When it comes to upgrading your computer for faster performance, installing a solid state drive (SSD) is one of the best investments you can make. SSDs have become increasingly popular in recent years-and for good reason. Compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs offer a host of advantages including much faster speeds, greater durability, cooler operating temperatures, and lower power consumption.
If you‘re in the market for an SSD, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming. To help you out, I‘ve put together this ultimate guide to the best SSDs you can buy in 2023. I‘ll cover the most important factors to consider, provide my top picks across key categories, and share some additional tips to help you find the perfect SSD for your needs.
First, let‘s briefly go over what to look for in an SSD:
Price: SSDs are more expensive than HDDs per gigabyte, but prices have come down significantly in recent years. Set a budget, but don‘t just go for the cheapest option as higher-end SSDs do offer tangible benefits.
Capacity: Consider how much storage space you realistically need. For a boot drive, 500GB is usually plenty, but you may want 1TB, 2TB or more if you have a lot of games, media, or other files to store.
Form factor: Make sure to get an SSD that is compatible with your system. The most common form factors are 2.5" SATA, M.2, and PCIe add-in cards.
Interface: SATA SSDs will be limited to around 550 MB/s speeds, while M.2 and PCIe NVMe SSDs can deliver much faster speeds in the 1500-7000MB/s range, though they are also more expensive.
Durability: SSDs are more durable than HDDs since they have no moving parts, but some are rated to withstand more extreme shock, vibration and temperatures than others. If you travel a lot with your laptop, a more durable SSD may be worth it.
With those factors in mind, here are my top picks for the best SSDs you can buy in 2023:
Best NVMe SSD Overall: Samsung 980 Pro
- PCIe 4.0 NVMe interface
- Up to 7,000 MB/s sequential read and 5,000 MB/s sequential write speeds
- Advanced thermal control and nickel coating to manage heat
- 5-year warranty
- 500GB, 1TB or 2TB capacity options
- Higher power consumption than some competitors
The Samsung 980 Pro is my pick for the best overall SSD, especially if you have a motherboard that supports PCIe 4.0. With incredible maximum read/write speeds of 7,000/5,000 MB/s, a reliable thermal control system, hardware encryption, and a solid 5-year warranty, it checks all the right boxes. The biggest downside is the price, especially for the higher capacity 2TB model. But if you want top-of-the-line performance for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks, the Samsung 980 Pro is hard to beat.
Best Budget NVMe SSD: Crucial P2
- PCIe 3.0 NVMe interface
- Up to 2,400 MB/s sequential read and 1,800 MB/s sequential write speeds
- 5-year warranty
- 250GB, 500GB, 1TB or 2TB capacity options
- Slower write speeds and lower endurance than more expensive NVMe SSDs
If you want a more affordable but still very capable NVMe SSD, the Crucial P2 is an excellent choice. With read/write speeds of up to 2,400/1,800 MB/s, it‘s over 4x faster than SATA SSDs while costing only a little more per gigabyte. The endurance isn‘t quite as good as higher-end NVMe drives and it lacks hardware encryption, but for the price, the Crucial P2 delivers outstanding value and is more than fast enough for everyday computing tasks and even gaming.
Best PCIe 4.0 SSD for Gamers and Enthusiasts: WD_Black SN850
- PCIe 4.0 NVME interface
- Up to 7,000 MB/s sequential read and 5,300 MB/s sequential write speeds
- Option to add high-performance heatsink to better sustain speeds
- Game Mode 2.0 feature for smoother, faster gaming performance
- 500GB, 1TB or 2TB capacity options
- Runs a bit hotter than some competitors
For gamers and PC enthusiasts, the WD_Black SN850 is my top pick, especially if you want to take full advantage of the PCIe 4.0 interface. It matches the Samsung 980 Pro‘s incredible speed, delivers slightly faster write speeds, and offers an optional heatsink model to better sustain those speeds under heavy loads. A special Game Mode 2.0 feature optimizes performance and smooths out frame rates in games. On the downside, it runs a bit hotter than the Samsung 980 Pro and its endurance rating is a bit lower at 600 TBW vs 1200 TBW for the 1TB models. But for most users, this won‘t be an issue.
