Looking to give your sluggish computer a much-needed boost without breaking the bank? A 120GB SSD (Solid State Drive) is often the perfect sweet spot for an affordable operating system drive, dramatically improving boot times, application loading, and overall system responsiveness. While larger capacities are available, if you’re primarily aiming for a snappy system and plan to store most of your files on a traditional hard drive or cloud, a 120GB model offers fantastic value.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the best budget 120GB SSD options available today, helping you pick a reliable and cost-effective upgrade. We’ve hand-picked five top contenders that offer excellent performance for their price, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck.
Why Choose a 120GB SSD?
Even a small capacity SSD can make a huge difference. Think about it: your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) and your most-used applications (web browser, office suite) often account for less than 100GB. By moving these critical files onto an SSD, you’ll experience lightning-fast start-ups and feel like you have a brand-new computer. It’s truly one of the most impactful and affordable PC upgrades you can make.
Let’s explore our top picks for the best budget 120GB SSDs!
Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Budget 120GB SSD
1. Patriot Memory Burst Elite SATA 3 120GB SSD 2.5″
The Patriot Burst Elite is a fantastic entry-level choice for anyone looking to revitalize an older laptop or desktop. This 2.5-inch internal SSD uses the latest SATA III controller to deliver solid performance for everyday tasks. It’s a straightforward, no-frills upgrade that focuses on reliability and efficiency, making it a staple for budget-conscious builders and upgraders. It’s a great example of a best budget 120GB SSD for general use.
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Key Features:
- Latest SATA 3 Controller
- Capacity: 120GB
- Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s
- Static and Dynamic Wear Leveling
- Bad Block Management
- Low Power Management
- Form Factor: 2.5″
- Warranty: 3 Years
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Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Good for basic system upgrades and faster boot times
- Reputable brand with a decent warranty
- Low power consumption helps with laptop battery life
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Cons:
- Performance is standard for a budget SATA SSD, not bleeding edge
- No included mounting hardware (typical for most bare drives)
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User Impressions: Users frequently praise this drive for its noticeable speed improvement over traditional HDDs. Many found it easy to install and a perfect fit for reviving older systems, citing its reliability as a key factor for their positive experience.
2. Patriot Burst Elite 120GB Internal SSD – SATA 3 2.5″
While seemingly identical to our first Patriot pick, the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB reinforces its position as a go-to choice for an affordable internal SSD. It offers the same reliable performance and features, making it ideal for a quick operating system installation or as a dedicated drive for a few favorite games or essential applications. Its consistent quality and robust features like wear leveling ensure a long lifespan, even under constant use.
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Key Features:
- Latest SATA 3 Controller
- Capacity: 120GB
- Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s
- Static and Dynamic Wear Leveling
- Bad Block Management
- Low Power Management
- Form Factor: 2.5″
- Warranty: 3 Years
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Pros:
- Very competitive pricing
- Strong performance for daily computing tasks
- Built-in wear leveling for extended drive life
- Energy efficient
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Cons:
- Not suitable for high-end gaming or very large file transfers
- Speeds are typical for a SATA III drive, not NVMe
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User Impressions: Reviewers often highlight how straightforward this drive is to install and how effectively it transforms an old computer. They appreciate the immediate improvement in responsiveness and consider it an excellent budget-friendly solution for general computing needs.
3. INLAND Professional 120GB SSD 3D NAND SATA III 6Gb/s 2.5″
The INLAND Professional 120GB SSD stands out with its use of 3D TLC NAND flash technology, which generally offers better performance and endurance compared to older 2D NAND. This drive promises impressive sequential read/write speeds, making it a solid choice for not just general users but also those dabbling in light gaming or multimedia tasks on a budget. Its robust build quality also ensures resistance to typical bumps and vibrations.
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Key Features:
- SSD Capacity 120GB
- Ideal for mainstream PCs, laptops and ultrabooks for personal, gaming and business use
- Sequential Read/Write Speed up to 520MB/s and 410MB/s respectively
- Random Read/Write 4K: up to 38k and 80k IOPS respectively
- SATA III 6Gb/s interface
- 3D TLC NAND flash
- Resistant to shock, vibration, and movement. No overheat, No noise
- Warranty: 3 Year Limited Parts and Labor
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Pros:
- Excellent read/write speeds for its class
- Utilizes more durable 3D TLC NAND technology
- Quiet and runs cool
- Good for a wide range of uses, from office to light gaming
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Cons:
- Actual performance may vary based on system configuration
- Not the absolute cheapest option, but offers better specs
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User Impressions: Customers are often surprised by the speed and reliability of this Inland SSD, especially given its affordable price. Many note its quick boot times and smooth application loading, making it a highly recommended upgrade for various PC setups.
4. Ridata S701 120GB SSD (Internal Solid State Drive) 3D
The Ridata S701 120GB SSD offers a slim 7mm form factor, making it an excellent fit for ultrabooks and compact laptops where space is at a premium. Beyond its sleek design, it supports essential features like ECC (Error-Correcting Code) and TRIM commands, which are crucial for maintaining long-term performance and data integrity. Made in Taiwan, it emphasizes quality manufacturing for a dependable internal storage solution.
