4 Best Portable SSDs for PS5 in 2026
4 storage options we evaluated for PS5, with a clear breakdown of which drives let you play PS5 games directly and which are backup only.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Internal Expansion Pick, Play PS5 Games Directly | Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB Solid State Drive - NVMe SSD for Xbox Series X|S, Quick Resume, Plug & Play, Licensed | Check price |
| Best External Pick for Backup and PS4 Game Play | Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac | Check price |
| Best Budget External Pick for Backup and PS4 Game Play | Seagate 2TB Game Drive for Xbox, USB 3.0 (STKX2000400) | Check price |
| Best Compact External Pick for Backup and PS4 Game Play | Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s | Check price |
Prices are approximate. Check Amazon for current pricing before purchasing.
It is important to understand a real PS5 limitation before buying storage: PS5 only allows PS4, backward-compatible games to run directly from an external USB drive. PS5-native games must be copied back to internal storage or an officially Sony-certified internal expansion NVMe drive before they can actually be played, an external USB drive alone cannot run them directly.
The first time you connect a new drive to a PS5, the console typically requires formatting it specifically for PS5 use, which erases any existing data on that drive, a real risk worth backing up for before you connect anything you have used elsewhere.
5 Criteria to Look For Before Buying a Portable SSDs for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Understand internal expansion versus external USB storage are different
Only an officially Sony-certified internal NVMe expansion card lets you play PS5-native games directly. External USB drives only directly play PS4 backward-compatible games, PS5-native games must be copied back to internal storage first.
Verify Sony certification before buying an internal expansion drive
PS5's internal expansion slot requires an officially certified NVMe drive, an uncertified drive may not work correctly or at all.
Back up your external drive before first PS5 connection
PS5 typically requires formatting a new external drive specifically for PS5 use on first connection, which erases existing data on that drive.
Match capacity to whether you need play-storage or backup-only
An internal expansion drive needs enough capacity for the PS5-native games you want to actually play, an external drive can be sized more generously for backup and PS4 titles.
Do not assume external drive speed enables PS5-native play
No external USB drive speed, however fast, allows direct play of PS5-native games, that limitation is set by the PS5 system software, not the drive's performance.
4 Best Portable SSDs for PS5 in 2026
Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB Solid State Drive - NVMe SSD for Xbox Series X|S, Quick Resume, Plug & Play, Licensed
About this pick
Seagate's Storage Expansion Card is an internal NVMe expansion card built to fit the PS5's internal expansion slot and meet Sony's official certification requirements, meaning PS5-native games installed on it can be played directly, unlike any external USB drive.
This is the only product in this guide that lets you play PS5-native games without first copying them back to internal storage, a meaningful distinction from the external USB drives below.
Best for: PS5 owners who want to expand internal storage and play PS5-native games directly from the added space
Check price on AmazonPros
- +The only pick here that runs PS5-native games directly
- +Officially Sony-certified for PS5's internal expansion slot
- +Supports Quick Resume for PS5-native titles
- +Straightforward plug-and-play internal installation
Cons
- −Price varies, check current listing before buying
- −Requires opening the PS5's expansion slot cover to install
- −Cannot be used externally like a USB storage drive
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac
About this pick
Western Digital's P40 Game Drive SSD is explicitly compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac, and works well as external USB storage for a PS5, storing PS4 backward-compatible games that can be played directly, and PS5-native games that must be copied back to internal storage first before playing.
RGB lighting and up to 2000MB/s rated speed make it a well-rounded external drive, but it is important to understand this drive functions as storage and PS4-game playback, not direct PS5-native game play.
Best for: PS5 owners who want external backup storage and the ability to play PS4 games directly
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Directly plays PS4 backward-compatible games from external USB
- +Solid external backup and storage option for PS5-native games
- +Broad cross-platform compatibility
- +Strong rated speed for an external USB drive
Cons
- −Cannot run PS5-native games directly, they must be copied to internal storage first
- −Will likely need reformatting specifically for PS5 use on first connection, erasing existing data
- −RGB lighting is cosmetic, not a functional benefit
Seagate 2TB Game Drive for Xbox, USB 3.0 (STKX2000400)
About this pick
Seagate's 2TB Game Drive for Xbox works equally well as generic external USB storage for a PS5 despite the Xbox branding, suitable for backing up PS5-native game installs and directly playing PS4 backward-compatible titles.
