10 Best Places to Buy an SSD in 2026 – Expert Picks

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Looking for the best place to buy an SSD? Whether you’re upgrading your gaming PC, expanding PS5 storage, or giving your laptop a speed boost, choosing the right solid-state drive can feel overwhelming. With so many options—NVMe, SATA, portable, internal, PCIe 4.0, PCIe 5.0—it’s easy to get lost in the specs. That’s why we’ve tested and compared the top SSDs available today, focusing on performance, reliability, value, and real-world usability. From blazing-fast NVMe drives to budget-friendly SATA upgrades, this guide covers where to buy an SSD that fits your needs and your budget—all backed by expert insights and genuine customer feedback.

Quick Product Comparison

Product Image Check Price
1. 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming… 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming Check Price
2. 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming… 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming Check Price
3. Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA SSD for PC and Laptop Storage Upgrade… Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA SSD for PC and Laptop Storage Upgrade Check Price
4. Crucial X9 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatibl…… Crucial X9 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External S Check Price
5. XPG 1TB Mars 980 Blade PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD for High-Speed Performance… XPG 1TB Mars 980 Blade PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD for High-Speed Performance Check Price
6. Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5″ Internal SSD SA400S37/480G – HDD Replacement for Increase Perform…… Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5 Check Price
7. 6GB 2.5in to 3.5in Internal SSD Hard Drive SATA Drive Converter… 6GB 2.5in to 3.5in Internal SSD Hard Drive SATA Drive Converter Check Price
8. TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 512GB SLC Cache 3D NAND TLC 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Dri…… TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 512GB SLC Cache 3D NAND TLC 2.5 Inch SATA I Check Price
9. Netac 512GB Extreme Portable SSD External Solid State Drives Up to 2000MB/s Read 1700MB/s Write S…… Netac 512GB Extreme Portable SSD External Solid State Drives Up to 200 Check Price
10. Western Digital 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD – SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5″/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s -…… Western Digital 1TB WD Blue 3D NAND Internal PC SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, Check Price

Our Top 10 Were To Buy A Ssd Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended

🏆 Best Choice

1. 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming

1TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming

This high-performance NVMe SSD delivers blazing-fast speeds up to 7,350MB/s read, making it ideal for gamers and power users. With a built-in heatsink, it stays cool even during intense PS5 or PC gaming sessions.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ PCIe Gen4x4 interface for ultra-fast data transfer
✓ Includes heatsink, screwdriver, and mounting hardware
✓ Compatible with PS5, laptops, and desktops
✓ 1TB capacity perfect for large game libraries
✓ Durable design with reliable long-term performance

Why We Recommend It

We picked this as our Best Choice because it balances speed, compatibility, and value. It’s specifically designed for PS5 expansion but works great in any modern PC. The included heatsink ensures stable performance under load.

Best For

Gamers upgrading their PS5 or building a high-speed PC who want reliable NVMe performance without breaking the bank.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Extremely fast read/write speeds
  • Heatsink included—no extra purchase needed
  • Easy installation with all tools provided
  • Great compatibility across devices
Cons:
  • Only 1TB—may fill up quickly for heavy users
  • Not PCIe 5.0 (but still very fast)

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “The SIX NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 (1TB, 2280) absolutely exceeded my expectations. It arrived well packaged with everything I needed — an optional heatsink, screwdriver, screw, and standoff — which honestly saved me a trip to the store since I had lost my factory set screw.”

Customer Review: “I decided to get this for my laptop as I needed more drive space and was looking for something that would also be high speed. So far this drive has been working great! Really fast for the price, speeds have been working just as advertised so far. Installation was also pretty easy.”

⭐ Editor’s Choice

2. 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming

2TB NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 with Heatsink for PS5 and PC Gaming

Double the storage of our top pick, this 2TB NVMe SSD offers the same blazing PCIe 4.0 speeds with room for dozens of games, apps, and media files. Perfect for users who refuse to compromise on space or speed.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Massive 2TB capacity for expansive storage needs
✓ Same 7,350MB/s read speed as 1TB version
✓ Includes full installation kit with heatsink
✓ Optimized for PS5 storage expansion
✓ Backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 systems

Why We Recommend It

As our Editor’s Choice, this SSD is ideal for serious gamers and creators who need both speed and space. You won’t have to delete games constantly—and it’s still affordable for a 2TB NVMe drive.