Best High-Capacity SATA SSD: Samsung 870 QVO
- SATA III interface
- Up to 560 MB/s sequential read and 530 MB/s sequential write speeds
- Intelligent TurboWrite technology for faster speeds
- 1TB, 2TB, 4TB or massive 8TB capacity options
- Lower endurance than some SATA SSDs
Need a spacious yet affordable SSD for storing large media or game libraries? The Samsung 870 QVO is your best bet. Using more cost-effective QLC V-NAND, it offers an unbeatable price per gigabyte in the SATA segment, especially in the huge 4TB and 8TB models. You still get solid speeds of 560/530 MB/s read/write thanks to Intelligent TurboWrite technology. Write endurance is lower than TLC-based drives, but is a non-issue for media storage and gaming. Having 8TB of SSD storage in a PC would have been unheard of just a few years ago!
Best Portable SSD: SanDisk Extreme v2
- Up to 2,000 MB/s sequential read and 2,000 MB/s sequential write speeds
- Durable design with water, dust and drop-resistance
- 5-year warranty
- 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacity options
- Gets a bit warm under heavy loads
If you need to transfer or backup files on-the-go, the SanDisk Extreme v2 is the best portable SSD around. Packing up to 2,000 MB/s read/write speeds into a sleek and rugged enclosure that‘s water, dust and drop resistant, it delivers cutting-edge performance in any environment. The handy carabiner loop is great for attaching it to a backpack. The SanDisk Extreme v2 does get a bit warm during long file transfers, but it‘s a small nitpick on an otherwise stellar portable drive.
Additional Tips for Buying an SSD
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Make sure you have a compatible M.2 slot on your motherboard if buying an M.2 SSD. Consult your manual as not all M.2 slots support both SATA and PCIe SSDs.
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While NVMe SSDs are faster, SATA models are still great options for more budget-conscious buyers, especially for laptops that may not support or benefit from NVMe.
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Pay attention to endurance ratings if you plan on writing a lot of data constantly, but for typical home PC usage and gaming, all of the SSDs listed here will last for many years.
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For a boot drive, 500GB-1TB is the sweet spot. But consider a higher capacity or adding a second SSD if you have a large game library.
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Don‘t forget to account for the cost of accessories like heatsinks, PCIe adapters, or external enclosures if your setup requires them.
Using an SSD: What It‘s Like
If you‘re still using a traditional hard drive, upgrading to an SSD will feel like a whole new PC. With an SSD, your system will boot up in seconds rather than minutes. Programs and files will open almost instantly. Games will load faster, stutter less, and be more responsive. And you can say goodbye to the constant whirring and chugging of a hard drive.
Essentially, your computer will feel faster, snappier, and more responsive across the board with an SSD. It‘s one of if not the most noticeable and satisfying PC upgrades you can make. Throw in the fact that SSDs run cooler, quieter, and more power efficiently, and it‘s really a no-brainer if you can fit one in your budget.
Frequently Asked SSD Questions
How much of a speed boost will I see going from HDD to SSD?
It depends on the specific drives, but in general, you can expect 3-5x faster boot times, 30-50x faster file transfers, and load times reduced by 50-80% in games.
How much SSD storage do I need?
For most users, 500GB to 1TB is plenty for a boot drive. Gamers and media pros may want 2TB or more, depending on their library size.
How long do SSDs last?
Modern SSDs are very reliable and can easily last 5-7 years or more under typical consumer workloads.
Is an NVMe SSD worth it over SATA?
If your system supports it, NVMe drives offer 4-7x the speed of SATA models, which can make a difference in heavier workloads like gaming or video editing. But for basic computing tasks, SATA SSDs are still an excellent option.
Can I use any SSD with my motherboard?
Not necessarily. Make sure the drive‘s form factor (2.5", M.2, PCIe) and interface (SATA, NVMe) are supported by your system.
Conclusion
There has never been a better time to upgrade to an SSD. Prices have dropped substantially, speeds are blazing fast, and capacities are larger than ever. With the picks listed in this guide, you can find the perfect SSD for your needs and budget, from the top-tier Samsung 980 Pro to the value-packed Crucial P2.
Just make sure to do your research and consult your system‘s manual for compatibility. And prepare to be amazed by the difference an SSD makes in everyday use. Say goodbye to sluggish boot times, slow file transfers, and hitching in games. With an SSD, your PC will be faster, cooler, and quieter-what‘s not to love?
