Helldivers 2 demands fast storage—load times matter when you're coordinating drops with squadmates. Whether you're playing on PC or PS5, a quality NVMe SSD transforms your experience from boot-up to mission start. We've tested and ranked the best gaming storage options that deliver the speed and reliability you need without breaking the bank. Our picks focus on real-world performance, thermal stability, and value. You'll find drives optimized for different budgets and use cases, all capable of handling Helldivers 2's asset streaming and keeping your frame rates smooth. Read on to find the right storage upgrade for your setup.
Best Gaming Storage for Helldivers 2
Updated 2026-04-24 · 10 picks tested
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you buy through our links. This helps us keep GamePlays running.
Our top picks at a glance
- #1
- #2
- #3
- #4
- #5
Buyer's guide
When shopping for gaming storage for Helldivers 2, focus on these key specs: read speed (aim for 7,000+ MB/s), PCIe Gen4 or Gen5 protocol, and a reliable controller with DRAM cache. Helldivers 2 benefits from fast load times—you want your squad ready to deploy, not waiting on assets to stream. Consider capacity: 2TB is the sweet spot for most gamers, giving you room for Helldivers 2 plus 3–4 other AAA titles. Watch out for drives without heatsinks; thermal throttling under sustained load kills performance. If you're upgrading a PS5, verify the drive fits the expansion slot (M.2 2280 form factor) and meets Sony's 5,500 MB/s minimum—though faster drives like these future-proof your console. For PC users, Gen4 drives are mature and affordable; Gen5 is overkill for gaming alone but future-proofs your rig. Check warranty length (5 years is standard for premium drives) and whether the manufacturer includes data recovery software. Finally, avoid QLC NAND in favor of TLC—it's faster and more durable for gaming workloads. Price varies from $200 to $600 for 2TB; your budget determines whether you prioritize raw speed or value.
The picks
#1 · Best Overall4.8 (17,119)
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2X0E
$378.25
The WD_BLACK SN850X strikes the perfect balance of speed, compatibility, and price. It's the drive most Helldivers 2 players should buy—fast enough for any system, affordable enough to justify the upgrade, and proven in the field.
Pros
- + 7,300 MB/s read speeds with 6,300 MB/s writes—smooth Helldivers 2 loads every time
- + No heatsink means it fits PS5 expansion slot without modification
- + Proven reliability: 4.8★ rating across 17,000+ reviews
- + Excellent value at $378 for 2TB
Cons
- − Runs hotter than heatsink variants under sustained load
- − No included software or extras
#2 · Best Budget Pick4.8 (9,296)
Crucial P310 2TB SSD, PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280, Up to 7,100MB/s, for Laptop, Desktop (PC), & Handheld Gaming Consoles, Includes Acronis Data Recovery Software, Solid State Drive - CT2000P310SSD801
$239.96
The Crucial P310 proves you don't need to spend $400+ for fast gaming storage. At $240, it delivers 95% of the performance of pricier drives while leaving money in your pocket for other upgrades.
Pros
- + 7,100 MB/s reads at just $240 for 2TB—best price-to-speed ratio here
- + Crucial's reputation for reliability and warranty support
- + Includes Acronis data recovery software
- + Works on PC, laptops, and PS5 without modification
Cons
- − Slightly lower write speeds (5,800 MB/s) than premium options
- − Smaller DRAM cache than flagship drives
#3 · Best with Heatsink4.8 (15,448)
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2XHE
$429.99
If you're building a high-end PC and thermal headroom matters, grab this. The heatsink is overkill for gaming alone, but it ensures peak performance in sustained workloads and looks sleek in open-air cases.
Pros
- + Integrated aluminum heatsink keeps thermals in check during long Helldivers 2 sessions
- + Same 7,300 MB/s read speed as the non-heatsink variant
- + Passive cooling means zero noise or power overhead
- + Fits most PC slots; check PS5 compatibility before buying
Cons
- − Heatsink adds $50+ to the cost
- − May be too thick for some PS5 expansion bays
#4 · Best Premium Option4.8 (12,681)
Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P2T0B/AM
$594.22
The Samsung 990 PRO is the no-compromise choice if budget isn't a concern. You're paying for peak performance and Samsung's legendary reliability, but Helldivers 2 won't fully exploit that speed advantage.
Pros
- + 7,450 MB/s reads—the fastest drive in this lineup
- + Samsung's 990 PRO is battle-tested in professional and gaming rigs
- + Excellent thermal management and reliability track record
- + 5-year warranty and strong support
Cons
- − Premium pricing at $594 for 2TB
- − Overkill for Helldivers 2 alone—better suited to content creators
#5 · Best for Tight Budgets4.8 (5,303)
WD_Black SN7100 1TB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s Read Speed, Up to 6,900 MB/s Write Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS100T4X0E
$197.85
At $198, the SN7100 is a steal if you're light on storage needs or want to test NVMe speeds without committing $400+. Pair it with cloud saves or external storage for flexibility.
Pros
- + 7,250 MB/s reads at under $200 for 1TB—incredible value
- + WD_BLACK SN7100 is compact and fits any system
- + Proven performance in gaming and general use
- + Great stepping stone if you're upgrading from SATA
Cons
- − 1TB capacity limits you to Helldivers 2 plus one other large game
- − Fewer reviews than the 2TB SN850X (less community feedback)
#6 · Best Acer Predator Drive4.7 (3,344)
Predator M.2 SSD 2TB GM7000 with DRAM cache NVMe 1.4 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 Ultra high speed (maximum read: 7400MB/s, max write: 6700MB/s) 3D NAND TLC Internal SSD Compatible with PS5 Pro - BL.9BWWR.106
$349.99
Acer's Predator GM7000 delivers flagship speeds at a mid-tier price. It's a solid alternative if you want to avoid the WD/Samsung duopoly, though the smaller review count means less community troubleshooting data.
