Looking to supercharge your computer’s performance and get a massive storage boost? A 2TB SSD is a fantastic upgrade, offering ample space for games, software, and large files, alongside lightning-fast speeds that traditional hard drives just can’t match. When it comes to reliable and high-performing solid-state drives, Lexar is a name that consistently delivers. They’ve got a great range, whether you’re building a new PC, upgrading an old laptop, or just need a robust external drive.
But with so many options, how do you pick the Lexar best 2 TB SSD for PC that’s right for you? Don’t sweat it! We’ve scoured their lineup to bring you our top five picks, covering various needs and budgets. We’ll break down what makes each drive special, its key features, pros, cons, and what real users think. Get ready to find your next storage powerhouse!
1. Lexar 2TB ES3 External SSD
If you’re constantly on the go or need a robust external solution that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Lexar ES3 External SSD is a brilliant choice. This portable powerhouse isn’t just about massive storage; it’s about making data transfers incredibly fast and secure, wherever you are. Imagine backing up your entire photo library or moving huge video files in a flash – that’s what this drive is built for. Its durable design means you don’t have to baby it, and the included software adds an extra layer of peace of mind.
Key Features:
– 9.5X faster than hard disk drives with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds.
– Super-fast backups and instant storage expansion.
– Built-in double-layer graphite sheets enhance heat dissipation.
– Drop-resistant up to 2 meters for excellent durability.
– Plug-and-play compatibility with a 2-in-1 USB-C/USB-A cable for wide device support.
– Includes Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES encryption and Lexar Recovery Tool.
Pros:
– Blazing-fast transfer speeds for external storage.
– Highly durable and shock-resistant design.
– Excellent heat management prevents performance throttling.
– Broad compatibility with PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones.
– Enhanced data security with AES encryption and recovery software.
Cons:
– External SSDs generally cost more per GB than internal ones.
– Cable might be a bit short for some setups.
User Impressions:
Users frequently praise the ES3 for its incredible speed and solid build quality, making it ideal for photographers, videographers, and anyone needing quick, reliable external storage. The compact size is also a big hit, fitting easily into any bag. Many appreciate the peace of mind offered by its durability and encryption features.
2. Lexar 2TB NS100 SSD 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive
Is your old desktop or laptop feeling sluggish? The Lexar NS100 2.5-inch SATA III SSD is an economical yet effective way to breathe new life into an aging machine. This drive is designed specifically for those looking to upgrade from a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) without breaking the bank. You’ll notice immediately faster boot times, quicker application loading, and snappier overall system responsiveness. It’s a straightforward, no-fuss upgrade that delivers noticeable performance gains.
Key Features:
– Designed for faster startups, data transfers, and application loads.
– Sequential read speeds of up to 550MB/s.
– More reliable and offers faster performance than traditional hard drives.
– Shock and vibration resistant with no moving parts.
– [2TB] 960TBW (Terabytes Written) endurance rating.
– Three-year limited product support.
Pros:
– Significant performance boost over HDDs.
– Excellent value for money, making it an affordable upgrade.
– Highly durable due to no moving parts.
– Easy to install in most laptops and desktops.
– Good endurance rating for everyday use.
Cons:
– Slower than NVMe PCIe SSDs.
– Limited to SATA III interface, which is a bottleneck for newer systems.
User Impressions:
Customers love the NS100 for its transformative effect on older computers. Many report that their previously slow systems feel brand new after upgrading to this SSD. It’s frequently recommended as a budget-friendly way to extend the life of a laptop or desktop, with users appreciating its reliability and ease of installation.
3. Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2
For the serious gamer, professional content creator, or anyone building a high-performance PC, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is an absolute game-changer. This NVMe M.2 drive harnesses the power of PCIe Gen4 to deliver mind-boggling speeds, making it one of the Lexar best 2 TB SSD for PC builds that demand top-tier performance. The integrated heatsink is crucial here, ensuring your drive stays cool under intense workloads, preventing thermal throttling and maintaining peak performance even during the longest gaming sessions or video renders. Plus, it’s PS5 compatible!
