Best External Hard Drive for PS4

Looking for an external hard drive for your PS4 gaming console? Then we all the important information you’ll need to make an informed decision. Owning a PS4 external hard drive brings with it lots of benefits.

Perhaps an obvious and certainly the main advantage of an external hard drive is that it provides more space for your games. Aside from loading them faster, an external hard drive also offers easy access to your games.

Choosing a PS4 external hard drive isn’t as simple as it might look. You want a hard drive that has enough storage space for your games, one that’ll keep your data safe and still affordable to save you cash for more games.

In our research, we spent ours scoured forums, reading reviews and testimonies best quality PS4 external hard drives. And after identifying the best PS4 external hard drives, we prepared a comparison table, and then reviewed them.  We also included a quick buyer’s guide down below to help in your decision making of the best external hard drive for PS4 in 2021. 

Top Pick - Toshiba 3TB Cavio Premium

It sports a stylish design with a superior aluminum finish and diamond-cut edges. Cavio Premium is compact and will easily fit into your pocket or bag. With USB Type C, the hard drive guarantees high-speed data transfers. Download a backup software with a password to protect your files against unauthorized access.

Toshiba

Best PS4 External Hard Drive – A Simple Buying Guide

1. Toshiba 3TB Cavio Basics External Hard Drive

Toshiba 3TB Cavio Basics External Hard Drive

We believe Toshiba takes the first place in the manufacture of external hard drives for gaming consoles. And Convio Basics is pretty compatible with your PS4 console. With a 3GB capacity, the hard drive provides sufficient storage space for your games.

Sporting a sleek and portable design complete with a matte finish smudge-resistant finish, Cavio Basics External Hard Drive is, without a doubt, among the best PS4 external hard drives you’ll find.

Play your games anywhere you’re with a super portable hard drive. Thanks to its compact profile, you can easily fit Toshiba Cavio Basics into your backpack or even a shirt/jacket pocket.

Toshiba Cavio Basics is powered by USB 3.0 technology, which, as you very well know is the standard.  It’ll transfer data and files at a much higher speed when compared to the USB 2.0 powered devices.

Load your games and files in no time with Cavio Basics. The hard drive is Plug & Play. Simply connect it via the USB port and get it working in a moment. You don’t need to install software to use it.

         Pros

  • Easy to use – plug & play
  • Relatively large space
  • Packs a sleek design
  • Decent load speed for your games with USB 3.0

Cons

  • Lacks USB 3.1

2. Toshiba 3TB Cavio Premium

Toshiba 3TB Cavio Premium

We present you another Toshiba hard disk compatible with your PS4 gaming console. Toshiba 2TB Cavio Premium is an all-in-one portable storage solution set to upgrade your PS4 storage. It takes the first place in our reviews. Let us see what it brings to the table.

Cavio Premium packs a stylish design, superior aluminum finish, and diamond-cut edges. With its compact size, you can easily fit the hard drive into your pocket or bag and carry it with you for use on the go.

The hard drive provides you with up to 3TB of storage space for most of your games and other important files. Its 3 terabytes of storage space, guarantees easy access to your games and data.

Powered by USB Type C, Cavio Premium will definitely increase the load times of your PS4 console games. As you’ll gather later, USB Type C is the newest standard best known for extreme speed data transfers. It also connects to USB 2.0 powered devices.

What’s more, the hard drive comes with a backup downloadable software. Back up your files and even customize your backups depending on your needs. And to avoid an unauthorized access to your files, secure your backups with a password.

           Pros

  • Allows data backup
  • High data transfer and load times with USB Type C
  • Reasonable storage for your files
  • A compact and elegant design

        Cons

  • Spins relatively louder

3. Silicone Power 5TB Armor A60 External Hard Drive

Silicone Power

Free up the internal hard drive of your PS4 with a rugged hard drive designed for the sole purpose of storing your games. Assume that the average size of your games is 50GB, Armor A60 has enough space for close to 100 games.

Armor A60 is powered by USB 3.1 Gen 1. That means you can expect high-speed data transfers. Compared to the USB 2.0 devices, this hard drive will load the games much faster.

