Selecting the most effective M.2 SSD in your PC will significantly enhance your system’s learn and write speeds. A top-quality M.2 SSD shouldn’t be solely higher in high quality and construct, however it could possibly additionally allow sooner file entry, sooner downloading, and snappier file transfers in your PC and even some online game consoles that help them. And if you need your laptop to maintain up together with your knowledge submitting and accessing wants, it’s essential to decide on properly.
Doing so hinges on quite a lot of components. Are you hoping to construct the greatest gaming PC potential to cut back sport loading instances? Or do you want the greatest SSD for knowledgeable workstation to jot down massive quantities of knowledge rapidly?
The most effective M.2 SSD is simply as essential as having the greatest RAM and greatest processor to maximise efficiency. Fortunately, there are a lot of M.2 SSDs tailor-made for various customers so that you’ll discover one thing to fulfill your finances and knowledge wants. Plus, the greatest motherboards from main gamers like Gigabyte and MSI are going to have the newest PCIe M.2 slots for sooner switch charges.
We’re right here that can assist you choose the most effective one in your wants. We have extensively examined quite a lot of M.2 SSDs through the years, and we have discovered our high picks for varied use circumstances and budgets that can assist you discover the most effective M.2 SSD in your gadget.
John has been working with computer systems since he was a young person, lengthy earlier than he ever began writing about laptop {hardware} or engaged on his Grasp’s diploma in Pc Science. For sure, he is aware of computer systems inside and outside, and he has personally examined (and retested) all the SSDs on this web page, no matter whether or not he wrote our unique evaluate, and has validated the outcomes you may discover right here.
The fast record
Finest M.2 SSD total
The Essential T705 M.2 SSD has the quickest M.2 PCIe 5.0 speeds we have ever examined, and whereas it is not the most affordable SSD, it is pace makes it properly well worth the funding.
The most effective PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
No matter your particular want, that is the SSD that can get the job completed higher than some other in case you’ve solely obtained entry to PCIe 4.0 knowledge lanes in your motherboard.
The most effective finances gaming M.2 SSD
Not solely does this M.2 SSD supply implausible efficiency just about throughout the board, it is less expensive than rival gaming SSDs.
The most effective PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD
We is perhaps shifting on to PCIe 5.0 quickly, however this PCIe 3.0 SSD nonetheless has a spot in your PC, particularly as an reasonably priced storage answer.
The most effective gaming M.2 SSD
The Corsair MP600 Professional LPX is arguably the most effective PCIe 4.0 SSD in the marketplace for gaming, and its PS5 compatibility solely sweetens the deal.
6. Kingston Fury Renegade
The most effective M.2 SSD for PS5 gaming
The Kingston Fury Renegade PCIe 4.0 SSD is ideal for PS5 consoles due to its excellent learn speeds, heatsink possibility, and value.
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The most effective high-endurance M.2 SSD
If you would like a high-performance M.2 SSD that goes the gap, the Viper VP4300 will nonetheless be operating sturdy lengthy after its rivals falter.
Probably the most versatile M.2 SSD
The Samsung 990 EVO is a dependable, environment friendly PCIe 5.0 SSD best for laptops, PS5, and PCs. It affords strong speeds, a versatile hybrid interface, and improved energy effectivity.
The most effective M.2 SSDs of 2024
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We have extensively examined every of my greatest M.2 SSD picks on this record, so you may relaxation assured that every of those M.2 SSDs offers you the most effective efficiency no matter circumstance.
The Finest M.2 SSD total
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Essential’s T705 is among the quickest SSDs presently obtainable, providing unbelievable PCIe 5.0 speeds. It’s best for avid gamers and content material creators in search of the quickest loading instances and knowledge switch speeds however requires a suitable motherboard and CPU to unlock its full potential.
The T705 is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB variants to attraction to most patrons. There’s no compromise on efficiency, and it delivers official sequential learn speeds of 14,500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 12,700MB/s. Our testing verified these claims, with T705 getting a powerful 14,390 MB/s sequential learn pace and a 12,465 sequential write pace in CrystalDiskMark 8 to outscore the competitors.
Highly effective PCIe 5.0 SSDs have some drawbacks, so it’s price planning accordingly if you need the most effective efficiency. They generate intense warmth, and it’s price getting the T705 with the heatsink or utilizing a cooling fan to make sure it performs flawlessly. Solely the newest Intel and AMD motherboards and processors help PCIe 5.0, and we suggest that you just examine the specs beforehand to make sure compatibility earlier than splashing your money.
