PS5 SSD Buying Guide: Which M.2 SSD Fits the PS5, Slim and Pro?

One big game plus its updates, and your PS5's internal storage is full again. The good news: every PS5 has a free M.2 expansion slot. That applies to the original model, the slimmer PS5 and the PS5 Pro, with or without a disc drive. You can fit a standard NVMe SSD there and play PS5 games straight from it. This guide covers Sony's requirements, what to watch out for with heatsinks, when a USB drive is enough and how installation works. At the end you'll find five drives that fit.

Transparency: We have not tested these drives ourselves. The requirements come from Sony's official PlayStation support pages, the specs from manufacturer data sheets and the Amazon.de product pages we checked (as of October 2026). We don't list prices because they change constantly.

Sony's PS5 SSD requirements

Sony lists exact requirements on its PlayStation support site. An SSD has to meet all of them:

Sony adds three important notes:

• M.2 SATA SSDs aren't supported. It has to be an NVMe SSD.
• Cooling is required. The SSD needs a heatsink or a heat transfer sheet. You can fit one yourself or buy an SSD with a built-in heatsink. Don't add a second heatsink to a drive that already has one.
• No guarantee for every drive. Sony doesn't guarantee that every SSD meeting the specs will work. Even a drive faster than 5,500 MB/s won't match the internal storage's performance in every game.

How much storage does your PS5 have?

Depending on the model, the internal SSD holds 825 GB to 2 TB:

• Original PS5 (CFI-1000): 825 GB
• Slimmer PS5 (from late 2023): 1 TB, replacing the 825 GB version according to the PlayStation Blog
• PS5 Pro: 2 TB

Sony reserves part of that for the system software. How much is left depends on the console and software version, according to Sony. An M.2 SSD adds up to 8 TB.

M.2 SSD or USB drive?

Both expand your storage, but only one is meant for playing PS5 games:

A USB drive works best as an archive: move games you're not playing right now onto it and copy them back when you need them, without downloading them again. PS4 games even run straight from it. Sony only lets you use one USB extended storage drive at a time.

What to look for

1. PCIe 4.0 and at least 5,500 MB/s

The M.2 drives in this guide are rated at 7,300 to 7,450 MB/s by their makers, so they clear the recommendation easily. Check the read speed carefully on cheaper drives: the Samsung 990 EVO, for example, lists 5,000 MB/s on Amazon.de, which is below Sony's recommendation. Some PCIe 5.0 SSDs are also marketed for the PS5. But Sony specifies the slot for Gen4 x4, so the console can't use the extra speed you'd be paying for.

2. Heatsink: best to buy it included

The easiest option is an SSD with a factory-fitted heatsink that the manufacturer explicitly approves for the PS5. Then you don't have to check any measurements. If you fit a heatsink yourself, check the width (25 mm) and thickness (11.25 mm, with no more than 8.0 mm on top). Sony says single-sided heatsinks are easier to fit. If the slot cover won't close properly, Sony says your cooling is probably too big.

3. DRAM cache instead of Host Memory Buffer

Many cheaper SSDs have no DRAM cache of their own and borrow the host's memory instead (Host Memory Buffer, HMB). According to Sony, the PS5 does not support HMB, so these drives may run slower than expected. To be safe, pick a drive with its own DRAM cache. The data sheet tells you.

4. Capacity

• 1 TB: roughly doubles the space on the original PS5.
• 2 TB: a good middle ground for a large library.
• 4 to 8 TB: if you never want to delete anything again. Sony supports up to 8 TB.

The PS5 always formats the whole SSD the first time you insert it. Partial formatting isn't possible. Each game also lives entirely on one drive. You can't split it between internal storage and the M.2 SSD.

Installation in five steps

You need a #1 Phillips screwdriver, a well-lit table and maybe a small flashlight. Update the system software first and touch a grounded metal object to discharge static.

1. Turn off the console, unplug everything and let it cool down. Never power it on with the cover off.
2. Remove the cover. On the original PS5 (CFI-1000), slide off the side cover. On the slimmer PS5 and the PS5 Pro (CFI-2000/7000), remove the triangle cover.
3. Open the slot. Remove the screw on the slot cover, then remove the screw and spacer. Move the spacer to your SSD's length (80 for a 2280 drive).
4. Insert the SSD. Push it firmly into the connector at an angle from above, tilt it down and screw it in. The cooling must not block the screw.
5. Reassemble and format. Refit the covers, turn on the console and follow the formatting guide.

Then go to Settings > Storage > Installation Location to choose where new games are downloaded. To move games you already have, open your Game Library, press Options and select Move Games and Apps. If you switch consoles later, simply take the SSD with you. Sign in with the same account on the new console and you won't need to format it again.

Five drives that fit

These aren't test winners but examples that the manufacturer clearly approves for the PS5. All specs come from the manufacturer or the Amazon.de page we checked.

Example model

Officially licensed: WD_BLACK SN850P 2 TB

An SSD with an official PlayStation license and a heatsink that WD designed specifically for the PS5 slot. It arrives pre-assembled.

Capacity

2 TB (also 1, 4 and 8 TB)

Interface

PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe, M.2 2280

Read / write

up to 7,300 / 6,600 MB/s

Size with heatsink

80 × 24.46 × 9.89 mm

Endurance

1,200 TBW

Warranty

5 years

Model

WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN

A fit if you don't want to check measurements and prefer an officially licensed drive.

