Best External Hard drive for PS4 | Buying Guide | Comparison Chart

17.02.2020

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Ps4 is a most loved gaming platform this decade, with a lot of popular games compelling you to upgrade your accessories and get into the world of gaming. Gamers need greater storage space for gaming as compared to everyday computing. Even a small AAA game can take up to 50 GB of space, and what if you also need to store your multimedia files and other sorts of documents. So, here you need a hard drive with upgraded specifications exclusively designed to enhance your gaming experience.

In order to make the challenge of buying a reasonable external hard drive easier, I have brought a detailed review of some of the highly-rated external hard drives followed by a comprehensive buying guide and a concise but concrete comparison table for the quick view hope it will help you to expand the storage space of your console with the best available product in the market.

Comparison Chart

1. WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0

WD My Passport portable hard drive is all you need to store your valuable content safely. It is a portable and compact device that is smaller enough to fit your palm, so it is easy to take it anywhere. The device has a sleek and slim design that comes in stunning colors. This hard drive is easy to use and set up. All you need to do is to connect your console through a USB cable, Install WD recovery from the drive and activate WD backup and WD security. By activating WD backup, you will be able to backup all your important data automatically while WD security software protects your data if your device gets lost.

The device also offers WD DiscoveryTM software that enables you to download famous social media and offers cloud storage services. You can import all your data to the device through Facebook, Dropbox, and google drive easily. Thanks to the 4TB storage capacity that allows you to store a huge amount of multimedia files, games, and documents. The device is sturdy and reliable. It also ensures shock tolerance and comes with a three years manufacturer's warranty. It is compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 and supports almost all popular operating systems.

The hard drive is quite reasonable when I look at the price. It comes with a lot of value-added features that differentiate the game drive from the ordinary hard drives.

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2. Seagate Game Drive 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – Compatible with PS4

Seagate game drive is another exception for your PS4 that allows storing a number of games without deleting the old ones. The device offers 2TB storage, where you can store approximately 50+ games. Seagate game drive is easy to use and set up. You can connect the hard drive to the console through the USB port and need to sign up for the Playstation network account in order to play games.

The hard drive is compact and portable. You can carry it anywhere at your convenience. Moreover, it has a sleek and tough built. It comes in a black body with a blue enclosure made up of Aluminum that is sturdy and durable. It needs no other power adapter to be powered. The Seagate game drive is compatible with all generations of Playstation 4 and compatible with all operating systems. It offers smooth gaming, without any lags supporting USB 3.0 connectivity.

Seagate game drive is a very affordable option as far as the price is concerned with the remarkable features.

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3. HGST Touro S 1TB 7200RPM High-Performance Portable Drive, Platinum

If you want to add something stylish in your gaming accessories, than HGST Touro is the hard drive you are looking for. The stylish and super-portable design is none other than the exception, which is available in 4 stunning colors, including Ruby, Gold, Silver, and Platinium. If you are not a freaky gamer conscious about the number of games stored in your device, then HGST Touro featuring 1 TB storage capacity will work well for you.

HGST Touro is a 7200 RPM hard drive that is 23% faster than the ordinary hard drives. It supports USB 3.0 and provides extra protection featuring local backup software and also free 3GB cloud backup through which you can access your valuable data anytime. You can also pay a reasonable amount to upgrade the cloud storage up to 250 GB. Moreover, you can also access your cloud storage through the iPhone and Ipad. It is a perfectly designed hard drive for gamers, but when we look at the price, it seems a bit most costly than other hard drives of the same storage capacity.

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4. Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0

If you are looking for a superior storage capacity to store a number of hi-end games, then Seagate external drive is perfect for console featuring 6 TB external storage space that allows you to thousands of multimedia files and games you would like to keep in your collection. However, the hard drive is primarily designed for desktop PCs and my not provide you the compactness and portability like the devices specifically designed for consoles, but still, the enormous storage capacity gives it an edge over other hard drives.

Seagate expansion desktop hard drive enables the quick transfer of data and automatically backup the content easily through a drag and drop mechanism. The hard drive is easy to use and set up, and you just need to connect the device to the PC through the cable. Your PC or console will automatically recognize the hard drive without any specific software being installed.

The product comes with an 18 inch USB 3.0 cable and 18-watt power adapter. The manufacturer gives a 1-year warranty ensuring its durability and performance. The hard drive is worth the price because of the enormous storage space it provides, so it won't let you down at a competitive price.

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5. WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive - USB 3.0

The WD 8 TB hard drive features enormous space in a small size that is portable and compact. It enables fast data transfer supporting a USB 3.0 and 2.0 port. WD elements desktop hard drive is easy to use and set up. You just need to plug the device, and there you go. Enjoy massive space to keep your valuable content safe and take it anywhere at your convenience.

