Buying Guide
The Best External SSDs for PS5
Five external drives compared, from the SanDisk Portable to the T9 2TB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The PS5 can store and play PS4 games from an external USB drive, and store PS5 games there to move back internally. These SSDs are ordered by capacity.
We sorted these picks by drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TBAn IP55 rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Check price for Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s)An IP65 water and dust rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating.
Check price for SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 2TBThe fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TBThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s and can spend more than the X10 Pro 2TB costs.
Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TBThe lowest price among these external drives at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the X9 2TB the next step up.
Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TB
The 2TB X9 keeps the 1,050MB/s rating and IP55 build of the 1TB model.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SanDisk Portable was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has room for a larger game library. It is rated IP55 for water and dust and survives drops of up to 7.5 feet, so it can travel in a camera bag. It works with consoles as well as Windows, Mac and iPad Pro.
It reads at up to 1050MB/s and carries an IP55 water and dust rating with drop resistance to 2 meters. It works with Windows, Mac, PS5 and Xbox over USB-C or USB-A. It matches the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, the X10 Pro 2TB and the T9 2TB on capacity (2TB).
It matches the SanDisk Extreme 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). A USB-C (USB 3.2) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the T9 2TB uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection. Its price falls between the SanDisk Portable and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 1,050MB/s
- Connection
- USB-C (USB 3.2)
- Durability claim
- IP55, drops up to 7.5ft
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- IP55 rating
- Drop resistance up to 7.5ft
- 2TB for a larger game library
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the SanDisk Portable
Cons
- Costs more than the SanDisk Portable at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s)
The earlier SanDisk Extreme offers 1,050MB/s reads, an IP65 rating and 3m drop protection.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SanDisk Portable, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 2TB size suits games and video. SanDisk rates it for 3-metre drops and IP65 water and dust resistance, up from the earlier 2-metre and IP55 ratings. A carabiner loop lets you clip it to a bag.
Password protection uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and the Memory Zone app helps manage files. It matches the X9 2TB, the X10 Pro 2TB and the T9 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the X9 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s).
You get a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection here, which sets it apart from the T9 2TB and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection. Like the X9 2TB and SanDisk Portable, it has a none stated security, while the X10 Pro 2TB uses an SSD password protection security. It also offers NVMe performance in a small body. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper X9 2TB and the pricier X10 Pro 2TB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 1,050MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim
- IP65, drops up to 3m
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- IP65 water and dust rating
- Drop protection up to 3m
- NVMe performance in a small body
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the SanDisk Portable
Cons
- Costs more than the SanDisk Portable at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed3 of 5
Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 2TB
Crucial's X10 Pro offers 2,100MB/s reads and 2,000MB/s writes, so large exports copy back nearly as fast as they read.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SanDisk Portable was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It adds IP55 water and dust resistance, a 7.5ft drop rating and password protection built into the drive. It reads at up to 2,100MB/s and is rated IP55 with 7.5-foot drop resistance. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port.
On capacity it ties with the X9 2TB, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the T9 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 2,100MB/s, ahead of the T9 2TB (2,000MB/s). An SSD password protection security is unique to it among these picks, while the SanDisk Portable uses a none stated security.
It also offers a lanyard loop and activity light and three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image. It was priced above the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and below the T9 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 2,100MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 (USB-C, USB-A supported)
- Durability claim
- IP55, drops up to 7.5ft
- Security
- SSD password protection
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,100MB/s
- 2,000MB/s rated writes
- Lanyard loop and activity light
- Three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image
Cons
- Costs more than the SanDisk Portable at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB
Samsung's T9 lists sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s, and Samsung's Dynamic Thermal Guard is meant to hold that pace through long copies.
Best for
- Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s and can spend more than the X10 Pro 2TB costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the SanDisk Portable cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Magician software handles firmware updates, health monitoring and optional encryption. On capacity it ties with the X9 2TB, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the X10 Pro 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,000MB/s: the X10 Pro 2TB offers 2,100MB/s, and the SanDisk Portable comes in at 1,000MB/s.
No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection; compare the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. It also offers support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. At our last price check it topped the group, with the X10 Pro 2TB the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 2,000MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- Encryption via Magician software
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,000MB/s
- Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s
- Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution for long transfers
- Support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording
Cons
- Costs more than the SanDisk Portable at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB
SanDisk's plain Portable SSD offers 1,000MB/s reads and 2m drop protection in a slim body.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the X9 2TB the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the X9 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It is the budget model below the Extreme. It reads at up to 1000MB/s, about five times a portable hard drive. With no moving parts it is drop-rated to 2 meters, and it is slim enough for a pocket.
