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The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hunter·May 24, 2026

Best SSDs for PS5 Upgrade

Top 5 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs for upgrading your PS5 storage, reviewed and ranked for speed, thermals, and value.

Quick answer

WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is our top pick for ssds for ps5 upgrade — an averaged 4.6/5 across 3 published reviews at about $249.01. Runner-up: Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink (~$299.27).

Read the WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink review →$249.01 · Check Price on Amazon

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
1WD_BLACK SN850X with HeatsinkTop Score
(3 sources)
$249.01Best for: PS5 owners who want the best-balanced, most reliable storage upgrade with a drop-in heatsink and cool operation.
$249.01 · Check Price on Amazon
2Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink
(3 sources)
$299.27Best for: PS5 owners who want the fastest, most power-efficient drive and don't mind paying a premium or slightly higher temperatures.
$299.27 · Check Price on Amazon
3Crucial T500 with Heatsink
(3 sources)
$235.99Best for: Value-focused PS5 owners who want near-flagship speed and a PS5-ready heatsink without paying flagship prices.
$235.99 · Check Price on Amazon
4Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink
(3 sources)
$239.99Best for: PS5 owners who prioritize endurance and a low-profile heatsink, and who value Seagate's bundled data-recovery service.
$239.99 · Check Price on Amazon
5Lexar NM790 with Heatsink
(3 sources)
$194.89Best for: Budget-focused PS5 owners who want full console speed and a bundled heatsink for the lowest possible price, including large 4TB capacities.
$194.89 · Check Price on Amazon
Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
Reviews aggregated from
Tomshardware.comTechradar.comClub386.comAndroidcentral.comPcworld.comGamesradar.comTweaktown.comKitguru.net

The full ranking

How we rank →
WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink
#1 · Top Score
★ Premium Pick
Best for: PS5 owners who want the best-balanced, most reliable storage upgrade with a drop-in heatsink and cool operation.
WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink
from 3 sources$249.01as of May 29

The WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is the best all-around PS5 SSD. Tom's Hardware ranks it at the top of its PS5 list with an Editor's Choice award, citing 7,300 MB/s reads that clear Sony's requirement and a heatsink that drops into the expansion slot with room to spare. It runs cooler than the Samsung 990 Pro and offers strong value, especially when the 2TB model is discounted. Peak speeds trail the Samsung slightly, but for the PS5 it is the safest, best-balanced choice.

Strengths
  • — Top pick on Tom's Hardware's Best PS5 SSDs list with an Editor's Choice award
  • — 7,300 MB/s reads exceed Sony's PS5 requirement with margin
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly pricier than budget drives like the Lexar NM790
  • — Heatsink/RGB option not available on the 4TB capacity
$249.01 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink →
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink
#2
Best for: PS5 owners who want the fastest, most power-efficient drive and don't mind paying a premium or slightly higher temperatures.
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink
from 3 sources$299.27as of Jun 7

The Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink is the fastest drive here on paper, with 7,450 MB/s reads and excellent power efficiency, and it has matured into an excellent all-around pick after early firmware issues were fixed. Tom's Hardware praises its low power draw and consistency. It runs hotter in the PS5 than the WD SN850X and costs a premium for similar real-world console results, which is why it lands second, but it is a superb, refined PS5 upgrade.

Strengths
  • — Class-leading 7,450 MB/s sequential reads, the fastest here on paper
  • — Excellent power efficiency, drawing under 6 watts under full load
Watch-outs
  • — Runs hotter in the PS5 than the WD SN850X (65-70C)
  • — Commands a 10-15 percent price premium for similar real PS5 results
$299.27 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink →
Crucial T500 with Heatsink
#3
Best for: Value-focused PS5 owners who want near-flagship speed and a PS5-ready heatsink without paying flagship prices.
Crucial T500 with Heatsink
from 3 sources$235.99as of Jun 7

The Crucial T500 with Heatsink is the value champion of the high-end PS5 SSDs. Tom's Hardware calls it a solid all-around drive that tops Gen4 drives in PCMark 10, and reviewers note it delivers roughly 90 percent of Samsung 990 Pro performance for about 30 percent less. Its clip-on PS5 heatsink is well engineered. Peak speeds trail the very top drives slightly and the 4TB dips a little in PS5 use, but for performance per dollar it is the smart pick.