This SSD is suitable with the PS5 and PS5 Professional, however you gained’t expertise its speeds as a result of the consoles don’t help PCIe 5.0. You’ll be higher off with the greatest PS5 SSDs, just like the Samsung 990 Professional and Kingston Fury Renegade, which function on PCIe 4.0 and get the job completed for much less.
Sturdiness is superb regardless of its excessive efficiency, and the T505 features a five-year restricted guarantee and a 600 to 2400 TBW score, relying on the scale. It’s price its hefty price ticket for its phenomenal efficiency and features a one-month Adobe Inventive Cloud All-Apps plan to sweeten the deal.
Learn the complete Essential T705 SSD evaluate
The most effective PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD
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Samsung‘s 990 Professional M.2 SSD garnered consideration upon its announcement, primarily attributable to its adherence to the prevailing PCIe 4.0 normal as a substitute of the anticipated PCIe 5.0. Nevertheless, its efficiency, practically maxing out the PCIe 4.0’s potential, silenced many naysayers. For avid gamers, it boasts unparalleled learn speeds; for artistic professionals, its write speeds shine, particularly throughout intensive duties.
A standout function: the 990 Professional’s sequential writes considerably outpace each its predecessor and rivals. Moreover, it showcases spectacular learn speeds, nearing PCIe 4.0’s most of 8,000MB/s.
Assessments revealed the 990 Professional surpassing the 980 Professional, transferring a 10GB file about 9% faster and copying a big folder roughly 32% sooner. Such prowess interprets to faster sport masses and swift app startups. This consists of PS5 efficiency as properly, the place we have been in a position to copy a 123GB sport roughly 84% sooner utilizing the Samsung 990 Professional in comparison with the console’s storage drive.
Nevertheless, the 990 Professional comes with its caveats. Its present restricted capability choices may deter some, although we anticipate extra decisions quickly. Moreover, whereas its value matches high-performance PS5 SSDs, it sits larger than budget-friendly SSDs just like the Adata XPG SX8200. These strictly budget-focused may take into account the extra reasonably priced Samsung 980 or 970 Evo.
In essence, the 990 Professional caters to a distinct segment demanding peak efficiency. Till PCIe 5.0 SSDs actually hit the scene, it stays a top-tier alternative for fans and professionals alike.
Learn the complete Samsung 990 Professional evaluate
The most effective finances gaming M.2 SSD
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The PNY XLR8 CS3140 M.2 SSD is among the greatest SSDs round, each for avid gamers and PC fans alike. Obtainable in three capacities—1TB, 2TB, and 4TB—this SSD is a good swan track for the PCIe 4.0 period as PCIe 5.0 SSDs begin to roll out.
Whereas PCIe 4.0 SSDs have a theoretical most pace of 8,000MB/s, the PNY XLR8 CS3140 pushes proper as much as that line with a rated sequential learn pace of seven,500MB/s, together with a 6,850MB/s sequential write score for its 2TB and 4TB capacities (5,650MB/s for 1TB).
Our assessments mirror this for probably the most half, recording a sequential learn pace of seven,256MB/s in CrystalDiskMark 8, with a considerably decrease than anticipated sequential write pace of 6,082MB/s in the identical take a look at. Curiously although, it had the best random write efficiency of any drive we examined (4,938MB/s), together with the vaunted Samsung Professional 990, which had a roughly 17% slower random write price (4,105MB/s). It additionally had the most effective common knowledge copy price of all of the drives we examined lately with 1,733MB/s, so this isn’t solely a fantastic gaming SSD, it’s a implausible throughout performer at a fantastic value.
Thankfully, PNY affords an optionally available heatsink that may be added to the drive to assist hold temperatures in examine, which is a should for a drive this quick. It additionally has a PS5-specific heatsink you should purchase, making it a super choose for avid gamers aiming for optimized thermal efficiency on Sony‘s newest console.
So whereas there is perhaps sooner M.2 SSDs than the PNY XLR8 CS3140, its price-to-performance ratio makes it the most effective high-performance SSD for avid gamers and fans who don’t have the stacks to throw at Samsung or Corsair’s greatest SSD choices.