Pros
- + 7,400 MB/s read speeds with 6,700 MB/s writes—excellent for gaming
- + DRAM cache ensures consistent performance across sequential and random loads
- + Aggressive pricing at $350 for 2TB
- + Acer's gaming brand credibility and warranty
Cons
- − Fewer reviews (3,300) than WD or Samsung—less real-world data
- − Runs warm; ensure adequate case airflow
#7 · Best for Future-Proofing4.8 (6,366)
Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280, Speeds Up-to 7,250 MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC/Laptops, HMB Technology and Intelligent Turbowrite 2.0, (MZ-V9S2T0B/AM)
$407.00
The 990 EVO Plus is your play if you want a drive that'll stay relevant through the next console generation. For Helldivers 2 today, you're paying a premium for tomorrow's compatibility.
Pros
- + Hybrid PCIe Gen4/Gen5 design—ready for next-gen systems
- + 7,250 MB/s speeds with intelligent thermal management
- + Samsung's HMB technology optimizes performance without dedicated DRAM
- + Solid 2TB value at $407
Cons
- − Gen5 capability is wasted on current gaming hardware
- − Fewer reviews (6,300) than older models
#8 · Best Extreme Performance4.8 (1,388)
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 14,700MB/s, Best for AI Computing, Gaming and Heavy Duty Workstations (MZ VAP2T0B/AM)
$478.00
The 9100 PRO is overkill for Helldivers 2, but it's the right choice if you're also streaming, editing video, or building a workstation. On a Gen4 system, you'll see no real difference from a $300 drive.
Pros
- + 14,700 MB/s reads—PCIe 5.0 speeds that crush everything else here
- + Future-proof for AI workloads, 8K video, and next-gen gaming
- + Samsung's 9100 PRO is built for professionals and power users
- + Exceptional thermal stability under sustained load
Cons
- − $478 price tag is steep for gaming-only use
- − Requires PCIe 5.0 motherboard to unlock full speed (most gamers don't have this)
#9 · Best for PS5 Gamers4.8 (1,366)
acer Predator GM7 2TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 - BL.9BWWR.119
$339.99
If you're expanding PS5 storage, the Predator GM7 is a safe, fast choice. It's faster than Sony's minimum requirement and cheaper than Samsung's premium console drives.
Pros
- + 7,400 MB/s reads optimized specifically for PS5 expansion
- + Acer's GM7 is tested and verified for console compatibility
- + 2TB gives you Helldivers 2 plus 3–4 PS5 games
- + Competitive $340 pricing
Cons
- − Slightly fewer reviews (1,300) than flagship competitors
- − No heatsink—verify fit in your PS5 bay before ordering
#10 · Best Value for PS54.7 (915)
fanxiang 2TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen 4 Gaming SSD for PS5, Up to 7100MB/s M.2 2280 SSD Compatible with PS5 Storage Expansion, Internal Solid State Drive for Gamers, Professionals, Creators S880E
$289.99
The fanxiang is the budget PS5 storage winner. You're trusting a less-known brand, but the specs are solid and the price undercuts competitors by $50–100 without sacrificing speed.
Pros
- + 7,100 MB/s reads at just $290—lowest price for PS5-optimized storage
- + fanxiang's reputation for reliable PS5 expansion drives
- + Meets Sony's 5,500 MB/s minimum with headroom to spare
- + 2TB capacity handles Helldivers 2 and a few other titles
Cons
- − Smallest review count (915)—newer to the market
- − Less brand recognition than WD or Samsung
Frequently Asked Questions
Final word
For Helldivers 2, the WD_BLACK SN850X (non-heatsink) is the best gaming storage overall—it's fast, affordable, and PS5-compatible. Budget-conscious players should grab the Crucial P310, which delivers nearly identical performance at $150 less. If you're upgrading PS5 specifically, the Acer Predator GM7 or fanxiang offer excellent value. The Samsung 990 PRO is the premium choice for those who want the fastest drive and don't mind paying for it. All 10 drives here will transform Helldivers 2's load times and eliminate storage bottlenecks. Pick the one that matches your budget and system, then enjoy faster drops and smoother missions with your squad.
More gaming storage guides
Best Budget Gaming Storage of 2026
Find the best budget gaming storage solutions for 2026. SSDs, external drives & more at great prices.
Best Crucial Gaming Storage in 2026
Find the best Crucial gaming storage drives for PS5, PC, and laptops. Expert reviews of P310, T500, T705, and more.
Best Gaming Storage in 2026
Find the best gaming storage solutions for 2026. Top SSDs, portable drives, and expansion options tested and ranked.
Best Gaming Storage for Apex Legends
Top gaming storage solutions for Apex Legends. Fast NVMe SSDs with 7,000+ MB/s speeds for quick loads and zero lag.
Best Gaming Storage for Baldur's Gate 3
Top gaming SSDs for Baldur's Gate 3. Fast NVMe drives for quick loads, no stuttering. Compare speeds, prices, and specs.
Best Gaming Storage for Battle Royale
Fast SSDs for battle royale games. NVMe drives & portable storage for PS5, PC. Load times under control.