs.
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The trick? Finding an external hard drive that’s actually worth buying. Sure, there are plenty of options out there—but how do you know which one will be the best? In this guide, we’ll help you along by focusing on three aspects that make an external hard drive a great purchase: performance, price point, and durability.
Also, don’t miss to check out our blog on the best laptops for game development.
10+ Best PS5 External Hard Drives for Late Night Gaming (2025)
- WD Black P50 Game Drive — The best PS5 external hard drive in 2025 overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Seagate Portable — The best PS5 external hard drive on a budget
- Crucial X8 — The best value PS5 external hard drive
- Seagate FireCuda — The best PS5 external hard drive for performance
- Samsung T7 — The best portable PS5 external hard drive
- WD Black D10 Game Drive — The best high-capacity PS5 external hard drive
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD — The best mid-range PS5 external hard drive
- Seagate Game Drive — The best officially licensed PS5 external hard drive
- G-Technology ArmorATD — The best rugged PS5 external hard drive
- Toshiba Canvio Basics — The best entry-level PS5 external hard drive
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- Best VR headsets for Gaming
What is the Best External Hard Drive for PS5 in 2025?
The PlayStation 5 is an incredible machine, capable of displaying beautiful graphics and so much more. However, all of those great games that you love to play, take up room on the hard drive. That’s why having an external hard drive can be so essential. To us, the best option available is the WD Black P50 Game Drive.
If you’re interested in some of our other top picks, check out our comparison table below.
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10+ Best PS5 External Hard Drives 2025
1. WD_Black P50 Game Drive (Editor’s Choice)
The best PS5 external hard drive in 2025 overall
Type: SDD | Capacity: 500GB-4TB | Warranty: 5 years
The WD Black P50 Game Drive is an absolute powerhouse of a storage device for the PS5. Capable of handling read speeds up to 2,000MB/s and write speeds up to 200MB/s, it’s one of the fastest external hard drives around.
Since its drive has been boosted with Thunderbolt 3 and SuperSpeed USB 3.2 connectivity with speeds of 20GB/s, we got unparalleled data transfer speeds and future-proofing with the latest selection of ports.
Designed to be shockproof, this slim black box looks as good as it works and is capable of taking all of the knocks, bumps, and falls without a scratch. We have plenty of external storage options with Seagate, Samsung, and WD offerings. But if we’re going for the best value and speed available, then the WD Black P50 Game Drive’s NVMe SSD delivers both.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Excellent performance | ➖Pricey |
| ➕5-year warranty | ➖No IP rating |
| ➕Minimalistic and robust design | |
| ➕USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support | |
| ➕Plenty of storage options |
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Latest Price on Amazon:
- Shaped By Performance With Ssd Speeds Up To 2000Mb/S To Decrease Load Screen Times And Get You Into The Game Faster. | Based On Read Speed. 1 Mb/S = 1 Million Bytes Per Second. Based On Internal...
- Up To 4Tb Of Additional Storage For You To Keep Your Favorite Games And Save New Games.
- Shock-Resistant And Portable Form Factor That Provides Fast Access To Your Gaming Library, Anywhere You Go. | 1Gb = 1 Billion Bytes And 1Tb = 1 Trillion Bytes. Actual User Capacity May Be Less...
- High-Performance Ssd With Superspeed Usb 20Gb/S Interface For Your Pc Or Console.
2. Seagate Portable
The best PS5 external hard drive on a budget
Type: HDD | Capacity: 500GB-20TB | Warranty: 1 year
No more sacrificing performance and quality to get a hard drive on a budget. With the Seagate Portable, we have a fast and reliable hard drive with up to 20TB of storage at a fraction of the cost of its premium competitors.
The Seagate Portable Drive plugs into our PS5 with the 18-inch USB 3.0 cable, so we can quickly transfer files between our console and the drive. This HDD has a 120 MB/s maximum data transfer speed and is compatible with most computers running Windows XP or higher and Macs, so we can use it across multiple devices.
It comes with a 1-year rescue service to protect against data loss and retrieval costs that could be caused by water damage or an accidental fall for a little extra piece of mind. We couldn’t ask much more from one of the most affordable hard drives on the market.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Up to 20TB of storage | ➖Inconsistent speeds |
| ➕Sturdy design | ➖Only 1-year warranty |
| ➕Includes 1-year rescue service | |
| ➕Bundled with an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
3. Crucial X8
The best value PS5 external hard drive
Type: SDD | Capacity: 1TB-2TB | Warranty: 3-year
The Crucial X8 is a great value for money as an external hard drive. It’s affordable, but it also offers excellent performance and storage space for the price. The X8 uses an NVMe SSD and USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and USB-A connectors to deliver data speeds of up to 1050 MB/s.