Best For

PS5 owners and PC builders who want future-proof storage without sacrificing performance.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Huge 2TB capacity
  • Top-tier PCIe 4.0 speeds
  • Comes with everything needed for install
  • Reliable brand with solid build quality
Cons:
  • Slightly higher price than 1TB models
  • Overkill for basic office laptops

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “The SIX NVMe M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0 (1TB, 2280) absolutely exceeded my expectations. It arrived well packaged with everything I needed — an optional heatsink, screwdriver, screw, and standoff — which honestly saved me a trip to the store since I had lost my factory set screw.”

Customer Review: “I decided to get this for my laptop as I needed more drive space and was looking for something that would also be high speed. So far this drive has been working great! Really fast for the price, speeds have been working just as advertised so far. Installation was also pretty easy.”

💰 Best Budget

3. Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA SSD for PC and Laptop Storage Upgrade

Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SATA SSD for PC and Laptop Storage Upgrade

A legendary SATA SSD trusted by millions, the Samsung 870 EVO delivers consistent performance, reliability, and compatibility at a budget-friendly price. While not as fast as NVMe, it’s perfect for older systems or secondary storage.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Proven Samsung reliability with 5-year warranty
✓ Up to 560MB/s read speeds (max SATA limit)
✓ Available in multiple capacities
✓ Works with almost any laptop or desktop
✓ Low power consumption ideal for laptops

Why We Recommend It

We named this the Best Budget SSD because it offers unmatched value for everyday users. It’s not the fastest, but it’s incredibly reliable and breathes new life into aging machines.

Best For

Students, office workers, or anyone upgrading from an old HDD who wants a simple, dependable SSD without spending much.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Excellent reliability and brand trust
  • Affordable price per GB
  • Easy drop-in replacement for HDDs
  • Low heat and power usage
Cons:
  • Slower than NVMe drives
  • Only 500GB may feel small for some

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “I got this Samsung 500gb 2.5″ SATA SSD to upgrade from the 512gb HDD in an old HP Pavilion laptop. It’s a perfect fit and works great. It’s made the old device MUCH faster and improved the overall performance immensely.”

Customer Review: “It’s a shame SATA III will likely be disappearing in the next 5 to 7 years, the form factor is so much nicer than NVMe and it is still more than fast enough for like 99 percent of people.”

4. Crucial X9 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive

Crucial X9 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive

Compact, rugged, and fast, the Crucial X9 is perfect for backing up files, transferring media, or expanding storage on the go. With USB-C connectivity and IP55 rating, it’s built for real-world use.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Up to 1,050MB/s transfer speeds
✓ IP55 water and dust resistance
✓ Drop-resistant up to 7.5 feet
✓ Works with Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, PS5, Xbox
✓ No software or drivers needed

Why We Recommend It

This portable SSD stands out for its durability and universal compatibility. Whether you’re a photographer, student, or gamer, it’s a reliable way to carry your data safely.

Best For

Professionals and travelers who need fast, secure external storage that works across devices.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Very fast for a portable drive
  • Rugged design withstands drops and weather
  • Plug-and-play with nearly every device
  • Lightweight and pocket-sized
Cons:
  • Not as fast as internal NVMe drives
  • Plastic casing may feel less premium

Customer Reviews

Customer Review: “I love this SSD drive. I use it multiple times daily, and it works so well with my Windows 11 computers. I store all my family files on this SSD and use it for backups—it’s been flawless.”

Customer Review: “I’ve been using the Crucial X9 4TB Portable SSD for a few weeks now, and I’m seriously impressed. It’s so small and thin, it easily fits in a jacket pocket without adding bulk.”

5. XPG 1TB Mars 980 Blade PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD for High-Speed Performance

XPG 1TB Mars 980 Blade PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD for High-Speed Performance

Step into the future with PCIe 5.0 speeds—this XPG SSD delivers up to 14,000MB/s read and 12,000MB/s write. Built for enthusiasts and creators who demand maximum bandwidth.

Key Features That Stand Out

✓ Blazing PCIe Gen5 x4 interface
✓ NVMe 2.0 protocol support
✓ Onboard DRAM cache for sustained performance
✓ Ideal for 4K/8K video editing and AI workloads
✓ Compatible with latest AMD and Intel platforms

Why We Recommend It

If you’re building a cutting-edge PC, this SSD is worth the investment. It’s overkill for gaming but perfect for content creators and tech enthusiasts.

Best For

High-end desktop users with PCIe 5.0 motherboards who need extreme speed for professional workloads.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Fastest consumer SSD technology available
  • Excellent for large file transfers
  • Future-proof for next-gen systems
  • Solid construction with good thermal management
Cons: