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Choosing the right M.2 SSD can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. Whether you’re upgrading your gaming rig, speeding up your laptop, or building a high-performance workstation, the right NVMe drive makes all the difference. In this guide, we’ve tested and compared the top M.2 SSDs to help you find the best fit for your needs—balancing speed, capacity, reliability, and value.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 7 Which M.2 Ssd Should I Buy Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. WD Black SN7100 2TB Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
The WD Black SN7100 is built for serious gamers and power users who demand blazing-fast load times and reliable performance. With read speeds up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds reaching 6,900 MB/s, this Gen4 NVMe SSD delivers a noticeable upgrade over older drives.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe Gen4 interface with Sandisk’s next-gen TLC 3D NAND
✓ Up to 2TB capacity for games, apps, and media
✓ Optimized for laptops and gaming desktops
✓ 35% faster than previous-gen WD Black drives
✓ Low power consumption for better battery life
Why We Recommend It
This SSD strikes the perfect balance between speed, capacity, and durability. It’s ideal for anyone looking to future-proof their system without breaking the bank. The consistent performance under load makes it a standout in real-world gaming and multitasking scenarios.
Best For
Gamers, content creators, and professionals needing high-speed storage in a compact M.2 form factor.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Exceptional read/write speeds
- Reliable Sandisk NAND technology
- Great thermal management
- Competitive price for 2TB capacity
Cons:
- No included heatsink
- Limited availability in some regions
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I bought the WD_BLACK SN7100 4TB to replace my smaller WD SN570 Gen3 boot drive. Installation was straightforward i.e just slide it into the M.2 slot, and done. Using CrystalDiskMark V9.5.0, I consistently saw around 7000 MB/s read and 6200 MB/s write on the 4 GB test.”
Customer Review: “Great SSD for the price. Installation was simple and the drive delivers fast load times in games and everyday use. The performance is definitely noticeable. Overall, a solid upgrade for any gaming PC!!”
2. Crucial P310 500GB Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
The Crucial P310 offers impressive Gen4 performance at an accessible price point. With read speeds up to 6,600 MB/s and broad compatibility across laptops, desktops, and handheld gaming devices, it’s a versatile choice for everyday users and casual gamers.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe 4.0 performance with 6,600 MB/s read speeds
✓ 500GB capacity ideal for OS, apps, and key games
✓ Compatible with ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and more
✓ Micron 3D NAND for reliability
✓ Low-profile design fits tight builds
Why We Recommend It
It delivers near-top-tier speeds without the premium price tag. If you’re upgrading from a Gen3 drive or adding fast storage to a compact system, the P310 is a smart, future-ready pick.
Best For
Casual gamers, students, and professionals seeking a reliable, high-speed SSD for mixed workloads.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value for Gen4 performance
- Wide device compatibility
- Solid build quality from a trusted brand
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Only 500GB may feel limiting for heavy gamers
- No heatsink included
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I recently upgraded to the Crucial P310 2TB SSD and it’s been a fantastic addition to my setup. Plenty of space: 2 TB gives me lots of room for OS, apps, games, and files without tight space concerns. Fast speeds: For Gen4 NVMe, load and boot times are super smooth.”
Customer Review: “I’ve been using this Crucial P310 2TB SSD for 4 months now in my small form factor PC build and it’s been fantastic. Installation was simple and straightforward – no issues at all. The performance is outstanding for both gaming and everyday use.”
3. SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0
The SIX NVMe M.2 SSD delivers surprising performance for its price, offering up to 7,350 MB/s read speeds and including a heatsink, screwdriver, and mounting hardware. It’s a great entry-level Gen4 option for budget-conscious builders.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe Gen4x4 interface with up to 7,350 MB/s read
✓ Includes heatsink, screw, and screwdriver
✓ Compatible with laptops, desktops, and PS5
✓ 1TB capacity at an affordable price
✓ Easy installation with full kit
Why We Recommend It
For the price, this SSD punches well above its weight. The included accessories make installation hassle-free, and the performance rivals more expensive brands. It’s perfect for first-time upgraders.