Strengths
  • — Delivers around 90 percent of Samsung 990 Pro performance for far less
  • — Excellent power efficiency and consistent all-around results
Watch-outs
  • — Peak speeds trail the very top drives slightly
  • — 4TB model underperforms a touch in PS5 testing
$235.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink →
Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink
#4
Best for: PS5 owners who prioritize endurance and a low-profile heatsink, and who value Seagate's bundled data-recovery service.
Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink
from 3 sources$239.99as of Jun 7

The Seagate FireCuda 530R with Heatsink is a premium, high-endurance PS5 drive with a low-profile EKWB-co-engineered heatsink and reads up to 7,400 MB/s. Tom's Hardware calls it a surprisingly capable, consistent drive with few downsides, and notes it is cool-running and great for the PS5. Its high endurance and bundled Rescue data-recovery service stand out, but it costs more than the Crucial T500 and Lexar NM790 for similar console results, landing it fourth on value.

Strengths
  • — High endurance rating, up to 5,050 TBW on larger capacities
  • — Low-profile heatsink co-engineered with EKWB for the PS5
Watch-outs
  • — Pricier than the Crucial T500 and Lexar NM790 for similar PS5 results
  • — Recently affected by the ongoing memory shortage pricing
$239.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink →
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink
#5
Best for: Budget-focused PS5 owners who want full console speed and a bundled heatsink for the lowest possible price, including large 4TB capacities.
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink
from 3 sources$194.89as of Jun 7

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the value pick: often the cheapest high-end Gen4 drive, with up to 7,400 MB/s reads that fully saturate the PS5 and a bundled heatsink for out-of-the-box console compatibility. Tom's Hardware was pleasantly surprised that it rivals high-end PCIe 4.0 drives, and TechRadar calls it the best value PS5 SSD. Its DRAM-less design trails DRAM drives under heavy sustained load, but for the lowest price that still delivers full PS5 speed, it is the budget standout.

Strengths
  • — Outstanding value, often the cheapest high-end Gen4 drive available
  • — Up to 7,400 MB/s reads, fully saturating the PS5's interface
Watch-outs
  • — DRAM-less (HMB) design trails DRAM drives under heavy sustained load
  • — Lacks the brand support and extras of WD, Samsung, or Seagate
$194.89 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →vs. WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink →

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecWD_BLACK SN850X with HeatsinkSamsung 990 Pro with HeatsinkCrucial T500 with HeatsinkSeagate FireCuda 530R with HeatsinkLexar NM790 with Heatsink
InterfacePCIe Gen4 x4 NVMePCIe Gen4 x4 NVMePCIe Gen4 x4 NVMePCIe Gen4 x4 NVMePCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280
Sequential ReadUp to 7,300 MB/sUp to 7,450 MB/sUp to 7,400 MB/sUp to 7,400 MB/sUp to 7,400 MB/s
Sequential WriteUp to 6,600 MB/sUp to 6,900 MB/sUp to 7,000 MB/sUp to 6,800 MB/sUp to 6,500 MB/s
HeatsinkYes (PS5-compatible)Yes (PS5-compliant)Clip-on, PS5-friendlyLow-profile (EKWB co-engineered)Yes (bundled)
Capacities1TB / 2TB / 4TB1TB / 2TB / 4TB1TB / 2TB—1TB / 2TB / 4TB
Warranty5 years5 years5 years5 years5 years
DRAM——Yes (DRAM cache)—DRAM-less (HMB)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best ssds for ps5 upgrade?
WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is our top pick for ssds for ps5 upgrade, with an averaged rating of 4.6/5 from 3 published reviews. The WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink is the best all-around PS5 SSD. Tom's Hardware ranks it at the top of its PS5 list with an Editor's Choice award, citing 7,300 MB/s reads that clear Sony's requirement and a heatsink that drops into the expansion slot with room to spare. It runs cooler than the Samsung 990 Pro and offers strong value, especially when the 2TB model is discounted. Peak speeds trail the Samsung slightly, but for the PS5 it is the safest, best-balanced choice.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
Lexar NM790 with Heatsink (around $194.89) rates 4.3/5 in our analysis. The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the value pick: often the cheapest high-end Gen4 drive, with up to 7,400 MB/s reads that fully saturate the PS5 and a bundled heatsink for out-of-the-box console compatibility. Tom's Hardware was pleasantly surprised that it rivals high-end PCIe 4.0 drives, and TechRadar calls it the best value PS5 SSD. Its DRAM-less design trails DRAM drives under heavy sustained load, but for the lowest price that still delivers full PS5 speed, it is the budget standout.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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