WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD Review: Unleashing Your Console’s True Potential

I remember the exact moment the magic of the PlayStation 5’s lightning-fast internal storage wore off. It was the night a massive update for Call of Duty: Warzone dropped, followed swiftly by the pre-load for a new AAA title I’d been anticipating for months. Suddenly, a cold, clinical message popped up on my screen: “Not enough free space.” My heart sank. I was faced with the gamer’s dreadedSophie’s Choice: which beloved game would I have to delete to make room? This digital juggling act—uninstalling old favourites to accommodate new adventures—had become a frustratingly regular part of my next-gen gaming experience. The PS5’s stock 825GB drive, with only about 667GB of usable space, simply isn’t enough in an era where single games can eclipse 150GB. This storage bottleneck doesn’t just cause inconvenience; it stifles spontaneity, forcing you to plan your gaming sessions around lengthy downloads and transfers instead of simply diving into whatever you’re in the mood for.

What to Consider Before Buying a PS5 SSD Expansion

A Solid State Drive for your PS5 is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your digital library and eliminating load-time anxiety. These M.2 NVMe drives are designed to match or even exceed the performance of the console’s custom internal storage, meaning you can install, store, and play games directly from them without any performance penalty. The primary benefit is, of course, a massive increase in capacity, allowing you to keep your entire collection of games installed and ready to play at a moment’s notice. This upgrade transforms your console from a device with frustrating limitations into a true, all-encompassing entertainment hub, ensuring that your gaming time is spent playing, not managing data.

The ideal customer for this type of product is any PS5 owner who feels the pinch of the console’s limited internal storage. If you frequently buy new digital games, subscribe to PlayStation Plus and its vast game catalogue, or simply hate deleting games you might want to revisit, then an internal SSD is a non-negotiable upgrade. It is a must-have for the serious gamer. However, it might not be suitable for those who play only one or two games exclusively (like FIFA or Madden) or for the extremely casual gamer who doesn’t mind redownloading titles. For those users, a cheaper, slower external USB hard drive for storing PS4 games might suffice, but remember, you cannot play PS5 games directly from a USB drive.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Heatsink Compatibility: The PS5 has a very specific M.2 expansion slot with strict size limitations. Any SSD you purchase must conform to the M.2 2280 form factor and, critically, must have a heatsink attached to dissipate heat. The total height, including the heatsink, cannot exceed 11.25mm. The WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is designed with a custom heatsink that fits these dimensions perfectly, removing any guesswork.
• Capacity & Performance: Sony mandates a minimum sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s for compatible drives. Anything slower risks compatibility issues and stuttering in games designed to leverage the PS5’s speed. Look for drives that comfortably exceed this, like the SN850P’s advertised 7,300 MB/s. In terms of capacity, 2TB is the sweet spot for most gamers, offering a huge upgrade that can hold dozens of titles without being excessively expensive.
• Official Licensing & Durability: While many drives meet the technical specifications, an “Officially Licensed for PlayStation 5” product means it has been tested and certified by Sony for guaranteed compatibility and performance. This provides invaluable peace of mind. These drives are built with high-quality 3D NAND flash memory, designed for the high-endurance read/write cycles typical of gaming, and are often backed by a robust warranty, in this case, 5 years.
• Ease of Use & Installation: The installation process should be straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic electronics. A good PS5 SSD will be a simple plug-and-play affair after opening the console. The drive should be instantly recognized by the PS5’s system software, prompting a quick format before it’s ready to use. This hassle-free integration is a hallmark of a well-designed, console-specific product.

Keeping these factors in mind, the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Built for Battle, Packaged for Gamers

Unboxing the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD feels like opening a premium piece of kit. The packaging is distinctly “gamer,” with the bold, industrial aesthetic that defines the WD_BLACK brand. Inside, the drive is securely nestled in foam, feeling substantial and well-engineered in the hand. The first thing that catches the eye is the heatsink. It’s not just a generic slab of metal; it’s an exclusively designed, low-profile heatsink sculpted to fit perfectly within the PS5’s expansion bay. It even features subtle PlayStation logo accents, a clear nod to its officially licensed status. Compared to its predecessor, the SN850X (a popular choice for PS5 users), the SN850P’s heatsink is optimized specifically for the console’s airflow, a design choice that promises better thermal management during intense, marathon gaming sessions. There’s an immediate sense of confidence that this drive isn’t just compatible—it was purpose-built for this exact job.

