The Best Portable SSDs for PS5

It is the cheapest SSD here. It reads at up to 1,050MB/s over a 10Gbps USB-C link, fast enough for moving large project folders. Expect about 465GB to show in Windows, which is normal for a 500GB drive.

SLC caching keeps large transfers fast, and S.M.A.R.T. and TRIM support help it last. It reads at up to 1050MB/s and writes at up to 1000MB/s over 10Gbps USB. S.M.A.R.T. health reporting and TRIM help keep write speeds consistent over time.

Its 0.5TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the GARMESE leads at 1TB. Its 1,050MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 4 here, behind the X10 Pro (2,100MB/s) and ahead of the SanDisk Portable (1,000MB/s). It also comes with an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers.

It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GARMESE was the next step up. If capacity is your priority, the GARMESE (1TB) is the stronger choice.

A USB-A adapter is included. It reads at up to 2,000MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is twice a standard 10Gbps drive. Full speed needs a 20Gbps port.

It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for reads up to 2000MB/s and writes up to 1800MB/s, which needs a 20Gbps port. On capacity it ties with the SanDisk Portable, the Buffalo SSD and the X10 Pro at 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,000MB/s: the X10 Pro offers 2,100MB/s, and the SanDisk Portable comes in at 1,000MB/s.

It shares a shock resistant durability claim with the Buffalo SSD; the SanDisk Portable goes with a drops up to 2m durability claim. It also comes with 1,800MB/s rated writes. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. It was priced above the SSK 500GB and below the SanDisk Portable at the time of writing.

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.

It matches the GARMESE, the Buffalo SSD and the X10 Pro on capacity (1TB). Its 1,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the X10 Pro leads at 2,100MB/s. You get a USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the X10 Pro and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection.

No other pick in this guide offers a drops up to 2m durability claim; compare the GARMESE, which has a shock resistant durability claim. It also comes with driver-free USB-C setup. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper GARMESE and the pricier Buffalo SSD, at the time of writing.

The warranty is three years when registered. It works with PS4 and PS5 as well as Mac and PC, and its compact shell suits backup on the go. It is a low-cost way to add console storage.

It matches the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the X10 Pro on capacity (1TB). You get a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection here, which sets it apart from the X10 Pro and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection. Like the GARMESE, it has a shock resistant durability claim, while the SanDisk Portable uses a drops up to 2m durability claim. The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the X10 Pro offers 2,100MB/s.

It suits creators with a 20Gbps port. It reads at up to 2,100MB/s and writes at 2,000MB/s, and it is rated IP55 with 7.5-foot drop resistance. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port.

It matches the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the Buffalo SSD on capacity (1TB). Nothing else here matches its 2,100MB/s rated read speed; the GARMESE comes closest at 2,000MB/s. You get a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection here, which sets it apart from the Buffalo SSD and its a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection.

It also offers Acronis True Image and Mylio Photos+ trials. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Buffalo SSD and the rest.