The Playstation 4 was a steady success worldwide among gamers. It has evolved to be one of the most widely used gaming systems today, providing specifications in direct competition with PCs. It has a storage capacity of about 1 TB, along with its impressive graphics.
With the ever-increasing size of games, however, even that room appears to run out quickly. So you have to ask how a massive collection of games some people have then, aren’t you? Okay, what if I told you the answer to that question is in a small rectangular box that can fit in your hand’s palm? Yeah, I talk of External Hard Drives.
Not only do you allow loads of games to be stored on them, but they’re also very portable, and you can hold them in your pocket. There are several companies out there that provide all kinds of features and specifications for external hard drives for PS4s.
If you want and interested in purchasing one of the best USB storage device for PS4 to improve your gaming setup, then we’re here to help you out, and you’re in the right place. If you’re a keen downloader and, most importantly, a games and software maintainer, then you may find that the built-in capacity of your console gets full easily, and no one wants to scrabble around trying to free up space when you can.
Most people prefer, upon completion, to get rid of games from the stock, but some prefer to have everything to hand-which is reasonable enough. And if you need some extra storage, how do you decide what hard Drive you want to use? Okay, all that depends on what you need and how large your budget is.
The best way to narrow down your range is to determine how much room you need. The higher, the better usually applies, and your goal should be to get the maximum space for the lowest price, but if you can figure it out approximately, then you’ll start to see your possible choices narrowed. We have to consider various important factors while making a final decision, such as portability, reliability, connectivity, and design.
Another thing to remember for the best external hard disk PS4 is… Okay, do they have to be external at all? Because the PS4 is designed to be quite friendly after closer internal exploration and review, it is very likely that you can simply remove the current hard-drive of your console and replace it with an internal choice alternative.
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We compiled a list of the of some best USB storage device for ps4 all to make it easier for you to choose from:
Choose the Best USB Storage Device For PS4
| USB storage Device for PS4 | Digital Storage Capacity | Hardware Interface | Item Dimension | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB | 1 TB | SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 in |  |
| WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive | 4 TB | USB 3.0 | 4.4 x 3.2 x 0.82 in | |
| Samsung 500GB 860 EVO | 500 GB | SATA 6.0 Gb/s | 2.76 x 0.28 x 3.94 in | |
| HGST Touro S 1TB 7200RPM | 1 TB | USB 3.0 | 0.47 x 4.53 x 3.15 in | |
| WD 4TB Gaming Drive - Best For PS4 | 4 TB | USB 3.0 | 4.33 x 0.83 x 4.33 in | |
1. Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB – Best Recommended Samsung SSD
Product Description
The Samsung 860 EVO is designed mainly to boost the efficiency of mainstream PCs and laptops. This fast and reliable SSD comes with the latest V-NAND Technology in a wide range of compatible form factors and capacities.
Specifications
- Innovative V-Nand Technology: it is powered by Samsung V-Nand best Technology, the 860 Evo provides optimized everyday computing performance as well as large-scale 4 K videos and 3D data used by the latest applications.
- Enhanced Read Write Speeds: it contains Sequential Read and Writes Performance Levels of Up to 550MB/S and 520MB/S, respectively
- Safe encryption: Secure data by choosing security options, including Tcg Opal and Ieee 1667 compliant Aes 256-bit hardware-based encryption
- Warranty and Compatibility: 5-year limited warranty; Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32 bit and 64 bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX and Linux
- Included Contents: 2.5 Inches (7 Millimeter) SATA 3 (6 GB/S) SSD & User Manual (All Other Cables, Screws, Brackets Not Included); Reliability (MTBF): 1.5 Million Hours Reliability (MTBF)
Enhanced Performance
Speeds are constant, allowing for file transfer faster, even under heavy workloads and multitasking. With Intelligent TurboWrite technology, the 860 EVO operates at sequential reading speeds up to 550 MB/sec, and sequential writing speeds up to 520 MB/sec. The capacity of the TurboWrite buffer is increased to 78 GB from 12 GB.
Boosted Endurance
TBW up to 8x higher than EVO 850s. Feel free to store and render large size 4K videos and 3D data that are used by the new applications.
Smart Compatibility
Benefit from more fluid, faster communication with your host system. The refined ECC algorithm and a new MJX controller generate higher velocities, and the improved queued trim increases compatibility with Linux.
Multiple Form Factors
Whatever the size your machine wants, you will get an 860 EVO. For desktop PCs and laptops, choose from the 2.5-inch size and the SATA-based M.2 (2280) or mSATA for ultra-slim computing devices.
Management Software
Samsung Magician software is designed to provide a simple and intuitive user interface to help you manage your SSD.
