A PS5 external hard drive is more important than ever as we are racing toward a year since the PS5's launch - perhaps the most important it's ever been. And this only grows with each PS4 or PS5 game that one acquires. It's certainly one of the neatest, most important, and best PS5 accessories you can add to your setup - if you've been lucky enough to find PS5 stock at least.
What's made it more important in the middle part of 2021 is a system update that unlocked the possibility of storing PS5 games externally instead of just PS4 games, making managing your games library much easier. Don't forget though, you'll have to transfer PS5 games back onto the console to play them (this is much better than having to redownload them). PS4 games can be played directly from all the best PS5 external hard drives listed on this guide though.
The built-in PS5 SSD is super fast and works in custom, mysterious ways to make our games run better and faster, but it's also - in real terms - quite small. The actual usable space is only about 667GB after the OS, and other bits and bobs chip away at the starting 825GB capacity. It really doesn't take long to cram it full of games. Particularly if one of them is a recent Call of Duty game.....
Step forward the best PS5 external hard drives - some of which you'll find are contenders for best external hard drive generally, such is their quality. These portable beauties are simple and effective ways to play your PS4 games on your PS5 and to store media, saves, captures, and PS5 games you're not playing at the moment.
Before getting started, it's worth mentioning that we're nearing the stage where SSDs reign supreme. As a result, we've led with two external SSD options at the top of this list. But don't worry. The performance they offer is far superior to standard hard drives, and while SSDs used to be prohibitively expensive and thus not up for consideration, they have become more and more affordable in recent times. And what a time to become more affordable, with the new console generation setting in!
We'll be updating this guide over time, of course, and if you want to see what's available for the older generation of consoles then be sure to check in on our best PS4 external hard drive and PS4 SSD guides. The PS5's internal SSD expansion bay will be unlocked via an update in the summer, so our best PS5 SSD guide will be one to consider too.
The best PS5 external hard drives for 2021
The P50 is one of the best external drives for any device right now, particularly in a world that's moving slowly but surely toward SSDs ruling the roost. However, it's probably the best PS5 external hard drive outright now, offering speeds and performances often reserved for those drives within the best gaming PCs and on best SSD for gaming lists. All encased within a unit that has a quality, cool design, and a robust build.
Speaking of that unit, on its outside the P50 is military metal-styled, rectangular in shape, and features slick molded metal in black along with the traditional WD_Black aesthetics and markings. Its USB-C port can be used on your devices as either a USB-A or USB-C connection and in our testing, we got the same speeds through either port so it shouldn't matter which you have free or available, or if you change the device it's used with during its lifetime. There's a small but clear LED indicator on one of the short ends which is always a help, but one small downside is that it does get a little warm when in use so it'll pay to keep that in mind when positioning it.
When it comes to speeds, what you're told you're getting and what happens is pretty much bang on. It's incredible performance for an external SSD and the stated speeds of 'up to 2000MB/s' were on the money in our testing. Real-world performance-wise, the P50 gives you everything a high-quality external SSD should do: games were loaded incredibly quickly, files were retrieved in the snap of a finger, and the performance levels were incredibly consistent. It's a surefire SSD that will rapidly improve your gaming experience by far reducing the time looking at loading screens and increasing the time when you're actually playing. A true winner.
Even beyond being a top PS5 external hard drive SSD, the Samsung T5 series is just one of the top SSDs for gaming generally (in an external capacity, of course) and remains very popular across the board. It does retain a higher price for its premium nature, pedigree, finish, and performance, but it's certainly worth it. Plus, we are increasingly seeing great deals on them too.
The Samsung T5 is a technical beast, as it offers some of the best performance for a drive hands down - its speeds are top drawer. It's both compact and durable as well, making it ideal if you're carrying games and files between locations. It's chic too.
With all that in mind, it's no wonder that the best internal SSD for PS5 is rumored to be a top-grade Samsung model like this one when the drive and Sony's stamp of approval list come out.
Before we move on, it's worth mentioning that other variants are available in this range from Samsung. The slightly dearer T7 drive or even the T7 Touch drives will offer even better speeds and a few extra features, too.
Long having ruled over the external storage market in the PS4 and Xbox One generation, the My Passport drive from Western Digital is still one of the most reliable, convenient, and versatile HDDs you can buy. It's only bumped down to a 'lowly' third on this list due to our take that SSDs shade it over HDDs in the PS5 generation. However, for anyone looking for a standard, reasonably priced PS5 external hard drive that's an HDD this remains a top, top option.
It's a simple USB connection, it's small and sturdy - about the size of a smart phone - and the My Passport series' aesthetic is pleasing and brings further style to a quality HDD, meaning it'll slot seamlessly into your setup and be unobtrusive even if it's on show.
In terms of specific capacities, we'd probably go for the 4TB version. This is because we've seen the biggest savings on the 4TB, and you do get better value, generally, with the bigger drives. A 4TB HDD will provide easily enough space for 50+ games, and loads of saves, data, and media too.
An all-around excellent PS5 external hard drive, particularly if you're not fussed about an SSD or want to shave some dollar signs off the price tag of your external drive.
External SSD options can get pretty pricey fast, even for smaller drives. But if you're after a cheaper option, with a decent capacity that will still thrash a traditional HDD for speeds then we think the Crucial X6 is a great pick.
