If you're looking for the ultimate in storage performance and speed, the best SSDs on the market will ensure you never experience any lag or shortage of space. Among these, NVMe SSDs stand out as top performers, offering unparalleled speed and reliability. These drives are the pinnacle of SSD technology, and thus, our primary focus is on highlighting the best NVMe options available.
However, our recommendations aren't limited to just NVMe SSDs. We've meticulously selected five exceptional Solid State Drives across various categories, ensuring there's something for every need and budget. By evaluating factors such as price, storage capacity, and user reviews, we've curated a list of SSDs that promise to elevate your PC's performance. Let's explore our top picks and find the perfect SSD upgrade for you.
Quick List: Best SSDs
- Best SSD overall - Samsung 990 Pro
- Best SSD for speed - Kingston KC3000
- Best gaming SSD - WD Black SN850
- Best budget SSD - Corsair Force Series MP510
- Best PCle SSD - WD Black AN1500
If you’re after a top-tier Gen 4.0 SSD that delivers elite speed and efficiency for your PS5 or PC, the Samsung 990 Pro is a clear standout. Building on the success of the 980 Pro, this drive pushes performance to impressive new heights.
Key Features:
- Up to 65% Faster Performance vs 980 Pro: Quicker load times and better responsiveness across games and apps.
- PCIe Gen 4.0 Speeds: Sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450 MB/s—nearing the max. for Gen 4.0.
- Improved Power Efficiency: Offers 50% better performance per watt over its predecessor.
- Samsung Magician Software: Lets you monitor health, optimize performance, and manage firmware updates.
- Smart Thermal Control: Keeps the drive cool and consistent, even under heavy load.
All this considered, the Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent choice for those seeking top-tier Gen 4.0 performance.
If you’re after top-tier PCIe 4.0 storage with speed to match the best in the game, the Kingston KC3000 is an excellent option. Built for speed, endurance, and reliability, it’s a great choice for gamers, creators, and power users alike.
Key Features:
- Blazing-Fast Speeds: Up to 7,000 MB/s read/write with up to one million IOPS for near-instant load times.
- High-End Components: Powered by the Phison E18 controller and Micron 176-layer NAND for maximum performance.
- Compact Design: M.2 2280 form factor fits most desktops and laptops for broad compatibility.
- Excellent for Gaming: Loads even demanding titles quickly for a seamless experience.
- Reliable and Durable: Built for long-term endurance and consistent speed under load.
With its combination of cutting-edge speed and strong reliability, the Kingston KC3000 is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade to one of the fastest SSDs currently available.
If you're after a high-speed SSD for gaming, the WD Black SN850 is a standout pick. Officially licensed by PlayStation, it fits seamlessly into the PS5's M.2 expansion slot and delivers lightning-fast performance.
Key Features:
- PlayStation Licensed: Fully compatible with PS5, ensuring hassle-free installation and performance.
- Heatsink Included: Built-in heatsink allows for quick and easy setup in the PS5’s M.2 slot without overheating.
- Massive Storage: The 2TB model can hold up to around 50 games (based on 36GB average file size).
- Blazing Speeds: PCIe Gen 4.0 tech delivers up to 7,000MB/s read speeds for ultra-fast load times.
- Game-Ready: Boots up large titles and files almost instantly, keeping you in the action without delay.
With top-tier Gen 4.0 performance and official PS5 support, the WD Black SN850 is one of the best storage upgrades you can make to expand your game library and reduce wait times.
The Corsair MP510 is a budget-friendly SSD available in capacities up to 4TB, offering impressive Gen 3.0 NVMe performance. While it lacks the speed of Gen 4 drives, its PCIe interface still delivers significantly faster loading times than traditional HDDs and outperforms older SATA SSDs.
Key Features:
- Budget-Friendly: Offers great performance for its price, making it ideal for value-focused buyers.
- PCIe Gen 3.0 Interface: Delivers faster speeds than traditional HDDs and SATA SSDs.
- Capacities Up to 4TB: Plenty of room for games, files, and applications.
- M.2 2280 Form Factor: Fits easily into most desktop motherboards.
- 3D TLC NAND: Balances performance, endurance, and reliability for long-term use.
