© Provided by GamesRadar The best PS4 external hard drives for 2020
One of the best PS4 external hard drives is a near-vital accessory now as we enter the last few months of this generation 'proper'. With more games, saves, data and screenshots and capture, than ever, you may find that your console's built-in storage won't cut it anymore. This will be acutely felt by those who may still joyously run a 500GB model. Regardless of size, however, our consoles can get full very quickly and one of the best PS4 external hard drives is an easy route out of that conundrum.
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400). Oct 28, 2020 The Toshiba Canvio Basics Portable External Hard Drive is a great budget drive that is fully compatible with the PS4. Featuring 1 TB of storage capacity, this drive holds the promise of being able to store up to 25 games. Which should be plenty for any casual gamer who does not have a large collection.
Some gamers prefer to get rid of games from the storage after completion - myself included - but others prefer to have everything to hand. And if you are of the latter disposition and require some extra storage, how do you choose which hard drive to go for? Well, that all depends on what you need and how big your budget it. The best way to narrow down your selection is deciding on how much capacity you need – naturally, the bigger the better generally applies, and getting the largest space for the lowest price should be your goal, but if you can roughly work it out, then you'll start to see your potential selection narrowed. However, there are also other factors to think about when making your final decision, such as portability, reliability, connectivity, and design.
Also, as we've heard, the PS5 will be ditching internal HDDs for a new SSD and this is actually something you can readily and easily do for your PS4 external hard drive right now too. An SSD will decrease load times and make it faster to transfer your games and saves. They are more expensive, though recent times have seen a steady decline in their pricing.
Best Budget: Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable Hard Drive Editor's Rating: 4.5/5.0. Not everyone has the spare cash to blow on an external disk, especially considering that buying a PS4 console and a collection of games is expensive enough as it is. On the other end of the spectrum, 8TB is the largest external hard drive the PS4 is compatible with. Finally, make sure the external hard drive is already formatted to be compatible with the PS4 operating system or can be formatted using the PS4 or a computer. Aug 22, 2020 The Samsung SSD 860 EVO is a compact and reliable external hard drive for the PS4. The SSD features modern storage technologies which ensure that storing and retrieving files is a breeze. The drive comes with new innovative technologies that are powered by the Samsung v-Nand technology.
Another thing to consider with the best PS4 external hard drive is.. well, does it need to be external at all? As the PS4 design makes it easy for anyone to open it up and replace the internal hard drive and it won't void your warranty either. Sure it takes a bit more effort than just plugging in an external drive like the Toshiba Canvio Advance but you'll find internal drives are generally cheaper and it means fewer cables around your console, so we've listed some below. We've thoroughly tested the best PS4 hard drives below, and find them to be incredibly reliable. Some might be slightly more expensive than other models you might have seen, but we trust these ones to not fail and lose our precious data.
All the external and internal HDD and SSD picks on this list are fully compatible with PS4 and PS4 Pro. Our price comparison charts have dug out the cheapest prices from the best retailers too. If you're thinking about upgrading your storage capacities on your other consoles, then be sure to check out our picks for the best Xbox One external hard drive and Nintendo Switch SD Cards.
PS4 external hard drives
1. WD My Passport 4TB Portable Hard Drive
The best PS4 external hard drive - storage and reliability on a budget
Capacity: 4TB | Storage Type: HDD
The My Passport drive from Western Digital is one of the most reliable, convenient, and versatile HDDs you can buy. Anyone looking for a standard, reasonably priced PS4 external hard drive will be fine with this. It's USB 3.0 compatible, importantly, and only requires a quick reformat the first time you use it. It's small and sturdy too, about the size of a larger smart phone like the iPhoneX or the Galaxy S9 Plus, and the My Passport series is even styled to look a little like the PS4 console itself, so you should be able to slot it right into your set-up. The new aesthetic is arguably even more pleasing and brings further style to a quality HDD.
