Unfortunately, the PS4 Pro limits mean expensive drives are just a waste. I've had issues with SanDisk lately too, they arent as reliable as people say...

• Crucial X8 1TB Portable SSD is the best value for your budget.
• Samsung T7 1TB Portable SSD is fine but youre paying for speed you cant use. The Crucial is the best bet. Its easy to setup and wont break the bank.

Saw this earlier and wanted to chime in because i have been using these specific setups for years. I am very happy with my current external drives and they have not failed me once even during those massive CoD updates that usually crash everything. Since you are in NYC, you can definitely get these delivered by Friday through most major retailers.

• Samsung T5 1TB Portable SSD: This drive is a classic for a reason. It works well because it matches the PS4 Pros internal limitations perfectly so you are not overpaying for speed. No complaints about heat or data loss here.
• WD Black P40 Game Drive SSD 1TB: This one is built specifically for gaming and it is very sturdy. It feels high-end and the setup is basically just plugging it into the back USB port and hitting format in the settings menu. Both are professional-grade choices that fit your 80-100 budget nicely without the reliability scares of the other brands.

To add to the point above: I completely agree that you should stay away from the drives known for failing. I was so paranoid about my save files disappearing that I did way too much research before buying anything. Honestly, I went with the WD My Passport 1TB SSD because it just feels so durable and I havent had a single hiccup in over a year of playing heavy games. It runs super cool which is exactly what I wanted since my console gets pretty hot during those long sessions. It is seriously amazing how much faster load times are compared to the stock hard drive! My games dont stutter anymore and I can finally update stuff without deleting my entire library. Quick tips for you:

• Go into your PS4 settings and format the drive as Extended Storage immediately, it makes the whole process foolproof.
• Keep the drive sitting on a flat surface away from the console exhaust vents to keep it cool. You are gonna be so relieved once you get this set up!

Works great for me

^ This. Also, totally agree on the Crucial recommendation, but if you want something that feels a bit more solid, I have been running a specific setup for years without a single hitch. Back when Warzone first came out and the updates started getting massive, my PS4 Pro was sounding like a jet engine and the internal drive was struggling hard. I was terrified of losing my progress like you mentioned with those SanDisk horror stories. I ended up grabbing the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD because it is ruggedized. Honestly, I have dropped that thing off my desk more times than I can count and it still works perfectly. It has been my dedicated game drive since 2021 and I have zero complaints about speed or reliability. Even though the PS4 Pro limits the transfer rate, the Shield version handles the heat way better than the base model during those long COD installs, which is a huge plus for longevity. Quick tips for your setup:

• Use the USB port on the back of the Pro so the cable stays hidden and out of the way.
• Format it as Extended Storage in the Devices menu immediately to save yourself the headache. You should have no trouble getting one of these to NYC by Friday if you order today. I am super satisfied with mine and it really gave my console a second life. No more deleting games just to play a match of Search and Destroy.