Key Features:
– [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW.
– 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.
– Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency.
– Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs.
– Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 for smoother transfer speeds.
– Compatible with PlayStation 5.
– Five-year limited warranty.
Pros:
– Extreme read/write speeds for unparalleled performance.
– Heatsink ensures sustained peak performance, even under heavy load.
– Excellent power efficiency reduces heat and extends component life.
– Ideal for gaming, 4K+ video editing, and demanding applications.
– PlayStation 5 compatibility is a huge bonus.
Cons:
– Requires a motherboard with an M.2 PCIe Gen4 slot.
– Heatsink might be too tall for some compact laptop or desktop builds.
User Impressions:
This SSD consistently receives rave reviews from power users and gamers. They highlight its phenomenal speed, drastically reduced loading times, and stable performance, even during intense usage thanks to the heatsink. PS5 users are particularly thrilled with its easy installation and compatibility, noting a significant improvement in game loading.
4. Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal
If you loved the sound of the NM790’s incredible speeds but need a solution that’s a bit more versatile for laptops or slimmer desktop builds, then the Lexar NM790 without the pre-attached heatsink is your go-to. This drive offers the same blistering PCIe Gen4 performance, making it perfect for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators who need top-tier internal storage. Its single-sided design makes it incredibly compatible with a wider range of devices, including many laptops where space is at a premium.
Key Features:
– [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW.
– 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs.
– Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs.
– Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 for smoother transfer speeds.
– Designed for hardcore gamers, professionals, and creators.
– Compatible with PlayStation 5.
– Single-sided NVMe SSD is perfect for laptops.
– Five-year limited warranty.
Pros:
– Unrivaled speeds for an internal SSD.
– Highly power-efficient, leading to less heat generation.
– Ideal for high-performance laptops and compact builds due to its single-sided design.
– Excellent for intensive tasks like gaming and content creation.
– Offers the same great performance as its heatsink-equipped sibling.
Cons:
– Requires a motherboard with an M.2 PCIe Gen4 slot.
– Might require a separate heatsink for sustained heavy workloads in desktop PCs lacking proper M.2 cooling.
User Impressions:
Users are consistently impressed with the sheer speed of this drive, noting how quickly games load and large files transfer. Laptop users especially appreciate its compatibility and the dramatic speed boost it provides. Many recommend it as an essential upgrade for any modern PC or PlayStation 5 owner looking for top-tier storage performance.
5. Lexar 2TB Armor 700 Portable SSD
For the ultimate in portable ruggedness and speed, look no further than the Lexar Armor 700 Portable SSD. This drive isn’t just fast; it’s built like a tank, ready to endure the harshest conditions, making it an ideal companion for outdoor adventurers, field professionals, and iPhone 15 Pro users. With incredible USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds, you’ll be transferring data faster than ever, and its ability to record Apple ProRes directly from an iPhone 15 Pro makes it a unique and powerful tool for mobile content creators.
Key Features:
– Blazing-fast USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 performance of 2000MB/s max read/write speeds.
– Rated IP66 for protection against water and dust, withstands up to 3-meter drops.
– Supports Apple Pro Res recording – shoot directly to the drive in up to 4K 60FPS with iPhone 15 Pro/Max.
– Unique Thermal Control Design ensures optimal temperatures for sustained high performance.
– Wide compatibility with PC, Mac, Android, iPhone 15/16 series, cameras, gaming consoles.
– Includes Lexar DataShield 256-bit AES encryption.
– Comes with a Type-C and USB-A all-in-one cable.
– Five-year limited warranty.
Pros:
– Extremely fast external transfer speeds.
– Unmatched durability with IP66 rating and 3-meter drop resistance.
– Perfect for professional mobile videography with iPhone 15 Pro.
– Excellent thermal management for consistent performance.
– Broad device compatibility and included encryption software.
Cons:
– Premium price point for its advanced features and ruggedness.
– Requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port on your PC to achieve maximum speeds.
