The process of choosing the best external hard drives for PS4 involves determining the needed capacity – larger is typically better, and achieving maximum storage for the least cost is an ideal goal. The next consideration is the type of drive: SSD or HDD. An SSD vastly outperforms even the fastest HDD in terms of speed.

It’s also worth considering compatibility with the next generation PS5 if you’re planning to upgrade soon.

Our selections below cater to various storage needs, budgets, and include both HDD and SSD options.

7 Best External Hard Drives for PS4


Experience the ultimate blend of storage, speed, and design with these remarkable external hard drives. Ideal for gamers, professionals, or everyday users, these drives deliver top-notch performance while seamlessly meeting your unique storage needs.

1. WD Black P50 1TB

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Western Digital 1TB P50 Game Drive...
1,018 Reviews
Western Digital 1TB P50 Game Drive...
  • Shaped By Performance With Ssd Speeds Up To 2000Mb/S To Decrease Load Screen Times...
  • Up To 4Tb Of Additional Storage For You To Keep Your Favorite Games And Save New...
  • Shock-Resistant And Portable Form Factor That Provides Fast Access To Your Gaming...

If you’re seeking a drive that effectively hastens the loading times of large games and their subsequent levels on your gaming laptop, we suggest you take a look at WD’s Black P50 Game Drive. It’s not simply because of its well-suited name, “Game Drive”, but more importantly, because the use of an SSD for launching games generally gives you a significant performance advantage. In contrast, conventional hard drives often fall short in speed.

Read also: WD vs Samsung SSD: Which one to buy? (Price, Specs, Speed).

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WD_BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive,...
34,654 Reviews
WD_BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive,...
  • Up to 6TB[1] that can hold up to 150 games[3], so that you can save old favorites and...
  • Portable form factor with sleek metal top covering that provides fast access to your...
  • Speeds up to 130MB/s[2] to push your console or PC to new levels

The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C offers outstanding performance, with speeds reaching up to 2000MB/s when paired with USB Gen 2×2 supported devices, although the speed will depend on the host system’s capabilities for other port types. Its super compact design makes it exceptionally portable; its size is smaller than a credit card and it weighs slightly more than a pen, making it a convenient carry-along for any journey. What’s more, it supports next-generation gaming consoles, extending its utility beyond just conventional computing devices. Compatibility is also a strong point for this drive as it supports multiple operating systems, including Windows and Mac.

More options: 5 TB External Hard Drive: 7 Best HDD & SSD

hard drives for gaming

3. Adata Elite SSD 2TB

ADATA SE880 1TB - Up to 2000 MB/s-...
208 Reviews
ADATA SE880 1TB - Up to 2000 MB/s-...
  • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C
  • Performance up to 2000MB/c with USB Gen 2x2 supported devices. For other type of...
  • Super compact. Smaller than a credit card and weight slightly more than a pen

The USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C impresses with its high-speed performance, attaining speeds as high as 2000MB/s when used with USB Gen 2×2 compatible devices. However, the speed may vary based on the capabilities of the host system’s ports. Its ultra-compact design, smaller than a credit card and weighing barely more than a pen, makes it exceptionally portable and perfect for on-the-go use. Plus, it’s forward-thinking, offering compatibility with the latest generation gaming consoles. It scores high on versatility too, supporting multiple operating systems such as Windows and Mac, with its drive defaulting to exFAT format for cross-platform compatibility.

4. Crucial X6 Portable SSD 2TB

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Crucial X6 2TB Portable SSD - Up to...
30,361 Reviews
Crucial X6 2TB Portable SSD - Up to...
  • HUGE CAPACITY: Up to 4TB, storage capacity - enough for up to 20,000 photos, 100...
  • FAST: Read speeds up to 800MB/s – that's 5.6x faster than most hard drives
  • TINY, LIGHTWEIGHT: Fits between your fingertips and weighs less than your car keys

The Crucial X6 Portable SSD shines with its distinct square design, providing a stylish yet convenient solution that can effortlessly fit into your hip pocket. Compared to many portable SSDs on the market, its slim frame and rounded edges are a welcome change, eliminating the inconvenience and discomfort often caused by sharper, more cumbersome drives. Its performance may not break any records, but it delivers sufficiently fast speeds for the average user and offers exceptional value for money.