Its 1TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the X9 2TB leads at 2TB. Its 1,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the X10 Pro 2TB leads at 2,100MB/s. You get a USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the T9 2TB and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection.
Like the X9 2TB and SanDisk Extreme 2TB, it has a none stated security, while the X10 Pro 2TB uses an SSD password protection security. It also offers driver-free USB-C setup. It undercut the X9 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 1TB
- Max read speed
- 1,000MB/s
- Connection
- USB-C
- Durability claim
- Drops up to 2m
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- Drop protection up to 2m
- Driver-free USB-C setup
- Slim pocket body
- USB-C connection, the only one here
Cons
- Capacity trails the X9 2TB (2TB)
- Rated read speed trails the X10 Pro 2TB (2,100MB/s)
The catch
The trade-off is capacity; for more, the X9 2TB is rated for 2TB.
How We Chose These External SSDs for PS5
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while durability claim has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the X9 2TB to the SanDisk Portable, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The T9 2TB gives no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SanDisk Portable ($150 to $250) to the T9 2TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an External SSD for PS5
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity
Here capacity runs from 1TB on the SanDisk Portable to 2TB on the X9 2TB, a 100% spread. Start with the X9 2TB if capacity decides it.
How much rated read speed you need
The X10 Pro 2TB tops rated read speed at 2,100MB/s and the SanDisk Portable sits lowest at 1,000MB/s. The X10 Pro 2TB is the pick for rated read speed.
An M.2 SSD inside a clear external enclosure Features beyond the spec table
The X10 Pro 2TB: a lanyard loop and activity light. The T9 2TB: a Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution for long transfers. The SanDisk Portable: driver-free USB-C setup.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the SanDisk Portable and the X9 2TB; $250 to $500 buys the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, the X10 Pro 2TB and the T9 2TB at our last check.
A small M.2 SSD next to an external drive enclosure Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the X10 Pro 2TB. Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s and can spend more than the X10 Pro 2TB costs: the T9 2TB. Spending as little as possible, with the X9 2TB the next step up: the SanDisk Portable.
How to Choose an External SSD for PS5
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want IP55 rating | X9 2TB | An IP55 rating |
| Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating | SanDisk Extreme 2TB | An IP65 water and dust rating |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | X10 Pro 2TB | The fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s) |
| Buyers who want sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s and can spend more than the X10 Pro 2TB costs | T9 2TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s |
| Spending as little as possible, with the X9 2TB the next step up | SanDisk Portable | The lowest price among these external drives at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The X9 2TB leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the SanDisk Extreme 2TB at 2TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X9 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB-C (USB 3.2) |
| SanDisk Extreme 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
| X10 Pro 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,100MB/s | USB 3.2 (USB-C, USB-A supported) |
| T9 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| SanDisk Portable | SSD | 1TB | 1,000MB/s | USB-C |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the SanDisk Portable, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the T9 2TB at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | SanDisk Portable, X9 2TB |
| About $250 to $500 | SanDisk Extreme 2TB, X10 Pro 2TB, T9 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the T9 2TB compare with the X10 Pro 2TB on rated read speed?
Between the top two, it is 2,100MB/s on the X10 Pro 2TB against 2,000MB/s on the T9 2TB, a 5% difference. The SanDisk Portable is at the other end of this group with 1,000MB/s.
Is the T9 2TB worth paying more than the SanDisk Portable?
What it brings is capacity (2TB against 1TB) and rated read speed (2,000MB/s against 1,000MB/s). The SanDisk Portable sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the T9 2TB in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if capacity and rated read speed decide your purchase.
What makes the X10 Pro 2TB the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s). The T9 2TB is next on rated read speed at 2,000MB/s, so this pick's 2,100MB/s is 5% further out. The SanDisk Portable, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Beyond the specs, what sets the X9 2TB and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB apart?
The X9 2TB: an IP55 rating. The SanDisk Extreme 2TB: an IP65 water and dust rating. The X10 Pro 2TB: 2,000MB/s rated writes.
Should I pick the X9 2TB or the SanDisk Portable?
The X9 2TB suits buyers who want IP55 rating; the SanDisk Portable suits spending as little as possible, with the X9 2TB the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the X9 2TB, chosen for an IP55 rating. Look at the SanDisk Extreme 2TB for an IP65 water and dust rating, the X10 Pro 2TB for the fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s) and the T9 2TB for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s if those matter more to you.
Use a rear USB port on the PS5; front ports are slower on some models.
Related Guides
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- Lower budgetThe Best Budget External SSDs
- Similar guideThe Best Portable SSDs for PS5
- ExplainerPortable SSD vs external hard drive: which one for backups, games and carrying files
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- Also see: ssds and storageHow Much SSD Storage Do You Need?
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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