Good External Drive For Ps4

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  1. External Drive For Ps4 Pro
  2. How Many External Drives Ps4

The philosophy on external drives used for backup is that copying 10 years' worth of photos onto an external drive and then erasing it on your PC's local drive isn't actually a backup at all. Best External Hard Drive For PS4. Dive into these HDD reviews to pick the best ideal and most reliable storage drive for you. Western Digital 4TB My Passport – Best External Hard Drive For Mac. Safari plugins windows. Picking up one of the best external hard drives is becoming a vital part of both a PC gamers arsenal and that of a console owner. In a world of ever-growing game installs and mighty storage hogs. To be clear, any USB 3.0 external drive should work just fine with both the PS4 and PS5, but we advise caution against choosing the cheapest no-name drive you can find for sale. We were careful to recommend only the most reliable models here from the most dependable manufacturers, so you can safely invest in any of these without worry.

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It's easy to see why the PlayStation 4 is the best-selling console of this generation. With its library of exclusive games, excellent hardware performance, and the highly ergonomic and responsive DualShock controllers, the PlayStation 4 offers the most complete experience to gamers.

Since its launch, the ecosystem of the PlayStation 4 has widely expanded. With wireless headsets, external hard drives, and the PlayStation Move controllers, the standard USB ports that come built into the PS4 (and even the extra USB slot of the PS4 Pro) are simply no longer enough. If you were to buy a USB hub for your PS4, which ones are considered the best?

What to look for in a PS4 USB hub

Getting a USB hub for your PS4 isn't exactly a complex matter. If you have lots of accessories and controllers, getting a USB hub allows you to charge them all at the same time. If you have a wireless headset or an external hard drive, then one or two USB ports on your PS4 will pretty much permanently be used by these accessories. With these things considered, what should you be looking for in a good USB hub?

1. Speed

If you're buying a brand-new USB hub, then there's no reason for you to buy anything less than one that has USB 3.0 technology. The superior speed and efficiency of USB 3.0 make it excellent for connecting your external drive, especially if you use an SSD. A USB 3.0 port is also capable of delivering higher current, which allows faster charging of your controllers. Since USB 3.0 ports are backwards compatible with any USB 2.0 device, you shouldn't run into any compatibility issues even if you have old devices or cables.

2. Size and design

The PlayStation 4 is the arguably the best-looking PlayStation ever, so you wouldn't want to ruin its aesthetic with a USB hub that is less visually appealing. When looking for a USB hub, look for one that is compact and has a sleek design. Some people might say that it's not that important, but with so many choices for USB hubs in the market, why would you settle for one that doesn't look great?

3. Number of ports

More ports in your USB hub means that you can have more devices connected at the same time, which is never a bad thing. Your mileage may vary when it comes to this matter. You may be satisfied with four ports, but you can certainly go up to seven or eight. Before committing to a USB hub, you should take inventory of how many accessories and controllers you have for your PlayStation 4.

5 best USB hubs for the PS4

1. Best overall: Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Data Hub

For versatility and reliability, we'll have to give the top spot to this 4-port USB 3.0 hub from Anker. Although it's not being marketed as being specifically designed for the PlayStation 4, we see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly with the console. With a total data transfer rate of 5 Gb/s, this USB hub is fast enough to handle SSD speeds, which will greatly enhance your gaming experience.

This USB hub requires no external power but can transmit enough juice to charge several DualShock controllers simultaneously. Having an external drive plugged in while you charge several controllers might be a bit of a problem, though. If you use an external drive with your PlayStation 4, we recommend plugging it in directly to the console as it draws much more power.

One more thing we like about the Anker USB hub is its design. It sports a curved and sleek design that not only looks great but also makes the ports much more accessible. The USB hub comes with a Velcro attachment so that you can mount it to virtually anywhere and you don't end up with a cluttered gaming setup. The Velcro strip also helps prevent the hub from moving, which can be really irritating when you have to plug or unplug any device.

While this USB hub isn't the cheapest of the bunch, we find it hard to complain about a sub-$20 price tag for a product of this quality.

