A PS5 external hard drive can improve your gaming experience in multiple ways. Most importantly, it gives you more storage for PS4 and PS5 game data. The best external hard drive allows you to access your PS4 game data to play at any time. To do the same with PS5 games, you’ll need to copy the game’s data from an external hard drive onto the PS5’s SSD. While this might seem like an extra step, PlayStation states it’s quicker than re-downloading a game. With all of these things in mind, I rounded up the five best PS5 external hard drives. Also:
The best external hard drivesThe best rugged hard drives and SSDsThe 5 best gaming SSDs
The sleek metal covering makes this external hard drive one of the most unique-looking storage components on the market. Along with the rugged look, the design makes it incredibly durable, so you can take your gaming on the road with you. Most importantly, it has ample storage. You can hold up to 125 games at one time, giving you access to a vast library whenever you want. And you can transfer data up to 5Mbps with its USB-A to Micro-B cable with the SuperSpeed interface. If you want a reliable but cheap option, the Toshiba Canvio portable external hard drive is for you. Toshiba’s gaming storage component has a sleek but small design that allows you to bring your games anywhere you go. Best of all, you can store up to 50 PS4 and PS5 games at one time. For PS5 games, you’ll need to download them on the console’s SSD first before copying the data to the external hard drive. It’s also compatible with other gaming consoles like Microsoft Xbox Series X/S. Don’t let the small size get you twisted – this drive is very powerful. With 5TB of storage and the capability to connect to an assortment of devices, this hard drive can be used for gaming, work, and even personal use. It delivers fast transfer speeds when connected using the USB 3.0 port. Speaking of ports, it’s also compatible with USB 2.0. By transferring data from a gaming pc, you can improve performance by reducing its memory usage, making it faster for processing high-graphic games. If 5TB is too much, there are multiple options for smaller hard drives, including 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. Best of all, the compact size makes it perfect for a variety of gaming setups, and you can take it with you easily. Western Digital offers a two-year warranty on this PS5 drive. I know someone who uses this exact hard drive, and they love it. It’s a great drive for storing PlayStation content as well as files from your computer and other gaming consoles. In turn, it can improve computer performance by freeing up memory – a must for gamers. You’ll also enjoy fast transfer rates thanks to the USB 3.0 port. The external hard drive also comes with an 18-inch cable, giving you more wiggle room to accommodate your gaming setup. In the review section of most hard drives, people complain they have to format their drive before storing information on it. This storage unit automatically recognizes the software and formatting needed to provide a seamless experience on any device. When it comes to reliability, Samsung is one of the best companies at giving customers their money’s worth. This drive differentiates itself from the competitors with its high read and write speeds as well as its temperature control technology. It can write data up to 9.5 times faster than a traditional hard drive. It’s also unique from a security standpoint. It comes with fingerprint and password security to keep your files protected. The one thing holding this storage drive back is the low amount of storage. Because this drive is a solid-state drive (SSD) and not a hard disk drive (HDD), the speeds are much higher – but so is the price. If you’re willing to fork up the extra cash, this drive is definitely worth it. Adding to this is the fact the drive is strong and can withstand drops from up to 6 feet. The LED touch indicator is also a nice touch, giving you insight into what your SSD is doing in real time. At just $120, the WD_Black P10 game drive is a must-buy for those looking for reliable storage at a price you can’t typically find. However, there are also other PS5 external hard drives worth considering if you’re looking to receive transfer speeds and decent storage at a fair price. This table illustrates how the best PS5 drives compare based on price, storage, and size: The WD_Black P10 hard drive is the best storage component available for PS5. The price, internal storage capacity, and rugged look make it perfect for any hardcore gamer. However, the Samsung Portable SSD T7 was a close competitor for the top spot. Although the Samsung product has shock resistance, easy formatting, and a small, sleek design, the storage is limited to only 1TB. If you don’t have too many games and just need the extra storage, this is worth it if you’re willing to pay the extra money. The Seagate portable external HDD can also connect with most devices. The Toshiba Canvio external HDD is compatible with most devices as well, but it costs less. Lastly, the WD Elements portable HDD’s small size makes it the best compact option. It takes up less space on your desk, in your bag, and anywhere else you may take it. Also: The best external hard drives How does it work? First, you connect your external hard drive to the device, and then begin transferring files from your device to the external hard drive, in this case from your PS5. The transfer rates vary, but you’ll receive a fast connection if the external hard drive has a USB 3.0 port. Also: SSD vs. HDD: What’s the difference, and which one should you buy?