We'd go for the 4TB version, for several reasons. Right now, you see the biggest savings on the 4TB, and you tend to get better value the bigger the storage capacity. With 4TB, you've easily got space for 50+ AAA games, and loads more indies and smaller downloads from the PS Store. Essentially, this HDD will last you for about 2-3 years before you ever need to manage your storage, and that's with heavy use and loads of games installed on it. Definitely the best PS4 external hard drive today.
2. Toshiba 1TB Canvio Advance
Usb Portable Hdd
The best budget PS4 hard drive option
Capacity: 1TB | Storage Type: HDD
We recently changed our best budget pick for PS4 hard drives. Gone is the Canvio Basics, and newly arrived is the Canvio Advance - a superior drive, which performs as well as most other HDDs on this list but for a lower price. It's roughly the same cost as the Basics, but comes with a few extra tricks. The read and write speeds are marginally faster, and almost on a par with the WD MyPassport. However, the Canvio Advance comes with a two year warranty, and if you decide to start using it with your PC it has password protection and automatic back-up, which is lacking from the Basics model. The Advance also comes with a gloss finish, instead of the cheaper plastic matte of the Basics.
It's super easy to use - just plug into your PS4, and format it as extended storage. We have the red version, but the blue color actually fits in better with the PS4's aesthetic (it even has a glowing blue light when powered on). The Advance doesn't require an external power source, and just functions off the PS4 (or PC) USB 3.0 ports. Overall, it's a great device, and at less than $50 for the 1TB version it's a steal.
3. Seagate Expansion 6TB HDD
The best for big storage
Capacity: 6TB | Storage Type: HDD
Increase your storage again with this ridiculously well priced 6TB offering from Seagate. It's slick, slim and you can get versions from 2TB upwards - although this 6TB model represents the best value for money. There's no need for any mains cables either, just plug and play, and USB 3.0 will keep things transferring speedily. The price is kept low by the fact this is a standard HDD, so read speeds won't be as fast as the SSD hard drives like the Samsung. If you get a 6TB drive.. that'll probably store between 80-100 PS4 games, so you'll never need to worry about space again.
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4. WD Black P10 1-5TB Game Drive
Capacity: 1-5TB | Storage type: : HDD
We've found the WD Black P10 hard drive to be a really solid semi-rugged portable option for external storage for consoles. It might not be as tough as the ArmorATD below, but you certainly get a really sturdy drive for your money - without paying for that bonafide ruggedness and durability.
In terms of performance the hard drive runs cool (and quietly too), even with multi-hour sessions of work copying over and downloading a library's worth of games. The transfer and data speeds you get are not mind-blowing, but team its work ethic with that consistency and get a really reliable drive. A really solid option from a reputable maker, perfect to store the backlog on as we rumble toward the end of this generation.
5. ArmorATD 4TB
The best tough and resistant portable HDD
Capacity: 4TB | Storage Type: HDD
If you're looking for another safe pair of hard drive-shaped hands to plug in and out of your PS4, and take wherever you go, then the ArmorATD from G-Technology is a fine model to consider. It's seriously tough and feels incredibly solid in your hands, and can withstand, well, a great many thing. But to put it simply, it is: rain resistant; dust resistant; and crush resistant (up to 1000lbs). The latter stat in particular means you can have total confidence in the drive even if it were to fall out of bags or pockets and have to endure a big and bouncy fall. The shock mounts, solid aluminum enclosure, and protective rubber bumpers see to this HDD being a super well protected drive. If you like to err on the side of caution or want to take a belt and bracers approach to ensuring your PS4 external drive is safe then this is the one to go for. (Note: it's sometimes referred to as the 'G-Technology 4 TB ArmorATD All-Terrain Drive'.)
6. WD My Passport SSD 1TB
The best external SSD, for those on a bigger budget
Capacity: 1TB | Storage Type: SSD
The rise of the SSD (Solid State Drive) is extremely well documented on PC, and it's now commonplace to see an SSD in all gaming laptops and gaming PCs. However, SSDs are less well established in the console space, but do offer big benefits over regular HDDs. The only problem is, you guessed it, the price. Even one of the cheaper SSDs, like our top pick, this WD My Passport SSD is still three times the asking price of a regular 1TB HDD. So what do you get?
