Most of us started with a base PS4 that only had 500GB of storage, and honestly, that is not enough. If you are searching for the best external hard drive for PS4, you are at the right spot because after taking some time and exploring and testing the options available, we finally have an understanding as to what we should be recommending. With that said, that is what we are going to be covering in this article. So, for anyone who is not sure about what they should be buying, this one is for you, and you will have a much easier time making the right decision, as well.
Best External Hard Drive For PS4 – Comparison Table
Best External Hard Drive For PS4
Now, as far as the best hard drive is concerned, this is not going to be a time taking ordeal. Granted, the options are everywhere, but we have tried to keep things as simple as possible, so you don’t have to worry about ending up with something you don’t want.
#1 – Seagate Game Drive For PS4
There is no denying that when you are looking at good products in the market, the name just comes to mind, and that is Seagate. A company that has worked tirelessly to give us great storage offerings, and the best part is that whenever you are looking for a good drive from them, they have got you covered.
USB 3.0 transfer speeds. Officially licensed product. Plug-and-play interface. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.4″ x 2.9″ x 0.4″ Comes with 3 Years of warranty.
Offers a massive capacity. Does not require an external power source. Plug-and-play interface for easier access. Simple setup that is guided on the PS4. Comes at an affordable price
None at the given price.
Today, we are looking at the Seagate Game Drive for PS4, made specifically for PS4, and this is more of a licensed product and less of a rebrand. I was skeptical at first whenever the process of using this device was in question, but I am pleased to know that this is a great offering for anyone who wants a good experience. For starters, you are getting a large capacity that goes as high as 4TB; the hard drive itself is bus-powered, which means that you don’t need an external PSU. More importantly, it has a plug-and-play interface. Setting it up is one of the easiest, considering how the entire setup is guided on the PS4, and it only takes a few steps to get things sorted. However, one of the best parts about this hard drive is the fact that it brings a very affordable price tag that allows you to just forget about most of the things in the first place. I was looking very close to find something wrong with this drive, but after spending countless hours, my conclusion remains the same. The Seagate Game Drive For PS4 is a great offering.
#2 – WD Black P10 Game Drive
Another name in the list of impressive options that are available to anyone who wants good storage happens to be Western Digital, as they are known for making great hard drives and other storage options for anyone who wants to spend the money. I have been using a Western Digital Black for as long as I can remember and still have their SSDs in my PC. In all honesty, if anyone is looking for a non-nonsense drive for their PS4 and just want to get a good experience transferring their games over to a different source, the Seagate Game Drive For PS4 is one of the best options available that you can look at and it delivers fantastic performance through and through. To the point that you are not going to run into any problems whatsoever with this drive.
3-year warranty. USB 3.0 interface. Available in up to 5TB storage options. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.65″ x 3.46″ x 0.5″
One of the best designs in terms of sturdiness. Easy to carry. Great grip. Looks great.
Lacks the USB Type-C interface.
If you want quality and reliability, WD Black P10 Game Drive is the one that you should be looking at, and you are going to be pleased with the performance that you are going to get. In all honesty, I was surprised when I first laid my eyes on this drive as it is very different in terms of the way it looks as opposed to some of the other Western Digital products, but I am also glad. So what’s good here? Well, a lot of things, to be honest. For starters, this drive comes in one of the most compact and sturdy designs that I have seen so far. This does not look like something Western Digital would make, but hey, they make it, and it is great in almost every single way. The drive has solid performance, and the overall grip on it is good, so you will not be dropping it by mistake and worrying about damaging it. Not to mention, the gamer-Esque aesthetic is something that is going to attract many buyers, and I am glad Western Digital went this way. My only concern or complaint here is that the drive is still using a USB 3.0 interface instead of a more modern USB Type-C, but if you are okay with that, then this is a great offering for anyone who wants a good storage device.