The most effective PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus has a number of the quickest sequential learn and write speeds of any PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD on the market, making it an apparent contender for the most effective M.2 SDD on the record. Its random entry efficiency can also be the quickest of the PCIe 3.0s, simply making it the winner within the PCIe 3.0 bracket when it comes to uncooked energy.
The draw back is its sturdiness. The 970 EVO Plus has the bottom sturdiness as measured by MTBF, score only one,500,000 hours, and its TBW score at 2TB is 1200, matching the SN750, however lagging the XPG SX8200. At 256GB, it scores a somewhat low 150, the bottom of the three PCIe 3.0 contenders.
It does not include an possibility for a built-in warmth sink, so any warmth it generates must be bled off with further cooling options. It does use Dynamic Thermal Guard know-how to assist regulate its core temperature in addition to a {hardware} warmth spreader and nickel-coated controller. It is not a heatsink, nevertheless it’s one thing.
Of all of the M.2 SSD’s on this record, the Samsung EVO Plus is the costliest, in some circumstances (in opposition to XPG SX8200, for instance) by an excellent margin. In case you have the cash to spend and also you need the quickest SSD your PCIe 3.0 board can deal with, then you may’t go flawed with the Samsung EVO Plus.
Learn the complete Samsung 970 EVO Plus evaluate
The Finest Gaming M.2 SSD
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The Corsair MP600 Professional LPX made waves within the SSD market when it launched with aggressive pricing and unparalleled speeds, and that continues to be the case in the present day. Its PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 SSD credentials ship lightning-fast speeds, outshining cheaper, slower PCIe 3.0 options, and maintaining with the easiest SSDs in the marketplace. Some PCIe Gen 4 drives may seem related in worth however fall quick in maximizing the bandwidth that the MP600 Professional LPX exploits.
Our assessments on the 2TB capability drive revealed exceptional speeds: sequential learn and write speeds of seven,364MB/s and 6,870MB/s, respectively. This outpaces each the WD_Black SN850 and Samsung 980 Professional SSDs, even surpassing Corsair’s personal marketed charges.
Its random learn/write operations aren’t the most effective amongst PCIe 4.0 SSDS, so this SSD is greatest fitted to loading very massive information like video video games, massive media information, or as a boot drive.
Corsair affords varied cooling choices for this drive, with the MP600 Professional LPX tailor-made with a low-profile heatsink match for the PS5.
Get the most effective offers on Corsair merchandise with our Corsair coupon codes.
Learn the complete Corsair MP600 Professional LPX evaluate
The most effective M.2 SSD for PS5 gaming
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The Kingston Fury Renegade is ideal for avid gamers wanting the quickest loading instances on PCs and PS5s due to its blistering pace. It is available in sizes between 500GB and 4TB and affords excellent longevity with superior sturdiness rankings to many rivals.
Kingston says the Fury Renegade can attain 7,300MB/s sequential learn speeds and seven,000MB/sequential write speeds on PC. We examined it with Sony’s official SSD benchmark software, and it surpassed the competitors with a best-in-class 6,500MB/s learn pace. Its real-world efficiency mirrored its stats. Loading instances have been virtually on the spot at below 10 seconds, and it took round a minute to repeat massive video games like God of Battle: Ragnarok and Metro: Exodus from the inner SSD.
Putting in the Fury Renegade into your PS5 is a breeze, and it features a heatsink to assist hold temperatures manageable. The rugged aluminum heatsink retains it cool, and its 10.5mm peak simply matches into the PS5s M2 slot to make sure clean efficiency. You possibly can simply unclip the heatsink in case you’re utilizing the Fury Renegade on a PC with restricted house. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to maintain it on to make sure the most effective thermal efficiency.
You gained’t must stress about sturdiness as a result of this SSD is rated at a superb 2,000,000 hours MTBF and features a restricted five-year guarantee. The “terabytes written” spec estimates how a lot knowledge you may write onto a drive earlier than the cells degrade, and the Fury Renegade ranges between a higher-than-average 500 and 4000 TBW, relying on its dimension, so it ought to final for numerous gaming classes.
Learn the complete Kingston Fury Renegade SSD evaluate
The most effective high-endurance M.2 SSD
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The Patriot Viper VP4300 is a significant contender for the most effective SSD crown with its spectacular sequential and random speeds, quick copy operations, and low working temperature. However most of all, this SSD is constructed for the lengthy haul with a best-in-class 1000TBW endurance score for a 1TB drive, and a 2000TBW score for a 2TB one.
