Console Storage Expansions Best Console Storage Expansions: PS5 and Xbox Drives
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By the Pickpedia Team
·6 picks compared
·Last verified November 2026
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Quick answer
For most PS5 owners, the WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P is the best console storage expansion. It is officially licensed, fits the M.2 slot with its own heatsink, and reads up to 7,300MB/s. Samsung's 990 PRO with Heatsink is a strong alternative, and the SanDisk Optimus GX C50 covers Xbox Series X|S.
Best Console Storage Expansions: PS5 and Xbox Drives at a glance
Why you can trust this guide
We compared these picks using verified manufacturer specifications, available manuals and documentation, current retailer listings, and patterns in owner feedback, alongside editorial research. We focus on measurable differences such as performance, capacity, usability, and build quality. Pickpedia does not present editorial research as laboratory testing, and we do not claim hands-on testing unless it was actually performed.
Running out of room on a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S is common once you build a library of big games. A console storage expansion adds space without deleting favorites, and the right drive depends on which console you own and how much you want to store.
We compared the real specs of these drives, including read and write speeds, heatsink design, and official licensing. The picks below cover PS5 M.2 drives and an Xbox expansion card, with clear notes on what each one does well.
Our top picks
This is the officially licensed WD_BLACK drive for PS5, and it comes with a heatsink designed for the console's M.2 slot. Read speeds reach up to 7,300MB/s, and you can play games directly from the drive. Capacity options range from 1TB to 4TB.
Capacity1TB
Read speedUp to 7,300MB/s
InterfacePCIe Gen 4 NVMe M.2
HeatsinkIncluded, optimized for PS5
LicenseOfficially licensed for PS5
Pros
- Officially licensed for PS5 compatibility
- Includes a PS5-optimized heatsink
- Play directly from the drive without transferring games
Cons
- 1TB capacity fills quickly with large games
- No write speed listed in the supplied specs
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Samsung's 990 PRO with Heatsink reaches up to 7,450MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write, with random performance that is 40% to 55% faster than the 980 PRO. The nickel-coated controller and heatsink help manage heat. It fits PS5, desktops, and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard.
Capacity1TB
Read speedUp to 7,450MB/s
Write speedUp to 6,900MB/s
Random performanceUp to 1400K/1550K IOPS
HeatsinkIncluded, with RGB LED lights
Pros
- Very high read and write speeds
- Thermal control with nickel-coated controller
- Heatsink design includes RGB lighting
Cons
- Not officially licensed for PS5
- May require checking PS5 compatibility before installation
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This 2TB expansion card is built for Xbox Series X|S and adds room for up to 50 more games. It is a plug-and-play NVMe SSD expansion, and it includes a 1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial and a 1-month Discord Nitro offer.
Capacity2TB
CompatibilityXbox Series X|S
TypeStorage expansion card
InstallationPlug and play
Bonus1-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Discord Nitro
Pros
- 2TB capacity adds space for many games
- Plug-and-play setup for Xbox Series X|S
- Includes a Game Pass Ultimate trial
Cons
- Only works with Xbox consoles, not PS5
- No speed ratings listed in the supplied specs
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The Addlink A93 offers 2TB of storage for PS5, PS5 Slim, and ROG Ally X, with read speeds up to 7,400MB/s and write speeds up to 6,500MB/s. It uses TLC 3D NAND with SLC cache and HMB support. A heatsink is included, and it carries a 5-year limited warranty.
Capacity2TB
Read speedUp to 7,400MB/s
Write speedUp to 6,500MB/s
HeatsinkIncluded
Warranty5 years limited
Pros
- 2TB capacity for a large game library
- High read and write speeds
- Works with PS5, PS5 Slim, and ROG Ally X
Cons
- Not officially licensed by PlayStation
- Requires PS5 system software version 21.02-04.00.00 or higher
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The Fikwot FN955 is a PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 drive with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s and write speeds up to 5,200MB/s. It uses 3D TLC NAND and a graphite heat-spreading label for cooling. It supports PS5 storage expansion, desktops, and laptops, and includes AES-256 encryption and S.M.A.R.T. monitoring.