From our experience, this results in speed 1.8x faster than other portable SSDs, up to 7.5x faster than portable HDDs, and 100x faster than USB flash drives.
In addition to this higher-than-average transfer speed, the Crucial X8 has plenty of room inside its case: up to 2TB worth! The X8 is also rugged in design, featuring an anodized aluminum unibody core, making it drop-proof up to 7.5 feet. Plus, it’s shock, extreme temperature, and vibration proof—so you won’t have to worry about any damage or spills.
If you’re looking for an external hard drive with plenty of storage space and fast performance to match without breaking the bank, then Crucial’s X8 is the one to consider. It is one of the best external hard drives on a budget and has a lot to offer!
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Value for money | ➖Lacks encryption |
| ➕Stylish and rugged design | |
| ➕Decent speeds | |
| ➕Includes a USB-C cable and USB-C-to-USB-A adapter | |
| ➕Three-year warranty |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Incredible performance with read speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Works with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One with USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and USB-A connectors
- Beautiful and durable design, featuring an anodized aluminum unibody core. Drop proof up to 7.5 feet. Extreme-temperature, shock, and vibration proof
- Backed by Micron, one of the largest manufacturers of flash storage in the world
- English (Publication Language)
4. Seagate FireCuda
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The best PS5 external hard drive for performance
Type: SDD | Capacity: 500GB-16TB | Warranty: 5 years
Your gaming console deserves the best, and Seagate FireCuda delivers. This storage device lets you enjoy blazing-fast NVMe SSD performance from USB-C ports on your computer or PS5.
As this external drive is compatible with cutting-edge USB 3.2 gen 2×2 technology, you get ultra-fast data transfers—with blazing-fast speeds of up to 2000MB/s.
For further performance enhancement, it has a highly efficient and lightweight aluminum construction that offers cooling and heat dissipation so you can play lag-free without worries for hours on end.
Add to that customizable RGB LED lights that sync with the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Dock and other RGB peripherals for a fully personalized gaming setup set to impress.
However, our favorite thing about this hard drive is that a 5-year warranty backs it, so it will also serve you for your PS5 and possibly your PS6 in a few years.
In short, the Seagate FireCuda focuses on the most important aspect for every gamer: speed. It is the best choice for high-speed, no-lag gaming on your PS5.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Best-in-class performance | ➖High price tag |
| ➕5-year warranty | |
| ➕Customizable RGB LED lights | |
| ➕Up to 16TB capacity |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Experience high-speed, no-lag PC gaming with an external portable USB-C drive harnessing fierce FireCuda NVMe SSD performance and cutting-edge USB 3.2 gen 2x2 technology for speeds of up to 2000MB/s
- Store a massive library of games and content with up to 1TB of capacity
- The ideal solution for a PC or laptop SSD, FireCuda Gaming SSD includes customizable RGB LED lights that sync with the Seagate FireCuda Gaming Dock for an enhanced, fully-personalized desktop gaming...
- FireCuda Gaming SSD’s compact, lightweight, industrial design complements premium gaming rigs while its sturdy aluminum enclosure offers cooling and heat dissipation for extended reliability—plus,...
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included limited product warranty protection plan and Rescue Services
5. Samsung T7
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The best portable PS5 external hard drive
Type: SDD | Capacity: 500GB-2TB | Warranty: 3 years
The Samsung T7 is the best portable PS5 external hard drive. It’s stylish and versatile, with an aluminum body that weighs just 58 grams and feels great in your hand but small enough to fit in your pocket.
And with a capacity of up to 2TB—it is the perfect companion for anyone on the go.
Despite its diminutive size, this drive has plenty of power to go around; it’s internally optimized for performance, boasts a fast 1,050 MB/s reading speed, and writes at up to 1,000 MB/s.
Samsung claims this is nearly 9.5x faster than external hard disk drives. Not only does it boast a great performance in a compact size, but it also features 256-bit AES encryption for safeguarding your files.
It is robust with a shock-resistant chassis and Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology that automatically prevents the T7 from overheating by slowing down the data transfer if necessary.