2. Best value: AmazonBasics 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

If you want bang for your buck, then this 4-port USB hub for AmazonBasics is certainly worth a look. It supports the data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gb/s of USB 3.0 but is also fully compatible with USB 2.0 devices. Each of the four ports can deliver up to 0.9 A of current, which is perfect for charging your controllers.

Like the Anker USB hub, this USB hub from AmazonBasics also needs to be plugged using an included AC adapter to charge multiple devices simultaneously. However, this USB hub supports auto-switching between direct power and bus power, in case your charging needs aren't so power-intensive.

The great thing about getting an Amazon product, aside from the very low price, is the benefit of being able to contact Amazon for tech support. Based on reviews, the reliability of this USB hub seems quite spotty. However, getting in touch with Amazon to solve your technical issues should be a cinch.

3. Best budget: Sabrent 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub

If you're on a really tight budget, then this 4-port USB hub from Sabrent might be exactly what you're looking for. At less than $10, this is certainly one of the cheapest USB hubs you can get for your PlayStation 4. It features four LED lights that indicate the power status of the ports – a nice addition, given the plain look of the USB hub.

More than just flashy additions, the addition of a power switch for each of the four ports makes it easy to switch between several high-powered devices. Since the power output of the hub is limited, you won't be able to use several power-intensive devices simultaneously, such as external drives. With the switches, you can just switch one port off an activate another port without having to unplug your devices. This is very convenient, and we wonder why it's not a common feature in other USB hubs.

What this USB hub lacks is a power adapter provision that should make it more reliable as a charging hub. Since the hub only supports a maximum current of 900 mA, you won't be able to charge two controllers simultaneously, nor will you be able to use any other device if you have an external drive plugged in. This is a major flaw of this product, effectively making it merely a convenient switch between multiple devices.

4. LinkStyle 5-Port USB 3.0 Hub

It would be remiss for us to write this list and not include USB hubs that were specifically designed for the PlayStation 4. This 5-port USB hub from LinkStyle plugs right into the front USB hubs of the standard PlayStation 4. The design of the hub mimics the form factor of the PlayStation 4, making it look like an extension of the console instead of just a mere accessory.

One limitation of this product is that it only has one USB 3.0 port – all of the other four ports are only USB 2.0. It can still be quite useful, though. You can use the USB 3.0 port for an external drive, with its fast data transfer rate speeding up loading times for your games. The USB 2.0 ports can then be used for simultaneous charging of controllers. It's not all bad, especially considering a price tag that is only slightly above $10.

Take note that due to the unique design of the LinkStyle USB hub, it is only compatible with the standard PlayStation 4 edition – not the Slim and the Pro. In the right console and when installed correctly, this USB hub is one of the best-looking ways to extend your console's USB accessibility.

5. Sabrent 7-Port USB 3.0 Hub

In case four or five ports just isn't enough, this 7-Port USB hub from Sabrent should be more than enough for all your devices. Just like their 4-Port hub, Sabrent has conveniently provided toggle buttons for each of the seven ports of this hub, making it easy to switch between devices without having to unplug them. This is great if you need to switch between charging your controllers, using your wireless headset, or connecting your external drive to your PlayStation 4.

With the potential of charging lots of devices at the same time, this 7-Port hub offers the option of providing power through an AC adaptor. This makes it a much more reliable charging hub, even if you have a few power-intensive devices in constant use.

Getting such a big USB hub means that your gaming setup would certainly end up getting more cluttered. It's also quite expensive, compared to the other 4-Port and 5-Port USB hubs in this list. However, we certainly know of many PlayStation 4 gamers who have more than four or five accessories that need to be plugged in all at the same time. Sometimes, it just can't be helped, and it's nice to have the kind of option that Sabrent offers.

Final thoughts

There's no argument that playing games on a PlayStation 4 is fun. It's even more fun when you enhance your setup with the right accessories: an external SSD to store more games and reduce loading times, more controllers to play coop games with your friends, and a PlayStation VR to explore the future of gaming.