All things considered, the Corsair MP510 is a dependable and affordable SSD option that gives you quick access to your files and games, making it a worthwhile investment for everyday performance.
The WD AN1500 is a clever solution for those seeking NVMe performance without an M.2 slot. Utilizing the older PCI form factor, this NVMe SSD delivers impressive PCIe 3.0 x4 performance, with read/write speeds of up to 6,500MB/s, nearly matching the speed of the latest Gen 4.0 drives.
Key Features:
- PCIe Add-in Card Design: Ideal for systems without available M.2 slots.
- High-Speed Performance: Up to 6,500MB/s read and write speeds for fast load times and file transfers.
- Large Storage Options: Available in capacities up to 4TB—perfect for storing large games and media files.
- RGB Lighting: Fully customizable RGB to match your gaming setup.
- Plug-and-Play Compatibility: Installs easily via a standard PCIe slot.
With impressive speeds, generous storage, and added RGB flair, the WD AN1500 is a great pick for gamers and creatives alike who want NVMe-level performance without relying on M.2 slots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
SSDs can be quite a confusing topic, so we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions on the web below so you can learn a bit more about them.
What is the difference between an SSD and a hard drive?
Both an SSD and an HDD (hard drive) have the same function: they store files and data, essentially acting as your device's long-term memory. However, the key difference here is that SSDs are a newer technology and provide a speed and performance that is so fast it can't really be compared to a traditional HDD.
In technical terms, SSDs use memory chips to store and access data, whereas HDDs use mechanical spinning disks and a moving read-and-write head. Essentially, the memory chips used by SSDs are instantly accessible, providing your device with the data it requires much faster.
So, if you're looking for faster loading speeds and something that can handle more demanding files, like large games or complex operating systems, an SSD is without a doubt the way forward.
Is SSD recommended for gaming?
Yes, SSDs are recommended for gaming because they're probably the best option around when it comes to minimizing loading times and launching games faster. This is particularly important nowadays since games have become increasingly more demanding in terms of file size and bandwidth.
For gaming, we would recommend that the SSD you get is at least a Gen 3.0 drive, which can deliver rates of up to 3,500 MB/s. However, if you're looking for the fastest experience possible, you can't get any better than an NVMe Gen 4.0 drive, so it's worth investing in if your budget allows it.
In fact, some of the newest Gen 4.0 drives around at the minute can even exceed 7,000 MB/s, offering super-fast reading and writing speeds. That's something to keep in mind when it comes to upgrading and investing in one.
What types of SSDs are available?
The most commonly used SSDs today include:
- SATA SSDs: These SSDs connect to the system via SATA cables and are commonly used in laptops and desktop computers.
- NVMe SSDs: Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) SSDs connect directly to the motherboard via PCIe slots, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to SATA SSDs.
- M.2 SSDs: These SSDs use the M.2 form factor and can connect via SATA or PCIe interfaces.
- PCIe SSDs: These SSDs connect directly to the motherboard via PCIe slots and offer high-speed data transfer rates suitable for demanding applications such as gaming and content creation.
Are SSDs reliable?
Generally speaking, SSDs are considered to be highly reliable storage devices due to their lack of moving parts, which reduces the risk of mechanical failure common in traditional HDDs. The absence of spinning disks and read/write heads in SSDs means they are less susceptible to physical damage from drops or shocks, making them a more robust choice for laptops and other portable devices. Additionally, SSDs tend to operate silently and generate less heat, contributing to a longer lifespan and greater overall reliability in various operating environments.
However, SSDs do have a finite number of write cycles, which means they can wear out over time with extensive use. This is measured in Terabytes Written (TBW), which indicates how much data can be written to the drive before it starts to degrade. Despite this limitation, modern SSDs have advanced significantly in terms of endurance and longevity.
For most users, the write limits are rarely reached within the typical lifespan of the device. Moreover, features like wear leveling, error correction, and TRIM support further enhance the reliability of SSDs by managing data writes efficiently and maintaining performance over time. Regular firmware updates and monitoring tools also help ensure the long-term health and reliability of SSDs.
Final Thoughts
No matter your needs, whether it's top-tier speed, gaming performance, or budget-friendly reliability, there's an SSD here that fits the bill. Upgrade your storage today and experience faster load times, improved efficiency, and seamless performance across all your devices.