- Firmware updates: Get alerts when new firmware is released and install updates for improved performance, reliability, and usability easily.
- Benchmark performance: Test sequential and random read / write speeds of your SSD so that you can maintain superb performance.
- Data security: The 860 EVO supports AES 256-bit hardware encryption and complies with the TCG Opal and IEEE 1667 standards.
Pros
- Very affordable on a cost-per-gigabyte basis.
- Comes in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities.
- Supports hardware encryption.
- Excellent reliability ratings.
Cons
- Relatively short warranty.
- SATA only; no PCI Express version.
2. WD 4TB Elements Portable External HDD – Best HDD For Saving Big Games
Specifications
- It consists of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Compatibility
- Quick data transfers
- Improve PC Performance
- High Capacity
- Two-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
Simple, Fast and Portable
WD elements portable USB 3.0 hard drives deliver secure, high-capacity storage to go, fast data transfer speeds, universal networking, and vast value-conscious device capabilities.
Fast transfer rates
The WD Elements portable hard drive delivers quick data transfer rates when connected to a USB 3.0 port.
Improve PC performance
The PC slows down when the internal hard Drive is near full. Don’t delete those files. Free up space on your internal hard Drive-by transferring files to your portable hard drive WD Elements and getting your laptop running again.
Massive Capacity In A Small Enclosure
The compact, lightweight design has a capacity of up to 5 TB, making WD Elements portable hard drives the perfect accompaniment for consumers on the go.
WD Quality Inside And Out
The compact, lightweight design has a capacity of up to 5 TB, making WD Elements portable hard drives the perfect accompaniment for consumers on the go.
Pros
- Small compact size, storage size, and ease of convenience for storing when not in use
Cons
- Housing is fragile
3. Samsung 500GB 860 EVO Series SSD
Product description
The Samsung SSD 860 EVO is the latest of Samsung’s Client-PC SATA SSD, explicitly designed for mainstream desktops and laptops. In addition to the latest V-NAND architecture, the 860 EVO comes equipped with the newly designed Samsung MJX power. It has read speeds of up to 500 MB/s and write speeds of up to 520 MB/s for optimum performance.
The Samsung 860 EVO, the newest version of the world’s best-selling SATA SSD series, is specifically designed to boost the performance of mainstream PCs and laptops. This fast and reliable SSD comes in a wide array of compatible form factors and capacities with the latest V-NAND Technology.
Specification
- 500GB Solid State Drive
- Serial ATA III interface
- Read speed up to 500 MB/s
- Write rate up to 520 MB/s
- Backed by a five years manufacturers warranty
Pros
- Very Affordable
Cons
- SATA only
4. HGST Touro S 1TB 7200RPM Portable Drive
Product Description
USB 3.0-7200 rpm-Portable-Gray. Stylish, an ultra-portable aluminum enclosure in choice of Ruby, Gold, Platinum or Silver choice of 500 GB or 1 TB capacities faster with integrated USB 3.0 interface and 7200RPM hard Drive, up to 23% faster than 5400RPM drives levels of protection, with preloaded local backup software and 3 GB FREE cloud backup enables to be backed up with 5400RPM drives.
As a Western Digital sub-company, one expects a similar level of quality from the HGST Touro S, and let me tell you it isn’t disappointing. Its architecture is both simple and stylish. Its most appealing aspect, which also happens to be its USP, is considerably higher its high disk spinning speed than that of regular hard drives. This provides a maximum of 7200 RPM among products at 540.
Specifications
- Stylish, ultra-portable aluminum enclosure for your Ruby, Gold, Platinum or Silver option
- You choose between 500 GB or 1 TB power
- Transfer faster with USB 3.0 interface and 7200RPM hard Drive, faster than 5400RPM drives by up to 23 percent
- Two levels of security, with local backup software preloaded and 3 GB of FREE cloud backup
- Cloud storage helps you to access your content anytime, anywhere
- Upgrade to a paid account for only $69.99/yr and receive 250 GB of cloud storage
- iPhone and iPad mobile digital device apps available to access your cloud account.
Pros
- High-performance 7200RPM, USB 3.X drive
- Well-engineered
- Nice case
- Durable (Writing this review four years after I bought it)
Cons
- None to consider
5. WD 4TB Gaming Drive – Best External HDD For PS4
Product Description
Offering capacities up to 4 TB, the WD Gaming Drive provides sufficient space for all your favorite PS4 games, DLC, and updates. An easy setup helps you to plug in the Drive and start playing in a few moments, while a compact design and blue highlights help you to match your PlayStation 4 seamlessly.