The hard drive is also plug & plug with a simple set up process that’ll see you enjoying your games in a few moments. Just plug your external hard drive into the port following the easy-as-pie installation process and you’ll be good to go.

What’s more, this hard drive comes with a super-rugged rubber casing. And together with an internal suspension system, they enable the buffer effect. That prevents the hard drive from damage in case of an accidental drop or crush.

Carry your hard drive without worrying about it sustaining scratches or slipping and dropping. Armor A60 has a special texture immune to scratches and fingerprints. The rugged texture ensures that the hard drive stays put.

Armor A60 has also passed the IPX4 water-resistance level. It can easily survive an accidental water spill.

Forget about misplacing or losing the cable again. The hard drive features a cable-carry design. Just wrap the cable around it for safe storage.

         Pros

  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 loads your games exemplary fast
  • Rugged rubber casing protects the hard drive from shock and scratches
  • It’s water-resistant
  • Easy to use- plug & play

      Cons

  • Not SSD

4. Samsung 500GB T5 Portable External SSD

Samsung 500GB T5

Considering that we’re looking for more storage space, you might be wondering why we’d recommend a 500GB external hard drive. Well, if speed is your main concern then Samsung 500GB T5 Portable External SSD is your best bet.

Featuring Samsung V-NAND flash memory plus USB 3.1 Gen 2, T5 Portable External SSD will transfer data at extreme speeds of up to 540MB/s, roughly 5 times faster than the traditional hard disk drives.

T5 Portable External SSD packs a minimalistic metal design with a metal case as well as an internal frame capable of surviving a 6ft fall. From the top to bottom, the hard drive sports metal profile plus a rounded unibody that fits snuggly into your palm for use on the go. Also, the SSD has a stunning blue aluminum finish.

With the in-built AES 256-bit hardware encryption, you don't have to worry about the data breach. The data stays protected from the inside out.

T5 Portable External SSD will connect to PlayStation 4 via the USB Type C. It’s also compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Hook the up SSD seamlessly without having to purchase additional adapters.

Pros

  • Remarkable data transfer speeds and application load times
  • Built to last
  • Easy to use

      Cons

  • Rather costly for the capacity

5. WD 4TB Gaming Portable External Hard Drive

Gaming Portable

Expand your PS4 console internal hard drive capacity with WD 4TB Portable External Hard Drive. Featuring shock absorption capabilities, the hard drive has been built to last. It's set to transform your gaming experience.

With 4TB of additional storage capacity, you have more than enough space to store close to 100 of your favorite games averaging 35GB-50GB or even higher, and then some.

WD 4TB Portable sports a compact design. And weighing only a few pounds, you can easily fit it in your palms or slide it in your backpack. Planning a tournament at a friend’s house? Shove the hard drive inside your backpack and carry it with you.

The hard drive is fast and easy to set up. It’s powered and connects to the console via USB 3.0, which we wish was USB Type C. A quick format and you’ll be fully into the game a couple minutes later.

If you value aesthetics, then WD 4TB Portable comes with a sleek design complete with vibrant color schemes that help complement your PS4 console.

      Pros

  • Excellent storage capacity
  • Fast and easy setup
  • Compact and highly portable
  • Sleek design

    Cons

  • We wish it was USB Type C

6. Fantom Drives GeForce 3 8TB External Hard Drive

Fantom Drives GeForce

Arm yourself with massive storage space for all your games and files with the Fantom Drives 8GB GeForce 3 External Hard Drive.

Fantom Drives GeForce 3 is built to last. It features a brushed aluminum casing that helps protect the hard drive from shock

Additionally, Fantom Drives GeForce 3 uses a fan-less design. In this case, the aluminum material plays the roles of a heat sink to keep it chill when running at high speed. Optimize your space by positioning the hard drive in either the horizontal or vertical position.

Fantom Drives GeForce 3 is powered by USB 3.0, which, compared to the USB 2.0, will ensure fast data transfer rates up to 10 times.

What’s more, Fantom Drives GeForce 3 hard drive has an amazingly easy setup. A simple plug & play and you’ll be enjoying your PS4 console gaming in a few moments.

