Joybuy Insights

Our Top Recommendations for the Right PS5 External SSD in 2026

That dreaded notification: "Not enough free space." For any PlayStation 5 owner, it’s a familiar and frustrating sight. With blockbuster games often requiring over 100GB of storage, the console's internal drive can fill up surprisingly quickly. This leaves you facing the difficult choice of which beloved game to delete to make room for a new one.

A PS5 external SSD is a straightforward and effective solution to this problem. It allows you to archive your PS5 games and play your PS4 library directly, freeing up valuable internal storage. As a Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, my role is to help you navigate the options. This guide will provide practical advice and highlight some dependable choices for your PS5 storage expansion, so you can spend less time managing data and more time gaming.

Choosing Your PS5 Storage Expansion: What to Look For

Before you make a decision, it’s helpful to understand a few key factors that determine a good PlayStation 5 portable SSD.

1. Speed and Its Purpose

When discussing external storage for the PS5, speed is crucial for transferring games. You can store your PS5 games on an external drive, but you must move them back to the internal console storage to play them. A fast external SSD significantly reduces this transfer time. Look for drives that use a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, which offers the high-speed performance needed to move large game files quickly. You can, however, play your PS4 games directly from the external SSD, making it a great way to keep your last-gen favourites instantly accessible.

2. The Value of Official Licensing

While many external drives will work with the PS5, an officially licensed PS5 SSD offers an extra layer of assurance. These drives have been specifically tested and approved to meet the performance and compatibility standards required by the console. Choosing a licensed product means you can be confident it will integrate seamlessly with your system, providing a reliable and smooth experience without any compatibility guesswork.

3. Capacity: How Much Space Do You Need?

A 1TB PS5 SSD is often a great starting point, providing enough space for roughly 15-25 additional AAA titles. However, if you are a dedicated gamer with an extensive library, subscribe to services like PlayStation Plus or share the console with family, investing in a larger 2TB drive can be a wise long-term decision. Consider your gaming habits and how quickly you accumulate new titles when deciding on the right capacity.

Our Top Recommendations for PS5 External SSDs in 2026

Based on performance, reliability and official compatibility, here are our recommendations for expanding your PS5's storage.

SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD for PlayStation 5 Console and PC

SanDisk Extreme 1TB Portable SSD for PlayStation 5

Why It Stands Out This drive strikes an excellent balance between capacity, speed and reliability. As an officially licensed product, it guarantees seamless operation with your PS5. It delivers sequential read speeds of up to 1000MB/s, making game transfers swift and efficient. Its rugged build, featuring an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance and 3-metre drop protection, ensures your game library is safe from everyday mishaps. This model is also a versatile portable SSD for PC gaming, allowing you to store and play supported PlayStation PC titles directly from the drive.

Pros:

  • Officially licensed for PlayStation 5 consoles.
  • Fast transfer speeds reduce waiting times.
  • Durable, rugged design for peace of mind.
  • Versatile for use with both PS5 and PC.
  • Includes a 1-month trial of Discord Nitro.

Who is it for? This is an ideal choice for the dedicated PS5 gamer who needs a significant storage boost without committing to the largest capacity. It’s perfect for players who want a reliable, fast and durable solution to manage a growing game library and may also enjoy gaming on a PC.

View the SanDisk 1TB SSD on Joybuy

SANDISK Extreme 2TB Portable SSD for PlayStation 5 Console and PC

SANDISK Extreme 2TB Portable SSD for PlayStation 5

Why It Stands Out For the ultimate game collector, the 2TB version of the SanDisk Extreme offers a massive amount of space. It effectively doubles the capacity of the 1TB model, allowing you to build a vast, ready-to-play library without ever worrying about storage limits. It shares the same official licensing, high-speed performance (up to 1000MB/s read speed) and robust durability as its smaller counterpart. This drive is a long-term solution for gamers who want to keep their entire collection—from the latest releases to classic favourites—on a single, reliable device.

Pros:

  • Massive 2TB capacity for an extensive game library.
  • Officially licensed for guaranteed PS5 compatibility.
  • High-speed transfers for minimal downtime.
  • Extremely durable with IP65 rating and drop protection.
  • Excellent for multi-platform gamers (PS5 and PC).

Who is it for? This drive is for the serious digital game collector, households with multiple gamers sharing one console or anyone who wants to future-proof their storage. If you never want to delete a game again, this 2TB SSD is the definitive choice.

View the SanDisk 2TB SSD on Joybuy

Looking for More Gaming Options?

Once your storage is sorted, you'll have plenty of room for new adventures. If you're also a PC gamer, you can find excellent value by exploring a wide range of titles. Discover your next favourite game in our collection of used PC games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play PS5 games directly from a PS5 external SSD?

No, you can only play PS5 games directly from the console's internal storage or a compatible internal M.2 SSD expansion. An external USB SSD, like the ones recommended here, is used to store PS5 games. You must transfer them to the internal drive to play. However, you can play your entire library of PS4 games directly from the external SSD.

Is a 1TB PS5 SSD big enough?

For many gamers, a 1TB PS5 SSD is an excellent choice. It can typically hold an additional 15-25 full-sized PS5 games, depending on their individual file sizes. If you have a very large digital library, download many games from PlayStation Plus or share the console, a 2TB drive might be a more suitable long-term investment.

Why choose an officially licensed PS5 SSD over a standard one?

An officially licensed PS5 SSD has been specifically tested and approved to meet the performance and compatibility requirements of the PlayStation 5. This removes any guesswork and ensures a smooth, reliable experience when transferring and storing your games, giving you confidence that your hardware will work as intended.