The best SSDs of 2026
Seven internal drives for desktops, laptops and consoles, which PCIe generation you actually need, and why prices are higher this year.
Get the Samsung 990 Pro for almost any PC or PS5. The WD Black SN8100 is faster, but only matters on a PCIe 5.0 motherboard. On a budget, the Kingston NV3 is still far quicker than a hard drive. Keep large backups on an external drive or a NAS instead of paying SSD prices per terabyte.
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Everything we recommend
What you need to know
Anyone upgrading a PC, laptop or PS5, or replacing a slow hard drive.
For backups or files you rarely open. An external drive or NAS costs far less per terabyte.
Published speed and reliability results from Tom's Hardware, StorageReview and PCWorld, plus warranty and price per terabyte.
PCIe 4.0 is fast enough for games and everyday use. PCIe 5.0 pays off only on a PCIe 5.0 slot and for big file copies.
The picks
Samsung 990 Pro
A PCIe 4.0 drive with reads around 7,450 MB/s, strong everyday performance and a long reliability record. It works in most desktops built in the last five years and in a PS5 with a heatsink.
Buy the heatsink version for a PS5 or a cramped case. The plain version is fine in a laptop.
WD Black SN8100
TechRadar measured nearly 15,000 MB/s reads, the fastest consumer drive it has tested, and it runs more efficiently than earlier PCIe 5.0 drives. It is now also sold as the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100.
You only get the speed on a PCIe 5.0 slot. In an older PC it runs at PCIe 4.0 speed, so buy the 990 Pro instead.
WD Black SN7100
Close to 990 Pro speed for less money, and PCWorld's top PCIe 4.0 pick. It is being renamed SanDisk Optimus GX 7100, so you may see either name.
No heatsink option from the factory. Add one for a PS5.
Samsung 990 EVO Plus
Fast TLC storage that runs cool and sips power, which helps battery life. It is also a strong budget pick for a desktop boot drive.
No DRAM cache; it borrows a little system memory instead (HMB). That is fine for everyday use.
Samsung 9100 Pro
StorageReview's best high-capacity consumer SSD, with an 8TB version that holds a large photo or 4K video library and stays fast on long copies.
Expensive, and the speed needs a PCIe 5.0 slot. Back up to an external drive or NAS too.
Kingston NV3
One of the cheapest reliable NVMe drives, with reads around 6,000 MB/s. That is enough for fast boot times and game loads.
Slows down on very long file copies. Fine for a boot drive, less so for video editing.
Samsung 870 EVO
A 2.5-inch SATA drive for computers without an M.2 slot. It is several times faster than the hard drive it replaces.
SATA tops out around 560 MB/s, so pick NVMe if your PC has an M.2 slot.
Which SSD do you need?
For most people a 1TB or 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive is the right buy. PCIe 5.0 drives are faster in benchmarks, but game load times and everyday use barely change. Check your motherboard or laptop manual for the slot type before you order.
Before you order, look up your laptop or motherboard model with "M.2 slot" to see which drive length (2230, 2242 or 2280) and PCIe generation it takes.
Memory prices rose this year as AI data centers bought up supply, so SSDs cost more than in 2025. Buying 2TB now and skipping a later upgrade is usually cheaper than buying twice.
- M.2 NVMe: the small stick-shaped drive used in most PCs, laptops and the PS5
- 2.5-inch SATA: the older laptop-drive shape, for computers without M.2
- TLC vs QLC: TLC flash holds speed on long copies; cheaper QLC drives slow down
- DRAM cache: helps a drive stay fast under heavy use
The best SSD for each use
- Gaming PC: Samsung 990 Pro, 2TB. An SSD shortens load times; it does not raise frame rates.
- PS5: Samsung 990 Pro or WD Black SN7100 with a heatsink.
- Laptop: Samsung 990 EVO Plus for battery life. Check whether your laptop takes a 2230 or 2280 drive.
- Video editing and photography: Samsung 9100 Pro or WD Black SN8100 at 4TB or more, with a separate drive for backups.
- NAS cache: a NAS-rated drive such as the WD Red SN700. See our home NAS guide.
- Older PC without M.2: Samsung 870 EVO (SATA).
- Portable storage: see our external drive guide for portable SSDs.
How we picked
We compared published lab tests, owner reports and maker specs, and ranked on:
- Tested speed: published sequential and random results, not just the box number
- Reliability: maker warranty and endurance rating (TBW)
- Fit: M.2 or SATA, PS5 support, heatsink options
- Price per terabyte at 1TB and 2TB
More on our process is in how we research.
Others we considered
- Kingston Fury Renegade G5: A fast PCIe 5.0 drive that PC Guide ranks near the SN8100 for gaming.
- TeamGroup MP44L: A cheap PCIe 4.0 drive that GeekaWhat rates highly for value.
- Crucial T710: A fast PCIe 5.0 drive that trades places with the SN8100 in tests; buy whichever is cheaper.
- Crucial P310: A good-value PCIe 4.0 drive, close to the SN7100.
- Samsung 9100 Pro: Samsung's PCIe 5.0 drive; fast but priced above the SN8100.
Questions
What is the best SSD brand?
Samsung, WD/SanDisk, Crucial and Kingston all make reliable drives. Pick the model, not the brand: a TLC drive from a major maker with a five-year warranty is a safe choice.
Does an SSD improve gaming performance?
It cuts load times and stutter from texture streaming, but it does not raise frame rates. Any PCIe 4.0 drive is fast enough for games.
Do I need an SSD with DRAM?
Not for most people. DRAM-less drives that use system memory (HMB) are fine for gaming and everyday use. DRAM helps with heavy, sustained writes such as video editing.
Is a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it?
Only if your motherboard has a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and you move large files often. For gaming and everyday use, a PCIe 4.0 drive feels the same.
What SSD works in a PS5?
Any PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 drive with reads of 5,500 MB/s or faster and a heatsink. The Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN7100 both qualify.
How much storage do I need?
1TB for a laptop or light PC, 2TB for gaming. Modern games often take 100GB or more each.
- Tom's Hardware, "Best SSDs 2026," Oct 2026; StorageReview, "Best SSDs and Hard Drives 2026," Oct 2026
- PCWorld, "Best SSDs of 2026," Oct 2026; TechRadar, "The best SSD in 2026"; PC Guide, "Best SSD for gaming 2026," Jun 2026
- Maker product pages for Samsung, WD/SanDisk, Kingston and Crucial, checked Oct 19, 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.