The T7 is a good choice for those who want plenty of storage space but need something small to carry around in their pockets or bags.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Compact and portable | ➖No IP rating |
| ➕Stylish and elegant | |
| ➕Rapid transfer speeds | |
| ➕256-bit AES encryption | |
| ➕Durable with Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) technology | |
| ➕18-inch USB cables |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up...
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making...
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video...
6. WD_Black D10 Game Drive
The best high-capacity PS5 external hard drive
Type: HDD | Capacity: 8TB-12TB | Warranty: 3 years
If you have a huge collection of digital titles and don’t want to move it all to another drive, this is the option for you.
With 8TB of storage space, the WD Black Game Drive is designed to consolidate all your files onto one drive, even games that have gone unfinished for over a year. There is even an option for 12TB storage, so this drive can keep virtually anything you throw at it!
It comes with active cooling technology to keep your games running without any lag for long hours. It also features two 7.5W USB Type-A charging ports that you can use to charge your accessories or expand the hard drive’s functionality.
In addition to PS5s, it is also compatible with Xbox as well as Windows and Mac computers.
The larger capacity also means that it is bulkier, but if you want an alternative to the P50 with more storage space and the same WD_Black quality and reliability, the WD_Black D10 Game Drive is worth the investment.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕High capacity | ➖Expensive |
| ➕Two 7.5W USB Type-A charging ports | ➖Bulky |
| ➕Active cooling technology | |
| ➕Silent operation | |
| ➕Eye-catching design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Extra storage to capture and collect your best in-screen game captures.Specific uses: Gaming
- Speed up to 250 MB/s rated at 7200RPM with active cooling technology to help you stay in the game.
- Features two 7.5W USB Type-A charging ports to charge your gaming gear and accessories.
- Purpose-built for gamers based on WD_Black quality and reliability.
7. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
The best mid-range PS5 external hard drive
Type: SDD | Capacity: 500GB-4TB | Warranty: 5 years
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD strikes the perfect balance between features and price, making it our favorite mid-range external hard drive for the PS5.
It is a portable, high-capacity NVMe SSD with plenty of storage options from 500GB to 4TB. This SSD is no slouch, with 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds for seamless data transfers.
If you’re accident-prone and like a little extra insurance for your hard drive, this drive can withstand water, rain, and dust with an IP55 rating, so your data can stay safe in any situation.
Plus, it has a shock-resistant core for added sturdiness, so it can survive up to a two-meter drop and password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption to protect your data from unwanted access.
If all of that isn’t enough, it even comes with a 5-year warranty so that you can buy it without stress. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is hard to beat at its price point.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Sturdy build with an IP55 rating and shock-resistant core | ➖Short cables |
| ➕256‐bit AES encryption | |
| ➕Great data transfer speeds | |
| ➕Excellent value | |
| ➕Generous warranty | |
| ➕Comes with a handy carabiner loop |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device...
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the...
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5)
8. Seagate Game Drive
The best officially licensed PS5 external hard drive
Type: HDD | Capacity: 500GB-8TB | Warranty: 2 years
The Seagate Game Drive for PS5 has a 1TB capacity, and it’s officially licensed by Sony.
It’s the only option with an official license from Sony, guaranteeing that it works with the PS5 (and also the older generation PS4) flawlessly and securely.
The exclusive license means it is built with matching firmware for seamless data transfers, and no setup is required.
The Game Drive is more than just a stylish external hard drive; it has a robust aluminum exterior that is quite light and portable.
It’s an HDD and not an SSD, so don’t expect the fastest transfers, but it’s lightweight and reliable, and you can even buy it with different skins such as The Last of Us and Marvel’s Avengers designs.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Official PlayStation license | ➖Not the fastest drive around |
| ➕Available in themed designs | |
| ➕Sleek and lightweight build | |
| ➕Works flawlessly with Playstations |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- OFFICIALLY LICENSED Built with matching firmware to seamlessly work with all models of PS5 and PS4.
- PS5 READY Store your PS5 games and transfer them to the console when it’s time to play.
- WORKS WITH PS4 Store and play all your PS4 games directly from the external hard drive.
- BUILD YOUR GAME VAULT 4TB of capacity means no more sacrificing, deleting, or redownloading games.
- NO TOOLS REQUIRED Launch into action in under two minutes with easy plug-and-play setup.
