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Choosing the right Samsung EVO SSD can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. Whether you’re upgrading an old laptop, building a new PC, or just need faster storage for everyday tasks, Samsung’s EVO lineup offers reliable performance across different form factors and budgets. In this guide, we break down the best Samsung EVO SSDs available today—comparing speed, capacity, durability, and value—so you can confidently pick the one that fits your needs.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 7 Which Samsung Evo Ssd Should I Buy Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Samsung 870 EVO 1TB 2.5″ SATA III Internal SSD for PC and Laptop Storage
The Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is a powerhouse SATA SSD that delivers top-tier reliability and consistent performance for both laptops and desktops. Built on Samsung’s proven V-NAND technology, it’s ideal for users who want a balance of speed, durability, and broad compatibility without breaking the bank.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Sequential read/write speeds up to 560/530 MB/s
- ✓ Up to 600 TBW (Terabytes Written) endurance rating
- ✓ 5-year limited warranty for peace of mind
- ✓ Compatible with nearly all PCs and laptops via standard 2.5″ SATA interface
- ✓ Samsung Magician software for easy monitoring and optimization
Why We Recommend It
This SSD strikes the perfect balance between performance and longevity. Whether you’re replacing an old hard drive or upgrading from a slower SSD, the 870 EVO offers noticeable improvements in boot times, app loading, and file transfers—all while maintaining Samsung’s legendary reliability.
Best For
Everyday users, students, and professionals looking for a dependable, high-capacity SATA SSD upgrade for older systems or budget builds.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent real-world performance within SATA limits
- High endurance rating ensures long-term use
- Wide compatibility with legacy systems
- Includes useful Samsung Magician management tool
Cons:
- Slower than NVMe drives (but still very fast for SATA)
- Larger physical size compared to M.2 drives
Customer Reviews
“I got this Samsung 500gb 2.5″ SATA SSD to upgrade from the 512gb HDD in an old HP Pavilion laptop (model HP 15-f233wm). It’s a perfect fit and works great. It’s made the old device MUCH faster and improved the overall performance immensely. I consider myself a functioning illiterate when it comes to…”
“its a shame sata III will likely be disappearing in the next 5 to 7 years, the formfactor is so much nicer then nvme and it is still more then fast enough for like 99 percent of people, there are sata III drives available with real ecc error correction and super durable enterprise grade drives, tryi”
2. Samsung 870 EVO 2TB 2.5″ SATA III Internal SSD for Reliable Storage
If you need massive storage without sacrificing speed or reliability, the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB is your go-to SATA SSD. With double the capacity of the 1TB model and the same proven performance, it’s perfect for content creators, gamers, or anyone storing large files locally.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Same 560/530 MB/s read/write speeds as smaller EVO models
- ✓ Massive 2,400 TBW endurance rating—four times that of the 1TB version
- ✓ 5-year warranty backed by Samsung’s reputation
- ✓ Ideal for media storage, game libraries, or backup drives
- ✓ Works seamlessly with older laptops and desktops
Why We Recommend It
For users who need serious storage space but don’t want to move to NVMe yet, this drive offers unmatched value. The higher TBW means it can handle heavy write workloads over many years—making it great for video editors or data hoarders.
Best For
Power users, creatives, and families needing large, reliable local storage on SATA-based systems.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Huge capacity at a reasonable price per GB
- Exceptional endurance for a consumer SSD
- Consistent performance even under load
- Easy drop-in replacement for HDDs
Cons:
- Still limited by SATA III bandwidth
- Bulkier than M.2 alternatives
Customer Reviews
“I got this Samsung 500gb 2.5″ SATA SSD to upgrade from the 512gb HDD in an old HP Pavilion laptop (model HP 15-f233wm). It’s a perfect fit and works great. It’s made the old device MUCH faster and improved the overall performance immensely. I consider myself a functioning illiterate when it comes to…”
“its a shame sata III will likely be disappearing in the next 5 to 7 years, the formfactor is so much nicer then nvme and it is still more then fast enough for like 99 percent of people, there are sata III drives available with real ecc error correction and super durable enterprise grade drives, tryi”
3. Samsung 990 EVO 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 Support
The Samsung 990 EVO brings next-gen NVMe performance at a surprisingly affordable price. Supporting both PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 interfaces, it delivers blazing-fast speeds while staying power-efficient—perfect for modern laptops and desktops alike.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Read/write speeds up to 5,000/4,200 MB/s
- ✓ Backward compatible with PCIe Gen 3 systems
- ✓ Up to 70% better performance per watt than previous gen
- ✓ Smart thermal control prevents throttling
- ✓ Compact M.2 2280 form factor saves space
Why We Recommend It
This SSD offers near-flagship speeds without the premium price tag. It’s a fantastic entry point into NVMe performance, especially if you’re upgrading from SATA or an older NVMe drive. The hybrid Gen 4/Gen 5 support also makes it future-proof.