Well, read and write speeds are significantly quicker, so if you're using this SSD as extended storage, or for copying files to and from your PS4, you'll notice a big difference in how long it takes. While WD claims higher, you'll get write speeds of about 300Mbps, and read speeds of 390Mbps via the USB connection. For reference, the WD My Passport HDD manages about 120-130 for both these speeds. This does cut game load times, and will boost the speeds of your transfers, but won't chop them in half. What's more, the WD is better value than its competitors, which is why it's our pick here. Overall, this is a great PS4 SSD option.. if you can afford it.
7. Samsung SSD T5 500GB
A great alternative SSD from one of the biggest names in storage
Capacity: 500GB | Storage Type: SSD
The Samsung T5 remains one of the best SSD drives you can get, and if you're looking for slightly superior performance over the WD My Passport SSD, this is the one to get. However, it comes at a slightly higher price too, so you constantly have to weigh that against what you actually get. Both read and write speeds come out marginally quicker with the T5.
There's no doubt the Samsung looks the part, and it's both compact and durable, making it ideal if you're carrying PS4 games and files between locations. However, because the performance isn't hugely different to the WD, it's probably not worth getting the Samsung if you're simply using it as extended storage and not taking it with you. We've included the Samsung T5 here because, technically, it offers the best performance of all the PS4 hard drives we've tested, but because it doesn't offer the same value for money as other SSDs or the regular HDDs, it's tough to recommend unless you find a sweet deal and get serious money off.
© Provided by GamesRadarPS4 internal hard drives
1. Seagate FireCuda 2.5' 2TB SSHD
The best internal HDD you can buy
Capacity: 2TB | Storage Type: SSHD 3d website builder download.
If you're looking for a more permanent solution to your PS4's storage, the Seagate Firecuda is the SSHD to pick. It's a 2.5' drive, so it'll fit neatly into your console (doubling the storage of your PS4 Pro, and potentially quadrupling the size of a regular 500GB model), and Seagate is a big, well-established name in PC HDDs, so this model is always going to be reliable and efficient.
While most now choose external PS4 hard drive storage, as you can set-up an external HDD as extended storage, there's a lot to be said for keeping a clean gaming set-up by having an internal drive. What's more, the Firecuda offers better read and write speeds than a standard HDD, which means you get near-SSD performance at a cheaper price. That's common sense, right there. Check our video above for learning how to install an internal SSHD into your console.
2. Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD
The best internal SSD for PS4
Capacity: 1TB | Storage Type: SSD
Now is the time to swap an SSD into your PS4 Pro. With the price of SSDs constantly tumbling, thanks to a vibrant PC market, drives like the brilliant Samsung EVO 860 are now affordable and easy to use. When it comes to SSDs, the EVO series has long been the gold standard, and the 860 EVO replaces the 850 series, thanks to superior performance and more modern design and parts. It's actually cheaper than most 850s now too.
While the EVO is mid-range in terms of price, it's one of the best SATA drives for performance, putting it ahead of rivals like Crucial and WD Blue in terms of value. What's more, you'll often find the EVO series on sale via sites like Amazon, so you'll rarely pay full price for it. SSD speeds are x3-4 quicker than those of HDDs, and while there are a number of other factors at play when it comes to console gaming, you will notice a boost in performance with a pure, internal SSD. What's more, this is actually a cheaper option than buying an external SSD drive for your PS4. Highly recommended.
3. Seagate 1TB Gaming SSHD ST1000LM014
Capacity: 1TB | Storage Type: SSHD
The Seagate 1TB Gaming SSHD offers some of the improvements granted by a full SSD (shorter load times, faster installs, etc) without the enormous markup. The caveat, of course, is that since this SSHD does also rely on a physical disk spinning at 5400RPM, the improvements may not be as dramatic as with a traditional SSD. In practice though, this isn't that huge of a concession to make for the money you're saving, as different games will/won't take advantage of your drive's enhanced capabilities on a case-by-case basis. Regardless, this drive will double your storage capacity and in many cases increase performance, which are great benefits to walk away with for less than $100/£100.