A Deep Dive into the WD_BLACK SN850P’s In-Game Dominance

Beyond the specs sheet and the premium unboxing lies the true test: performance. How does the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD actually handle the rigours of next-gen gaming? We put it through its paces, from the initial installation to loading massive open worlds and transferring gigabytes of data, to see if it truly is the ultimate PS5 storage upgrade.

The Installation Experience: A 5-Minute Upgrade to Gaming Freedom

The prospect of opening up a £450 console can be daunting, but Western Digital and Sony have made the process remarkably painless. Our own experience mirrored the overwhelmingly positive feedback from users: the installation is incredibly simple. After powering down and unplugging the PS5, removing the side panel was the most “difficult” part, requiring a firm but careful lift-and-slide motion. As one user noted, the fear of breaking it is worse than the reality. Once inside, a single Phillips-head screw grants access to the M.2 expansion bay. The WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD slotted in perfectly, the pre-installed heatsink clearing all sides with millimetres to spare. Securing it with the provided screw and spacer took seconds. From start to finish, the physical installation took less than five minutes. Upon booting up the PS5, the console immediately recognized the new drive and prompted a format, which was completed in about ten seconds. The system then reported the new available storage, and that was it. No drivers, no complex configuration, just seamless integration. This plug-and-play simplicity is a massive win and a core benefit of choosing an officially licensed product.

Unleashing Next-Gen Speed: Real-World Performance and Load Times

The box advertises speeds “up to 7,300 MB/s.” This is the theoretical maximum, and in our testing, we found the real-world performance to be slightly more modest, yet still breathtakingly fast. After formatting, the PS5’s built-in speed test reported a sequential read speed of 6,541 MB/s. This aligns perfectly with what many users have reported, with figures consistently landing in the 6,500 MB/s range. While not the full 7,300 MB/s, it’s crucial to understand this is still phenomenally fast and smashes Sony’s minimum requirement of 5,500 MB/s. The tangible impact on gaming is immediate and profound. We transferred the 102GB file for Horizon Forbidden West from the console’s internal storage to the SN850P in just over a minute. Loading directly from the drive felt indistinguishable from the console’s own SSD. Fast-traveling across the vast map was instantaneous. Booting up games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, famous for its dimension-hopping load-free gameplay, ran flawlessly. As one user aptly put it, the “Performance of PS5 Feels a lot Quicker in Response.” The drive doesn’t just add storage; it maintains the seamless, uninterrupted experience that defines this console generation. For gamers who value speed and responsiveness, the performance of the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is truly exceptional.

The Heatsink Advantage: Staying Cool Under Pressure

A PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD running at over 6,500 MB/s generates a significant amount of heat. Without proper cooling, that performance can throttle, leading to slower speeds and potential instability during long gaming sessions. This is where the SN850P’s bespoke heatsink becomes more than just a piece of metal—it’s a critical performance component. Designed specifically for the airflow dynamics of the PS5 (both original and Slim models), it works to efficiently pull heat away from the drive’s controller and NAND chips. Throughout hours of continuous gameplay, testing titles known for pushing the hardware, we experienced no performance degradation whatsoever. The drive remained stable and responsive. One user mentioned their console might run “a little hotter,” which is to be expected when adding a high-performance component, but they also noted no “dramas,” especially with adequate ventilation. The thoughtful, optimized design of the heatsink ensures that you get peak performance not just for the first five minutes, but for the fifth consecutive hour of a marathon gaming session, making it a reliable workhorse for the most demanding players.

