The market currently features numerous SSDs manufactured by some well known brands. However, selecting the best SSD for your PS4, PS5 requires you to go through detailed reviews.
So you have made up your mind to replace the old internal HDD in your PS4, PS5 and upgrade to an S.S.D.? Upgrading to the best S.S.D. for PS4, PS5 from the built-in HDD is undoubtedly the best way to make the most of your gaming console. Replacing the PS4, PS5’s embedded HDD with a heavy-duty S.S.D. will go a long way in boosting your overall gaming experience.
And if you wish to archive all your files, apps, and games in one place (i.e., on your PS4, PS5), then an S.S.D. is the way to go. You might be aware that Sony will do away with HDDs for the upcoming PS5 and integrate it with its own S.S.D. Definitely, you don’t need a better reason for choosing the best S.S.D. that is perfectly compatible with the PS4, PS5.
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How to Choose the Best S.S.D. for your PS4, PS5: Buyers’ Guide?
The Sony PS4, PS5 that was shipped and delivered to your address came equipped with a 1TB or 500GB HDD. The HDD’s capacity may not have been an issue initially, but as you gained experience as a gamer, you increasingly felt the need for a larger and faster hard drive. The majority of veteran gamers who own a PS4, PS5 will sooner or later want to replace and upgrade its integrated HDD owing to its low speed and capacity.
Upgrading to an S.S.D. that delivers blazing fast speeds as well as excellent storage seems to be the best way out. Replacing the factory set HDD of PS4, PS5 with an S.S.D. ensures that you don’t need to worry anymore about storage issues. S.S.D.s, by and large, tend to deliver much better throughput compared to HDDs, and also have a lower failure rate.
You can rest assured that your S.S.D. will stay functional for years on end without developing any errors. When you decide to swap the inbuilt HDD of your PS4, PS5 with a superlative S.S.D., you reap several benefits:-
Noticeable improvement in speed
When you install an S.S.D., you’ll see a noticeable increase in the rate of at least up to 60% compared to an HDD. Reinforced with an S.S.D., the PS4, PS5 will now take less time to load games, apps, and software. And if opt for an external S.S.D., you’ll also notice that data transfer and exchange between the external storage device and the S.S.D. happens faster.
Thoroughly reliable
Most of the S.S.D.s that are available nowadays tend to stay in service without developing any type of error. The majority of top-quality S.S.D. brands retailed via online/offline channels can remain functional for at least 5-6 years without generating error even once.
Smooth and hassle-free multitasking
Once you substitute the old HDD with an upgraded S.S.D., you’ll be able to multitask smoothly and play your favorite games simultaneously.
Better gaming experience
Faster uploading of games and apps imply a vastly improved gaming experience.
Enhanced storage capacity
With a traditional HDD, you can raise the internal storage of PS4, PS5 to a maximum of 2TB. However, your PS4 drive enclosure can accommodate an S.S.D. with a storage capacity of up to 4TB.
Extended limited warranty
Any premium-quality S.S.D. brand you choose these days comes with a standardized limited warranty of 3-5 years.
The present time is perhaps the most convenient time to go for an S.S.D. for your PS4, PS5 as prices of most S.S.D. brands are at their lowest. You can start by opting for a 1TB drive if you want to keep handy a high amount of storage. Some of the most well-known and reputed brands of S.S.D. include Samsung, Western Digital, SanDisk, and Seagate.
And this is precisely where an S.S.D. can come to your aid, helping to speed up things and boosting your gaming experience. When it comes to buying a quality S.S.D. for PS4, PS5, keep the following aspects in mind:-
Flash memory type
S.S.D.s use NAND-type flash memory, and the NAND-type mind again has subcategories-SLC, T.L.C., M.L.C., and eMLC. S.L.C. or Single Level Cell tends to be fastest amongst all types of NAND flash with reading/write cycles totaling 90,000-1,00,000 before dying out. S.L.C. has only one bit per cell while a T.L.C. (Triple Level Cell) has 3 bits per cell and the lowest R/W cycles with a total of 3,000-5,000 cycles per second before collapsing.
Quality
Ensure that the manufacturer of the S.S.D. brand (you intend to purchase) has substantial goodwill in the market. Additionally, make sure that whatever software upgrades the manufacturer makes available is compatible with your P.C. or game console and applicable to your S.S.D.
The size or amount of data that the S.S.D. will have to store every day on average –Figure out how much data you would like your S.S.D. to upload and save daily on average before you proceed to buy. A modern A.A.A. game would require nothing less than 25GB of storage. So, if you wish to back up several standardized A.A.A. games, your S.S.D. should come with at least a free storage space of 100GB.
