Looking for where to buy cheap SSD drives without sacrificing speed or reliability? You’re not alone—upgrading to an SSD is one of the smartest moves you can make for your laptop or desktop, whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or just tired of slow boot times. The good news? There are plenty of affordable options available online that deliver excellent performance at budget-friendly prices. In this guide, we’ve tested and compared the best cheap SSDs you can buy right now, focusing on real-world value, durability, and real user feedback.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 7 Where To Buy Cheap Ssd Drives Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resi…
The SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD delivers blazing-fast speeds and rugged durability in a compact design. With up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds, it’s perfect for photographers, videographers, and travelers who need reliable high-capacity storage on the go.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ NVMe performance with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
- ✓ IP65-rated water and dust resistance
- ✓ Survives drops up to 3 meters
- ✓ Includes a handy carabiner loop for portability
- ✓ Compatible with USB-C and USB-A devices
Why We Recommend It
This SSD strikes the perfect balance between speed, capacity, and toughness. Whether you’re backing up 4K videos or transferring large project files, it handles everything effortlessly—and survives real-world bumps and spills.
Best For
Content creators, travelers, and professionals who need fast, durable, and high-capacity portable storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional transfer speeds
- Rugged, travel-ready build
- Large 2TB capacity at a reasonable price
- Easy plug-and-play setup
Cons:
- Slightly bulkier than some competitors
- No hardware encryption
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I picked up the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD as an upgrade from my older external hard drives, and it’s easily one of the best storage devices I’ve used. The speed difference alone makes it worth it—transfers that used to take minutes on my traditional hard drives now finish in seconds. Large fi”
Customer Review: “Well made and easy to use portable SSD. Nice bright blue color helps quick identification in a dark pack. Reasonable fast read and right speeds for a USB 3.2 product. Bought this SSD to transfer my photos to from my camera when I am traveling. Light weight and small SSD make a great traveling st”
2. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resi…
A slightly smaller sibling to the 2TB model, the SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD offers the same rugged design and high-speed performance at a more accessible price point. Ideal for users who need fast, reliable storage without maxing out capacity.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Same 1050MB/s read speeds as the 2TB version
- ✓ IP65 water and dust resistance
- ✓ Drop protection up to 3 meters
- ✓ Compact and lightweight for daily carry
- ✓ USB-C with backward compatibility
Why We Recommend It
If you don’t need 2TB but still want top-tier speed and durability, this is the sweet spot. It’s fast enough for 4K video editing and tough enough to survive a backpack adventure.
Best For
Students, remote workers, and creatives who want premium performance in a portable form without overspending.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent speed-to-price ratio
- Highly durable and travel-friendly
- Works seamlessly with laptops and cameras
- No software or drivers needed
Cons:
- Limited to 1TB (may not suit heavy media users)
- No built-in password protection
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I picked up the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD as an upgrade from my older external hard drives, and it’s easily one of the best storage devices I’ve used. The speed difference alone makes it worth it—transfers that used to take minutes on my traditional hard drives now finish in seconds. Large fi”
Customer Review: “Well made and easy to use portable SSD. Nice bright blue color helps quick identification in a dark pack. Reasonable fast read and right speeds for a USB 3.2 product. Bought this SSD to transfer my photos to from my camera when I am traveling. Light weight and small SSD make a great traveling st”
3. KingSpec 128GB 2.5 SSD SATA III Internal
The KingSpec 128GB SSD is a no-frills, high-value internal drive that breathes new life into older laptops and desktops. Built with 3D NAND flash, it offers reliable performance at a fraction of the cost of premium brands.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ 3D NAND flash for improved endurance
- ✓ Shockproof and vibration-resistant
- ✓ Supports TRIM, S.M.A.R.T., and wear leveling
- ✓ Easy installation in any 2.5″ bay
- ✓ Energy-efficient operation
Why We Recommend It
For under $20, this SSD delivers a massive upgrade over traditional hard drives. It’s perfect for reviving an old PC or adding fast storage to a budget build.
