Best SSDs for GTA 6 on PS5 and Xbox (2026)
The best PS5 SSDs and Xbox storage for GTA 6, plus how much space you really need before preload starts on November 12.
Last updated: November 3, 2026
For most PS5 owners, the best SSD for GTA 6 is the WD_Black SN850X with heatsink, and 1TB is plenty if you just need room for the game. The PS5 download is reported at about 210GB and preloading starts November 12, so now is the time to sort out storage. On Xbox Series X|S, an official expansion card is the only way to add space you can actually play from.
One warning before you shop: SSD prices have jumped this year. The prices below are approximate, taken from Amazon listings on November 3 unless noted, and they change often.
Quick picks
- Best overall (PS5): WD_Black SN850X with Heatsink (around $270 for 1TB, $440 for 2TB)
- Best value (PS5): Lexar NM790 with Heatsink (around $205 for 1TB, $335 for 2TB)
- Best premium (PS5): Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink (around $305 for 1TB, $530 for 2TB)
- Best licensed for PS5: WD_Black SN850P (around $260 for 1TB, $455 for 2TB)
- Best for Xbox: Seagate Storage Expansion Card (around $175 for 512GB)
- Best cheap overflow storage: WD_Black P10 Game Drive (around $130 to $175 for 2TB)
The best SSDs for GTA 6
1. WD_Black SN850X with Heatsink: Best overall (PS5)
Tom's Hardware names the SN850X its best PS5 SSD, citing top-tier performance, a large and consistent SLC cache, and a strong warranty. Reads run up to 7,300 MB/s, well past the 5,500 MB/s Sony recommends. It comes with a five-year warranty, and the heatsink version means there's nothing extra to buy or fit.
Platforms: PS5, PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro, plus PC. Price: around $270 for 1TB and $440 for 2TB.
The downside: Tom's Hardware notes its pricing fluctuates, and right now it's far from a bargain. Make sure you pick the heatsink model.
2. Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Best value (PS5)
TechRadar's best budget PS5 SSD comes with a PS5-compatible heatsink already attached and hit 6,526 MB/s in the PS5's own benchmark. It's the cheapest drive here at both 1TB and 2TB, which matters more than usual this year. A 4TB version is available too.
Platforms: PS5 family and PC. Price: around $205 for 1TB and $335 for 2TB.
The downside: it has no DRAM, and TechRadar warns that can cause the occasional stutter in intense games.
3. Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink: Best premium (PS5)
GamesRadar's top pick and TechRadar's best high-end option, the 990 Pro was the fastest drive in both outlets' testing, at about 7,460 MB/s reads. It's a safe choice if you want the best drive available and plan to move it to a PC someday. Capacities go up to 4TB.
Platforms: PS5 family and PC. Price: around $305 for 1TB and $530 for 2TB.
The downside: you're paying for speed you won't fully use. GamesRadar points out the PS5 can't take advantage of its top speeds, and TechRadar says it runs hot under heavy load.
4. WD_Black SN850P: Best licensed for PS5
If you'd rather not think about heatsink dimensions at all, this one is officially licensed for PS5 and ships with a heatsink. TechRadar picks it as the best high-capacity option, with versions up to 8TB and read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s.
Platforms: PS5 family. Price: around $260 for 1TB and $455 for 2TB.
The downside: TechRadar calls it poor value at 1TB and 2TB, with average speeds. You're mostly paying for the license and the big capacity options.
5. Seagate Storage Expansion Card: Best for Xbox
TechRadar's top Xbox storage pick plugs into the expansion slot on the back of the console, with no screwdriver needed, and can run Series X|S games directly. Regular USB drives can't do that. The Sandisk Optimus GX C50 (the card formerly sold as the WD_Black C50) is the main alternative, and Windows Central saw no load-time difference from Seagate's card or internal storage in its review of the WD model.
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S. Price: around $175 for 512GB on Amazon. Larger Seagate cards are harder to find; TechRadar's September deals list showed around $350. The 2TB Sandisk C50 is around $480.
The downside: it's expensive for the capacity, and no official Xbox size for GTA 6 has been published, so plan on something similar to PS5.
6. WD_Black P10 Game Drive: Best cheap overflow storage
This is the money-saving move. You can't play GTA 6 from a USB drive, but you can park your other games on one to free up internal space, then copy them back when you want them. Android Central's guide to PS5 external drives recommends the P10 for game storage, with speeds up to 140 MB/s and a three-year warranty. At these SSD prices, it costs a fraction of an upgrade.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox and PC. Price: around $130 to $175 for 2TB, depending on the version.
The downside: it's a mechanical drive, so moving big games takes a while. Start well before preload night.
What matters when buying
- Do you need one at all? Check your free space first. A launch PS5 has about 670GB usable, according to Tom's Hardware, and a PS5 Pro has 2TB. If you can clear about 250GB, you may not need to spend anything.
- Capacity: 1TB is enough for most people. 2TB makes sense if you keep several big games installed, but the jump in price is steep right now.
- PS5 specs: Sony requires a PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe M.2 drive between 250GB and 8TB, and recommends read speeds of 5,500 MB/s or faster. M.2 SATA drives aren't supported.
- Heatsink: this is required on PS5. The total thickness has to stay within 11.25mm, and you shouldn't add a second heatsink to a drive that already has one.
- Timing: Notebookcheck reports TrendForce expects NAND contract prices to rise another 15 to 20 percent this quarter, with relief possibly not coming until mid-to-late 2027. Black Friday also lands after GTA 6's launch, so waiting has a real cost.
- Installation: on PS5 you need a #1 Phillips screwdriver. Tom's Hardware has a good walkthrough, and following the instructions shouldn't affect your warranty, according to Sony.
FAQ
How big is GTA 6 on PS5?
About 210GB, as reported by the PlayStation Game Size account and picked up by Push Square. Rockstar hasn't confirmed it, and the size could change. Leave extra room for a day-one patch.
Can I play GTA 6 from an external USB drive?
No. Sony says PS5 games can't be played directly from USB extended storage, and Xbox says USB drives can't play games optimized for Series X|S. External drives can only store those games until you copy them back.
Do I need an SSD for GTA 6?
Only if you can't free up enough space. The game needs to live on your console's internal storage, a PS5 M.2 drive, or an Xbox expansion card, but any of those work if there's room.
Does a PS5 SSD need a heatsink?
Yes. Sony requires a cooling structure, such as a heatsink. All the PS5 drives in this guide come with one in the versions we linked, but check the listing before you buy.
When can I start downloading GTA 6?
Preloading begins at local midnight on November 12, a week before the November 19 launch. See our GTA 6 release time and preload guide for the details.
Setting up for launch night? Pair your new storage with our picks for the best controllers for GTA 6 and the best TVs for GTA 6 and PS5. Want to compare notes on the install, or find people to play with after work? Come hang out in the 2nd Shift Discord.
Sources: Tom's Hardware, Tom's Hardware install guide, TechRadar (PS5 SSDs), TechRadar (Xbox storage), GamesRadar, Windows Central, Android Central, Push Square, Notebookcheck, PlayStation Support (M.2 SSD), PlayStation Support (USB storage), Xbox Wire.
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