Capacity1TB
Read speedUp to 7,300MB/s
Write speedUp to 5,200MB/s
NAND3D TLC
Warranty5 years
Pros
- Works in PS5, desktops, and laptops
- Graphite heat-spreading label for thermal control
- 5-year service and technical support
Cons
- Uses a graphite label instead of a metal heatsink
- Write speed is lower than some alternatives
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This WD_BLACK SN850P is officially licensed for PS5 and offers 1TB of space for up to 100 games. It delivers read speeds up to 7,300MB/s and write speeds up to 6,600MB/s. The package includes a heatsink designed for the PS5 M.2 slot, and you can play directly from the drive.
Capacity1TB
Read speedUp to 7,300MB/s
Write speedUp to 6,600MB/s
HeatsinkIncluded, designed for PS5
LicenseOfficially licensed for PS5
Pros
- Officially licensed for PS5
- High write speed up to 6,600MB/s
- Includes a PS5-specific heatsink
Cons
- 1TB capacity may be limiting for large libraries
- Similar to the other SN850P model, so check the part number
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What to look for
PS5 vs Xbox expansion: different paths
PS5 consoles use an internal M.2 NVMe drive in the expansion slot, so you buy a bare drive and install it yourself. Xbox Series X|S uses a proprietary expansion card that plugs into a dedicated slot. The SanDisk Optimus GX C50 is an Xbox card, while the other drives here are M.2 models for PS5 and PC.
What speeds matter for console storage
Sony requires PS5 expansion drives to meet certain performance levels, and the drives here list read speeds from 7,300MB/s to 7,450MB/s. Write speeds range from 5,200MB/s to 6,900MB/s. Higher speeds can shorten load times, but the console's own hardware also affects real-world performance.
Heatsinks and thermal control
PS5 expansion drives need a heatsink to avoid overheating in the console's M.2 slot. The WD_BLACK SN850P models include a heatsink designed for PS5, and the Samsung 990 PRO includes one with a nickel-coated controller. The Fikwot FN955 uses a graphite heat-spreading label instead of a metal heatsink.
Capacity and licensing
Capacity choices here range from 1TB to 2TB, and more space means fewer deletions. Official licensing is a useful signal: the WD_BLACK SN850P drives are officially licensed for PS5, while others may still work but are not licensed. Always check the console's software version and compatibility notes before installing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a heatsink for a PS5 storage expansion?
Yes, Sony recommends a heatsink for PS5 M.2 drives to prevent overheating. Several drives here include one, such as the WD_BLACK SN850P and the Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink.
Can I use a PS5 SSD in a PC?
Many PS5-compatible M.2 drives are also standard PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives, so they can work in desktops and laptops that support the M.2 2280 form factor. Check your PC's compatibility before buying.
Is an Xbox expansion card different from a PS5 SSD?
Yes. Xbox Series X|S uses a proprietary expansion card that plugs into a dedicated slot, while PS5 uses an internal M.2 NVMe drive. The SanDisk Optimus GX C50 is an Xbox card and will not fit a PS5.
How much storage should I add?
It depends on your library. 1TB is a good starting point for most players, while 2TB gives more room for large games. The SanDisk Optimus GX C50 and Addlink A93 both offer 2TB.
Will a storage expansion make games load faster?
A fast drive can help, but load times also depend on the game and the console. The drives here meet or exceed typical PS5 requirements, with read speeds up to 7,450MB/s.
Do I need to transfer games to the expansion drive?
No. Drives like the WD_BLACK SN850P let you play directly from the expansion drive, so you can keep games installed without moving them back and forth.
What warranty comes with these drives?
Warranty terms vary. The Addlink A93 and Fikwot FN955 list 5-year warranties, while others may differ. Check the product details for the exact terms.
Can I use these expansions with a PS5 Slim?
The Addlink A93 specifically lists support for PS5 Slim consoles. Other M.2 drives may also fit, but confirm the required software version and installation steps for your model.
The verdict
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officiall...
9.5/10/10
The WD_BLACK 1TB SN850P is our top pick for most PS5 owners because it is officially licensed, includes a PS5-optimized heatsink, and reads up to 7,300MB/s. For Xbox Series X|S, the SanDisk Optimus GX C50 is the straightforward plug-and-play choice. Compare the capacities and speeds above to match your library.
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Our top pick, secure checkout via Amazon
Note: Availability and specifications change often. Always confirm the current details on Amazon before buying.