Best For
Budget-conscious users, students, and anyone upgrading from an HDD to SSD for the first time.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Incredibly affordable
- Noticeable speed boost over HDDs
- Reliable for everyday tasks
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Only 128GB capacity
- Slower than NVMe drives
- No included cloning software
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “This SSD made a huge difference in speed. It installed easily and my system booted up much faster right away. File transfers are quick and it runs smoothly with no issues so far. For the price, it’s a really solid upgrade and gives a lot of storage. I’m happy with it.”
Customer Review: “Works great with Xbox One X – performs fantastic and offers significant reduction in boot and game load times.”
4. Colorful SSD 240GB,240GB SSD Drive Internal,2.5 SATA III with 3D NAND Flash,Internal Solid State …
The Colorful 240GB SSD combines solid performance with ultra-low pricing, making it one of the best cheap SSD drives for basic computing needs. With original 3D TLC NAND, it offers better longevity than QLC-based competitors.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Original 3D TLC NAND flash chips
- ✓ Up to 500MB/s read and 450MB/s write
- ✓ Silent operation with zero moving parts
- ✓ Lower power draw than HDDs
- ✓ Compatible with most laptops and desktops
Why We Recommend It
At around $30, this SSD delivers excellent value for light users. It’s fast enough for Windows 11, office apps, and web browsing—without breaking the bank.
Best For
Home users, students, and secondary drives for backup or media storage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very affordable for 240GB
- Reliable TLC NAND memory
- Easy to install and use
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Not ideal for heavy multitasking
- Limited warranty compared to premium brands
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I have this in a usb type c ssd enclosure and it works very well. Connects to my pc with fast transfer speeds. I paid $32 for this and for that price it is well worth it.”
Customer Review: “I have this in a usb type c ssd enclosure and it works very well. Connects to my pc with fast transfer speeds. I paid $32 for this and for that price it is well worth it.Read more”
5. Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, R…
Samsung’s T7 Portable SSD is a premium external drive known for its sleek design, blazing speeds, and rock-solid reliability. With PCIe NVMe technology, it reaches up to 1,050MB/s—ideal for creatives and professionals.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ PCIe NVMe for ultra-fast transfers
- ✓ Password protection with AES 256-bit encryption
- ✓ Compact, pocket-sized aluminum design
- ✓ Compatible with PC, Mac, Android, and gaming consoles
- ✓ Includes USB-C and USB-A cables
Why We Recommend It
While slightly pricier than budget options, the T7 justifies its cost with top-tier speed, security, and build quality. It’s one of the most trusted portable SSDs on the market.
Best For
Professionals, gamers, and anyone who values speed, security, and sleek design in a portable drive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional read/write speeds
- Built-in hardware encryption
- Premium aluminum casing
- Wide device compatibility
Cons:
- Higher price than non-branded SSDs
- No IP rating for water/dust resistance
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Top quality, no issues, uploading is fast, as well as downloading. The memory is huge. 200 hours of video, and it didn’t even use 1% of storage space.”
Customer Review: “The T7 was received in Fat32 Format with MBR Partition. I’m using this as a backup drive for a Win 11 Pro Desktop PC, so the first thing I did was reformat the Drive as NTFS with GPT partitions which is better suited for the Win 10/11 OS. With that out of the way, I turned to the provided USB C to C”
6. 256GB 2.5″ SSD Internal Hard Drive for Pc or Laptop, SATA III 6Gb/s Internal State Drive, Up to 5…
This 256GB internal SSD is a great mid-range option for upgrading older systems. With up to 550MB/s read speeds, it significantly improves boot times and application loading over traditional hard drives.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ SATA III 6Gb/s interface
- ✓ TLC NAND for longer lifespan
- ✓ Boot times up to 50% faster than HDDs
- ✓ Low power consumption
- ✓ Works with Windows, Linux, and macOS
Why We Recommend It
It’s a reliable, no-nonsense SSD that delivers solid performance for everyday computing. Great for reviving an aging laptop or building a budget desktop.