Specifications
- Expand your PS4 gaming experience
- Play anywhere
- Fast and easy setup
- Sleek design with high capacity
- 3-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
Pros
- Large capacity ensures you’ll never have to delete games or change storage devices.
- Value pricing
Cons
- “Safe” design lacks personality
About External HDD/ USB Storage Device For PS4
The external Drive is essentially a hard disk (HDD) or solid-state disk (SSD) attached to the PS4 on the outside rather than the inside.
Many external drives draw power from their data cable, which naturally comes from the PS4 itself, while others may need an AC wall link to extract power by themselves.
Internal hard drives can also be transformed through what’s called a hard drive enclosure into external hard drives.
External hard drives come in different storage capabilities but all connect to the PS4 via USB.
Benefits of Using External HDD on PS4
External hard disks have a variety of conveniences. They are quick to install — just plug them in with your USB cable, Format it as expanded storage, and you’re ready to save games/apps directly to your new hard Drive. The USB flash drive functions almost identically.
External hard drives often make it easier to transfer files from one PS4 console to the next. Need to have all of your Playstation4 movie files on? Want to enjoy your favorite games without downloading and installing the game on your friend’s console? The external hard Drive allows this to be achieved with ease.
They’re a perfect back up to the inner push, at last. If your PS4 ever gets wrecked/broken, you can have all your files saved on a second computer. When you back up your files to a separate computer, you can comfortably rest in the knowledge you have two copies of everything. Never forget to keep your files back up!
Frequently Asked Questions about PS4 Storage Device
Do I even need external storage for my PS4?
As mentioned above, the size of the games is increasing steadily, which requires storage to follow a similar pattern. If you’re the sort of gamer that doesn’t like to uninstall old games to make room for new ones, you can simply increase that by using one of these tools.
What are SSDs and HDDs?
Essentially, it’s all about constructing those two. Although SDDs contain all stationary parts which do not move at all, HDDs are driven by a spinning disk inside it. Typically, SDDs have higher transmission speeds than HDDs and use less capacity. In comparison, HDDs cost less and can store large amounts of data and last longer than an SSD. We say a lot less, too.
How do I check compatibility with my PS4?
It is important to test if it will fit with your PS4 before buying an external storage device as a failure in doing so will result in a great waste of time and energy. All you need to know about that is that every Drive that supports USB 3.0 is compatible with a PS4.
What size is best for usage with my PS4?
Okay, that depends entirely on your propensity to access the games. Anything less than 1 TB would feel too little, however. Keep in mind that up to 8 TB of external storage will be available in your PS4. Around 2 TB should be enough, however, unless you intend to download the entire Steam library.
How to Use USB Storage Device on PS4
You want to use either the PS4 USB storage unit as a backup medium or as an expanded storage device. Each aim has its own setup process, and we will cover them both here.
Using PS4 USB Storage Device for Backup
You want to use either the PS4 USB storage unit as a backup medium or as an expanded storage device. Each aim has its own setup process, and we will cover them both here.
You have to format the exFAT file system before you can use a USB storage device as backup storage for your PS4. Technically, the PS4 also supports USB storage devices that are formatted as FAT32, so if you want to store files greater than 4 GB, you’ll want to make sure you use exFAT.
Until exFAT is first installed, you will not be able to use a USB storage device that has been installed to NTFS. Although the USB storage system can be formatted with your phone, the PS4 is easier to use. Note that formatting the USB storage system will delete any data you have already saved on your Drive, so make sure that anything important is backed up.
To format your PS4 USB storage device to the exFAT file system using your PS4 system, follow these steps:
- Insert the external hard Drive into one of the USB 3.0 ports available on the PS4
- Navigate to your PS4’s [Settings] menu
- Select [Devices] then pick [USB Storage Devices]
- Select from the list the USB storage unit, and click ‘X’ or right-click and select format from drop-down menu
- Select [Format asexFat] on the next tab, and then select [Next]
- Select [Format] then [Yes] and finally [Okay]
Using PS4 USB Storage Device for the purpose of Extended Storage
If there isn’t enough space in your PS4-TM machine storage to load a game, you can easily use a USB storage device to add more room to the game (Check out top list of USB Storage Device). You can download games and add-ons directly to your USB storage device from PlayStation Store, or switch games from your PS4-TM to your USB storage device. Holding game content on an external drive allows you to take along your games.
PS4 USB Storage Device Isn’t Working? (Click here to see: Our comprehensive guide to solve this issue)
There are various reasons why the PS4 USB storage device has stopped working after some time, or not at all since the start. The file conflicts usually occur within the PS4 system software is responsible for a large part of this problem. On the other side, the USB storage unit itself sometimes becomes faulty and needs either servicing or disposal.