The Samsung SSD 860 EVO MZ-76E500B/EU 500GB is an excellent example of an SSD drive that has high endurance and speed, while not being very power-hungry. It is also highly compatible with a range of devices. These are the reasons why we recommend it as the best solid state drive on the market. We are sure that it will meet all of your needs and that you’ll be very satisfied with your upgraded PC or laptop.
People who like nearly instantaneous switching between processes are the ones who appreciate their PC or laptop having a good solid-state drive (SSD). This type of storage is known not only for its much faster boot up and better gaming or editing experiences, but also for its better performance. An SSD is also a lighter option for storage. The size of an SSD can sometimes be that of a credit card. It has no moving parts like an HDD, rather, the data is stored on microchips. If you move your device around, it’s generally much safer for your files to be on an SSD.
If you have firmly decided that you are going with an SSD instead of or along with an HDD, you’re going to want the best one out there. The truth is that an SDD is more expensive than an HDD. Still, they are undoubtedly worth the money, and we are going to make sure you get the best one out there. Some are more reliable than others and some are more durable than others. Some may fit your motherboard while others don’t. Like all hardware components, the decision comes down to personal needs, preferences and expectations. Let’s first dive more into which types of SSDs exist and give you some good examples you can buy.
Top Solid-State Drives
Top Solid-State Drives
Samsung SSD 860 EVO MZ-76E500B/EU 500GB
Kingston SSD A400 240 GB
SanDisk SSD PLUS SDSSDA-480G-G26 480 GB
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S250BW 250 GB
Western Digital WDS500G2B0B WD BLUE 3D NAND SATA SSD 500GB
Types of Solid-State Drives
The difference between SSD and HDD is not the only difference you should be looking out for. A well-known fact is that no matter what type of SSD you have, it’s better than any HDD. SSDs are faster and perform better than HDDs. Different types of SSD behave differently because of their different features. In this article, we will tackle the two main types: SATA-based SSDs and M.2 SATA SSDs.
We will help you decide which of these two types is better for you by explaining what both of them bring to the table. We’ll also review some of the best options for both types, so you have some options ready if you are looking to buy one quickly. There are many available out there, and while knowing that you can’t go wrong that much when buying an SSD, you should still give this decision some time and research. Without further hesitation, let’s look at the two types of SSD!
SATA-based SSDs
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA for short, is a type of connection interface. It is the most-used type of connection and dates back all the way to 2003. Throughout the 15+ years that it’s been on the market, it constantly improves. Honestly speaking, the SATA-based SSDs are a budget-friendly option. This type of SSD is often chosen because of its lower price. Its price can be half that of other SSD types.
The logical conclusion from its price is that it has worse performance. Don’t let this fool you, as these are still very fast drives! In practice, they go at about 500MB/s, which is definitely enough for a regular user. A great feature of SATA SSDs is that they are compatible with almost all devices. Whatever your device is, what components it has and how old it is – the chances are that it’s going to be completely compatible with SATA. This is great news for everyone who doesn’t understand hardware very well and doesn’t want to think about fitting every piece together perfectly.
Kingston SSD A400 240 GB
This Kingston SSD guarantees fast processes like starting up, transferring files and loading times. Buying this drive instead of a regular HDD will give you a more reliable and durable storage unit. Kingston is definitely a brand you can trust and is always worth buying from. This particular SSD quickly became a fan favourite because of its impressive responsiveness. Like all SSDs, it doesn’t have any moving parts, which means it has an almost no chance of failing. For laptop users, the A400 is a great choice because it is very cool and quiet, preventing your laptop from overheating, or drawing attention to you because of the unpleasant sounds your laptop is making. It will also help in extending your battery life with its low power needs.
Features
The A400 is up to ten times faster than a standard HDD. It contains the latest-gen controller which handles up to 500MB/s. This makes it an excellent fit for anyone who likes high performance, high responsiveness and multi-tasking capabilities. It is made for a regular user – you can tell by the cardboard packing it comes in that its target group aren’t professional gamers or “computer geeks”. When speaking of reliability, we would point out that the A400 is vibration and shock resistant. This is very handy for laptop users who carry their devices often. It’s very small and is perfect for smaller laptops which have limited space for hardware.