This SSD additionally does not skimp on options. It offers two cooling choices for the drive: a 4mm thick aluminum heatsink and an ultra-thin graphene label, which is ideal for tight areas in just like the greatest skinny and lightweight laptops.
Obtainable in 1TB and 2TB capacities, the VP4300 affords rated speeds of as much as 7,400MB/s learn and 6,800MB/s write, that are just about spot on in our testing (the place we recorded 7,389MB/s and 6,799MB/s sequential learn and write speeds, respectively).
It is barely dearer than related capability SSDs, nevertheless it positively compensates for this with its efficiency and sturdiness, in addition to the included “heatshield” choices. These work exceptionally properly, and this SSD has the bottom recorded max temperature (about 57℃) of any of the high-end PCIe 4.0 SSDs we have examined lately, together with these on this record.
Tech-wise, the VP4300 is corresponding to Samsung 980 Professional and WD Black SN850, because it employs a high-end PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD controller and premium NAND flash, the latter of which ensures robustness and effectivity, nevertheless it’s efficiency is significantly outperforms these two SSDs, and actually solely struggles to maintain up with the Samsung 990 Professional when it comes to random knowledge operations, blowing previous most of its different rivals in that regard.
In the end, this SSD is about delivering quick, constant efficiency for the whole lot of its very lengthy life, so in case you’re in search of an SSD to carry out fixed knowledge operations somewhat than simply load up the most effective PC video games that you will by no means really uninstall then the Patriot Viper VP4300 is the M.2 SSD you have been in search of.
Learn the complete Patriot Viper VP4300 evaluate
The most effective M.2 SSD for effectivity
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Samsung’s 990 EVO is a strong performer designed for reliability and effectivity somewhat than the quickest speeds. It’s best for laptops, the PS5, OEMs, and prebuilt PCs and affords spectacular versatility with PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 compatibility to work on most new motherboards.
You possibly can count on acceptable speeds for on a regular basis use with claimed 5,000MB/s sequential learn and 4,200MB/s sequential write charges. Our testing matched these figures, with the 990 EVO reaching a 5,082.24MB/s sequential learn pace and three,750.68MB/s sequential write pace in CrystalDiskMark 8.
This SSD’s hybrid interface offers glorious flexibility however delivers PCIe 4.0 speeds throughout the board as a result of it solely makes use of two of the 4 PCIe 5.0 lanes. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a secure wager in case you’re in search of consistency and offers a level of future-proofing for patrons seeking to improve quickly.
The 990 EVO’s new 5nm controller enhances effectivity, and Samsung makes the doubtful declare of as much as a 70% enchancment over the earlier mannequin. In actuality, it is round 8% much less when studying and 22% when writing sequentially, which ought to translate to improved laptop computer battery life. The warmth spreader label affords first rate thermal management, and also you most likely gained’t want a heatsink in case you plan on utilizing the 990 EVO on a PS5 due to its cheap learn and write speeds.
Samsung’s strong software program and prolonged guarantee make the 990 EVO the proper alternative for patrons in search of sturdiness. Samsung Magician consists of varied well being monitoring and optimization instruments to maintain your SSD in nice form and helps AES 256-bit encryption and Opal safety. The restricted five-year guarantee and 600/1200 TBW meet trade requirements and supply peace of thoughts that you just’ll get good service from the 990 EVO.
Learn the complete Samsung 990 EVO evaluate
How we examined the most effective M.2 SSDs
To check the M.2 SSDs on this record, carry out quite a lot of benchmark assessments on them to measure their sequential and random learn speeds and their sequential and random write speeds. These embody PassMark’s PerformanceTest Disk benchmark, CrystalDiskMark 8, 3DMark and PCMark 10, in addition to our personal, in-house SSD operation scripts to simulate and time the SSD’s pace when copying information.
We additionally be certain that to measure the SSD’s warmth and controller-reported knowledge on how a lot knowledge has been written to the drive and the way a lot life the drive has left earlier than failing to find out whether or not the producer’s claimed endurance measures as much as the time the drive itself estimates it has left.
If the drive is suitable with a online game console, we may even measure the SSD’s pace each with the console’s personal benchmarks but in addition by way of file copy operations to and from the primary console storage drive.
Lastly, we use the drive as our major SSD in our workstation PC (and online game console, if acceptable) to evaluate the true world use of the drive.
Learn extra about how we take a look at