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10 Best PS4 external hard drives 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

WD_BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive, Portable External Hard Drive, Works with Playstation, Xbox, & PC - WDBA3A0050BBK-WESN

The WD_BLACK 5TB P10 Game Drive is a solid choice for PS4 users looking to expand their game storage. With 5TB of space, it can hold around 150 games, giving you plenty of room for both old favorites and new titles. It’s a portable 2.5-inch drive, making it easy to carry around or tuck away next to your console. The sleek metal top adds a bit of durability and a gamer-focused style.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,454
Storage Capacity
Speed (RPM and Interface)
Form Factor

Most important from
36455 reviews

Storage Capacity
Offers excellent value by balancing large 5TB capacity with good performance at a price point far more affordable than SSDs or NVMe drives.
Speed (RPM and Interface)
Delivers noticeably faster transfer speeds than standard external HDDs, making backups and large data storage less frustrating.
Form Factor
The drive’s compact, lightweight, and somewhat armored design makes it highly portable and convenient for gamers on the go.
Durability and Build Quality
Reliability is strong, making it a trustworthy choice for storing hundreds of games, movies, and files without worry.
Compatibility
Proper formatting is key: consoles require specific formats for the drive to function correctly, with NTFS recommended for non-console use.
#2
10.0 score

SAMSUNG T7 Shield Portable External Solid State Drive USB 3.2 1TB, IP65 Water Resistant, Compatible with PC/Mac/Android/Gaming Consoles (MUPE1T0K/AM), Beige

The SAMSUNG T7 Shield is a solid choice for a PS4 external hard drive, offering 1TB of storage in a compact 2.5-inch form factor that won’t take up much space. Its use of solid-state drive (SSD) technology means faster load times and quicker file transfers compared to traditional hard drives, with speeds reaching up to 1,050 MB/s. This makes saving and loading games quicker, which is a big plus for gamers. The drive connects via USB 3.2 Gen 2, ensuring compatibility with the PS4 and other devices like PC, Mac, Android, and gaming consoles. One standout feature is its durability: the T7 Shield is designed to resist water, dust, and drops from nearly 10 feet, making it tough enough to handle accidental knocks and outdoor use. This rugged build is unusual for external drives and great if you want reliability during travel or heavy use.

#3
9.8 score

WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN

The WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive is a high-capacity external hard drive designed for gamers, making it an excellent choice for PS4 and other gaming consoles. With 8TB of storage, it provides ample space for game captures and large game libraries. The drive operates at a fast 7200 RPM, ensuring quick load times and smooth performance. Additionally, it has a transfer speed of up to 250 MB/s, which facilitates speedy data transfers.

Rating
9.8
Storage Capacity
Speed (RPM and Interface)
Form Factor

Most important from
1552 reviews

Storage Capacity
Perfect for expanding PS5 game collection, allowing easy movement of PS4 games and storage of PS5 games you're not currently playing.
Speed (RPM and Interface)
The average write speed is around 230MB/s, which is faster than typical 5400rpm external drives.
Form Factor
You can play PS4 games directly from the external drive, saving time compared to redownloading.
Durability and Build Quality
The WD_BLACK D10 series offers fast speeds and robust build quality, making it an excellent external solution for PCs and gaming consoles.

Top 10 Best PS4 external hard drives 2025 in the United States

Avolusion HDDGear Pro X 4TB USB 3.0 External Gaming Hard Drive (Pre-formatted for PS4 Pro, Slim, Original)

Storage Capacity: 4TB
Speed (RPM and Interface): 7200 RPM, USB 3.0
Form Factor: 3.5 Inches
Durability and Build Quality: Durable, premium case
Compatibility: PS4 Pro, Slim, Original
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Buying Guide for the Best PS4 external hard drives

When choosing an external hard drive for your PlayStation 4 (PS4), it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure you get the best performance and storage capacity for your needs. External hard drives can help you expand your storage space, allowing you to install more games and save more data without worrying about running out of space on your console. Here are the key specs to consider and how to choose the right one for you.
Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to the amount of data the external hard drive can hold. This is crucial because it determines how many games, updates, and other data you can store. External hard drives for PS4 typically range from 500GB to 8TB. If you play a lot of games and download large files, you might want to opt for a higher capacity, such as 2TB or more. For casual gamers or those who play fewer games, a 1TB drive might be sufficient.
Speed (RPM and Interface)The speed of an external hard drive affects how quickly data can be read from or written to the drive. This is important for reducing load times and improving overall performance. Speed is often measured in RPM (revolutions per minute) for traditional hard drives, with 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM being common. Higher RPM means faster performance. Additionally, the interface (USB 3.0 or USB 3.1) also impacts speed, with USB 3.1 being faster. For the best performance, look for a drive with 7200 RPM and USB 3.1, but if you're on a budget, a 5400 RPM drive with USB 3.0 can still provide decent performance.
Form FactorForm factor refers to the physical size and shape of the external hard drive. This is important for portability and space considerations. External hard drives come in two main sizes: 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch. The 2.5-inch drives are more compact and portable, making them easier to carry around and store. The 3.5-inch drives are larger and often require an external power source, but they can offer higher capacities. If you need a portable solution, go for a 2.5-inch drive. If you plan to keep the drive stationary and need more storage, a 3.5-inch drive might be better.
Durability and Build QualityDurability and build quality refer to how well the external hard drive can withstand physical wear and tear. This is important if you plan to transport the drive frequently or if it will be exposed to potential damage. Look for drives with rugged designs, shock resistance, and protective casings. Some drives are specifically marketed as being more durable and can handle drops or rough handling better. If you need a drive that can withstand travel and rough use, prioritize durability. If the drive will mostly stay in one place, build quality might be less of a concern.
CompatibilityCompatibility refers to whether the external hard drive can work seamlessly with your PS4. This is crucial because not all drives are compatible with the PS4 system. Ensure that the drive you choose is explicitly stated to be compatible with PS4. Most USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 drives will work, but it's always good to check the manufacturer's specifications. If you want to avoid any compatibility issues, look for drives that are marketed as 'PS4 compatible' or 'PS4 certified.'

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