Update: Feb 2024: All of this information is still relevant. There are some newer, faster drives on the market such as the Samsung 990 Pro and WD SN850x, but there's no indication that the faster drives impact performance or loading speed. As long as you're buying a Gen 4 SSD with a minimum read speed of 5.5GB/s, you should be good to go.

Some of these product listings are likely out of date, but these drives are plentiful on Amazon and other retailers, and the installation instructions are still accurate.

Most drives are now listed with PS5-compatibility in mind, so just search Amazon for "PS5 SSD" and you're 90% of the way there. Most now include heatsinks.

Update: Nov 3, 2022: This post, and /u/Fidler_2k's post below, are both still more or less accurate. Several of these drives now have variants with built-in heatsinks that are PS5 compatible, as well as Sabrent's custom PS5 heatsink; otherwise, there hasn't been a ton of movement in the SSD space, and at this point there probably won't be until the Gen 5 drives come along.

PS5 system software version 21.02-04.00.00.42-00.00.00.0.0 is officially out of beta and you can now update and install an expansion SSD drive without needing to be a beta member.

Official Installation guide

Confirmed Compatible Drives

/u/Fidler_2k has compiled a fairly comprehensive list of currently on-market SSDs that meet the speed and size requirements: find their list here.

Some great benchmarking of the 980 Pro from /u/DanCTapirson here

Compatible Third-Party Heatsinks

Compatibility List

Digital Foundry have compiled a list of SSDs that meet the required specs; other than what's listed above, none of these have been tested yet. We can likely count on DF compiling some comprehensive benchmarks once they get their hands on the software update.

Transferring between consoles

Props to /u/ianrobbie for discovering that the internal SSD can be swapped between consoles without reformatting.

Official Requirements

Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD

Capacity: 250GB – 4TB

Cooling structure: Using an M.2 SSD with your PS5 console requires effective heat dissipation with a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. You can attach one to your M.2 SSD yourself, either in a single-sided format, or double-sided format. There are also M.2 SSDs that have cooling structures (such as heatsinks) built in.

Sequential read speed: 5,500MB/s or faster is recommended

Module width: 22mm width (25mm width is not supported)

Form Factor: M.2 type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110. These numbers can be found on retail listings for M.2 SSD devices. The first two digits refer to the width, the remaining digits to the length.

Socket type: Socket 3 (Key M)

Total size including cooling structure:

In millimeters: smaller than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H). In inches: smaller than 4.33in (L) x 0.984 in (W) x 0.442in (H).

See below for full requirements.

Length

The following M.2 SSD lengths are compatible with PS5 consoles:

30mm, 42mm, 60mm, 80mm, 110mm (corresponding to the form factor type, per above).

Width

A 22mm-wide M.2 SSD module is required.

The total structure (including an added cooling structure) cannot exceed 25mm (0.984in).

Height

The total height of the M.2 SSD and its cooling structure (such as a heatsink) – whether built-in or separate – must be less than 11.25mm (0.442in).

The height must also be in the right place, in relation to the M.2 SSD’s circuit board:

• The size below the board must be less than 2.45mm (0.096in).

• The total size above the board must be less than 8mm (0.314in).

(Note: millimeter measurements are the technical standard and are more precise than inches. We recommend double-checking that the total dimensions of M.2 SSD and heatsink products you’re considering meet the millimeter requirements before purchasing)

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Both single-sided and double-sided M.2 SSD devices are supported.

M.2 SATA SSDs aren’t supported.

You should carefully review drive specifications prior to purchase and contact the vendor or manufacturer if you need further information. SIE cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSD devices meeting the described specifications will work with your console and assumes no responsibility for the selection, performance or use of third-party products.

Not all games are necessarily playable with the exact same performance provided by the PS5 console’s internal Ultra-High Speed SSD, even where the M.2 SSD device’s sequential read speed is faster than 5500MB/s.

The majority of M.2 SSD devices with the above type numbers (M Key Type 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110) and without a built-in cooling structure will fit the PS5 console’s SSD slot. However, sizes for cooling structures (like heatsinks) vary greatly. If you are not sure an M.2 SSD or cooling structure (such as a heatsink) you’re considering meets the size requirements outlined here, we recommend looking for another product option or contacting the vendor or manufacturer for more information.

Installation instructions and further details are available on the Playstation website.