This hard drive has a sleek design that is easy to carry with exemplary performance and quality. It works with all operating soft wares and features automatic data backup. The device has an ideal storage space suitable for gamers who keep large and heavy games on their PCs. Moreover, this exceptional storage capacity is available at a very reasonable price when we look at other similar devices having greater prices.

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6. Avolusion HDDGear 4TB (4000GB) 7200RPM 64MB Cache USB 3.0 External PS4 Gaming Hard Drive (PS4 Pre-Formatted) - PS4, PS4 Slim, PS4 Slim Pro

If you have a budget constraint, but still you want to buy an exceptional hard drive for your gaming console, then Avolusion HDD Gear is a hard drive you should definitely consider. The hard drive features a reasonable storage capacity of 4TB that is enough to keep thousands of your multimedia files and a massive number of games.

Avolusion HDD Gear is compatible with PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Slim pro featuring a pre-formatted file system. It adds extra storage capacity to your gaming system in no time and the price that is none other than the exception. It is a bit bigger than what you would expect, but it fits on top of the console perfectly. The device is amazingly easy to use and set-up and does not require any extra software. Just plug in the device and start playing your favorite game without any lag.

It is made up of good quality material, and I will definitely recommend it for someone who wants to extend his storage space in a small budget. It comes in a two-year reseller warranty that is a value-added feature along with a very competitive price compelling the users to buy it once and always.

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7. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB 3.0 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD

If you are conscious about the speed and performance, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt external hard drive is a must-buy. Enhance your gaming experience with the fast and pro external hard drive that offers great durability and excellent performance. It transfers the data with speed up to 130 MB/sec featuring the integrated cable.

The device is very sturdy and durable. It has a water-resistant body that is shock-tolerant. No external power is needed to power on the hard drive. Moreover, It is portable and compact, and you can carry it with yourself at your convenience. Thanks to the 1-month complimentary Adobe cloud-membership that allows you to access your data easily.

As far as the price is concerned, The device seems quite reasonable with all the necessary specifications a gamer needs. The storage capacity is considerable, and the quality of the hard drive compels to rank it somewhere in the list of best external hard drives for gaming consoles.

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8. WD_Black 4TB P10 Game Drive, External Hard Drive Compatible with PS4, Xbox One, PC and Mac

WD TB P10 gamer drive has a competitive edge over other gaming hard drives because of its excellent performance and intelligent specifications exclusively designed for gamers who want to enhance their gaming experience. It will enhance your gaming console’s storage potential in order to enable smooth and lag-free gaming. You can not only store your gaming library but also take it anywhere. It has an ultra-compact portable design that is extremely easy to carry.

Thanks to the reasonable storage space that encourages you to install new games without deleting the older ones. It can hold up to more than 50 games and optimize your gaming experience. It performs brilliantly, whether you play on your PC or console. The hard drive is purpose-built for gamers and features a WD_quality that is incorporated exclusively for the gamers ensuring reliability. It comes with a USB 3.0 cable for fast and easy connectivity.

The device is made up of plastic but also includes a few metal parts. The price seems quite reasonable because it is challenging to buy such an upgraded gaming hard drive at a very affordable price with all the features a gamer needs to improve his gaming experience.

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9. Fantom Drives 2TB External Hard Drive - 7200RPM USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 Aluminum Case - Mac, Windows, PS4 and Xbox

This Fantom gaming drive offers n exceptional speed and exemplary performance at a very nominal price you can easily afford. It is equipped with a 7200 RPM system that is 33% faster than the other ordinary hard drives containing 5200 RPM system. It is a professional-grade hard drive that makes it easier for you to store large multimedia files and heavy games. Moreover, The upgraded version of USB 3.0 allows faster transfer than USB 2.0. It is an ideal device for the professionals that ensures maximum performance.

The Fantom external hard drive features an easy setup that requires you to plug the device and start gaming instantly. It is made up of a hard aluminum body that ensures durability and sturdiness. It has a sleek design that comes with a useful stand to place the device conveniently. The fan-free design ensures silent operations, and you have the option to place it vertically or horizontally.

The device comes with a hard drive stand, USB 3.0 cable, and 12V power supply. It is compatible with PS4 AND Xbox console. The manufacturer gives a 1-year warranty ensuring reliability. The device has a great utility as far as the price is concerned.

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10. Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Armor A60, Shockproof USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox and PS4

Here comes another affordable model for gamers who have a tight budget. Silicon Power 2TB hard drive is extremely affordable, with a reasonable space to store your favorite games forever. The device is exclusively made for gaming consoles like PS4, Xbox and works with PC and Mac as well. It is compatible with all PS4 versions, so do give it a look if you are a gaming freak.

It has a very sturdy body that offers military-grade shock tolerance and water-resistance. Moreover, it comes with an ergonomic cable-carry design that prevents you from the hassle of cables. Moreover, it has an easy plug and plays set up that just takes a few minutes to install the device on your console or PC. The Anti-slip and Anti-scratch portable design prevents the body from any potential damage. The upgraded USB 3.0 enables faster reading and writing and quicker file transferrin, a very low price offering great utility.

