The best external SSDs for PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2026 — for cold storage, game transfers, and backups. We tested the Crucial X9 Pro, Samsung T7 Shield, Seagate Game Drive, and WD Black P40. Important: external drives can't run current-gen games natively, but they're the best way to expand your library without opening your console.
Here's the thing most people get wrong: you can't just pop any old drive into a PS5 or Xbox Series X and play current-gen games from it. Internal expansion (M.2 NVMe for PS5, the proprietary Seagate/WD expansion card for Xbox) is the only way to run PS5 or Series X|S games directly.2
But external SSDs are still incredibly useful. They're plug-and-play, they work across consoles and PCs, and they're the best way to store your backlog of PS4/Xbox One games, transfer files between consoles, or keep backups of your current-gen library without paying the internal-expansion premium.1
Think of an external SSD as cold storage for your console: you keep games on it, and when you want to play, you copy them over to the internal drive in minutes instead of re-downloading for hours.
The Crucial X9 Pro is the external SSD we'd recommend to most people. It has dedicated DRAM, which helps with sustained transfer speeds — you'll see real-world transfers around 1050 MB/s when moving games between drives.1
It's compact, runs cool, and works on both PS5 and Xbox Series X|S out of the box. No formatting, no fuss. If you want one drive that handles everything, this is it.
Best for: anyone who wants fast, reliable cold storage for both PlayStation and Xbox.
The Samsung T7 Shield is the rugged option. It carries an IP65 rating, meaning it's dust-tight and can handle water jets — useful if your console setup lives in a high-traffic area or you travel with your drive.1
It's slightly slower than the Crucial X9 Pro in sustained writes, but for game storage and transfers, you won't notice the difference. Samsung's software also includes AES 256-bit encryption if you want to keep your data private.
Best for: portable setups, travel, or anyone who's dropped a drive before.
Seagate makes an official-looking external SSD for the PS5, and it's a solid performer. It matches the PS5's design language — black and white with blue accents — and includes a three-month membership to PlayStation Plus.2
It's pricier than the Crucial or Samsung options for the same underlying specs, so you're paying a premium for the branding and the bundle. But if you want a drive that looks like it belongs next to your console, this is the one.
Best for: PS5 owners who care about aesthetics and want a seamless look.
The WD Black P40 is built for gamers who want speed and a rugged design. It reaches up to 2000 MB/s read speeds (over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2), though real-world console transfers top out closer to 1000 MB/s due to the USB controller on the consoles.3
It has customizable RGB lighting (yes, really) and a durable enclosure. Like the others, it can't run Xbox Series X|S games directly, but it's excellent for storing and transferring your backward-compatible titles.
Best for: Xbox owners who want a tough, fast drive with some flair.
| Feature | Crucial X9 Pro | Samsung T7 Shield | Seagate Game Drive PS5 | WD Black P40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s (peak) |
| Durability | Standard | IP65 | Standard | Drop-resistant |
| Capacity options | 1TB–4TB | 1TB–4TB | 1TB–2TB | 500GB–2TB |
| Console fit | PS5 & Xbox | PS5 & Xbox | PS5 only | PS5 & Xbox |
External SSDs are a smart addition to any PS5 or Xbox Series X setup — as long as you understand the limitation. They're for storage and transfer, not active play of current-gen games. For that, you need internal expansion.
If you want the best all-around drive, get the Crucial X9 Pro. If you need something tough, go with the Samsung T7 Shield. And if you want a drive that matches your console's look, the Seagate Game Drive (PS5) or WD Black P40 (Xbox) are solid choices.
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