Does the Kingston NV2 work in a PS5?
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Not recommended. It is Gen4 NVMe, so the PS5 will format it, but its 3,500 MB/s read speed is far under Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation. Cheapest listing today: £60.49.
PS5 requirements as published in Sony's M.2 SSD support page. Prices from Amazon.co.uk.
How the Kingston NV2 measures up
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| PS5 compatible | Not recommended |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280 |
| Sequential read (up to) | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential write (up to) | 2,800 MB/s |
| Sony's recommended read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster |
| NAND type | QLC or TLC |
| DRAM cache | No (host memory buffer) |
| Endurance | About 320 TBW per TB (640 TBW at 2TB) |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Capacities | 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Heatsink version | No, sold bare |
| Officially PlayStation-licensed | No |
| Launched | 2022 |
Figures are the maker's published "up to" ratings, checked October 2026 against the maker's spec sheet.
Why the Kingston NV2 falls short
The Kingston NV2 passes the interface check, being Gen4 NVMe, so the console formats it. Where it falls short is speed: 3,500 MB/s against the 5,500 MB/s that Sony's M.2 SSD requirements recommend, a gap of 2,000 MB/s.
That gap is large. After formatting, the PS5 measures the drive and can show a notice that its read speed is slower than recommended. Games built around fast streaming may load slower or hitch. We do not list this model in any PS5 ranking.
At 3,500 MB/s it performs like a Gen3 drive. Games that stream data heavily may load slower or stutter. The NV3 at 1TB and above is the model that clears the recommendation.
What to buy instead
If you have not bought yet, the Kingston NV3 is the closest alternative that clears Sony's recommendation, at 6,000 MB/s. For the lowest price on any drive that passes, see the cheapest PS5 SSDs or the best value PS5 SSDs.
Already own the NV2? It is fine to try it. If the PS5 formats it and your games load acceptably, there is no harm in using it.
Cooling the NV2 in a PS5
The Kingston NV2 is sold bare, with no factory heatsink version. Sony requires a heat dissipation structure, so add a low-profile M.2 heatsink that keeps the total under 11.25mm. For reference, Sony's M.2 SSD requirements allow a module up to 11.25mm thick and 25mm wide.
See standalone PS5 heatsinks for coolers that fit, or the 11.25mm height guide for the rule in full.
Where to go next
Every rule a drive has to meet is set out in PS5 SSD requirements; the short version is which SSD is compatible with the PS5. Look up another drive on the PS5 SSD model index or browse Kingston drives that pass. Fitted a drive that does not show up? Try PS5 SSD not detected.
Live listings of this model
| Product | Capacity | Price | Price per TB | Tech | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston NV2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 Internal SSD 250GB M.2 2280 - SNV2S/250G | 250 GB | £60.49 | £241.96 | NVMe | - | Buy on Amazon |
Related comparisons and guides
Useful next steps: PS5 SSD requirements, Which SSD is compatible?, Cheapest PS5 SSD, Read speed too slow warning, All models, 2TB.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Kingston NV2 work in a PS5?
It will format, but it is not recommended. Not recommended. It is Gen4 NVMe, so the PS5 will format it, but its 3,500 MB/s read speed is far under Sony's 5,500 MB/s recommendation.
Will the PS5 show a warning with the Kingston NV2?
It may. After formatting, the PS5 displays the measured read speed, and drives under about 5,500 MB/s can trigger a notice that the speed is slower than recommended. You can still continue and use the drive.
Which similar drive meets Sony's spec?
The Kingston NV3, rated at 6,000 MB/s, is the nearest option that meets Sony's recommendation. Compare live prices on the cheapest PS5 SSD page.
Does the Kingston NV2 work in the PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro?
The answer is the same on every model. The PS5, PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro share one M.2 slot specification, so a drive that works in one works in all, subject to the heatsink fitting.
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Last updated: 2026-10-12 20:26:19 UTC. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated on Amazon.co.uk and are subject to change. Any price displayed at the time of purchase will apply. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.