Just as having good gaming mouse and gaming keyboard, it is also quite important to optimize your gaming experience when using the PlayStation 4.
And there is no better way to do that than having enough storage for a lot of games. Because of that, today we are here to present you the list for the best external hard drive for PS4 and help you decide which one to get for yourself.
Top Picks:
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How to Choose the Best External Hard Drive for PS4
When choosing the perfect combination of components for your gaming PC, whether it is a wireless keyboard and mouse combo, or specialized gaming mouse pad, there are different things to think about and factors to consider.
Therefore, before we show to you what are our picks for the best external hard drive for PS4 Pro and other versions of PS4, let's see what are important factors to consider when choosing an external hard drive for PS4.
Capacity
One of the most important factors to consider is, of course, how much storage space the external drive has.
You will probably want to install as many games as possible, in which case you want to look for external HDDs with more than 2TB.
But, more capacity means a higher price, so you will have to balance between how much capacity you need and how deep your wallet is.
Most external HDDs have a limit of 5TB or so, which is honestly enough for more than 130 games, so you won't need more space anyway.
Connectivity
As for the question 'SSD vs HDD, which one to take?' To have the fastest transfers and loading times, it is probably the best to get an SSD, but since they are usually more expensive than HDDs, people go for the other one instead.
Therefore, if you decide to get HDD, you should definitely look for models that support USB 3.0 ports, since they are much faster than their 2.0 predecessors.
It's not as fast as having an SSD, but it is still a lot faster than common USB 2.0 external hard drives.
Durability
When you pay a bit more for something, you want it to last longer, which is completely understandable.
Therefore, when choosing an external hard drive for PS4, you want to look for devices that will last at least more than a year of constant use.
No one wants to spend money on new HDD every 2-3 months since you would need to install your games all over again.
Design
Of course, not so important when it comes to performance, but quite important for people who like to have visually appealing gaming components, design can be one of the most important things to consider.
If you are amongst one of those people, then you should probably consider whether external HDD is made of high-quality materials for increased durability and whether the coloring is good enough to fit your Play Station 4.
6 Best External Hard Drives for PS4
Seagate Game Drive for PS4 (Portable)
Best for Compatibility
This Seagate Game Drive is specifically made for PS4 and is officially licensed by Sony, which means that it is definitely one of the best choices if you want to be sure that the device is compatible with your PS4 since most other external HDDs allows you to choose between different file systems.
This officially licensed version comes with a total of 2TB, but there is another 4TB version, which is not.
As for the connectivity, it is quite easy to connect this external HDD, with simple plug and play USB 3.0 port and step by step guide, without having to use additional cables for power.
When it comes to its design, this external HDD from Seagate is extremely well-made, especially in combination with PS4, since it is made to be used with it.
They both have the same design, with beautiful black and blue colors, which will make your gaming console look really good.
Apart from that, the device is quite portable, which means that you can bring it with you wherever you go.
Also, with this purchase, you get quite a good 3-year warranty, just in case the device needs repairs or something stops working.
Pros:
- Excellent design
- Great compatibility
- Good amount of storage
- Easy connectivity
- Warranty included
WD_Black P10 Game Drive
Best for a Large Number of Games
WD_Black P10 comes with different amounts of storage space you can choose from when making a purchase.
Best Portable Hdd
There are 2TB, 4TB, and 5TB versions, meaning that you will have a space for a lot of games, more precise, for up to 125 games, if we say that the average game is 36GB large.
The device itself is quite portable, which means that you will be able to bring all your favorite games with you wherever you go.
P10 features high-end performance for gaming consoles, laptops, and desktop PCs, with excellent reading and transfer speed.
The device is made of some quite durable and pretty materials, which make it last longer and allows you to play your favorite games without interruptions.
When it comes to compatibility, P10 is great in that regard, since it is supported by PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
Pros:
- A great amount of storage
- Excellent performance
- Quite durable and reliable
- Easily connected
- Good compatibility with different platforms
Toshiba Canvio Gaming
The Storage Level Up For Every Gamer
As games become more sophisticated, it comes as no surprise that they take up more space. For this reason, owning enough storage is a must, and what better way to resolve this issue than by having a portable external hard drive to carry all your games in one place?