With all these accessories, you'll soon run out of USB ports on your console to plug them into. Fortunately, there are several excellent USB hubs that you can use with your PlayStation 4. They look great, work great, and are very cheap – certainly worth the price for an enhanced gaming experience.

When you think of a quality gaming console, Sony's PlayStation comes to mind automatically. Seasoned gamers and hardcore gaming aficionados swear by their PS4 panels or platforms, including the state-of-the-art PS5. However, players eventually discover that the built-in storage capacity of their PS4, PS5 insufficient for archiving your favorite games, necessitating them to go for the external hard drive.

So which is the best external hard drive for PS4, PS5? To put it more precisely, which external hard drive brand should you choose based on your budget and gaming preferences? Selecting the best external hard drive for your PS4, PS5 has become more comfortable now with Sony's software update for PS5.

You'll find it convenient to download videogames from PS Store to your external HDD, thanks to Sony's introduction of external hard drive support. In this article, we've reviewed the five best external HDDs for PS4, PS5 completed with a buying guide for your convenience.
Read more: Best Internal Hard Drive For PS4, PS5

External HDD for PS4, PS5: Why would you need one in the first place?

Sony's PS4, PS4 Pro and PS5 consoles are your best bets for an unprecedented and unique gaming experience. However, both PS5 and PS4 have one glaring downside that could come in the way of your useful gameplay-inadequate internal storage. The inbuilt storage of your PS4, PS5 may fall short when it comes to backing up your videogames, multimedia, and apps.

It'd be more practical to buy an external hard drive for your PS4, PS5 than wasting quality time clearing up space in the built-in storage. You get to reap numerous benefits when you purchase an external HDD for your PS4, PS5 such as:

  • External HDDs offer you store up to 8TB
  • Boosts up the capacity of your game console
  • Easy to connect and simple to use
  • You can retain your existing data files
  • Facilitates secure transfer of games and add-ons from PS4, PS5's internal storage to your external HDD

How to Choose the Best External Hard Drive for PS4, PS5 in 2021

Compatibleness

Regardless of whether you buy a Western Digital or Seagate hard drive, you've to ensure if it is companionable with PS4, PS5. PS4, PS5's operating system has a USB3.0 interface that is compatible with the USB interface of the best external hard drives for PS4, PS5. When you're connecting the external HDD to your gaming desktop for the first time, make sure you reformat the latter.

After you've reformatted your Windows or Mac PC, you can rest assured that the hard drive will coordinate perfectly with PS4, PS5.

Brand

Format external drive for ps4

It does not need to be emphasized that you should buy a branded external HDD to stay on the safe side. Always choose an external hard disk drive from a reputed manufacturer like Seagate, Western Digital, Toshiba, and Samsung if you want to make the most of your PS4, PS5.

Year Manufactured

Make sure you check the ‘year of manufacture' printed on the backside of the external HDD. The more recent the manufacturing year, the more effective it will be the hard drive, thanks to its better optimization.

The Drive Type

The preassembled HDD of your PS4, PS5 does not have adequate space for storing all your games, multimedia, music, and movie files. On the one hand, limited storage means you may run out of scope for archiving new videogames on your PS4, PS5. On the other hand, it might take a long time for games to load, making you feel frustrated.

Hence you need to use a conventional external HDD that offers up to 8TB of storage, which is more than enough for archiving all downloaded data.

Storage

The built-in storage of your PS4, PS5 will serve you well initially, especially if you're new to gaming. But with time as you gain experience, you'll be downloading high-level games that call for more storage space. Some contemporary games require about 80GB of storage, necessitating you to purchase an external HDD with a massive room.

Keep in mind that your PS4, PS5 will be compatible only with external HDDs that have storage ranging from 250GB to 8TB. As a rule of thumb, you should choose an external HDD that offers more storage than you may require.

Port Connection Companionability

Difference between final cut pro and adobe premiere. Bear in mind that only those external hard drives with a USB3.0 or 3.1 interfaces will be compatible with your PS4, PS5.