The Official License: The Ultimate Peace of Mind

In a market flooded with M.2 drives that meet the basic specs, the “Officially Licensed for PlayStation 5” badge on the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is arguably its most important feature. This isn’t just marketing fluff. It signifies that Western Digital has worked directly with Sony to test, validate, and certify this drive for optimal and sustained performance within the PS5 ecosystem. It guarantees that the drive’s firmware is tailored to work harmoniously with the console’s operating system, ensuring that it will continue to function perfectly through future system software updates. This removes the element of risk that comes with buying a non-licensed drive, where compatibility could theoretically break down the line. We saw user feedback where someone had first tried a different, non-licensed drive that failed to meet the required speeds, forcing them to return it and purchase the WD_BLACK model. Choosing the officially licensed option eliminates this entire headache, offering the kind of set-it-and-forget-it reliability that console gamers expect and deserve.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user sentiment for the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is overwhelmingly positive. The most frequently praised aspect is the sheer simplicity of the installation, with many people, even those with no technical experience, describing it as taking only a few minutes. One user summed it up perfectly: “Mega einfacher Einbau, hat maximal 3 Minuten gedauert” (Mega easy installation, took 3 minutes at most). Another noted that after watching a quick video, they had “No issues and it runs so damn good.”

Performance is another key highlight. Users consistently report that games load just as fast, if not faster, than on the built-in storage, and the PS5’s benchmark test confirms speeds well above the required minimum. As one happy customer stated, “Games load really fast and run smoothly, just like on the built-in storage.”

The few negative points are minor and not related to the drive’s core function. The most common complaint comes from users who had trouble redeeming the included 14-day PlayStation Plus trial code, receiving messages that it had already been used. While frustrating, this doesn’t impact the SSD’s excellent performance. There was also an isolated report of a drive that “Didn’t work,” which is a rare but possible occurrence with any piece of electronics, typically covered by warranty.

How Does the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD Compare to the Alternatives?

While the SN850P is a top-tier choice, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other options on the market, especially for different use cases and budgets.

1. Fikwot FX991 1TB NVMe SSD

The Fikwot FX991 presents a compelling value proposition. It advertises similar top-tier PCIe Gen 4 speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s and comes with a heatsink, making it technically compatible with the PS5. At 1TB, it offers a significant storage boost for a potentially lower price point than the 2TB WD_BLACK. However, the key trade-off is the lack of an official PlayStation license. This means that while it should work based on its specifications, there’s no guarantee of long-term compatibility or that its firmware is perfectly optimized for the PS5. This drive is a solid choice for a more budget-conscious PC builder or a PS5 owner who is comfortable with the slight risk associated with a non-licensed product.

2. KingSpec 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD

The KingSpec drive represents a different tier of storage entirely. As a PCIe Gen 3 drive with speeds up to 2,400 MB/s, it is fundamentally incompatible with the PlayStation 5’s internal expansion slot, which requires Gen 4 speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s. It is crucial for buyers to understand this distinction. This SSD is not an alternative for expanding your PS5 game library. Instead, it’s a budget-friendly option for upgrading an older laptop or desktop PC that doesn’t support the faster Gen 4 standard. It’s a great way to breathe new life into an older machine but should not be considered for PS5 expansion.

3. SP Silicon Power 2TB UD90 NVMe 4.0 SSD

The Silicon Power UD90 is an interesting middle-ground competitor. It’s a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 drive, matching the capacity of our reviewed model. However, its read/write speeds top out at 5,000/4,800 MB/s. This is critically important because its maximum read speed falls below Sony’s mandated 5,500 MB/s minimum. While the console might allow it to format, there’s a significant risk of encountering performance issues, stuttering, or games failing to load correctly, especially with titles specifically designed to leverage the PS5’s high-speed storage. For the small potential cost saving, the performance gamble makes it a less advisable choice compared to the guaranteed compatibility and superior speed of the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD.

The Final Verdict: The Definitive No-Compromise PS5 Upgrade

After extensive testing and analysis, the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD stands out as the definitive, premier storage solution for any serious PlayStation 5 owner. It delivers on every promise: it’s incredibly fast, the installation is foolproof, and the custom heatsink ensures rock-solid stability during the most demanding gaming sessions. Its greatest strength, however, is the peace of mind that comes with the official PlayStation license. There is no guesswork, no compatibility concerns, and no worries about future updates—it just works, flawlessly.

While the real-world speeds might be a notch below the theoretical maximum, they are still far in excess of what the console requires, providing a seamless experience identical to the internal drive. If you are tired of playing storage-management tetris and want to unlock the full potential of your game library without compromise, this is the drive to get. It’s an investment that pays for itself in convenience, speed, and the sheer joy of having all your games ready to go at a moment’s notice.

If you’ve decided the WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.