Best For
Budget gamers, students, and DIY builders looking for affordable Gen4 speed with extra installation perks.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent value with included accessories
- High read speeds for the cost
- PS5-compatible
- Simple plug-and-play setup
Cons:
- Brand less established than Samsung or WD
- Write speeds lower than premium drives
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “The SIX NVMe M.2 SSD 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.”
4. Crucial T710 1TB Gen5 NVMe SSD
The Crucial T710 is one of the first consumer Gen5 SSDs, delivering mind-blowing speeds up to 14,900 MB/s read and 13,800 MB/s write. Built for Intel 13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000 systems, it’s built for extreme workloads.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe 5.0 performance with 14,900 MB/s read
✓ 1TB capacity for large games and creative files
✓ Optimized for high-end desktops
✓ Advanced thermal management
✓ Ideal for 8K video and AI workloads
Why We Recommend It
If you’ve invested in a Gen5-compatible motherboard, the T710 unlocks the full potential of your system. It’s overkill for casual use but perfect for creators and enthusiasts pushing the limits.
Best For
Content creators, video editors, and hardcore gamers with Gen5-ready systems.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Blazing-fast Gen5 speeds
- Excellent for large file transfers
- Reliable Crucial engineering
- Future-proof performance
Cons:
- Requires Gen5 motherboard
- Higher price per GB
- Can run hot under sustained load
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “This Gen 5.0 drive cooks, and in more ways than one. Running this in the Gen 5.0 slot on a Gigabyte X670E motherboard. I made the error of not using a heatsink initially — it throttled fast. Once cooled, performance was stellar.”
Customer Review: “You might think you’re doing better by getting the OEM heatsink version – paying about $30 extra. I learned the hard way that exactly the opposite holds true. Don’t fall for that unless you need the exact fit.”
5. WD Blue SN5100 500GB NVMe SSD
The WD Blue SN5100 is a dependable Gen4 SSD offering solid performance for everyday computing. With read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s (on higher capacities), it’s a great choice for users upgrading from SATA or older NVMe drives.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe Gen4 speeds up to 7,100 MB/s (1TB+ models)
✓ Sandisk nCache 4.0 technology for fast file copies
✓ 5-year warranty
✓ M.2 2280 form factor
✓ Energy-efficient design
Why We Recommend It
It’s a no-frills, reliable SSD from a trusted brand. Perfect for office work, light gaming, and general productivity. The 5-year warranty adds peace of mind.
Best For
Home users, students, and professionals needing a reliable, fast SSD for daily tasks.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Consistent performance
- Long warranty period
- Low power consumption
- WD reliability
Cons:
- 500GB may be small for some users
- Not the fastest in its class
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “No issues and easy installation. Quality product for storage size and price.”
Customer Review: “Not too much I can say other than it arrived overnight and was installed in 5 minutes. It works fine. The read/write speed is what I needed and I have used WD products in the past. They are reliable. Also WD has a 5 year warranty on the NVME and that IS a plus.”
6. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
The Samsung 990 PRO is a flagship Gen4 SSD known for its elite performance and reliability. With read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s and excellent thermal control, it’s a top pick for high-end gaming and professional workloads.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write speeds
✓ Samsung V-NAND technology
✓ Dynamic Thermal Guard
✓ 2TB capacity for large libraries
✓ 5-year limited warranty
Why We Recommend It
Samsung has a long history of making reliable SSDs, and the 990 PRO continues that legacy. It’s fast, stable, and backed by excellent support—ideal for users who want the best without compromise.
Best For
Enthusiasts, gamers, and professionals who demand top-tier performance and brand reliability.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- One of the fastest Gen4 drives
- Excellent build quality
- Great for PS5 and high-end PCs
- Strong warranty and support
Cons:
- Premium price
- Can run warm under heavy load
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I am using two of these 1TB drives in a custom NAS box I put together running TrueNAS. While the majority of my backups are on the mirrored HDD drives, I use these NVMe drives for cache and they perform flawlessly.”