RPM Rating

Checking the hard drive's RPM rating is another aspect or attribute that should take into account. Go for a hard drive that has a rating of nothing less than 5400 RPM. Choosing a hard drive with a high rating guarantees an excellent spinning speed ensuring a faster game download or backup.

Portability

A portable external HDD always tends to be handier in comparison to an immotile hard drive. A handy external HDD is not only more convenient to carry around, but the USB cord helps charge your console and syncs files.

Top 5 Best External Hard Drives for PS4, PS5 in 2021 Reviews

ProductBest FeatureBest for What
1. HGST Touro 1TB HDD- Up to 3GB free cloud storage
- 7200RPM: the highest RPM rating amongst all popular external HDDs
- Available in 1TB and 500GB storage capacity and a range of color
- Highest RPM rating amongst all reviewed external HDDs
- Best External HDD for PS4 with Fastest Speed
2. Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB Desktop HDD- USB3.0 Interface
- Maximum speed 160MBps
- 5900 RPM
Most Heavy-Duty Desktop HDD
3. WD 4TB My Passport External HDD- Option to choose from seven distinct colors
- Available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB
- USB3.0 interface
Best of the best HDD for PS4
4. WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive- Stores up to whopping 8TB data
- Compatible with USB2.0 and USB3.0 devices
- Companionable with both Mac and Windows-based computers
Most capacious external HDD
5. Seagate2TB Game Drive- Does not require external power
- Supremely portable
- Designed exclusively for working with PS4
- 2TB and 4TB models available
Most Affordable External HDD

1. HGST Touro S 1TB 7200 RPM, Platinum

The HGST Touro S 1TB external HDD is a very portable and trendy hard drive that comes encased in the aluminum sheathing. You can choose a 1TB or 500GB capacity HDD based on your needs and can select from silver, platinum, gold, ruby, and gray colors. Unlike the majority of traditional external HDDs that have an RPM ranging between 5200-5400 RPM, the HGST Touro boasts of a 7200RPM rating.

For you, this exceptionally high RPM rating implies that the Touro S will let you download, save, and transfer content at high speeds. The HGST Touro, which resembles an Apple ware, will heighten the décor of your surroundings.

Pros

  • Two-tiered protection: preinstalled local backup software and 3GB cloud backup free of charge
  • Fastest external HDD for PS4, PS5: 7200RPM speed downloads, transfers, and archives data 23% quicker compared to 5400RPM drives
  • You can choose from 1TB or 500GB capacities
  • You can access your content anytime, and from anywhere you like, thanks to cloud backup
  • Perfectly compatible with Apple products

Cons

  • 1TB or 500GB storage may not suffice if you're an ardent gamer
  • Some software features and free cloud backup may not be companionable with your game console

2. Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB HDD

If you want a heavy-duty HDD for immersing yourself in extended gaming sessions, then look no further than the Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB. Capable of storing near-unlimited multimedia, videogame, movie, and music files, this Seagate Desktop Drive is ideal for your home or office. To start using this 6TB HDD from Seagate, you simply need to hook it up with your Windows or Mac desktop for automatic compatibility.

Once you install the hard drive, transferring, sharing, and backing up content is insanely easy-you simply drag and drop. If you're planning to stream straightaway from your PS4, PS5 console or wish to create a massive collection of videogames, this 6TB Seagate external HDD is your best bet. Media professionals will warm up to this desktop HDD as it comes with a two-month subscription for Adobe Creative Cloud Photography scheme.

Pros

  • 6TB of storage allows you to store unlimited data
  • Compatible for use with Windows PCs and desktops (you'll need to reformat your Mac PC for companionability)
  • Easy setup: Simply connect the hard drive to your PC for automatic attunement
  • Comes with 18W power adaptor and 18-inch USB3.0 jack cable
  • The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty
  • USB3.0 compatible
  • 5900 RPM rating ensures maximum drive speed of up to 160MBps

External Drive For Ps4 Pro

Cons

  • Somewhat dense and bulky, so not quite portable
  • Needs external power for functioning
  • Data downloading and transfer speed is slightly slow

3. WD 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive

The WD4TB My Passport is the best external HDD for your PS4, PS5 console and a good number of reasons. For a start, the Western Digital hard disc drive offers a whopping four terabytes of storage. So, you'll be able to download and store all the videogames you need and still have surplus space.

The 4TB My Passport External HDD comes preassembled with Western Digital proprietary backup software that you can program to run automatically as per your convenience. The My Passport's inbuilt 256-bit AES encrypted hardware safeguards your password, thereby ensuring that all your digital content remains protected. The ergonomic design of WD4TB My Passport makes the HDD extraordinarily compact and lightweight, enabling you to install and carry it with ease.

This external HDD is USB3.0 compatible as well as backward compatible with USB2.0 and calls for a smooth reformatting when installing for the first time.

Pros

  • Available in a wide range of sizes and different colors
  • Capable of backing up files to DropBox
  • Automatic scheduling of downloading and creating backups of all your files
  • 256-bit AES hardware encryption furnishes steady password protection
  • Compact and stylish design: Easy to install, store, and carry, and aesthetically appealing
  • Can do without external power supply
  • PC user alternatives
  • Both USB3.0 and USB2.0 compatible

Cons

  • Does not offer the same speed as an SSD or SSHD
  • The WD4TB needs to be positioned horizontally for optimal operation
  • Meant exclusively for use as an external drive as it doesn't have a SATA port

4. WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive

The WD Elements Desktop HDD comes equipped with 8TB storage, ensuring that you'll be able to archive all your videogames, and much more. Even after storing every music, video, or photo file you've created, you'll still have adequate space to archive additional data. Not only does this 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive store an incredible amount of data, but it does it quickly, thanks to its excellent RPM rating.

The WD 8TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive is fully compatible with both USB3.0 and USB2.0 devices. At the same time, this WD external HDD is companionable with both Windows and Mac desktops and PCs.

Pros

  • Across-the-board connectivity with USB3.0 devices
  • Backward compatible with USB2.0 devices
  • High-speed data transfer and sharing
  • Digital storage capacity: 8TB
  • Compatible with both Android and Mac PCs
  • High capability add-on storage

Cons

  • Not quite durable and hardy

5. Seagate 2TB Game Drive for PS4 Systems

Seagate's 2TB Game Drive is one of the select few external HDDs officially certified by Sony for use with PS4. So, you can bank on this external hard drive from Seagate with your eyes closed. 2TB of storage ensures that you'll be able to download and archive more than 50 modern high-tech videogames.

How Many External Drives Ps4

This Seagate 2TB Game Drive has been innovatively designed, keeping in mind the needs of gamers who travel a lot. The external hard disk drive is housed in an aluminum chassis, which keeps the device fully protected while you go. Connecting this hard drive with your PS4 is a breeze as it was created, keeping PS4 Firmware 4.5 in mind.

This 2TB hard drive by Seagate has the same blue and black color of PS4, which accentuates the latter's aesthetics.

Pros

  • The certified product perfectly compatible for use with PS4 (PS4 companionable hard drive firmware) for trouble-free operation
  • 2TB of storage more than adequate for archiving more than 50 modern-day videogames
  • The stylish black and blue profile matches that of your game console
  • Compact form factor means the device requires minimal placement space
  • Does not require an external power supply
  • Easy installation and plug & play USB3.0 interface

Cons

  • Not a very hardy and robust hard disk drive; you'll need to handle it very carefully

Conclusion

For this review on the ‘best external hard drives for PS4, PS5', we selected two products, each from Seagate and Western Digital, and one from Touro. Our reviews point out that every product starting from Seagate's 6TB Desktop HDD to Western Digital's 4TB My Passport HDD works with PS4, PS5. So, if you're looking for an external hard drive to store all your videogames and multimedia files, you can buy WD's 8TB Desktop Elements Hard Drive.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a pocket-friendly HDD that can meet your working needs, then go for Seagate's 2TB Game Drive.





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