Advantages
ConClusion
The Kingston SSD A400 Solid-state Drive (2.5 Inch SATA 3), 240 GB offers very good performance for a low price but doesn’t come with any accessories. If you are a regular computer or laptop user and you are looking to buy an SSD from a trusted brand at an affordable price, you won’t go wrong with the A400.
Samsung SSD 860 EVO MZ-76E500B/EU 500GB
Samsung’s SSD EVO series is the first in line in the world of consumer SSDs. The EVO 860 is the newest generation in that series and has been specially built for mainstream computers and notebooks. It’s a true leader in the industry. It is fast and reliable, has a lot of capacity, and is compatible with countless devices. The 860 EVO comes with the latest V-NAND and an algorithm-based controller. Its speed stays the same even with more demanding tasks and processes, thus keeping your experience consistently great. Buying a Samsung SSD always an excellent idea! Let’s take a look at all the amazing features this SSD comes with, and you will see why it’s a fan favourite.
Features
This SSD stays at top of “Best SSD” lists because of its amazing speed. It doesn’t slow down even during long and extensive writing jobs. It’s also very durable, measuring at 1200 TBW (Terabytes written). This is four times more than its 850 EVO predecessor. The read speeds reach to 560MB/s, while write speeds reached 520MB/s in testing. This SSD offers a combination of great price and great quality. Samsung believes that quality storage should be available for everyone, so they ensure the price is budget friendly. When competition gets too close, Samsung releases a new better model for a reasonable price. Currently speaking, that model is the 860 EVO.
Advantages
ConClusion
Samsung keeps its place as the top pick for mainstream SSDs for desktop PCs or laptops. It really is everything its best-selling predecessor was – but better. More speed and more endurance make this drive a sure best-buy right now. “The SSD that makes a difference” is the tagline for this SSD, and that is exactly how we would describe it too.
SanDisk SSD PLUS SDSSDA-480G-G26 480 GB
Prepare for boot up, shutdown, loading and responsiveness that is 20 times faster than a regular HDD! This SanDisk SSD Plus comes with great design and excellent performance. It’s engineered to handle vibration and shock, keeping your files safe if you accidentally drop your computer. The SanDisk SSD Plus is ideal for a typical user. It handles workloads like web browsing, email, casual gaming, audio or video playback without a sweat, by delivering SLC caching. Setting it up isn’t hard for anyone as it comes with detailed installation instructions. The vast majority of user reviews online for this SSD are extremely positive – let’s see why people like it so much.
Features
Having half a terabyte of storage has become the standard for most users. Usually, people don’t want to spend more than a £77 for this. Recognising this, SanDisk put out this model with very competitive features at a very affordable price. Although, being lower priced means performer is poorer than the flagship models, like the previously mentioned Samsung. We wouldn’t say that performance is bad, but we’ll say that it’s inconsistent under challenging conditions. It’s not a DRAMless SSD, the controller comes with SanDisk MLC NAND and Nanya DDR3. The endurance isn’t specified by SanDisk, and neither is performance. However, SanDisk has been on the market for 30 years now and is one of the largest manufacturers of flash memory products, so you can still trust it to provide excellent value for money.
Advantages
ConClusion
If you are looking to boost up your PC or laptop performance and you’re not picky about getting the best SSD, the SanDisk SSD Plus 480GB will do the job for you. With its reasonable price, it attracts new users daily and keeps them by delivering fast performance and durability. Buying from a tech giant such as SanDisk is always safe, so if you liked what you’ve read in this review, surely give it a go. You will not be disappointed.
M.2 SATA SSDs
Next-Generation Form Factor (NGFF) is an originally known specification pronounced M dot 2 (M.2). This type of solid-state drive is designed for smaller devices like notebooks or tablets. These small devices have lower power, and M.2 SSDs are used to enable high performance in despite the differing power supply. M.2 SATA SSDs are so convenient for smaller devices because of their size. They are getting more and more attention because laptops are getting thinner and thinner. Their specifications support Wi-Fi, Serial ATA (SATA), PCI Express (PCIe) and Universal Serial Bus (USB).