#3 – WD Portable External Gaming Hard Drive
The next drive that we have is again from Western Digital, and this around, it is not as fancy as their P10 but at the same time, manages to deliver quite the performance and the best part is that it is available in several storage options, so you do not have to worry about that aspect. The WD_Black P10 Game Drive is full of surprises in many ways than one as it certainly is one of the best looking and best performing external drives available and if performance is really what you want, going for this is a great way to get started, and you will not be running into any problems, either. Just pick the storage that you want, and you are all sorted.
Available in storage spaces of up to 4TB. USB 3.0 support. Available for both PS4 and Xbox One. 3-year warranty. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.33″ x 3.21″ x 0.5″
Great overall quality and reliability. The performance is good. You are getting a lot of storage space. The speed difference is there, and it is noticeable. The drive is lightweight and compact.
None.
The WD Portable Hard Drive is the drive that we are looking at today, and for a lot of reasons, this could very well be the perfect drive for anyone who is looking to get a good experience. For instance, you are getting top of the line quality and reliability out of this drive. Not to forget that the performance levels on this drive are also respectable, and you are going to get the experience that you want. Additionally, the drive is available in several storage options, so you are also covered on that front. Not to forget, the speed difference is also noticeable, which means that you are not spending more money on anything as this drive is going to deliver good performance for you. What else is there? Well, you are getting a lightweight drive that is also compact and easy to carry. Honestly, I have been using this drive for some time, and I find it hard to look at any downsides here since there is just none.
#4 – Seagate Portable HDD (STGX2000400)
Seagate is back with us for another run, and this time, we are looking at something more affordable that is less catering to gamers and more suited for essentially everyone. Whether you are someone who goes to the office and wants an external drive, or you are just someone who prefers having some backup, this is a good offering. It is true that at first glance, the WD Portable External Gaming Hard Drive looks like a drive that is not going to manage and deliver on all the fronts, but after using it for some time, I can tell you that if it is a performance you truly want. You should be getting this drive. It works well with almost every single platform and does not cost a lot, either. Plus, it is available in several storage options, so you have a lot to pick and choose from.
Available in up to 5TB variants. Designed to work on all platforms. USB 3.0 connectivity. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.6″ x 3.1″ x 0.5″ 1-year warranty.
The drive is capable of copying files quickly. Offers a lot of storage for a small price. Compact and easy to carry. Works on both computers and consoles without any additional tweaking.
The drive does not have any backup software. You don’t get any security features either.
The Seagate Portable HDD is a great drive for anyone who wants to save some money, and in all honesty, it does give a great experience too. For starters, when you are talking about copying files with ease and quick, this is a great drive that does so without a hitch. The performance on this is great, and you are getting tons of storage for the money you are paying. It is also compact enough that it can fit in your pocket, and the no-nonsense approach is something that allows you to use it with ease on both your consoles and your PC. With such a barebones device, there are ought to be some downsides. For starters, the drive does not bring any backup software, and you are not even getting any security-oriented features. So, at the end of the day, you are getting a great drive that is also pretty basic, to say the least. But then again, can you get more for the money?
#5 – Toshiba (HDTB410XK3AA) Canvio
Toshiba is a name that many have heard about but rarely talk about for one reason or another. Unlike the other brands, they are not very active when it comes to making products but are still lauded as one of the finest in the market. So, their products should not be overlooked at all. Overall, if you are searching for a good hard drive that does not cost a lot of money, is easy to set up, and provides enough means for you to back things up with ease, this Seagate drive is a great offering that you should not be overlooked as it provides excellent experience through and through and you will never really run into any issues. The performance is excellent in all cases, and you are getting access to a lot of great things here for a fraction of the price, which makes this drive a perfect option for the masses.
Available in up to 4TB of capacity. USB 3.0 interface. Fully compatible with both PC and consoles. 1-year warranty. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.3″ x 3.1″ x 0.5″
The speed is excellent. No errors during reading or writing. Good packaging. All the variants are inexpensive.
You are getting a short warranty. No backup software or security features are included.