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Buying Guide For the best hard drive used for PS4

What should I consider in a Hard drive

While buying a game drive, it is important to consider the following factors in order to get better performance out of your gadget.

1. Price

   While going to shop for a high-end hard drive for your gaming PC, the first and foremost element to consider is the budget you have. The market is flooded with a lot of models with varying features and different prices. So, it is important to assess your needs and budget before going to buy a hard drive for your gaming console. My list of best devices contains a lot of hard drives that are available at ina very nominal price, so I am sure you will find one even if you have a very tight budget. However, a reasonable device ranges between $60 and $150. In this price range, you can buy a hard drive that provides enough space to keep your heavy games and other multimedia files as well, along with offering faster performance and excellent reliability.

2. Portability and Compactness

   The smaller the size is, the greater will be the portability. Most of us choose the hard drives that are smaller in size and are easy to carry. There are a lot of compact models available in the market. Such models offer great portability and possess a slim and sleek design to enable you to take your hard drive anywhere you go with the collection of your gaming library. The models that are made for gaming consoles usually have a small size, while the desktop models are also available abundantly. However, as far as convenience is concerned, the gamers usually prefer the compact ones over the bulky hard drives.

3. Storage Capacity

   The most important factor that can affect your buying decision is the storage capacity of the hard drive. The greater the storage capacity, the more will be its utility. Greater storage space allows you to install the new games without deleting the old ones. The PS4 games are the high-end games that take a lot of space on your hard drive. That is why you need an additional external device to meet the storage need. My list of best ps4 hard drives includes the ones with the enormous storage capacity like 8TB and also the models having the reasonable capacity to store maximum games. However, PS4 works well with at least 2TB storage capacity.

4. Speed

   Another considerable element is the operational speed your hard drive offers. The hard drives come with a speed of 5200 RPM and 7200 RPM. The hard drives having a speed of 7200 RPM are faster than those hard drives which possess 5200 RPM speed. They deliver faster connectivity and deliver quicker performance. They have better reading and writing capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal hard drive size for my PS4?

According to my research and testing, the best operational size for a gaming console should at least be 2TB. The gaming console works smoothly and delivers lag-free performance with this storage capacity.

Can I use an internal hard drive in the PS4?

Yes, Using the internal hard drive for your gaming console is perfectly fine. However, It is a hassle to open your console and fix the new hard drive in it. That is why gamers prefer to buy external hard drives because they are easy to use and set up.

What is the difference between SSD, HDD, and SSHD?

There are three types of storage devices. SSD stands for Solid State Drive. It does not contain any moving parts, and the device is faster than other types. It delivers excellent reading, writing, and transferring speed. However, such a hard drive is more prone to electrical problems. Moreover, they are not compatible with all the systems. The worst downside is the fact that it loses information when it remains powerless for a specific period of time.

HDD stands for a Hard disk drive. It utilizes a magnetic disk that writes on a physical space. The drive moves the disk at the speed of 200 RPM or 7200 RPM. Greater will be the speed, faster will be the reading and writing performance. The downside is durability. Such a disk is highly fragile due to its faster speed. Such hard drives have a shorter life span, and they wear out earlier than the other hard drives. This type of hard drives make noise and also produce heat due to its high spinning.

Another type is the SSHD hard drive. SSHD stands for Solid State Hybrid Drive. It is a better option as compared to the previous two types.

Is SSD the best option for PS4?

SSD technology is the fastest, but it does not go well with the PS4. PS4 and PS4 pro have some hardware limitations that are not compatible with the SSD, so SSD is not a suitable option. However, the SSD works better with the other devices that can utilize its full potential.

Portable external drives or Desktop external drives. Which is better?

The portable external drives are expensive than the bulky desktop hard drive models. The smaller the hard drive is, the greater will be its utility. Gamers usually prefer compact and portable models. However, desktop models can also be lighter and ergonomic enough to carry. Moreover, The larger devices are cheap but need an external power source to be powered.

What does formatting a hard drive do?

If you format your storage device, all your stored data, including multimedia files and games, can be deleted. In order to keep the data saved, you need to back the data up on a different device. You will have to go to your PS4 settings and click USB storage devices in order to make the required settings.

What are the advanced features that most of the expensive hard drive models offer?

Some of the hard drives possess many value-added features that provide great utility to gamers. These features include Cloud storage, compactness, auto back up, and so on.

Summing Up

So, this was my review of the best external hard drives suitable for the favorite gaming console of the century. I hope you would like the devices I have reviewed and won’t regret buying one of them. All the devices are tested and deliver excellent performance. Moreover, the buying guide will give you the power to make a better decision in order to buy a reliable hard drive. If you don’t have enough time, you can also view the comparison chart for the quick understanding of the Amazons best sellers and highly-rated hard drives.