Keep your entire gaming library in one device that you can move around as you please. This external hard drive can give you up to 4TB of space – however large your game collection is, you are given an ample amount of space and then some!
What's also important to mention is that this is a universal product; it can seamlessly connect with PCs, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles alike, with pre-installed firmware protection ensuring your data is protected and secured at all times.
The sleek design makes it perfect for traveling, offers you a potent storage device encased within an elegantly-designed exterior that can fit in most backpacks. If anything does happen, you can count on Toshiba's guarantee of a 2-year warranty for the product- all for a modest fee.
This simple but crucial upgrade can make all the difference for dedicated gamers who want to utilize the maximum power of their gaming systems without overburdening them with data.
Pros:
- Perfect for creating portable libraries
- Integrated firmware protection offers fantastic data security
- Lightweight and portable design
WD Gaming Drive
External Hard Drive with the Best Design
WD Portable Gaming Drive comes with a good amount of storage space, allowing you to choose whether you want to get a 2TB or 4TB version.
That allows you to have 60-125 games, depending on various factors, such as the number of programs on the console and the sizes of your games.
Furthermore, this external hard drive is relatively easy to set up, since it comes with plug and play option, allowing you to simply connect it with cable and use it.
Also, it is specifically made to work with consoles, which makes it the perfect choice for your PS4 or Xbox One.
When it comes to its design, it looks really elegant, with a smooth surface, dark gray and blue colors, which will perfectly go toe to toe with PlayStation 4.
Apart from all that, there is excellent customer support and a 3-year warranty from the manufacturer, in case you ever need to replace it. Virtualbox download 64 bit windows 8 1.
Pros:
- Good capacity
- Easy installation
- Console compatibility
- Pretty design
- Warranty included
Seagate Portable
The Best External Hard Drive for Versatility
This external HDD comes in several versions, ranging from 1TB to a maximum of 5TB, which allows you to hold a lot of games, usually over 120.
When it comes to its compatibility, it was designed to work on Windows and Mac operating systems, but it can also work on consoles, which makes it a very versatile external hard drive device.
Also, it is very easy to make it work, since you only need to plug it in the USB port and wait for your operating system to recognize the device.
That means that you won't have to bother with installing any additional software, in order to make this external HDD to work.
In the package, you will get the USB 3.0 cable that is 18 inches long, which is more than enough for connecting to most devices.
Along with that comes a limited warranty for the time period of 1 year, just in case you run on some problems.
Pros:
- Excellent capacity limit
- Great compatibility with different devices
- Plug & Play installation
- USB 3.0 compatibility
- 1-year limited warranty
Silicon Power A62 Rugged Game Drive
A Durable Game Drive For Every Gamer
If you are looking for a versatile and robust component to bring your gaming to the next level, look no further than Silicon Power's latest external game drive. These gadgets are tried and tested in the most rigorous conditions and offer you immense power while remaining portable and durable.
The first thing to take note of is the extensive degree of protection you get with this device. Adopting the highest standards of quality assurance, it comes with a water-resistant and shockproof exterior that allows it to keep optimal functionality even if a mishap occurs.
Despite the heavy-duty protection, the design remains stylish and slim. It comes with a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which allows for backward compatibility with many devices up to USB 2.0.
You can choose how much space you need, with the available choices ranging from 1TB to 5TB, with all of them being compatible with the latest gaming consoles and PCs without issue.
The high-speed output also enables this external hard drive to multitask as a library of not just games but of files of all kinds. Whatever it is you wish to store, it can perfectly replicate once stored within its memory.
While more pricey than the average memory bank, it offers immense quality and comes with a 3-year warranty that covers everything- from maintenance to on-phone technical support.
Pros:
- Variety of options regarding its memory size
- Military-grade protection ensures it is immune to rough handling
- Blazing-fast data transfer speed