Best 4TB PS5 SSDs with a Heatsink in 2026
Compare the best 4TB PS5 SSDs with heatsinks in 2026: Samsung 990 PRO, WD_BLACK SN850P and Lexar NM790 for a bigger game library without extra cooling.
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Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change.
The Samsung 990 PRO 4TB with Heatsink is the best 4TB PS5 SSD for most players because its integrated cooler, 7,450 MB/s quoted read speed and five-year warranty make the capacity upgrade uncomplicated. The WD_BLACK SN850P is the better fit if an officially licensed PS5 drive and a purpose-built cover matter more than chasing the highest specification.
Best 4TB PS5 SSDs with a heatsink: the short answer
4TB is for a library that stays installed. It is useful when several large games, add-ons and capture-heavy titles compete for space, because moving games between internal storage and external storage is less convenient than leaving them ready to play. All three picks are M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 NVMe models with a cooler already fitted, so there is no separate heatsink to select or attach.
The important distinction is not a tiny headline-speed difference. Samsung pairs its 990 PRO controller and integrated heatsink with quoted 7,450 MB/s reads and 6,900 MB/s writes. WD_BLACK's SN850P is explicitly licensed for PlayStation 5 and its heatsink is shaped for the console's expansion slot, with quoted 7,300/6,600 MB/s performance. Lexar's NM790 reaches a quoted 7,400/6,500 MB/s, uses a single-sided board and carries a 3,000 TBW endurance figure. Those details give each drive a different reason to choose it.
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 PRO 4TB Heatsink | Best overall | View |
| WD_BLACK SN850P 4TB | Best for simple PS5 setup | View |
| Lexar NM790 4TB Heatsink | Best for a slim build | View |
How to choose a 4TB PS5 expansion drive
Start with the installed cooler, not the capacity label. A bare 4TB NVMe drive may be fast enough electrically yet still require a separate low-profile heatsink. The three drives here avoid that extra compatibility decision. Still, remove the PS5 bay cover carefully, fit the spacer in the 2280 position, and follow Sony's current installation instructions before ordering. A drive with its own heatsink does not make the console's metal bay cover optional.
Next, compare the intended ownership experience. Samsung is a flexible choice when the same drive may later move to a desktop, since its listing covers PS5 and PCI-SIG D8 desktops and laptops. WD_BLACK reduces uncertainty for a player who wants a product positioned specifically for the console. Lexar is compelling for someone who values the NM790's single-sided layout and published 3,000 TBW rating, but wants to confirm the fitted heatsink and retail version rather than assuming every NM790 variant is identical.
Do not choose from a price snapshot. Availability changes, and the useful question is whether 4TB is genuinely needed. A smaller drive can be sensible for a short rotation of games, while a 4TB model earns its space for a household, a long backlog or a player who dislikes reinstalling titles. The SSD expands storage; it does not add a second M.2 slot or replace the console's system drive.
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB with Heatsink: best overall
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB Heatsink
Samsung's 990 PRO is the strongest all-round choice for a large PS5 library. The 4TB heatsink model quotes up to 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write performance, while the ultra-slim integrated heatsink is specified for PS5 compatibility. That combination means the buyer gets a high-end PCIe 4.0 drive and thermal hardware in one package, rather than pairing a bare SSD with an unknown third-party cooler. Choose it if you want maximum documented throughput, a familiar retail model and the option to reuse the drive in a compatible desktop later. It earns the overall badge because it balances console fit with broader M.2 2280 utility. Its real limitation is that the performance lead over the other two is narrow in a PS5, so it is not automatically the best choice when the SN850P's PlayStation-specific design or the Lexar's layout matters more.
Pros
- Quoted 7,450 MB/s reads and 6,900 MB/s writes for the 4TB model
- Ultra-slim integrated heatsink is listed as PS5 compatible
- Five-year limited warranty and documented desktop/laptop compatibility
Cons
- Its small quoted speed advantage may not change a PS5 buying decision
- Buyers must select B0CHHFR1LG, not a bare 990 PRO variant
WD_BLACK SN850P 4TB: best for a simple PS5 setup
WD_BLACK SN850P 4TB
The WD_BLACK SN850P is the cleanest answer for a buyer who wants the product itself to be PlayStation-focused. It is officially licensed for PS5 consoles, and its integrated heatsink was designed around the console's M.2 slot rather than added as a generic accessory. The 4TB version quotes up to 7,300 MB/s read and 6,600 MB/s write performance and carries a five-year limited warranty. Choose it for a straightforward expansion where the licensed positioning and console-shaped cooler provide reassurance before installation. That is why it receives the simple-setup badge. The tradeoff is flexibility: it is a premium, console-branded option, while its quoted speed is slightly below the Samsung and it offers less of a reason to pay extra if the drive will spend most of its life in a PC.
Pros
- Officially licensed storage expansion for PlayStation 5 consoles
- PS5-slot-specific heatsink avoids choosing a separate cooler
- Quoted 7,300 MB/s reads and 6,600 MB/s writes on the 4TB model
Cons
- Console-specific branding can matter less for a future PC reuse plan
- Quoted read and write figures trail the Samsung slightly
Lexar NM790 4TB with Heatsink: best for a slim build
Lexar NM790 4TB Heatsink
Lexar's NM790 with heatsink suits the buyer who wants a 4TB drive with a more layout-conscious design. This version is a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 2280 SSD with a heatsink, a single-sided board and quoted up to 7,400 MB/s read and 6,500 MB/s write speeds. Lexar also publishes a 3,000 TBW endurance figure for the 4TB model and a five-year limited warranty. Pick it when the single-sided construction and strong endurance specification are meaningful checks for your build, while PS5 compatibility remains part of the listing. It earns the slim-build badge because those physical and endurance details differentiate it from the more console-branded WD option. The limitation is model clarity: NM790 listings exist in different capacities and configurations, so verify that the basket says 4TB with heatsink rather than relying on the family name.
Pros
- Single-sided 4TB board with a fitted heatsink
- Quoted 3,000 TBW endurance for this 4TB configuration
- Quoted 7,400 MB/s read and 6,500 MB/s write performance
Cons
- NM790 variants differ, so capacity and heatsink must be checked at checkout
- Its generic gaming positioning is less reassuring than WD's PS5 licence
FAQ
Do I need a heatsink for a 4TB PS5 SSD?
The PS5 expansion bay requires suitable heat dissipation, so a model with an integrated, low-profile heatsink is the simplest route. Do not stack a second cooler on top. Confirm the drive's complete dimensions and Sony's current clearance guidance, because a tall desktop heatsink can prevent the bay cover from fitting even when the SSD itself is M.2 2280.
Can I play PS5 games directly from these SSDs?
These PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 models are sold for PS5 expansion use and are intended to store and play compatible PS5 games after correct installation and formatting. The console performs its own speed check. Follow its on-screen setup and keep system software current instead of treating a headline speed as a guarantee of an installation result.
Is 4TB worth choosing over 2TB?
4TB is worth it when you routinely keep a broad collection installed, share the console, or want less library management. It is not automatically better for every player: a 2TB drive can be enough for a smaller active rotation. Compare capacity needs and the full model configuration, not just the apparent deal on a product family page.
Prices and availability are accurate at publication and can change.