At the same time, bear in mind that the writing causes more wear and tear to the S.S.D. than reading. Always go for an S.S.D. with the maximum storage that the PS4, PS5 can accommodate. By the way, the drive cage of PS4 can take in an S.S.D. with a maximum of 4GB storage.
Reviewing the 5 Best SSD for PS4, PS5 in 2021
| Product | Best Feature | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 “ Internal S.S.D. | - Limited 5-year warranty - A.E.S. 256-bit hardware encryption for the protection of personal data - Built-in power loss protection | 5.0 |
| 2. Western Digital WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III | - W.D. F.I.T lab-certified: across-the-board compatibility with various P.C. brands - Upgraded reliability: 1.75M hrs MTTF (mean time to failure) and up to 500TBW (T.B.s wrote) - 5-year limited warranty | 5.0 |
| 3. SanDisk Extreme Portable | - Solid construction - Dust and water-resistant - Blazing fast transfer speeds | 5.0 |
| 4. Samsung 860 QVO SSD | -Better R/W speeds - Exploits Samsung’s proprietary V-NAND technology - Integrated with A.E.S. 256-bit hardware-based encryption compatibility | 4.9 |
| 5. Samsung T5 Portable SSD | - Portable and compact profile - Delivers incredibly fast R/W speeds - A.E.S. 256-bit hardware encryption/optional password security | 4.9 |
1. Crucial MX500 1TB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 “ Internal S.S.D.
With the Crucial MX500 1TB3D NAND SATA 2.5” internal S.S.D. in tow, you can upgrade your P.C. or workstation. That, in essence, implies you’ll derive greater pleasure in playing your chosen video games. You can thoroughly bank on this S.S.D. when it comes to attending to most demanding computer applications as it has been subjected to strict quality control tests for an excellent performance. The MX500 from Crucial can archive up to 2TB of data and boot up your system in a jiffy.
Features
- Limited 5-year warranty
- A.E.S. 256-bit hardware encryption for the protection of personal data
- Built-in power loss protection
- Reinforced with Micron 3D NAND technology
Pros
- A.E.S. 256-bit hardware-oriented encryption for shielding sensitive personal data from unethical hacking
- Integrated power loss immunity backs up and saves your work files in the event of an unexpected outage
- End-to-end read/write speeds of up to 560/510Mbps with randomized R/Ws up to 95k/90k for all types of files
- Backed by a limited 5-year warranty
Cons
- Random Read Speed is a tad low
- You’ll have to buy a SATA to USB cable (which you’ll use only once) for cloning
2. Western Digital WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD – SATA III
The SanDisk Ultra 3D SSD/WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD exploits 3D NAND technology for capacities up to 4TB. This versatile S.S.D. also draws much less power (up to 25% less) compared to earlier W.D. Blue S.S.D. versions. This improvement or upgrading means you can work or play long before it’s time to recharge your P.C. or game console.
Sequential read/write speeds of up to 560Mbps and 530 Mbps ensures a smooth and unique gaming or movie viewing experience. Promoting and upgrading your P.C. or PS4, PS5 for compatibility with the W.D. Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD is a breeze with a 5-year warranty and the free WD SSD dashboard software.
Features
- W.D. F.I.T lab-certified: across-the-board compatibility with various P.C. brands
- Upgraded reliability: 1.75M hrs MTTF (mean time to failure) and up to 500TBW (T.B.s wrote)
- 5-year limited warranty
- An active power draw 25% less compared to earlier WD SSD editions
Pros
- Makes the most of 3D NAND technology for high-level performance
- Superfast read/write (R/W) speeds for completing all your activities smoothly
- Companionable with a diverse variety of P.C.s and workstations
- Remains functional for years on end
Cons
- Many customers were confused about the exact warranty period
- The drive does not provide any setup instructions
- You’ll have to buy a SATA III cable separately
3. SanDisk Extreme Portable
The SanDisk Extreme Portable is your best bet if you’re looking for an S.S.D. that guarantees a better gaming experience. At the same time, the SanDisk Extreme Portable features built-in advanced safety features for keeping your gaming console extra safe. Not only does the portable external S.S.D. boast of reliable construction, but it is also extremely dust and water-resistant.
Additionally, the shock-resistant solid-state core makes the drive extra durable and robust, and at the same time, it resists vibrations. This hardwearing portable S.S.D. delivers blazing-fast transfers with up to 550Mbps read speeds, rendering it ideal for smooth storage. The exceptionally high read speeds facilitate high-speed storage, which in turn enables archiving and reediting H.D. videos and photos.