Best For
Gamers, students, and professionals wanting fast NVMe storage on a budget—especially those with newer motherboards or laptops.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Incredible speed for the price
- Low power consumption ideal for laptops
- No overheating issues thanks to smart thermal design
- Easy installation in most modern systems
Cons:
- Not as fast as top-tier Gen 5 drives
- Limited cache under sustained heavy writes
Customer Reviews
“As a PC builder and heavy gamer, my old SATA SSD was becoming a serious bottleneck for my i7-12700K and RTX 5070 Ti system. I chose the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB to be my new primary OS and games drive, and the difference is staggering. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a complete transformation. Real-“
“The 1TB Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus was an amazing upgrade for my PC. Installation in M.2 format was quick and easy, and I noticed the difference from the very first boot: the read and write speeds are incredibly fast, making the system and programs instantly responsive. Furthermore, HMB and Intelligen”
4. Samsung 870 EVO 500GB 2.5″ SATA III Internal SSD for Everyday Use
The 500GB Samsung 870 EVO is the sweet spot for budget-conscious users who still want Samsung quality. It’s perfect for secondary drives, older laptop upgrades, or anyone who doesn’t need terabytes of storage but refuses to compromise on reliability.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Reliable 560/530 MB/s SATA performance
- ✓ 300 TBW endurance rating
- ✓ 5-year warranty
- ✓ Lightweight and energy-efficient
- ✓ Great for OS + essential apps
Why We Recommend It
Not everyone needs 2TB of storage. If you’re running a lightweight system or just need a fast boot drive, this 500GB model offers excellent value. It’s also a smart choice for upgrading aging laptops where every gigabyte counts.
Best For
Students, casual users, and anyone upgrading from an HDD on a tight budget.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable entry into SSD performance
- Proven Samsung reliability
- Easy to install and configure
- Ideal size for operating system and key programs
Cons:
- May fill up quickly with modern games/apps
- Lower endurance than higher-capacity models
Customer Reviews
“I got this Samsung 500gb 2.5″ SATA SSD to upgrade from the 512gb HDD in an old HP Pavilion laptop (model HP 15-f233wm). It’s a perfect fit and works great. It’s made the old device MUCH faster and improved the overall performance immensely. I consider myself a functioning illiterate when it comes to…”
“its a shame sata III will likely be disappearing in the next 5 to 7 years, the formfactor is so much nicer then nvme and it is still more then fast enough for like 99 percent of people, there are sata III drives available with real ecc error correction and super durable enterprise grade drives, tryi”
5. Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD with V-NAND and Heat Control
A veteran in the NVMe space, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB remains a top performer thanks to its robust V-NAND architecture and excellent thermal management. Though newer models exist, this drive still delivers outstanding speed and reliability for high-end builds.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Sequential read/write up to 3,500/3,300 MB/s
- ✓ Intelligent TurboWrite technology boosts burst performance
- ✓ Advanced heat spreader keeps temps low
- ✓ 5-year warranty with up to 1,200 TBW endurance
- ✓ Samsung Magician support for optimization
Why We Recommend It
Even years after launch, the 970 EVO Plus holds up against newer drives—especially if you find it at a discount. It’s a proven workhorse for gamers, developers, and creators who need fast, large-capacity NVMe storage.
Best For
Enthusiasts and professionals seeking high-performance NVMe storage with proven track record.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Still competitive speeds for Gen 3/4 systems
- Excellent thermal performance under load
- High endurance for heavy workloads
- Widely available and well-supported
Cons:
- Outpaced by newer Gen 4/5 drives
- Higher power draw than latest EVO models
Customer Reviews
“Purchased the Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 for my mid 2015 MacBook Pro (Excellent computers that many people still use and love). For some time Apple played evil by not permitting SSD upgrade other than from one company, which made prices expensive. I used a Sintech adapted (about $12) for…”
“The Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB NVMe SSD (MZ-V7S500B/AM) has been an excellent upgrade for my system. I use it as extra cache with PrimoCache, and the performance difference is night and day. Transferring large files is effortless — I can move 20GB files between drives in under 30 seconds, which is s”
6. Samsung 860 EVO 1TB 2.5″ SATA III Internal SSD for Laptop and Desktop
The Samsung 860 EVO is the predecessor to the 870 EVO but still offers solid performance for users on older systems. It’s a great budget-friendly option if you find it discounted, especially for upgrading legacy laptops or desktops.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Sequential speeds up to 550/520 MB/s
- ✓ 300 TBW endurance rating
- ✓ AES 256-bit hardware encryption
- ✓ Compatible with TCG Opal and IEEE 1667 standards
- ✓ 5-year limited warranty
Why We Recommend It
While newer than most HDDs, the 860 EVO is a step below the 870 series. However, if you’re on a tight budget or maintaining an older system, it’s still a massive upgrade over spinning disks—and Samsung’s encryption features add extra security.
