Running out of space for GTA VI? Don't panic. Here is the definitive, no-nonsense guide to upgrading your PlayStation 5 storage in 2026.
By The Lead Hardware Editor
EasyDriveCompare.com
It’s a familiar story: You sit down to play the latest AAA blockbuster (maybe it's GTA VI or the newest Call of Duty), only to be hit with the dreaded message: "Not enough free space."
Modern games are massive. With titles regularly exceeding 150GB, the base PS5's usable 667GB fills up in the blink of an eye. But here is the good news: upgrading your storage is cheaper and easier than ever. You can compare the best PS5 SSD prices and quadruple your space in about 10 minutes with nothing more than a screwdriver.
Jump straight to our live price comparison tool.
Not every drive fits a PS5. To avoid buying a paperweight, your new SSD needs to meet these specific 2026 standards. Popular compatible models include the Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN850X.
Original Insight: Why the Heatsink Matters
Think of the heatsink like a radiator for your car. The PS5's expansion slot has very limited airflow. Without a heatsink, these high-speed drives can get incredibly hot, causing them to "thermal throttle" (slow down) to prevent damage. Always ensure you look for heatsink versions or buy one pre-installed.
The 11.25mm Rule: Measure the Heatsink, Not the Drive
Here's the trap. Almost every bare M.2 2280 drive fits the PS5 — it's the cooling that busts the budget. Sony's limit is 11.25mm total thickness, and that measurement is taken from the circuit board outwards: up to 8.0mm above the board and up to 2.45mm below it. The drive must also be no wider than 25mm.
Sony's own warning here is blunt: sizes for heatsinks "vary greatly". Tall tower-style coolers designed for a PC motherboard — the chunky finned ones — will not close under the expansion slot cover. If the metal cover won't screw down flat, stop. Don't force it: that's the sign your cooler is over the limit, not that you need more pressure.
This is the spec nobody checks, and it's the reason two drives with identical headline speeds can behave very differently in a PS5.
Every SSD needs a little working memory to track where your data physically lives. Premium drives carry their own DRAM cache on board. Cheaper "DRAM-less" drives don't — instead they borrow a slice of the host system's RAM using a feature called Host Memory Buffer (HMB). On a Windows PC that works fine, and it's how budget drives post big benchmark numbers for less money.
The PS5 does not support HMB. That's Sony's own documented position: a drive relying on HMB "may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB." The drive still works — it just loses the crutch its design assumed, and the sticker speed stops being a promise.
What to do: before buying, search the model plus "DRAM cache". If the spec sheet says DRAM-less or mentions HMB, treat its headline speed with suspicion for PS5 use. Drives with their own DRAM — such as the Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN850X — sidestep the issue entirely. It's the single best reason not to buy purely on £-per-terabyte.
Technical specs are boring. Let's talk in real terms: games.
~£80 - £100
Stores about 15-20 AAA games. Good for upgrading the base storage and keeping a healthy rotation.
~£130 - £160
Stores about 30-40 AAA games. This is what we recommend for most UK gamers. Doubles your console timeline.
£300+
For the digital hoarders who never want to delete a game again. Luxury, but satisfying.
Nervous about opening your console? Don't be. It's designed to be opened.
Make sure your PS5 system software is up to date. Then, power down the console completely (not Rest Mode) and unplug all cables. Touch a metal object to ground yourself.
Place the PS5 flat on a table, logo side down (disc drive facing top-right if you have one). Grip the top-left corner of the cover, lift gently, and slide it towards the bottom. It should pop off with a satisfying click.
You’ll see a rectangular metal cover held by one screw. Remove it.
Inside the slot, there is a small metal spacer (ring) and a screw. You MUST move the spacer to the hole labeled "80" (for most drives). Do NOT place the SSD directly on top of the screw holes without the spacer underneath, or you will snap the drive in half when you tighten it.
Insert your new SSD into the connector at a 30-degree angle. It only fits one way. Press down gently until it lies flat on the spacer. Use the screw to lock it in place.
Replace the metal cover screw. Slide the plastic PS5 cover back on until it clicks. Plug in, turn on, and follow the on-screen prompt to format your new M.2 SSD.
Changes in testing environments mean the PS5's internal benchmark often reads lower than PC benchmarks. As long as it's above 5,500 MB/s, the real-world difference in load times is fractions of a second.
It will work, but it may not hit its advertised speed. DRAM-less drives borrow system memory via Host Memory Buffer (HMB), and Sony states the PS5 does not support HMB — so those drives "may experience slower-than-expected performance". If you're comparing two drives at similar prices, the one with its own DRAM cache is the safer PS5 buy.
Often not. Sony's limit is 11.25mm total thickness (8.0mm above the board, 2.45mm below) and 25mm width. Tall finned tower coolers made for motherboards exceed this. The tell is simple: if the expansion slot's metal cover won't sit flat and screw down, your cooler is too big — don't force it.
Not necessarily. Sony notes that not all games perform identically to the console's internal Ultra-High Speed SSD even when the M.2 drive benchmarks faster. Buy for capacity and reliability rather than chasing headline numbers.
Only for playing PS4 games or "cold storage" (storing PS5 games you aren't playing). You cannot play PS5 games directly from a USB drive; they are too slow.
The Sony screws can be soft. If stripped, try placing a wide rubber band between the screwdriver and the screw head for grip, or use a pair of precision pliers to twist it loose.
No, and it's worth being clear about that before you buy. An SSD changes how quickly the PS5 reads game data off the drive, which affects load times and install speed. Your experience in an online match — ping, rubber-banding, getting killed behind cover — is decided by the network path between your console and the game server, and the drive plays no part in it. If matches feel laggy rather than slow to load, our sister site GameSpeed Hub can measure your ping to specific game servers for free.
Upgrading your PS5 storage is one of the best quality-of-life improvements you can make. Unlock the ability to keep your entire library ready to play.
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