Storage requirements for AAA games continue to grow each year. While PC gamers have a wide array of storage options and to expand with ease, the situation is a bit more complicated for console gamers on current generation hardware, particularly those using the PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Xbox Series X is available with a 1TB SSD, offering approximately 800GB of usable space for games and apps, and a 2TB version with 1.6TB accessible to the user. The Series S, on the other hand, comes in a 1TB model or a 512GB version, the latter providing just 364GB of usable storage. Beyond this, both consoles support running current-gen games exclusively from official expansion cards manufactured by Seagate or WD. However, they can play Xbox One titles from any USB 3.0 drive and allow transferring new games to and from these external drives for storage purposes.
The original PlayStation 5 features an 825GB SSD, of which 667GB is available for games and apps. The PS5 slim model, released in 2023, increased storage to 1TB, with approximately 840GB usable. The PS5 Pro, meanwhile, includes a 2TB SSD, with almost 1.9TB accessible to users.
In terms of upgradability, the PS5 series offers more flexibility than Xbox consoles, thanks to its internal M.2 slot. However, this comes with notable constraints. Some SSDs are officially endorsed as PS5-compatible, while others are marketed as compatible by their manufacturers. Similar to Xbox consoles, the PS5 can play previous-gen games from a USB drive or use the drive for storing current-gen titles.
The PlayStation 5 does not support SATA drives, even those in the M.2 form factor. Moreover, it requires SSDs to support PCIe 4.0 speeds and four PCIe lanes, with a recommended sequential read speed of 5,500MB/s. The PS5 also lacks support for host memory buffer (HMB), meaning SSDs without dedicated DRAM may experience slower game load times and a reduced lifespan.
Additionally, the dimensions of the drive’s heatsink are strictly regulated: it must be no wider than 25mm (only 3mm more than the drive itself), no taller than 2.45mm beneath the drive, and no taller than 8mm above it. If you have a compatible drive but lack a suitable heatsink, you can purchase a generic compatible heatsink for as little as $7 (or $9 if it’s a high-capacity, double-sided drive).
Whether you’re looking for a drive to expand storage for current-gen Xbox or PlayStation 5 games, or an external drive for legacy titles, this guide has you covered.
Best PlayStation 5 SSDs
Xbox Storage Expansion Cards
Best External Drive
The Best Expansion Storage for PS5 and Xbox Consoles