View on Amazon.de*Ad link

Example model

Compact with DRAM: Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1 TB

Samsung explicitly lists the PS5 as a use case. The heatsink comes pre-installed, and Samsung says removing it voids the warranty.

Capacity

1 TB (also 2 and 4 TB)

Interface

PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0, M.2 2280

Read / write

up to 7,450 / 6,900 MB/s

DRAM cache

1 GB LPDDR4

Size with heatsink

max. 80.15 × 25 × 8.88 mm

Model

MZ-V9P1T0CW

A fit if an extra 1 TB is enough and you want a drive with its own DRAM cache.

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Example model

PC-ready too: WD_BLACK SN850X with Heatsink 2 TB

The heatsink version of the well-known PC SSD. WD only approves the heatsink models for the PS5.

Capacity

2 TB

Interface

PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe, M.2 2280

Read / write

up to 7,300 / 6,600 MB/s

Size with heatsink

80 × 23.40 × 8.80 mm

PS5

heatsink model only, system software 21.02-04.00.00 or later

Warranty

5 years

Model

WDS200T2XHE

A fit if the SSD might move into a gaming PC later. On PC you also get the Sandisk Dashboard (Windows only).

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High write speeds: Kingston FURY Renegade with Heatsink 2 TB

Kingston markets the heatsink version as "PS5 Ready". It has its own DRAM cache and high endurance.

A fit if you want 2 TB with a DRAM cache. At 10.5 mm it's thicker than the others but still under Sony's 11.25 mm.

Not available on Amazon.de on 7 November 2026 – link temporarily removed; we will check for an equivalent alternative in the next update.

Example model

USB archive: Seagate Game Drive for PlayStation 2 TB

An external 2.5-inch hard drive (HDD) with an official PlayStation license. It doesn't replace an M.2 SSD, but it's an affordable way to park games and play PS4 games directly.

Capacity

2 TB

Type

external HDD, 2.5-inch

Connection

USB 3.0 (5 Gbps), 45.72 cm cable

PS5 games

storage only, copy back to play

PS4 games

playable directly

Warranty

3 years (limited)

Model (Amazon)

STLV2000202

A fit if you mainly need space to offload games or own lots of PS4 games.

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The drives compared

Model	Type	Capacity	Read (manufacturer)	Height with cooling
WD_BLACK SN850P	M.2, PS5 licensed	2 TB	7,300 MB/s	9.89 mm
Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink	M.2	1 TB	7,450 MB/s	8.88 mm
WD_BLACK SN850X Heatsink	M.2	2 TB	7,300 MB/s	8.80 mm
Kingston FURY Renegade Heatsink	M.2	2 TB	7,300 MB/s	10.5 mm
Seagate Game Drive	USB HDD, PS licensed	2 TB	–	–

Checklist before you buy

1. NVMe with PCIe 4.0 x4, not SATA?
2. Read speed of at least 5,500 MB/s?
3. Heatsink included, no wider than 25 mm and no thicker than 11.25 mm?
4. Its own DRAM cache rather than HMB only?
5. The right capacity (250 GB to 8 TB)?
6. #1 Phillips screwdriver ready and system software up to date?

For more on interfaces, TBW and SSDs for your PC, see the SSD buying guide.

A headset for your PS5

More game storage, and then you still need sound. Note: per Sony, the PS5 doesn't support Bluetooth audio; headsets connect via USB wireless receiver, USB cable or the DualSense jack. All options and six models are in the PS5 headset buying guide.

Sony's PlayStation Link headset: PULSE Elite

Per Sony it has planar magnetic drivers, a lossless PlayStation Link connection to PS5, PC, Mac and PlayStation Portal, a retractable mic and up to 30 hours of battery. PS Link adapter and charging hanger are included. Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked November 2026, postcode 10115).

Sony PULSE Elite on Amazon.de*

A disc drive for Digital Edition and Pro

More storage mainly helps with digital games. If you also want to use discs, you can attach Sony's drive to the PS5 Digital Edition (slim, CFI-2000/2100) and the PS5 Pro. Per Sony, the console needs internet once during setup. Compatibility, setup and the 2028 disc stop are covered in the PS5 disc drive buying guide.

Add-on: Sony Disc Drive for PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro

Sony's CFI-ZDD1 drive for PS5 and PS4 discs, 4K Blu-rays, Blu-rays and DVDs. A cover and long feet are included. It doesn't fit the original PS5 Digital Edition (CFI-1000). Sold and shipped by Amazon, in stock (checked November 2026, postcode 10115).

Sony Disc Drive for PS5 on Amazon.de*

FAQ

Sources

As of October 2026.

• PlayStation Support: How to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5 console
• PlayStation Support: USB extended storage on PS5 consoles
• PlayStation Blog: New look for PS5 console this holiday season (1 TB instead of 825 GB)
• PlayStation 5 Pro: product page (2 TB SSD)
• WD_BLACK SN850P for PS5: data sheet
• Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink: data sheet
• WD_BLACK SN850X: data sheet
• Kingston FURY Renegade SSD: product page
• Seagate Game Drive for PlayStation: data sheet

Manufacturers occasionally change specs and variants. If anything important changes, we'll update this guide.