This Sandisk Extreme Portable S.S.D. comes with a USB3.1 Type-C connector, which makes it compatible with both Mac and Windows. Also included is a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and Type-C to Type-A adapter, making it companionable with almost all P.C. and workstation brands.
Features
- Solid construction
- Dust and water-resistant
- Blazing fast transfer speeds
- Extremely compact and portable
- Compatible with both Macs and P.C.s
- Limited 3-year warranty
Pros
- Robust and portable S.S.D. deploys up to 550Mbps read speeds for backing up and editing H.D. videos and photos
- Offers up to 2TB of high-speed storage for saving all your games, apps, and files
- IP-55 rated S.S.D. can resist dust and water and tolerate accidental drops up to 2m
- Companionable with both Mac and Windows platforms
Cons
- Susceptible to hanging and freezing, especially when transferring more than 4GB of data at one go
- The dust magnet can attract airborne hairs and strands
- The USB-C cord is somewhat short
4. Samsung 860 QVO SSD
Samsung was the first company to offer solid-state flash drives (S.S.D.s) about twenty-five years ago, and since then has dominated the S.S.D. market. Over the years, the Korean chaebol has defined and set the benchmarks for designing high-quality and performance-oriented S.S.D.s. The 860 QVO SSD is featuring the latest V4 QLC V-NAND coupled with its celebrated M.J.X. The controller and SATA interface is a fitting testimony to Samsung’s commitment to creating superior devices.
These components in unison furnish up to 97,000/89,000 random R/W IOPS and more than 550/520Mbps R/W throughput. Samsung’s 860 QVO SSD earnestly intends to hold on to the company’s 3-bit feat at less cost making the product very efficient and pocket-friendly.
Features
- Better R/W speeds
- Exploits Samsung’s proprietary V-NAND technology
- Integrated with A.E.S. 256-bit hardware-based encryption compatibility
- Interface: SATA 6Gbps; also compatible with SATA 1.5Gbps and SATA 3Gbps
Pros
- Lightning-fast R/W speeds (of up to 550Mbps and 520Mbps correspondingly)
- 1TB of storage offers more than enough space for storing all your games, movies, and photos
- More reliable than a hard drive, thanks to solid-state technology
- Samsung Magician, a set of tools available with the S.S.D. keeps the latter healthy
Cons
- Does not come with installation guidelines and instructions
- It could take inexorably long to pair the drive with your P.C. or game console
5. Samsung T5 Portable SSD
The Samsung T5 is the most compatible S.S.D. for Sony PS4, PS5 as it guarantees high-level performance and is out-and-out reliable. The excellent read and write speeds (coasting up to 540Mbps) of this S.S.D. substantiate the drive’s consistency and versatility. On the other hand, this performance-driven S.S.D. from Samsung sports a sleek design and comes encased in a case which makes it incredibly durable.
The durability, compactness, and portability of the T5 S.S.D. mean you can comfortably carry it for gaming on the go. With this state-of-the-art Samsung S.S.D., you can access your games, work dossiers, video, and audio files from any device anytime and from anywhere. The T5 S.S.D. by Samsung is so small and compact that you can slide it inside your shirt or trouser pocket.
The T5 is just 0.41” thick, weighs only 1.80oz and smaller than a standard size business or visiting card. You have the option of choosing your T5 from four distinct colors, including blue, deep black, metallic red, and rose gold. This S.S.D. is exceptionally hardy and robust, thanks to its heavy-duty metal body, and will not break in case you drop it accidentally.
Features
- Portable and compact profile
- Delivers incredibly fast R/W speeds
- A.E.S. 256-bit hardware encryption/optional password security
- Limited warranty for 3-years
Pros
- Compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), Windows 7, Android 4.4 KitKat or higher
- Includes Type C to A cables and USB Type C to C for connecting to Macs, P.C.s, smartphones, and various other gadgets
- A.E.S. 256-bit hardware encryption ensures personal and sensitive data security
- Compactly designed: fits comfortably in the palm of your hand
- V-NAND technology offers superfast R/W speeds
Cons
- Built-in software may not be compatible with Macs
- Many customers have reported receiving a product that was not genuine
Conclusion
So there you are-five of the best S.S.D.s for Sony PS4, PS5 – two models each from Samsung and SanDisk, and one from Crucial. All the five models starting from the SanDisk Extreme Portable to the Samsung’s S.S.D. T5 and the Crucial MX500 are perfectly compatible with the PS4, PS5. However, you’ll have to fork out some extra cash more for purchasing the SanDisk Extreme Portable or the Samsung T5 owing to their better versatility.
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