Included is a stand for the external hard drive. The stand makes the drive look sleek, classic and professional.

      Pros

  • Sleek design and robust build
  • Extra-large 8GB storage capacity
  • Hassle-free setup – plug & play
  • Excellent data transfer speeds and load times with USB 3.0

    Cons

  • Relatively noisy

7.  WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive

WD 4TB Elements

Get more storage space for your files and make your games load faster with WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive. The game packs a compact profile and will easily fit in your palms or backpack pocket for use on the go.

With a 4TB storage capacity, then you have more than enough space to store more as many of your favorite games as possible.

Powered by USB 3.0, WD 4TB Element Portable guarantees fast data transfers and reliable connection. It also compatible with 2.0 devices. In our opinion, the fact that it lacks USB Type C interface a bit of a bummer.

Even better, you can upgrade your storage experience to premium with the My PassPort Family. This optional premium package includes an auto-backup software, password protection plus hardware encryption. If you want the features of the premium package plus shock-resistance, then go for the High-Performance package. 

      Pros

  • Speedy data transfer and game load times
  • Reasonable space for all your favorite games
  • Compact and portable
  • Offers upgrade packages

    Cons

  • Requires upgrade to get USB Type C

8. Seagate 4TB Expansion External Hard Drive

Seagate 4TB

Seagate is, without a doubt, among the popular manufacturers of external hard drives. We present you Seagate 4TB Expansion External Hard Drive compatible with your PS4 gaming console.

With 4TB of storage, you have more ample space to save close to 100 of your favorite games plus other equally important files. Invest in this external hard drive and forget about storage space problems.

Seagate 4TB Expansion External Hard Drive is plug & play with no software required for installation. Simply plug drive to your console via the USB 3.0 port and in a no time, you’ll be connected.

In gaming, speed matters and Seagate 4TB Expansion has taken care of that. The hard drive uses both USB 3.0 and 2.0 for data transfers. Although not comparable to USB Type C, USB 3.0 ensures fast data transfers such that your games can load faster.

Seagate 4TB Expansion packs a compact and slim profile. It’s highly portable and when the need arises, you can easily carry it in your palms or shove it in your backpack for use anywhere.

      Pros

  • Compact and portable
  • Sufficient storage space
  • Reasonable data transfer and games load speeds
  • Simple setup/plug & play

    Cons

  • Not USB Type C Compatible

9. Silicone Power 2TB Armor A75 Rugged Portable External Hard Drive

Silicone Power

Armor A75 features aluminum exterior plus a rubber frame. In case of an accidental drop, the construction helps absorb shock effectively preventing damage.

This PS4 external hard drives sports a super-slim design measuring 0.48-inches thick. And with such a compact and lightweight profile, then you’ll be sure to enjoy excellent portability. It can easily fit in your palms and pocket for use on the go.

Let’s assume that each of your favorite games clocks the average game size of 35-50GB. With 2TB of storage capacity, then you can store close 50 of these games for easy access and probably have some space left for more files.

Armor A75 connects to the PS4 console via USB Type C, which the latest standard. As such, you can expect high-speed data transfers. The included USB Type C cable features a high-density braided cover that ensures it lasts longer.

Once you have plugged in the hard drive, an LED indicator will detect the connection and indicate the data transfer status. A quick glance and you'll know when it happens. It’ll eliminate guesswork.

      Pros

  • High-speed data transfer with USB Type C
  • Compact, lightweight & highly portable
  • Shockproof construction
  • Reasonable storage capacity

    Cons

  • USB cable could be longer

10. ADATA SD6000 External SSD

ADATA SD6000 External SSD

If speed comes before all else, then Solid State Drive should suffice. ADATA SD6000 External SSD is a perfect drive solid enough to withstand the rigors of outdoor use.

With 3D NAND or what you’d call stacked memory, ADATA SD600 guarantees better reliability, longevity, and durability than 2D NAND external SSDs.

ADATA SD600 comes integrated with speed-boosting caches - SLC Caching plus DRAM Cache buffer. It’ll handle heavy data loads in a small amount of time hassle-free.