You might find it useful as well: SSD BATTLE: Crucial vs Samsung [Comparison Review].

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Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive...
1,008 Reviews
Western Digital 2TB P40 Game Drive...
  • Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard...
  • Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to...
  • Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with...

The WD P40 elevates the game of external SSDs for PS4 with its compact design and radiant RGB lighting. Although it’s one of the pricier options on the market, the package includes the drive itself, a USB-C cable, a USB-A adapter, a quick install guide, WD’s Windows dashboard, and a 5-year warranty. This drive impresses with read and write speeds reaching up to 2000MB/s, which translates to swift load times and transfer speeds on PS5 and PC. In practical terms, it can transfer large volumes of game data, like a total of 22GB of game capture footage or 18GB worth of games, in roughly a minute. If you can justify the price, the P40 stands as the top-tier external SSD for PS4.

6. Toshiba 4TB Canvio Advance

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Toshiba Canvio Advance 4TB Portable...
  • Compact design with stylish, textured finish and color options to fit your lifestyle.
  • Automatic backup software to easily back up your content (free download, for Windows...
  • Password protection software to help prevent unauthorized access to your data (free...

The newly launched Canvio Advance stands out as a high-performing drive, offering performance comparable to most other HDDs on this list, but at a more affordable price. Its cost-effectiveness doesn’t compromise on quality or features: it boasts slightly faster read and write speeds similar to the WD MyPassport and includes a two-year warranty. When used with a PC, it provides password protection and automatic back-up, features absent in the Basic model. Moreover, its glossy finish enhances its overall appeal compared to the Basic model’s matte plastic. Its user-friendly setup involves merely plugging it into your PS4 and formatting it as extended storage.

Read more about Toshiba external hard drive: Toshiba 4TB External Hard Drive HDD (Worth it?)

7. Seagate God of War Ragnarök Limited Edition Game Drive 2TB

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Seagate God of War Ragnarök...
83 Reviews
Seagate God of War Ragnarök...
  • LIMITED EDITION This officially licensed collectible hard drive is inspired by the...
  • LEVIATHAN STRONG Features an ice-cold design worthy of Fimbulwinter.
  • PERMAFROSTED Icy blue LED lighting injects your drive with a blast of color.

Constructed with Seagate’s characteristic robustness, solidity, and compactness, this hard drive truly stands out with its remarkable aesthetic appeal. Its color scheme perfectly aligns with Ragnarok’s branding, and it pairs wonderfully with the limited-edition controller. The intricate patterns along the edges and a subtle, soothing blue RGB on the front edge when plugged in add further to its allure. Though it comes with a relatively short cable, this hard drive is meant to be showcased next to your console. Whether you’re using a PS4 or PS5, this HDD certainly deserves a spot on your TV stand. One downside, though, is its HDD nature, as SSDs are increasingly affordable. We’re hopeful that Seagate will soon cease insisting on HDD in its limited-edition game drives.

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If you face problems with your hard drive and you think it’s corrupted you might need External Hard Drive Data Recovery (Easy FREE Way).

Which External Hard Drives for PS4 Do You Prefer?


After carefully examining the specifications, performance, and user reviews of each external hard drive, the WD Black P50 Game Drive emerges as the top performer. With its gaming-centric design and rapid load times, it provides an unrivaled experience for gamers, offering the perfect balance between speed and storage capacity.

However, if you’re on the hunt for the most economical choice, the Canvio Advance from Toshiba is an exceptional value pick. Offering speedy data transfer rates and additional features like password protection and automatic backup at a lower price point, it proves that quality and affordability can coexist. Whether you’re looking to boost your console’s storage or need a reliable backup for your PC, the Canvio Advance is a pocket-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on performance.

Do you want a hard drive with bigger capacity?

Check out the following article: 7 Top External Hard Drives 12TB Capacity.

 

 

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