Best For
Users with older PCs or laptops looking for a reliable, secure SATA SSD upgrade at a lower cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable entry-level Samsung SSD
- Strong security features for sensitive data
- Proven reliability over years of use
- Easy migration from HDD
Cons:
- Slower than 870 EVO
- Lower endurance rating
- Being phased out in favor of newer models
Customer Reviews
“I have an older ASUS laptop that was given to me by someone who purchased a new HP. This unit had only 4GB RAM and a 500GB spinning-hard-drive. So I upgraded RAM to 8GB and bought this Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SSD to replace the old spinning-drive. This SSD arrived and I needed to buy a $7 USB-to-SATA”
“I recently upgraded my computer’s storage with the Samsung SSD 860 EVO 4TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E4T0B/AM), and I couldn’t be happier with the performance and reliability it offers. As someone who deals with large files daily, this SSD has been a game-changer for my workflow. **Blazing”
7. Samsung 870 EVO 1TB 2.5″ SATA Internal SSD for Fast Storage Upgrade
This variant of the 870 EVO 1TB emphasizes ease of upgrade—perfect for users cloning an old drive or doing a quick system refresh. It’s identical in specs to our #1 pick but often sold with bundled software or promotional support.
Key Features That Stand Out
- ✓ Same 560/530 MB/s performance as standard 870 EVO
- ✓ Plug-and-play installation
- ✓ Samsung Magician for cloning and optimization
- ✓ 5-year warranty and 600 TBW endurance
- ✓ Ideal for hassle-free upgrades
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for a no-fuss way to breathe new life into an old machine, this SSD makes the process simple. The included software helps even non-tech-savvy users migrate their OS and files seamlessly.
Best For
Home users, small businesses, and IT professionals performing bulk upgrades or repairs.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy cloning and setup
- Reliable Samsung performance
- Great for reviving older devices
- Consistent quality across units
Cons:
- Same limitations as other SATA drives
- May not include physical accessories (depends on seller)
Customer Reviews
“Not the most expensive 1 terabyte drive but i have yet to have one fail. I have been extremely happy with the Samsung drives. It is wonderful to clone an old spinner drive put this in its place and have the users worship the ground that I walk on. You can’t go wrong using these drives to upgrade”
“Not the most expensive 1 terabyte drive but i have yet to have one fail. I have been extremely happy with the Samsung drives. It is wonderful to clone an old spinner drive put this in its place and have the users worship the ground that I walk on. You can’t go wrong using these drives to upgrade”
Complete Buying Guide for Samsung Evo SSD
Essential Factors We Consider
When picking the right Samsung EVO SSD, focus on interface type (SATA vs. NVMe), capacity needs, endurance rating (TBW), and compatibility with your device. SATA drives like the 870 EVO are perfect for older systems, while NVMe models like the 990 EVO deliver cutting-edge speed for modern builds. Always check your laptop or motherboard specs before buying.
Budget Planning
Samsung EVO SSDs range from under $50 for 500GB SATA models to over $200 for high-capacity NVMe drives. For most users, the 1TB SATA or NVMe options offer the best balance of price and performance. If you’re on a tight budget, consider refurbished or older-gen models—but stick with Samsung for reliability.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose the rock-solid 870 EVO for universal compatibility or the lightning-fast 990 EVO for future-ready performance, Samsung’s EVO lineup delivers consistent quality. Prioritize your use case: everyday computing, gaming, content creation, or system upgrades—and match it with the right capacity and interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Samsung EVO SSD is fastest?
A: The Samsung 990 EVO (PCIe Gen 4/5 NVMe) is the fastest in the current EVO lineup, with read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s—nearly 10x faster than SATA-based EVO drives.
Q: Can I use a Samsung EVO SSD in an old laptop?
A: Yes! The 2.5″ SATA models like the 870 EVO are designed for broad compatibility and work in most laptops and desktops made in the last 15+ years.
Q: Is the 870 EVO worth it over the 860 EVO?
A: Absolutely. The 870 EVO offers better performance, higher endurance, and improved firmware—making it a smarter long-term investment unless you find the 860 EVO at a steep discount.
Q: Do I need NVMe or is SATA enough?
A: For basic tasks like web browsing, office work, or media playback, SATA is more than enough. But if you’re gaming, editing videos, or running VMs, NVMe drives like the 990 EVO will significantly reduce load times.
Q: How long do Samsung EVO SSDs last?
A: With typical use, a Samsung EVO SSD can last 5–10 years or more. The 5-year warranty and high TBW ratings reflect Samsung’s confidence in their durability.
Ready to upgrade your storage? Pick the Samsung EVO SSD that matches your needs from our expert-reviewed list above—and enjoy faster boots, quicker apps, and peace of mind knowing you’ve chosen a trusted brand. Click any “Check Price” button to compare current deals and make your purchase today!
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