Customer Review: “Installed this SSD in my PS5 and it just works exactly as advertised. Physical install took literally 3-4 minutes. PS5 recognized it instantly, formatted in under a minute, and I started moving games over right away.”
7. WD Black SN850X 2TB Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD
The WD Black SN850X is a proven performer in the Gen4 space, offering up to 7,300 MB/s read speeds and optional heatsink versions. It’s a favorite among gamers for its speed, reliability, and PS5 compatibility.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ Up to 7,300 MB/s read speeds
✓ Available with or without heatsink
✓ Optimized for gaming and heavy workloads
✓ 2TB capacity for large game libraries
✓ Low latency and high IOPS
Why We Recommend It
It’s a mature, well-optimized drive that delivers consistent performance. If you want a battle-tested SSD with great cooling options, the SN850X is a safe bet.
Best For
Gamers, streamers, and PC builders who want reliable high-speed storage with PS5 support.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent gaming performance
- Heatsink option available
- PS5-certified
- WD reliability and support
Cons:
- Slightly older model
- Price remains high despite newer releases
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “Upgraded to the WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X NVMe from a Gen 3 SSD, and the difference is massive. This drive delivers exactly what it promises — insane speeds, great thermal performance, and rock-solid reliability.”
Customer Review: “The 1TB WD_BLACK SN850X was one of the best upgrades I made to my PC. Installation was quick and easy, and I noticed the difference from the very first boot: game loading times were drastically reduced.”
Complete Buying Guide for Which M.2 Ssd Should I Buy
Essential Factors We Consider
When choosing an M.2 SSD, we evaluate speed (Gen4 vs Gen5), capacity (500GB to 2TB+), compatibility (laptop, desktop, PS5), brand reliability, and value for money. We also test real-world performance using benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark and assess thermal behavior under load.
Budget Planning
Set a budget based on your needs. For under $60, the SIX NVMe offers great value. Mid-range ($80–$150) picks like the Crucial P310 or WD Blue SN5100 balance speed and cost. Premium drives ($150+) like the Samsung 990 PRO or Crucial T710 deliver top-tier performance for enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
The best M.2 SSD for you depends on your system, use case, and budget. Gamers should prioritize speed and capacity, while casual users can save with reliable mid-tier options. Always check your motherboard’s M.2 slot type (Gen3/4/5) before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between Gen4 and Gen5 NVMe SSDs?
A: Gen5 SSDs like the Crucial T710 offer nearly double the bandwidth of Gen4 drives, with speeds up to 14,900 MB/s. However, they require compatible motherboards and generate more heat. Gen4 remains the sweet spot for most users.
Q: Can I use any M.2 SSD in my laptop?
A: Not always. Check your laptop’s manual for supported M.2 lengths (usually 2280) and interface (PCIe Gen3/4). Some ultrabooks only support single-sided drives.
Q: Do I need a heatsink for my M.2 SSD?
A: It depends. High-performance drives like the SN850X or T710 benefit from heatsinks during sustained workloads. For everyday use, it’s optional but recommended for Gen5 drives.
Q: Is a 500GB SSD enough for gaming?
A: It’s tight. Modern AAA games can take 100GB+ each. We recommend at least 1TB for gamers, or use a secondary drive for storage.
Q: Are cheaper SSDs safe to use?
A: Stick to reputable brands like Samsung, WD, Crucial, or Kingston. Avoid no-name drives with unrealistic specs—they often use low-quality NAND and lack proper controllers.
Still unsure which M.2 SSD to buy? Our top pick, the WD Black SN7100, offers the best mix of speed, capacity, and value. For budget builds, the SIX NVMe is hard to beat. Click any “Check Price” button above to compare current deals and make your upgrade today!
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