This is where the Toshiba Canvio, a great offering for anyone who is looking to buy something that is not only affordable but offers great storage flexibility as well. I’ll be honest, in the start, I was a bit confused as to how I should be reviewing this drive, but after getting the hang of it, I can tell you that this is worth your money. There are a lot of good things, starting with a drive that delivers excellent speed results and a disk that is error-free for a lot of time. You are also getting a pretty solid and sturdy packaging, and the drive is available in capacities of up to 4TB, all of them being very good as far as the pricing is concerned. Sadly, the drive, while it is good, comes with only 1-year of warranty and does not have any password protection or backup utility that you can use. In terms of the feature set, it is pretty barebones, so if you are okay with that, you can buy this drive.
#6 – WD My Passport External Hard Drive For PS4
We are finally on the last product on our list, and again, we have something from Western Digital gracing our review table. It is safe to say that the company has produced some of the finest offerings to date, and this never really changes because of how consistent they have become ever since they started. I honestly didn’t expect the Toshiba Canvio to perform the way it performs, and to be honest, and I am glad I gave it a try. While the drive might not be the most popular in the market and might have a shorter warranty as compared to the competition, it still is one of the best drives available and delivers fantastic performance overall, as well. Granted, it might not even have any backup or security features, but the price is more than enough to keep most of the users well satisfied with what they are getting. The plug-and-play nature of the device is one to write home about.
Offers a slim design. Backs up automatically. Available in up to 5TB capacities. Available in different colorways. Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.3″ x 3.2″ x 0.5″ 3-year warranty.
You get a lot of storage space. Great price to performance ratio. Excellent cost-per-gigabyte. The transfer speeds are great.
None.
The WD My Passport is a great drive that offers top of the line performance for an affordable price, to boot. If you are looking for something that has no compromises, this is a great drive to go with. One of the best things about this drive is that it is available in several storage options that go as high as 5TB, so you are never really going to get something that is not enough. The transfer speeds are also great, and considering how we are looking at a hard drive, the cost-per-gigabyte is also excellent. After spending some time with this HDD, I can tell you with great confidence that Western Digital has done a great job making this hard drive to a point that I was hard-pressed to find any major downsides or glaring issues here.
Choosing The Best External Hard Drive For PS4
Since we are done looking at the best external hard drives that are available, the next step is to start looking at how to choose them. I know it might sound like something easy, but for anyone new to this whole process, it is better that you are fully aware and ready. As someone who has been using Western Digital products for some time, I know for a fact that the products stand for great quality. These drives go through a lot of testing to be certified and be launched in the market, and this one is no exception, either. The WD My Passport is one of my favorite external hard drives for a PS4 that stands for a lot of great performance, reliability, and features, at the same time. Not to forget, you are getting access to a good warranty, enough backup options, and great security. Also, the drive is available in up to 5TB of storage and different colorways for those who want something different. Anyone would be wrong not to recommend this drive as it certainly is one of the best out there, especially when you consider how cheap it is. Related Suggestions:
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Hard Drive RPM Rates
Honestly, you are going to need a hard drive that has faster RPM, simply because when you are going with something that is not as fast, you are only going to run into more and more performance issues. Which is exactly what we are here to avoid. If you are paying good money for a hard drive that you will be using for the foreseeable future, you need to get something that is fast. Otherwise, you are just wasting money away. The most common RPM is going to range between 5,400 to 7,200 RPM.
Storage You Need
Another thing that you should be considering whenever you are buying a hard drive, or any other storage device that you are interested in looking at is the storage that you need. I understand that it might not be something that is going to be for everyone, but the good news is that it will easily allow you to make sense of what you are about to get. Now, you have to understand that the storage you need will depend on several factors, but be sure that you are making a wiser decision.
Reliable Brand
Before you go ahead, make a decision, and spend money on something, you will have to be completely certain that whatever you are buying is from a reliable brand. I have seen so many instances in which someone ended up buying something and only realized that whatever they were getting was not reliable enough. The right thing that can be done here is looking at several options and read reviews, as well. That way, you will at least know that you are making the right decision. Storage is not something that you should be saving money on because reliability is always a thing.
