Want to play your favorite PS4 games on the newly bought PS5? You can do that with an external hard drive for PS5. Also, you won’t be filling up your PS5’s 667GB of usable storage with old PS4 games. More importantly, you can save that onboard storage for your new PS5 games as Sony doesn’t allow you to install, store, or play them anywhere but PS5’s internal SSD at present.
There are heaps of benefits you can bring to your PS5 by plugging in an external hard drive. Apart from storing PS4 games, it will also provide space to backup your invaluable data. Plus, you can pick up where they left off while upgrading from PS4 to PS5. And since it’s an external drive, you can use it on PS4 or a PC as well.Â
Best External Hard Drives for PS5
Searching for an external hard drive for PS5 will yield two options – hard disk drive (HDD) and solid state drive (SSD). HDDs are traditionally proven technology and have been in use since the dawn of personal computers. While they can’t match the speed of an SSD, it’s the price-to-storage ratio that makes HDDs ideal for bulk storage. A 1TB SSD, for instance, will cost just as much as a 4TB HDD, making hard drives the most cost-effective solution.
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, and expanding your storage will make a significant dent in your gaming budget. So you need to weigh your options carefully before picking one. To get you started in the right direction, we have compiled a list of the 5 best HDDs for your Playstation 5.
1. WD My Passport Ultra
Storage: 2TB | Size: 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 4.6 ounces
We start with the WD My Passport Ultra, which boasts a modern look and lightweight design. There is a nice dim LED where the cable connects to let you know when the drive is powered and is being accessed. And thanks to its password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption, your data is safe.
Our only gripe is that the included USB Type-C cable is slightly short. Aside from that, the bundled software package is useful. WD Drive Utilities allows you to check on the drive’s status, test its functionality, or even reformat it. Priced at $79.99, WD My Passport Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best external hard drives for PS5 around.
Pros
- USB Type-C ready
- Hardware encryption
- Small form factor
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Slightly slow
- The included USB cord is short
Buy from Amazon ($79.99)
2. Seagate Expansion Portable External Hard Drive
Storage: 4TB | Size: 4.61 x 3.15 x 0.82 inches | Weight: 8.3 ounces
Seagate is a specialist when it comes to storage. And if you want to store all your favorite PS4 games, music, videos, etc. in one place, you’ll need a drive with massive storage space. The drive is well made with a matte black finish and diamond pattern to level up your Playstation 5 setup.
Setup is rather simple with its plug-and-play functionality. The included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable will draw power directly from your PS5, so there’s no need to stay near a free outlet to power it.
One thing worth noting is that there’s no backup software or encryption support like its WD counterpart. Although, one can opt for a Seagate rescue plan which costs about $10 for two years which will help restore or replace your drive in an event of a failure.
Overall, this is one heck of a nice portable hard drive in a tiny format for an affordable price.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lots of storage options
- 18-inch USB 3.0 cable
- Fast read and write speed
Cons
- Inconsistent transfer rate
- Only one-year warranty
Buy from Amazon ($96.95)
3. Toshiba Canivo Gaming
Storage: 2TB | Size: 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces
As the name suggests, this hard drive from the Japanese tech giant is built for gamers. Design-wise, the most stand-out feature is its intense blue LED lights that will match with your PS5. Weighing in around at just 5.3 ounces, it’s highly portable and will fit in most pockets. Another key feature of Toshiba Canivo Gaming is its firmware-customized “Always-On” mode that is designed for a responsive gaming experience.
The only drawback is that the drive is slightly noisier and vibrates when in usage. But, the biggest letdown with Toshiba Canivo Gaming is the steep pricing of about $75. So, if aesthetics aren’t your priority, it might be well worth to splurge your cash on WD My Passport instead.
Pros
- Cool-looking led light that blends in with PS5
- Two-year warranty
- The satin finish that makes it stand out
Cons
- Included USB cable not durable
Buy from Amazon ($74.99)
4. WD Black P10 Game Drive
Storage: 2TB | Size: 4.65 x 3.46 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 4.9 ounces
Western Digital again makes the list with another one of its best external hard drives for PS5 called WD Black P10 Game Drive. Despite its robust build and black metal shell cover, the drive is surprisingly lightweight. On top, it has a small white indicator light that blinks to show data activities. Since it’s a gaming-specific drive, it doesn’t support encryption. So, if you’re planning to store personal data, you should consider otherwise.
The rubber feet aren’t that great. Meaning, the drive will occasionally slide off if pulled by the cord. Other than that, coming in at about $70, and backed by a three-year warranty, WD Black P10 is a a top choice among hardcore gamers.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Highly portable
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- USB Type-C cable not included
- Expensive
Buy from Amazon ($69.99)
5. Seagate Game Drive for PlayStation
Storage: 2TB | Size: 4.47 x 2.99 x 0.48 inches | Weight: 5.2 ounces
This list would be incomplete without mentioning the officially licensed external hard drive for PlayStation 5 – Seagate Game Drive. To compliment your PS5, the hard drive is covered in an aluminum casing to withstand all sorts of accidental drops. It also bears a PlayStation logo on the upper right corner. The drive comes ready to use right out-of-the-box with its plug-and-play feature.
However, the PS5 licensing comes with added cost. The 2TB version comes at around $89.99 which is costlier than Seagate’s own external hard drives for PS5 options in the market. All in all, if you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re using an officially licensed product, then Seagate Game Drive is an ideal pick for your PS5.
Pros
- Plug-and-play
- Highly portable
- Fast processing speed
- Officially licensed product
Cons
- Expensive
- No braided cable
Buy from Amazon ($89.99)
Wrap Up: Best External Hard Drives for PS5
Once again, these hard drives are only good enough to store and play your PS4 games, but not your PS5 games. And, choosing HDD over SSD to beef up your storage needs makes sense because of the price difference. That said, these are the best HDDs that you can buy for your PS5. So, pick any one of these listed above and get started.
Also Read: 5 Best Sony PS5 Controller Charging Stations