The current trend in SSDs is that they are becoming smaller and smaller, evolving from big pieces of hardware to small memory cards. Along the way, of course, they are becoming equally faster and faster. An M.2 SSD looks like a stick of chewing gum, which helps with saving space for some other hardware you can upgrade. This type is becoming more popular by the day, so a lot of options are available out there. If you have a small laptop and are looking for an upgrade to SSD, look no further than the M.2 SATA SSDs. Let’s review some of the best options available on the market.
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus MZ-V7S250BW 250 GB
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus is the newest in the EVO mainstream series. Its predecessor, the 960 EVO Plus was a leader on the market and has helped a lot in building up hype about the new model. Samsung is known on the market for great prices and SSDs which have great controllers. There is also a Pro version available for those looking for extra performance. Let’s check out the features!
Features
This SSD is described as the SSD that goes further in performance, speed and endurance. Its capacities go up to 2TB and, with the latest V-NAND and Intelligent TurboWrite technology, it will handle 4K videos, graphic design, video editing and high-demand video games like a pro, with operating temperatures anywhere from 0 to 70°c. Don’t worry, the speed of 970 EVO Plus is very consistent no matter what is thrown its way. With its compact M.2 form and flexible design, it helps you save room for more RAM or another graphics card. This shows that Samsung firmly believes in accomplishing more with more capacity. With exceptional endurance, it sets a new standard in sustainable performance. When something comes with a 5-year warranty, you know it’s going to last you a very long time!
Advantages
ConClusion
Samsung’s SSDs have always been a bit more expensive than their competitor’s but have always delivered better performance as well. The 970 EVO Plus comes with an attractive software package and unparalleled reliability, making it a great option for anyone who wants an enduring M.2 SSD in their laptop!
Western Digital WDS500G2B0B WD BLUE 3D NAND SATA SSD 500GB
This drive offers a combination of great price, great quality and quick performance. It’s become mainstream because of its competitive price and good writing speeds. For people who don’t prefer Samsung SSD products, it can be quite difficult to find an alternative. Western Digital created a great option for those people, and it’s called the WD Blue 3D NAND Internal SSD M.2 SATA. Offering a combination of entry-level price but high-level performance is guaranteed to get attention from users. Although the performance isn’t the best out there and will not blow your mind, it’s not made to do so either. If you are a casual computer user and want to get an M.2 SATA SSD, this one has everything you need.
Features
The speed of this storage unit is very good, but that wouldn’t be enough without good reliability. This WD Blue SSD is built for enhanced reliability and offers high capacities which go up to 2TB. It is also very power efficient, which is always a factor that should be considered when buying solid-state drives. It uses up to 25% less power than its predecessors. To prove that it is a good long-term solution, this SSD also comes with a 5-year warranty. It easily handles even the most demanding computer applications, games and programs. 3D NAND technology is used to reduce cell-to-cell interference and make this piece of hardware as reliable as it is. Like all SSDs, it doesn’t have moving parts, so your files are safe if your computer is dropped or bumped. A great feature is that you can also monitor your operating temperatures and available capacity with the WD SSD Dashboard.
Advantages
ConClusion
All in all, if you choose to buy this SSD, your expectations will be met, if not exceeded. It performs well under different circumstances and has very solid endurance. It is considered one of the best mainstream M.2 SSDs out there for a reason.
What to Look for in a Good SSD
Now that we’ve covered the two most common types of SSD – the SATA-based and the M.2 SATA – to help you choose the model that is perfect for you, let’s cover all the factors you need to consider when buying an SSD. Buying one shouldn’t be taken lightly since you only want to do this once every few years and we want to make sure that you do it right. For you, an optimal SSD is fast but power-consuming. For someone else, the most important factor might be how long the drive will last. Now, let’s see all the factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing the right solid-state drive for you!
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