User Impressions:
Reviewers are blown away by the Armor 700’s combination of speed and toughness. It’s a favorite among videographers and photographers who need to offload large files quickly in the field. The IP66 rating gives users immense confidence, and iPhone 15 Pro owners particularly value its direct recording capability. Its robust build quality and consistent performance make it a top choice for demanding users.
Which Lexar best 2 TB SSD for PC is Right for You?
Choosing the Lexar best 2 TB SSD for PC truly depends on your specific needs.
* For ultimate internal speed and gaming: Go for the NM790 with or without the heatsink.
* For budget-friendly upgrades of older systems: The NS100 is your champion.
* For robust, everyday portable storage: The ES3 External SSD is an excellent all-rounder.
* For extreme portability, durability, and pro mobile content creation: The Armor 700 Portable SSD stands alone.
Lexar consistently delivers quality and performance across its range. No matter which you pick, you’re investing in a significant upgrade for your PC’s storage and speed!
FAQ Section: Your Questions About 2TB Lexar SSDs Answered
Q1: What’s the main difference between SATA III and NVMe PCIe SSDs?
A1: The main difference lies in speed and interface. SATA III SSDs connect via a SATA port and typically offer speeds up to around 550MB/s. NVMe PCIe SSDs, on the other hand, connect via an M.2 slot and utilize the PCIe interface, allowing for much higher speeds, often reaching thousands of MB/s (like 7400MB/s on the NM790). NVMe is significantly faster and is the preferred choice for modern high-performance PCs.
Q2: Do I need a heatsink for my NVMe SSD?
A2: For casual use or light workloads, an NVMe SSD might not strictly need a heatsink. However, for sustained heavy workloads like gaming, video editing, or large file transfers, a heatsink is highly recommended. It helps dissipate heat, preventing the drive from throttling its performance to avoid overheating. Some motherboards come with integrated M.2 heatsinks, or you can opt for an SSD with a pre-attached one, like the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink.
Q3: Can I use these 2TB Lexar SSDs with my PlayStation 5?
A3: Yes! Both the Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD with Heatsink and the Lexar 2TB NM790 SSD without Heatsink are compatible with the PlayStation 5, meeting Sony’s stringent performance requirements. The heatsink version is often preferred for PS5 to ensure optimal thermal management during long gaming sessions.
Q4: What does “TBW” mean for an SSD?
A4: TBW stands for “Terabytes Written,” and it’s a measure of an SSD’s endurance or lifespan. It indicates how many terabytes of data can be written to the drive before it might start to experience reliability issues. For example, 1500TBW on the NM790 means you can write 1500 terabytes of data over the drive’s lifetime. For most users, this is an incredibly high number and indicates excellent longevity.
Q5: Is it easy to install an internal SSD in my PC or laptop?
A5: Installing a 2.5-inch SATA SSD (like the NS100) or an M.2 NVMe SSD (like the NM790) is generally straightforward for desktops. Laptops can vary, with some being very easy to upgrade and others requiring more disassembly. We always recommend consulting your device’s manual or an online tutorial for specific installation instructions. Always remember to back up your data before any hardware changes!
Q6: How do I know if my PC supports PCIe Gen4 SSDs?
A6: To support PCIe Gen4 SSDs, your motherboard and CPU must both be compatible with PCIe Gen4. Generally, this means you’ll need a relatively modern setup, typically with AMD Ryzen 3000 series (or newer) processors and B550/X570 motherboards, or Intel 11th Gen (or newer) processors with Z490/Z590 (or newer) chipsets. Check your motherboard’s specifications or manufacturer’s website to confirm PCIe Gen4 support. If your system only supports PCIe Gen3, a Gen4 SSD will still work, but at Gen3 speeds.
Q7: What are the benefits of an external portable SSD like the Armor 700?
A7: External portable SSDs offer several key benefits:
– Portability: Easily carry large files between devices.
– Speed: Much faster than traditional external hard drives for quick backups and transfers.
– Durability: Many, like the Armor 700, are ruggedized to withstand drops, dust, and water.
– Versatility: Can be used with PCs, Macs, gaming consoles, smartphones, and cameras.
– Instant Storage: Expand your device’s storage without opening it up.