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Key Features:
- Capacity: 120GB
- Form Factor: 2.5 inch, ultra-slim 7mm
- Interface: SATA III (6Gb/s)
- Performance (ATTO Max Seq.): Read up to 400MB/s, Write up to 300MB/s
- ECC supported and TRIM command (OS supported)
- Made In Taiwan
- Warranty: 3 years
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Pros:
- Ultra-slim design ideal for thin devices
- Supports ECC for data reliability
- TRIM command support ensures sustained performance
- Reputable manufacturing origin
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Cons:
- Slightly lower sequential speeds than some competitors
- Less recognized brand name compared to others
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User Impressions: Users appreciate the Ridata S701 for its compatibility with a wide range of devices, especially older laptops that need a quick and easy upgrade. Its slim profile is a definite plus, and many found it performed reliably as an OS drive.
5. JOIOT Portable 120GB External Solid State Drive, USB 3.2
Stepping away from internal drives, the JOIOT Portable 120GB SSD is a standout if you need ultra-portable storage. This tiny, lightweight drive boasts a rugged aluminum alloy body, making it shockproof and drop-resistant – perfect for life on the go. With USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity, it offers fast external transfer speeds for large files, making it ideal for photographers, videographers, or anyone needing quick access to data across multiple devices. It’s a versatile external solution, unlike the other internal best budget 120GB SSD options.
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Key Features:
- Shockproof & Drop Resistant aluminum alloy body
- Ultra-Light Extreme Portable: 25g (0.81oz)
- Outstanding Performance: 200MB/s write speed and 400MB/s read speed (USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface)
- Fully Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, Linux (USB A to C cable and A to C adapter included)
- Built-in NAND Flash
- Available in various capacities (120GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB)
- Package includes SSD, Type-A to Type-C cable, A to C adapter, storage bag
- 12-Month assurance
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Pros:
- Extremely portable and durable design
- Fast external transfer speeds
- Excellent compatibility with multiple operating systems and devices
- Includes useful accessories like cables and a storage bag
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Cons:
- Limited warranty period compared to internal SSDs (12 months vs. 3 years)
- Not suitable for internal PC upgrades
- External SSDs generally cost more per GB than internal ones
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User Impressions: This JOIOT external SSD receives high marks for its compact size, robust build, and surprising speed. Users love its plug-and-play simplicity and the convenience of having fast, portable storage for backups, transferring files, or even running portable applications.
Conclusion
Upgrading to an SSD, even a smaller 120GB capacity, is arguably the most impactful upgrade you can make to an older computer. It breathes new life into systems by drastically cutting down boot times and application load times. Whether you’re looking for an internal drive to serve as your lightning-fast operating system hub or a rugged, portable external solution, our list of the best budget 120GB SSD options has you covered. Each of these drives offers excellent value, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the benefits of solid-state storage. Happy upgrading!
FAQ Section
Q1: What is a 120GB SSD primarily good for?
A 120GB SSD is ideal for installing your operating system (like Windows or macOS) and your most frequently used programs. This setup drastically reduces boot times and speeds up application loading, making your entire computer feel much faster and more responsive. It’s usually combined with a larger, traditional hard drive for mass storage of files, photos, and videos.
Q2: How much faster is an SSD compared to a traditional HDD?
SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs. While HDDs use spinning platters and read/write heads, SSDs use flash memory (similar to a USB stick). This difference allows SSDs to achieve sequential read/write speeds of 400-550MB/s (for SATA SSDs) compared to HDDs’ 100-150MB/s, and their random access speeds (crucial for OS operations) are orders of magnitude faster.
Q3: Is 120GB enough storage for my computer?
For the operating system and essential applications, yes, 120GB is often sufficient. Windows 10/11 typically uses around 20-30GB. If you plan to store many large games, videos, or extensive creative projects, you’ll need additional storage, either a larger SSD or a secondary HDD.
Q4: What’s the difference between an internal and external SSD?
An internal SSD (like most on our list) is designed to be installed inside your computer, typically replacing or supplementing an existing hard drive. They connect via SATA or NVMe ports directly to the motherboard. An external SSD (like the JOIOT Portable) is a portable device that connects to your computer via a USB cable, offering convenient, fast storage that you can carry anywhere and use with multiple devices.
Q5: What do “Wear Leveling” and “TRIM” mean for an SSD?
- Wear Leveling: SSDs have a limited number of write/erase cycles for each memory cell. Wear leveling algorithms evenly distribute data writes across all memory blocks, preventing premature wear of specific cells and extending the overall lifespan of the SSD.
- TRIM: This command allows the operating system to inform the SSD which data blocks are no longer in use (e.g., deleted files). This helps the SSD manage its storage more efficiently, maintain performance over time, and free up blocks for future writes without having to erase old data first.
Q6: Can a 120GB SSD speed up my old laptop?
Absolutely! Installing a 120GB SSD as the boot drive is one of the most effective ways to revitalize an old, slow laptop or desktop. You’ll notice dramatically faster boot times, quicker application launches, and an overall snappier feel to your system, making it feel like a new machine.
Q7: What is SATA III, and is it fast enough?
SATA III (or SATA 6Gb/s) is a common interface for connecting internal storage drives. It offers a theoretical maximum throughput of 600MB/s, which is more than sufficient for the performance levels of most 2.5-inch budget SSDs (which typically reach 400-550MB/s). While NVMe SSDs are even faster, SATA III SSDs still provide a massive speed upgrade over traditional HDDs and are excellent for general computing.