If you plan on giving your Sony pixel-pushing console a serious storage boost, picking up one of the best PS5 heatsinks is a must. Heatsinks are just as important as the size of storage you choose, as they can make sure the best PS5 SSD you’ve grabbed for your console doesn’t overheat or get damaged.
These can be costly, but as your M.2 SSD slot in your console can house some of the best SSDs for gaming in the wider market, they're worthwhile to ensure your drives don't degrade from overheating. A decent PS5 heatsink will not only protect your SSD but can ensure that excess heat doesn't build up. If you've already set aside cash to pick up one of the best PS5 SSDs, adding a heatsink on top of that can help ensure your investment is kept safe and cool.
Best PS5 heatsink
The Sabrent is probably our favorite PS5 heatsink and the one that we always recommend first when asked. We wouldn't be surprised if this design starts becoming the default during the PS5's lifespan - it replaces the entire SSD bay door and promotes heat dissipation by transferring SSD heat from the bay to the spacious PS5 interior. And, by the way, if you're interested in the Sabrent SSD itself, then buy one that comes with this heatsink.
SK Hynix's Haechi Heatsink is great to pair with any SSD for PS5. Just keep in mind that if you have a base PlayStation 5 model (the launch version), you're going to want to go for the "Haechi H01", and if you have a PS5 Slim or PS5 Pro, you'll want the "H02". The two versions have slightly different sizes which will make fitting your faceplates after installation a bit easier.
If you're looking for something to do a solid job and only spend a few beans then the ELUTENG PS5 Heatsink is as good as they get at the budget end of the spectrum. For less than $10 /£10, this is a reliable heatsink that you can put together and tuck away inside the PS5 bay. However, would 100% recommend putting this PS5 heatsink together using the screw-in method, rather than the banded-together approach.
Also rocking the budget-end of the spectrum, the QIVYNSRY PS5 heatsink is another solid sub-$10/£10 option. Cut from the same cloth as the ELUTENG it has a simple design that can be neatly constructed to form a double-sided heatsink that will wrap around your SSD. Overall, this is a simple solution but still a terrific budget PS5 heatsink. Once again, be sure to screw it together to ensure the best and most secure fit for your SSD.
Another PS5 heatsink that replaces the whole bay door, this ElecGear model's innovative form is very functional: Its wing-like structure, 5mm nickel-plated pipe, and thermal pads all combine to funnel heat directly from the SSD straight into the heatsink and out into the PS5's main chassis. Yes, you're spending a fair bit on a metal plate here, but given the desire to get it right and protect one's console and drive, this is an easy PS5 heatsink to recommend.
This is an ingenious PS5 heatsink solution from GrauGear (also called Ineo). The heatsink embraces a wrap-around design, removes the need for any bay door, and throws in a copper pipe extension for good measure. The latter takes heat away from directly around the SSD, and 'deposits' it at the console's fan so it can be dispatched.
The Glotrends PS5 heatsink is very much in the 'anything is better than nothing' category. It really is as simple as strapping the heatsink to your drive and plugging it in. The metal clips and rubber band combo will be solid enough for holding it in place, and it's well-reviewed on Amazon which offers confidence too. If you need a quick fix before working up to one of the more substantial items on this list then this is it.
One of its best features of the PS5 is just how easy it is to upgrade its storage with one of the best SSDs. PS5 storage can be initially confusing to get your head around, especially when heatsinks are added into the mix, but ensuring you have one at hand can prevent a lot of despair (and overheating) down the line. To make navigating your new storage easier, I'm using my years of experience as a writer and PS5 owner to give you the low-down on PS5 heatsinks and what's worth adding to your beloved Sony console.
April 28 - For this update, our list of the best PS5 heatsinks has remained unchanged. While I'm currently testing the WD Black SN7100 SSD, there have been no heatsinks that have recently passed my testing bench, which would qualify for a part of this list. Regardless, I updated this guide by overhauling the FAQ section to provide more questions (and answers) to make picking up some of the best PS5 heatsinks more straightforward.
How to choose the best PS5 heatsink
When it comes to choosing the best PS5 heatsink, first we recommend ensuring whatever heatsink you get is compatible with your PS5 model. As briefly stated above, not every heatsink can fit underneath the faceplate's the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro models, so ensuring it's at least compatible with your console is the first step in getting the right heatsink for your Sony gaming needs.
Fortunately, a lot of modern heatsinks, especially ones designed with the PS5 in mind, will provide ample info on whether or not they'll fit your required console model. This also goes for SSDs with come with their own heatsinks from the get-go - so be sure to check the details for whatever heatsink, or SSD with a heatsink, you have your eyes on.
Additionally, if you already have a PS5 SSD and want a heatsink to go with it, you'll need to ensure it's compatible with your chosen drive. You can do this by picking up a heatsink specifically designed for a PS5 SSD, to make things easier, or looking through heatsinks of the same brand. A lot of modern SSD heatsinks will list any recommended SSDs it's compatible with, and whether or not it's designed with the PS5 in mind - which should help narrow down what heatsink you can choose from.
Best PS5 Heatsink: FAQs
What is a PS5 SSD heatsink?
A heatsink is, in essence, a structure that attaches to your SSD and keeps it cool by taking away the heat made by the drive. One of the few downsides to Gen 4 NVMe SSDs is that they produce a lot of heat, so heatsinks are vital to giving them a long life. They can come in many forms from simple single-sided sheets that just cover the top of an SSD, to double-sided wrap-around units that house the whole stick.
Is a heatsink necessary for PS5?
If you plan on adding an additional SSD to your PS5 console then you absolutely need a heatsink. It is a crucial accompaniment to any SSD you slot in for extra storage and Sony only recommends having an SSD if you also combine it with a heatsink. Heatsinks aren't nearly as expensive as the SSD they'll protect, and there are frequent PS5 deals where you can get them on the cheap.
Of course, if you're adding SSD storage in an external capacity then no heatsink will be required!
Will any heatsink work with PS5?
The key thing to address here is to make sure that the total (SSD + heatsink) size doesn't exceed Sony's recommendations, and indeed the actual SSD bay's dimensions. For the launch model, these are as follows (all maximums): a width of up to 25mm; a length of up to 110mm; and a thickness of up to 11.25mm.
However, you shouldn't have to worry too much about this now as all the best PS5 heatsinks that are geared directly toward the console will have been designed with the size requirements factored in already. If you're buying for the PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim however, these measurements may vary.
Does the PS5 overheat?
Yes, the PS5 (no matter if its the launch, Slim or Pro model) can overheat. Overheating can be due to a variety of factors, including poor ventilation, or even a build up of dust which can prevent the fans and cooling system from functioning properly. Not having a heatsink installed with your PS5 SSD can also cause overheating, because fast, high-powered drives generate a lot of electricity, which in turn, generates a lot of heat.
Whenever data is read or written from any PS5 SSD, this requires electricity and this electricity can generate heat, which can overheat your Sony console, and ultimately make it not function properly, or in some cases, not function at all.
If you're on the look out for some larger PlayStation 5 accessories, then check out the best TVs for PS5, best projectors for PS5, and the best PS5 monitors that are available right now.