9. G-Technology ArmorATD
The best rugged PS5 external hard drive
Type: HDD | Capacity: 1TB-5TB | Warranty: 3 years
If you want to buy a hard drive that is as tough as nails, look no further than the G-Technology ArmorATD.
This outrageously strong PS4/PS5 hard drive is the perfect companion for all your games and outdoor adventures with rain, and dust, crush resistance for up to 1000lbs, and triple-layer shock resistance, so you can take it with you everywhere with full confidence.
Its transfer rates are up to 140MB/s, which is good enough for most gamers.
With the G-Technology ArmorATD, you get all the protection a rugged drive needs, plus very high capacities from 1TB-5TB and plenty of connectivity options at a price that’s more affordable than most other rugged drives.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Extremely tough with rain, dust, and crush resistance | ➖Slow data transfer speeds |
| ➕Reliable | |
| ➕Excellent connectivity options | |
| ➕Not too large despite the extra protection |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Triple-layer shock resistance for added durability
- Rain-and dust-resistant (IP54) enclosure with a 1000lb crush rating
- With capacities up to 5TB of storage for your photos and footage
- USB-C ready; USB-3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible
- Ready to go with mac and Windows
10. Toshiba Canvio Basics
The best entry-level PS5 external hard drive
Type: HDD | Capacity: 1TB-4TB | Warranty: 2 years
If you’re looking for a hard drive on a tight budget, the Toshiba Canvio Basics is by far the most affordable hard drive on this list.
This external hard drive is available in capacities ranging from 1TB all the way up to 4TB, but the smallest drive here packs the biggest punch for its price.
On top of being insanely affordable, it is also slim, lightweight, and has a simple plug-and-play operation that makes it easy to use while on the go.
This Toshiba Canvio Basic is ideal for those who don’t need a ton of space but can still benefit from an extra storage solution for their PS5.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕One of the cheapest PS5-compatible hard drives around | ➖Can’t compete with SSD speeds |
| ➕Good amounts of storage | ➖Short cables |
| ➕Slim and compact | |
| ➕Available in different colors |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Sleek profile design with a matte, smudge resistance finish.Specific uses: Personal, gaming, Business
- Plug and play; Easy to use with no software to install. Requires reformatting for Mac OS v10.12 /OS X v10.11 / v10.1
- Quickly add more storage capacity to your PC and other compatible devices
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible with no external AC power cord needed
- Compatible devices: Desktop
How to Choose the Best PS5 External Hard Drives
If you’re choosing a PS5 external hard drive, there are many factors to consider. You want to select the best external hard drive for your needs and budget, but you also want to ensure that it’s compatible with your PS5. Luckily for you, we’ve done all the research so that you can rest easy knowing everything is in order before making any purchases!
Type
When it comes to external hard drives for the PlayStation 5, there are two varieties. The first is a traditional HDD (hard disk drive), which stores data on magnetic disks like those used in desktops and laptops.
The other option is an SSD (solid state drive), which uses flash memory instead of spinning metal plates to store data; this makes them faster but also more expensive than HDDs.
The best external hard drive for your PS5 depends on what you need it for and how much money you want to spend on it. If all you need is a place where you can keep some games or movies, then going with an HDD might be enough because most of these models come with 1TB storage space and more—that’s enough room for hundreds if not thousands of games!
But if all that really matters is having more storage space than some files require, then one thing we think stands out above everything else: speed! Many tests have shown an SSD as being faster than HDDs in addition to being more compact and durable. If budget isn’t a constraint, then an SSD is worth every extra penny over the HDD.
Storage Capacity
The most important decision you will make while buying a hard drive is deciding how much storage you need. Most prefer 1TB of storage, but you can find hard drives with storage ranging from 256GB to 20TB, and the higher your storage, the more games and files you will be able to store on it. It will also be future-proof, so you won’t have to replace or buy another one anytime soon.
Connectivity
Make sure to check whether the hard drive you are buying has a USB 3.0 port for the fastest data transfer times possible.
10+ Best PS5 External Hard Drives Summary
Adding an external hard drive to your PS5 is a great way to expand your gaming collection. Several games these days are being released with higher graphics and quality, hence with higher demand for storage.
There are many options available, but the models listed in this article are some of the best according to our research and trials. It feels amazing to have all this storage available for all the games we’re planning to get until next year.
Which external hard drive will you be buying for your PS5? Let us know in the comments below!