You can get a 1TB version here for a similar price of SSDs with less than half of the storage. The Crucial X6 is fantastic for storing and playing PS4 games. So much so, you won't feel you have to transfer them to the PS5 to get fast loading times. Compared to running games on a standard external HDD we managed to decrease loading times on Resident Evil 7 from game selection to gameplay from around 90 seconds to just one minute. Storing PS5 games here is a great idea too as it only took us 3 minutes 48 seconds to move 30GB compared to 7:16 when using an HDD.
A USB-C connection means you'll have to plug it into the front of the PS5 and the Crucial X6 is left hanging and it'll only just reach the table (assuming your PS5 is vertical), but it's super light, so there's no risk of it getting loose. If you like the look of this one, but want an even faster version, you'll want to take a look at the Crucial X8.
While the Samsung offers the best SSD option right now for your PS5 external hard drive needs, if you're looking at getting the best-protected SSD to keep that drive extra safe (and why wouldn't you?), then the SanDisk Extreme Portable is the one for you. If you've got one eye on the future, for when we can travel around more and take our game data with us to our friends and families, then this rugged drive will be able to withstand any sorts of accidents. It's the perfect contender for those of us who are accident-prone, or who prefer to make extra sure about the protection our devices have.
It's a genuinely rugged SSD too, as it is water and dust-resistant to the IP-55 standard. It's got a shock-resistant core for extra durability and retains a really compact design as well - it'll fit in your pocket with ease.
That safety and durability comes at a premium though, and adds a bit more to the price of the drive. But it's definitely worth it when all things are considered. It's no slouch either when it comes to doing the key job; its read speeds can challenge the Samsung T5's.
If you want some extra reassurance, you could even go for the Extreme Pro variant - but be prepared to see the cost rise significantly.
The Canvio Advance took over from the Cavio Basics last year as our best budget pick for PS4 external drives, and there's no reason to change that for PS5 external hard drives. It is superior to the Basics in every way and performs as well as most other HDDs, but often for a lower price.
This one's roughly the same cost as the Basics, but comes with a few extra tricks. The read and write speeds are marginally faster, there's a two-year warranty, and if you fancy turning the Canvio Advance into a PC drive it has password protection and automatic back-up, which is lacking from the Basics model.
Anyway, using it is still as easy as ever. Just plug it into your PS4 and format it as extended storage. As a result of this, the Advance doesn't require an external power source and just functions over USB.
Overall, it's a great device, and for the $50 mark, it's a steal.
You'll never have to worry about the sheer capacity of your external storage again (probably) with this ridiculously well-priced 6TB offering from Seagate. It's a unit, but maintains a slick and slim finish and size, and you can get capacities from 2TB upwards. But we think this 6TB monster represents the best value for money.
Setup is easy as you like, with a simple plug and play, but due to its thiccness, you will have a mains power to plug in as well as the USB 3.0. That latter connection offers great HDD speeds for transfers, and if you get a 6TB drive, you're probably looking at about 80-100 PS4 games.
This is a super PS5 external hard drive from a reputable maker. The WD Black P10 hard drive is a solid semi-rugged portable option for external storage. It might not be totally bombproof but you certainly get sturdiness for your money here - and without paying through the nose for dust-resistant scores or crushproof limit numbers.
In terms of performance, the hard drive runs quiet and cool even when we set it off on a marathon session copying over and downloading a library's worth of games. The transfer and data speeds you get won't be the most outlandish, but in a world where quality HDDs still have a role to play in external console storage - particularly with everyone's large PS4 libraries, potentially - it's a reliable drive and offers great bang for your buck.
For those of you looking to pick up something a bit more unusual and in line with one of the best PlayStation 4 games of the generation then Seagate’s beautiful The Last of Us Part II limited edition external PS4 hard drive is for you. It comes with a laser-etched fern pattern design mirroring Ellie's tattoo and has a pleasing matte finish. To be clear though, this HDD does not include the game or any form of digital or physical extras; it's just A Very Nice Thing that will happily house your games and data.
Away from the exquisite branding, this is just a great HDD. It runs super quietly and you’ll fit more than 50 games on here (assuming an average size of around 39GB). The Limited Edition nature of the design and branding of this PS5 external hard drive is what drives its price up a little, and arguably you'll find others offer slightly better value, but none of them will look as good or be as attractive to Naughty Dog fans.
If you're looking for a really safe pair of hands for your PS4/PS5 games or media, then the ArmorATD from G-Technology is a strong contender. It's seriously tough and feels incredibly solid in your hands, and can withstand much trauma and attempted damage. It's rain-resistant, dust-resistant, and crush-resistant (up to 1000lbs). The latter stat in particular means you can have total confidence in the drive even if it were to fall out of bags or pockets and have to endure a big and bouncy fall. Or even survive being driven over like one of my old HDDs experienced and only just survived (don't ask).
The shock mounts, solid aluminum enclosure, and protective rubber bumpers all combine to offer this excellent level of protection and - particularly for when we can travel freely once more - if you like to err on the side of caution or want to take a belt and braces approach to the safety of your data and PS5 external hard drive, then there aren't many tougher to go for. (Note: it's sometimes referred to as the 'G-Technology 4TB ArmorATD All-Terrain Drive'.)
