Best Internal SSDs 2022 – Reviews & Guide
Solid-state drives are everywhere these days! They offer a speed boost and capacity that was once reserved for enterprise customers.
SSDs now priced similarly (or even lower) than hard drive storage options, it’s more accessible than ever before – especially if you’re looking to upgrade your old PC or just want something quick on-demand when needed. The best part? You can add an internal solid state disk as boot drive without breaking the bank; cost effective upgrades have never been easier.
Types of internal SSDs
Internal SSDs come in three different physical forms: 2.5″ drives, M.2-style (aka micro) drives and AIB slots that provide increased storage capacity for laptops via direct attachability using SATA or PCI Express buses depending on the model you choose to purchase Each form has its own set of key features but it’s important not get lost among all these options when looking at buying one because there is no “right” answer as each format offers something unique about your specific laptop or desktop need.
1. 2.5” SATA SSD
The Serial ATA (SATA) SSD is an older form of storage that still remains popular, especially with consumers who are looking to upgrade their old laptops or desktops. The drive will fit into the same brackets used for 2 5/8″ hard drives making it easy enough if you have any existing equipment!
1.1 Samsung EVO 870
The Samsung SSD 870 EVO is a dependable and fast solid-state drive that can be found in five different storage volumes: 250GB, 500 GB 1TB 2 tb or 4 TB. With Read speeds up to 560MBps and Write capability at 530 MBPS you will never have trouble with performance! This could be one of the best ssd for your macbook pro as well.
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Form Factor: 2.5-inch 7mm
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: SATA 6Gbps / AHCI
- Sequential Reads/Writes: Up to 560 MBps / 530 MBps
1.2 Samsung 870 QVO
The 870 Qvo from Samsung offers a number of features to make it an excellent choice for any workload you can throw at this drive, including extraordinary endurance ratings and warranties. The random read/write speeds are also up there with some best models – meaning that your data will always be safe no matter what type or size job comes across it! Plus if money isn’t really on the agenda then I recommend getting one big enough capacity so as not to have too many worries about running out of space.
- Capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB
- Form Factor: 2.5-inch 7mm
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: SATA 6Gbps / AHCI
- Sequential Reads/Writes: Up to 560 MBps / 530 MBps
1.3 Samsung 860 PRO
The SSD 860 Pro is a valuable asset to any computer because it can be installed in either an IDE or SATA slot. This versatility makes this MLC-based solid state disk (SSD) extremely useful, especially when compared against much smaller PCIe NVMe drives which usually require motherboards equipped with compatible slots for installation purposes
- Capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Form Factor: 2.5” 7mm
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: SATA 3 / AHCI
- Sequential Reads/Writes: 560 MBps / 530 MBps
1.4 Crucial MX500
The Micron 64-layer 3D NAND is a much needed upgrade for the MX500. Read speeds reach up to 560MBps and Write performance reaches 530 MB/s, making this an excellent choice if you’re shopping around!
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Form Factor: 2.5” 7mm
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: SATA 3 / AHCI
- Sequential Reads/Writes: Up to 560 MBps / 530 MBps
1.5 Kingston KC600
The KC600 is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities.For those who are willing to pay a little extra, they’ll provide an installation kit with all of the cables and hardware that you need. It’s perfect for making sure your drive stays put in any computer or laptop without worrying about installing slots yourself-just plug it right into place.
- Capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Form Factor: 2.5-inch 7mm
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: SATA 6Gbps / AHCI
- Sequential Reads/Writes: Up to 550 MBps / 520 MBps
2. NVMe M.2 SSDs
M.2 slots are now common in new desktop motherboards and practically universal among late-model laptops, but what exactly is an M2 SSD? It’s the 2nd generation of small form factor drives that refined its essence to be extremely minimal while also being complicated before you buy it because there’re so many different types out on market these days. We are here to help get you to the right choice for your needs!
2.1 Samsung EVO 980 PRO
The Samsung 980 Pro is a beast of an SSD. This PCIe 4 firepower packs plenty of speed with Sequential Read up to 7000MBps and Write Operations at 5000 MBps – more than enough power for any task you throw its way!
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Form Factor: M.2 2280 Single-sided
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: PCIe 4.0 x4 / NVMe 1.3c
- Sequential Reads/Writes: 7,000 MBps / 5,000 MBps
2.2 WD Black SN850
Western Digital has been a leader in storage products for years and their latest PCIe Gen4 WD Black NVMe SSD is no exception! With speeds up to 7000MB/s read, you’ll be able to launch whatever application or game without delay. It also offers improved performance over previous generations so loading your system will happen quickly.
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Form Factor: M.2 2280 Single-sided
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: PCIe 4.0 x4 / NVMe 1.4
- Sequential Reads/Writes: 7,000 MBps / 5,300 MBps
2.3 Kingston KC3000
Kingston’s KC3000 offers a great way to store large amounts of data. It can hold up 512GB – 4TB with prices ranging from $174-$400, depending on your desired capacity; however, there are some models that cost less than others! We tested out the 2TB version which came in at just under 200 bucks but if you need something smaller or more budget friendly then check their 1TB model for $170.
- Capacities: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Form Factor: M.2 2280 Double-sided
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: PCIe 4.0 x4 / NVMe 1.4
- Sequential Reads/Writes: 7,000 MBps / 7,000 MBps
2.4 WD Blue SN570
Western Digital Blue SN570 is one of the fastest SSDs on today’s market. It retains its great price point and high reliability while still maintaining an amazing level of performance of its predecessor. This makes it a solid value pick for anyone who wants to get great performance without breaking the bank.
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Transfer Interface/Protocol: Gen 3×4 NVMe
- Sequential Reads/Writes: 3,500 MBps / 3,500 MBps
Final Thoughts
Solid State Drives come in all shapes and sizes, with the perfect drive waiting for you. From budget-friendly models to ones that will make it feel like old school magic when they load up your computer in less than one second – there’s an SSD made just right for whatever task at hand!