An SSD noticeably accelerates PC and notebook, but which SSD model is right for you. We give buying tips and buy the best SSDs of all classes.
The typical storage space of SDDs is between 240 and 4000 gigabytes. We recommend models with at least 240 GB for PCs and notebooks for office use, 512 GB for all-round notebooks and 1000 GB for all-round PCs. For gaming PCs, we recommend using a 2000 GB model right away – if your budget allows it. The built-in flash memory is important; the more information a cell has to store, the more the speed and service life are reduced. A distinction is made between SLC (1 bit per cell), MLC (2 bits per cell), TLC (3 bits per cell) and QLC (4 bits per cell).
Inexpensive SSDs in 2.5-inch format – our recommendations:
Crucial BX500
available with 240, 480, 1000 and 2000 GB for 30, 45, 100 and 160 euros
Samsung 870 QVO
available with 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 GB for 80, 160, 315 and 630 euros
SanDisk Ultra 3D
available with 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 GB for 40, 55, 90, 170 and 350 euros
SSDs are available in three designs: 2.5-inch housing and M.2 plug-in cards are the most common formats, PCI Express plug-in cards are less common. You can only use M.2 if your notebook or the motherboard of your PC also has an M.2 slot. The advantage of M.2 and PCI Express cards: You do not need a data or power cable as with a 2.5-inch SSD.
Inexpensive SATA SSDs in M.2 format – our recommendations:
WD Blue 3D
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 40, 55, 90 and 200 euros
Samsung 860 EVO
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 45, 65, 115 and 280 euros
SSDs use two data protocols: SATA with up to 560 MB / s or NVMe with up to 7500 MB / s. In practice, you will only notice a difference between SATA and NVMe SSDs when using memory-intensive applications and installing large amounts of data (such as games).
Inexpensive NVMe SSDs in M.2 format – our recommendations:
Crucial P2
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 35, 45, 85 and 180 euros
WD Blue SN550
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 40, 50, 80 and 200 euros
PC gamers should use a fast NVMe SSD right away. Here you have the choice between inexpensive models with up to 3500 MB / s and slightly more expensive high-end SSD with data rates of up to 7000 MB / s.
Fast & cheap: NVMe SSDs in M.2 format for gamers with up to 3500 MB / s:
Crucial P5
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 45, 65, 100 and 230 euros
Samsung 970 EVO Plus
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 55, 80, 125 and 220 euros
WD BLACK SN750
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 50, 65, 110 and 275 euros
Maximum speed: NVMe SSDs in M.2 format with PCI Express 4.0:
Crucial P5 Plus
available with 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 90, 140 and 330 euros
Corsair MP600 Pro
available with 1000 and 2000 GB for 180 and 325 euros
Samsung 980 Pro
available with 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 65, 90, 150 and 340 euros
WD BLACK SN850
available with 500, 1000 and 2000 GB for 95, 155 and 360 euros