Extremely Portable
One more thing that you should be looking at whenever you are buying an external hard drive is the portability. You don’t want to get a hard drive that is massive in size and is almost impossible to carry around because it is not going to be worth it. Therefore, the right thing would be to buy something portable and easily carried with you. Something you can even put in your backpack, or even better, something that you can put inside your pocket. After all, portability is what we are always going for.
Warranty Is Good Enough
The next thing that you should be looking for whenever you are in the market looking for a good hard drive or any other storage device, for that matter, is the warranty. More often than not, we end up buying something with an average warranty, and while it looks like something that is not going to make a difference, it is better that you do. After all, it is all about being certain that you have bought the right storage device, and you are not messing things up.
Compatibility With Your PS4
Considering how you are going to be using the drive with your PS4, compatibility is one of the most important things that you will have to take care of. Granted that the whole compatibility is going to be a very random thing, but it is always wise to buy something that does not require any additional software or accessories to run on your PS4. More important, make sure that the compatibility is universal, so you have a much easier time should you choose to use the drive elsewhere.
Lastly, The Port connection
You want to get something that has the right ports because otherwise, you might not be able to connect them in the first place. Thankfully, all the drives that I have mentioned use a standard USB connection, so you are not buying something that is not going to be universally compatible. I understand this fear, though, since most of the time, people end up creating more issues for themselves, and it is better just to be careful when spending money on something like this.
Is It worth spending Extra On An External HDD For PS4?
I have had the PS4 for as long as I can remember. I bought the console when it was officially released and later upgraded when the Pro variant came out, and the one thing that has always been consistent is the external hard drive. Despite owning a 1TB variant, I decided to go with an external SSD because I know that I hoard games. It is also true that I play just one game at a time, but that is not an excuse to skip out on the storage. Needless to say, if you are still wondering whether you should be spending extra on an external HDD for PS4, the answer is simple and straightforward, yes. You should be. It is a great way of keeping backups. Not just that, if you wish to share the game files with your friends or use their game files once you have the same game as they do, it is a great way of doing so since it will save the hassle of actually going ahead and downloading all over again.
#2 – Can I use any external hard drive for ps4?
Yes, PS4 does support the external hard drive, so you can just go ahead and plug it in. I can assure you that it will work just fine.
#3 – What hard drives are compatible with PS4?
All the 2.5” hard drives are compatible with PS4 externally and internally. Therefore, you do not have to worry about anything that might go wrong. Just be sure that they are formatted to the right file format, and you are all sorted.
#4 – What is the best external hard drive brand?
Finding a good external hard drive brand is not going to be a difficult thing. There are so many options that you can buy in the market. Seagate and Western Digital are two of the finest brands that are in the market as far as hard drives are concerned.
#5 – What happens if you unplug an external hard drive ps4?
Unplugging an external hard drive is one of the worst things you can do because it stops the discs inside from moving and sometimes can result in critical failure.
#6 – What is better internal or external hard drive for ps4?
An external hard drive is not going to have other things stored on it when you connect it to your PS4, like the system files. Therefore, having an internal hard drive is always an important thing.
#7 – Should I unplug my external hard drive when not in use?
Honestly, I see this being discussed all the time, and there is nothing wrong with letting the drive remained plugged in. However, the safer thing to do would be to unplug the hard drive to avoid unexpected issues.
#8 – How many ps4 games can 1TB hold?
If the average size of the game is around 40GB, then a 1TB drive will be able to hold 25 games before you need to start deleting files to make space.
Final Verdict:
We understand that the whole process of choosing the right external drive for your PS4 is not going to be a difficult one if you are being careful about it. But the reason why most people get stuck in that the sheer saturation that ends up confusing you, and that is what you must understand and avoid at all costs. Thankfully, you can easily buy the one that you want and not have any problems in the process, either. But overall, you will have a much better experience if you are being careful about it, and you will not have any issues that might come in the way, either. Just go through the reviews that we have listed here and see which drive is best for you. You can decide the drive you want once you are done finding out the one that is right for you.