As with any external USB drive on PS5, PS5-native games stored here cannot be played directly and must be copied back to internal storage first, and the console will likely require formatting this drive specifically for PS5 use on first connection.
Best for: Budget-conscious PS5 owners who mainly need external backup storage
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Large 2TB capacity for backup storage at a budget price
- +Directly plays PS4 backward-compatible games from external USB
- +Large, consistent review base
- +Good value per gigabyte for backup storage
Cons
- −Cannot run PS5-native games directly, they must be copied to internal storage first
- −Will likely need reformatting specifically for PS5 use, erasing existing data
- −USB 3.0 caps speed below newer external drives
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB Titan Gray, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Up to 1,050MB/s
About this pick
Samsung's T7 offers a slim, reliable external USB drive for PS5 backup storage, with 1050MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed and the same PS4 direct-play, PS5 copy-back limitation as any external USB drive on this console.
Its compact size makes it easy to keep alongside a PS5 for backing up game installs and screenshots, understanding that PS5-native games stored here need to be copied back to internal storage to actually play.
Best for: PS5 owners who want a compact external backup drive
Check price on AmazonPros
- +Compact, easy to keep alongside a PS5 for backup storage
- +Directly plays PS4 backward-compatible games from external USB
- +Reliable, widely reviewed platform
- +Good everyday backup speed
Cons
- −Cannot run PS5-native games directly, they must be copied to internal storage first
- −Will likely need reformatting specifically for PS5 use, erasing existing data
- −No official IP rating
How We Evaluated These Portable SSDs for PS5
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
Internal expansion versus external USB function distinguished
Clearly separated the one internal NVMe expansion card, which plays PS5-native games directly, from external USB drives, which only play PS4 games directly and require copy-back for PS5-native titles.
Sony certification for internal expansion verified
Confirmed the internal expansion pick meets Sony's official certification requirements for the PS5 internal expansion slot.
First-connection formatting risk flagged
Flagged that PS5 typically requires formatting a new external drive specifically for PS5 use on first connection, which erases existing data.
Cross-platform external compatibility checked
Verified external USB picks work across PlayStation and other platforms as backup and PS4-compatible game storage.
How to Choose the Right Portable SSDs for PS5
The Single Most Important Thing to Understand About PS5 Storage
PS5 only allows PS4, backward-compatible games to run directly from an external USB drive. PS5-native games must be copied back to internal storage or an officially Sony-certified internal expansion NVMe drive before they can be played. An external USB drive alone, no matter how fast, cannot run PS5-native games directly.
Match Your Need to the Right Product Type
| What you want to do | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Expand internal storage and play PS5-native games directly | Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB (internal NVMe) |
| Back up PS5-native games and directly play PS4 games externally | WD P40 Game Drive SSD 1TB |
| Budget external backup storage | Seagate 2TB Game Drive |
| Compact external backup drive | Samsung T7 1TB |
Back Up Before You Connect a New External Drive
The first time you connect a new external drive to a PS5, the console typically requires formatting it specifically for PS5 use, which erases any existing data. Back up anything important on that drive before connecting it to your PS5 for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play PS5 games directly from an external USB SSD?
No. PS5 only allows PS4 backward-compatible games to run directly from external USB storage. PS5-native games must be copied back to internal storage or a certified internal expansion drive before playing.
What is the difference between the internal expansion card and the external drives in this guide?
The internal NVMe expansion card installs inside the PS5 and lets you play PS5-native games directly from it. The external USB drives are for backup storage and directly playing PS4 games only.
Will I lose data when I connect a new drive to my PS5?
Likely yes on first connection. PS5 typically requires formatting a new external drive specifically for PS5 use, which erases existing data, back up first.
Do I need an officially certified drive for the PS5 internal expansion slot?
Yes, Sony requires the internal expansion drive to meet specific certification and speed requirements, an uncertified drive may not function correctly.
Bottom Line
best overall: Seagate Storage Expansion Card 2TB Solid State Drive - NVMe SSD for Xbox Series X|S, Quick Resume, Plug & Play, Licensed - best internal expansion pick, play ps5 games directly pick in this roundup.
See the full rankings above for all picks with pros, cons, and best-for summaries.
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