Compared to the traditional HDD, this little guy will transfer data up to 4 times faster. And with intense read/write speeds of up to 440MB/s, a game 35GB should take roughly three minutes to transfer.

ADATA SD6000 boasts the high-speed USB 3.1 interface, which offers a pretty reliable connection. Compared to the USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface, a USB 3.1 interface guarantees extremely fast data transfers. It's plug & play.

Don’t be afraid to carry this external SSD with you wherever you go. After all, it’s extremely lightweight weighing 90g only. Just slip it into your shirt pocket or a backpack and be ready to savor the outdoor adventures.

What’s more, the drive features a sturdy construction complete with impact-dampening silicone. The construction makes it shockproof such that your data is protected at all times. It’ll survive an accidental drop.

      Pros

  • Extreme data transfer speeds with USB 3.1
  • Uses 3D NAND
  • Incorporated with speed-boosting caches
  • Shockproof, compact, lightweight & portable

    Cons

  • Not much storage space

Why You Need to Invest in a PS4 External Hard Drive

As you already know, PS4 comes with a meager 500GB internal hard drive while PS4 Pro has 1TB internal drive. Both consoles require that you install games into the drive before you can play them.

It's come to a point where games are taking up more space as the graphics and computing data levels heighten. This new crop of games has hefty space requirements.

For instance, Assassin’s Creed V clocks 40GB while the Red Redemption 2 takes 100GB. Let’s assume your PS4 console has a 500GB hard drive. There are several games to install each taking an average 50GB meaning the drive will support less than ten such games. And that’s without factoring in the required space for OS, video footage, save data and other files you may require. With an external hard drive, you have access to more storage space.

Other than providing additional storage space for your games, an external hard drive brings to the table more benefits. External PS4 hard drives provide a hassle-free way to upgrade. Even better, a console with an external hard drive loads the games faster providing you use an SSD or the 7200 RPM hard drive. If you compare an external hard drive to having several copies of your games, then you’ll agree that it offers easy access to your games.

Hopefully, all that blurb has convinced you why a PS4 external hard drive is a worthwhile investment.

What to Look for In a PS4 External Hard Drive – A Quick Guide 

  • Storage Capacity

The 256GB PS4 external hard drive is the smallest. However, a hard drive with that capacity will not help much. But you need to understand that it’s extremely difficult to land a model under 500GB in storage capacity.

Considering that there are no upper limits on the hard drive size you can get, it’s prudent to get the largest size you can afford. That way, you can do away with the storage problems once and for all.

In determining the storage capacity, be sure to factor in the space needed for the OS. The rule of thumb is to go for more space than you think you require. If your budget allows, go for the 8TB external hard drive.

  • USB 3.0/ USB 3.1 Connection

USB 3.0 is the standard connection, which is quite okay. Never go below this standard. The new standard USB 3.1 and if your drive has this port, the better your connection will be. Hook your hard drive to the PS4 console via the USB port available.

  • SDD or HDD

There’s no denying you could use an SSD for your external drive for your gamers to load much faster. But terabyte SSD cost a premium and price might not be worth it. If you don't have much money to blow away, we'd advise that you stick to an HDD. But where speed trumps space, we'd advise that invest in a 500GB- 1TB SDD.

  • Rotations per Minute (RPM)

Often times, PS4 consoles come with an internal hard 5400RPM drive. Either you can match this RPM with an external hard 5400RPM or go for a faster 7200RPM drive.

If your budget allows, we’d suggest you grab the 7200RPM so your games can load faster. While the loading times of your games will increase significantly, it would be somewhat a stretch to go for a 10,000RPM drive.

In Conclusion

While PS4 consoles come with internal storage, most of them have 500GB to 1TB meaning you can only save a few of your favorite games. And that's where external hard drives come in. They not only provide additional storage space but also ensure fast load times for your games. In choosing a PS4 external hard drive, be sure to consider the USB connection type, storage capacity, the build, type, and the RRM. We hope you've identified a quality external hard drive that’ll end your storage space problems.

Originally posted 2021-01-19 00:40:10.

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