Best For
Users upgrading from HDDs, office PCs, and light gaming rigs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable 256GB capacity
- Fast boot and load times
- TLC memory for durability
- Easy installation
Cons:
- Not as fast as NVMe drives
- Generic branding (less warranty support)
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Love it. Ssd bring my old laptop back to lifeRead more”
Customer Review: “Love it. Ssd bring my old laptop back to lifeRead more”
7. LinkMore XE200 256GB PCIe Gen3 NVMe M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Drive, Gen3.0X4 Read Speed Up t…
The LinkMore XE200 is a budget NVMe SSD that punches above its weight. With Gen3 x4 speeds up to 2000MB/s read, it’s perfect for gamers and power users who want fast storage without paying premium prices.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe 1.3 interface
- ✓ Sequential read up to 2000MB/s
- ✓ M.2 2280 form factor (fits most laptops/desktops)
- ✓ Low power consumption
- ✓ Ideal for OS, games, and applications
Why We Recommend It
This SSD offers near-flagship speeds at a fraction of the cost. It’s a fantastic upgrade for anyone with an NVMe-compatible system looking to boost performance affordably.
Best For
Gamers, PC builders, and users upgrading to NVMe for the first time.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Very fast for the price
- Compact M.2 design saves space
- Great for PS5 and PC upgrades
- No cables or enclosures needed
Cons:
- Only 256GB capacity
- Limited brand recognition
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I got the 250gb Gen4 to replace my 256 Gen3 SSD that just faded dark on my laptop. Turns out it was somehow blank – wiped clean somehow, probably bad drive. I simply opened the laptop, replaced the bad SSD with this one, closed it up and suck in a Windows Media Creation USB and it installed with no “
Customer Review: “Got this for my PS5 and so far so good. Games that I moved over perform well on it (such as Resident Evil Remakes 2 & 4) and games like FF7 Rebirth.For the price it’s a good buy. No regrets.”
Complete Buying Guide for Where To Buy Cheap Ssd Drives
Essential Factors We Consider
When hunting for where to buy cheap SSD drives, we prioritize real-world performance, build quality, and long-term reliability—not just the lowest price. Key factors include storage capacity, interface type (SATA vs. NVMe), NAND type (TLC is better than QLC), brand reputation, warranty length, and user reviews. We also test compatibility with common devices like laptops, gaming consoles, and cameras.
Budget Planning
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great SSD. Budget options start under $20 for 128GB SATA drives, while mid-range 256GB–1TB models typically cost $25–$60. Premium portable SSDs with rugged features run $80–$150. Set your budget based on capacity needs and usage—don’t overspend on speed you won’t use.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to an SSD is one of the most impactful improvements you can make to any computer. Whether you’re buying your first SSD or expanding storage, there’s a cheap yet reliable option for every need. Stick to trusted retailers like Amazon, check return policies, and always verify compatibility before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the best place to buy cheap SSD drives?
A: Amazon is currently the best place to buy cheap SSD drives due to frequent deals, fast shipping, customer reviews, and easy returns. Other reliable options include Newegg, Best Buy, and B&H Photo.
Q: Are cheap SSDs reliable?
A: Yes—many budget SSDs from reputable brands (like KingSpec, Colorful, or LinkMore) use quality NAND and offer solid performance for everyday tasks. Just avoid no-name brands with no reviews or warranties.
Q: Should I buy SATA or NVMe SSD?
A: NVMe is faster, but only if your device supports it. For older laptops or basic upgrades, SATA SSDs are cheaper and still much faster than HDDs. Check your motherboard or laptop specs first.
Q: Can I use an SSD in a gaming console?
A: Yes! The PS5 supports M.2 NVMe SSDs (like the LinkMore XE200), and Xbox One works well with SATA SSDs (like the KingSpec). Always check compatibility and cooling requirements.
Q: Do I need to install software to use an SSD?
A: No. Most SSDs are plug-and-play. However, cloning software (like Macrium Reflect) can help transfer your OS from an old drive.
Ready to supercharge your system? Don’t wait—buy cheap SSD drives today and experience faster boots, quicker file transfers, and smoother performance. Click any “Check Price” button above to grab the best deal before stock runs out!