Despite the launch of the PS5, the PS4 is still a very relevant console. Although its library is immense, it is still being added with new releases. This still leads us to need more and more space to download all these games and that’s where the external hard drive comes in. But it’s not just any external hard drive that will solve your problem. Definitely, the external hard drive is a very useful accessory in different situations, besides working as extra memory for computers, with the highest quality and security.
How to choose the best external HDDs for PS4
Keep in mind that choosing an external hard drive will depend on what you need, its capacity, and your budget. If you’re one of those gamers who buy every release and don’t want to delete games after they’re finished, having an external hard drive is the best way to go. So the best way to narrow your selection is to decide how much storage space you need. In this case, the “bigger is better” premise goes very well, and getting the most space for the lowest price should be your goal. Another option besides the external hard drive is the SSD. The big difference between an SSD and an External HDD is the performance, that is, the speed with which it runs games. Its response time can be up to 15 times faster than a conventional HD. Sony itself offers a tutorial on the Brazilian PlayStation website guiding the exchange from HD to SSD. It’s quite simple and there’s no need to take the console to an authorized network.
Best external HDDs for PS4
1. WD My Passport 4TB
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 4 TB Storage Type: HDD Dimensions: 110 x 21.5 x 81.5 mm (WxHxD)
Western Digital’s My Passport is one of the most trusted external PS4 hard drives on our list. It is for those looking for a standard HDD and at a good price. In fact, it was also featured among the best 1TB external HDDs! The design of this HD was very pleasing for being compact and so it is very easy to store in your backpack and carry it. It weighs 250 grams and is available in white, blue, black, red, orange, and yellow. Also, the color of the USB cable that comes with the product is the same as the color of the HDD. It’s USB 3.0 compliant, and most importantly, it just requires a quick reformat the first time you use it. Additionally, the 4TB version has the greater saving and tends to get better value the greater the storage capacity. With 4TB, you have room for over 50 games. It has a lifetime of about 2-3 years to manage your storage, and that’s with heavy usage and lots of games installed on it.
2. Samsung 22D T5 500GB
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 500 GB Storage Type: SSD Dimensions: 74 x 57.3 x 10.2 mm
If you’re looking for superior performance over WD My Passport, the Samsung T5 is your best bet. However, it comes at a slightly higher price. Read and write speeds are slightly faster with the T5. It is compact and lightweight, weighing just 52g. Besides, it has shock protection, with a robust metallic body, being able to withstand falls of up to 2m. Finally, it has fast transfer speeds, enabling it to do large-size data transfers and backups, including 4K videos and high-resolution photos. However, as the performance isn’t very different from WD, it’s probably not worth buying the Samsung SSD T5 500GB if you’re just using it as extended storage and don’t carry it with you, even if it is one of the best PS4 external HDDs.
3. Toshiba 4TB Canvio Advance
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 4 TB Storage Type: HDD Dimensions: 109 × 78 × 19 mm
The Toshiba 4TB Canvio Advance replaced the previous model, the Canvio Basics, and came with superior quality and performance and a few extra tricks. Compared to other external PS4 hard drives, it has a lower cost, and read and write speeds are slightly faster and almost on par with WD MyPassport. It features 1st generation USB 3.2 technology, which is faster than USB 2.0 devices, allowing fast transfer while organizing your files. In addition, it features Toshiba storage backup software including an intuitive and user-friendly interface. This way, you can perform backups more easily. The Canvio Advance features a textured design in four colors: black, light beige, green, and red based on your preferences for up to 4TB of mobile storage in the palm of your hand. It’s very easy to use, so just plug it into your PS4 and format it as extended storage.
4. WD Black P50 Game Drive
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: up to 4 TB Storage Type: SSD Dimensions: 118 x 62 x 14 mm
First of all, the WD BLACK P50 SSD is practically a complete package. He has:
High speed great design Robust construction Built specifically for games.
No wonder the P50 is on our list of the best external HDDs for PS4. It strikes the perfect balance of speed and performance. As for the design, it has a rectangular drive that is the size of a smartphone. Likewise, the case is military-style with molded metal. Also, it comes with a USB-C port on the unit, but it can be used as a USB-A or USB-C connection, depending on the device you are using it on. When it comes to speeds, the P50’s performance is incredible, meaning it also offers a SuperSpeed USB 20Gb/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2) interface designed specifically for performance and compatibility, to work with new hardware, components, and accessories for many years. Finally, it’s a foolproof SSD that will quickly improve your gaming experience, greatly reducing your time looking at the loading screens and increasing your time when you’re actually playing. Although you pay a higher price this amount is justified by performance and what the P50 offers.
5. Seagate The Last of Us Part II
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 2 TB Storage Type: HDD Dimensions: 113 x 76 x 12 mm
First of all, Seagate The Last of Us Part II is a limited edition PS4 external hard drive from Seagate E that comes branded The Last of Us Part II. However, it does not include the game or any form of digital or physical game-based extras. Seagate is an excellent brand in the hard drive market and manufactures some of the most reliable drives on the market. You can run it alongside your PS4 or PS4 Pro’s internal drive and even set it as the default to download items first if you wish. Also, it runs silently and you’ll fit over 50 games here (assuming an average size of 39GB). However, the limited edition nature of this PS4 external hard drive is making it harder to find for a low price.
Did you like to see the best PS4 external HDDs in 2021?
After these tips, you can choose the best model, capacity, compatibility, and connections. And don’t forget to come find out why the PS4 is the best 8th gen console!
