This is a review of the top M.2 SSD with features, pricing, and comparison to help select the fastest M.2 SSD for gaming and other uses:
Are you facing a shortage of storage space? Is your PC taking too much time to boot?
Low space on our PC or shortage of having an SSD might often cause you a problem. But if you dislike wasting any time, the answer is to go for the best M.2 SSD available.
It is the fastest solid-state drive available in the market today. The most modern type of NVMe card slots available reduces boot-up time and provides great fps while playing games. It provides a better result rather than any simple SSD available.
Table of Contents:
- M.2 SSD Review
- Frequently Asked Questions
- List of the Best M.2 SSD
- Comparison Table Of Top M.2 SSD
- #1) Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280
- #2) Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB-M.2 NVMe Interface Internal SSD
- #3) Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280
- #4) Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
- #5) Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
- #6) SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD
- #7) Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD
- #8) XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2
- #9) WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD
- #10) Inland Platinum 2TB SSD NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0×4 M.2 2280
- Conclusion
M.2 SSD Review
Such types of solid-state drives come with a huge performance allowing you to get amazing read and write speed.
There are many brands available that manufacture the best M.2 SSD. Most of them come with different specifications. Thus, choosing the best one out of them is a difficult task. To help you with this, we have come up with the list of the best M.2 NVMe SSD available here.
Fact Check: As per Mordor Intelligence, the growth of using solid-state drives in a computer is rapidly increasing. Most people consider NVMe SSD or an M.2 SSD to be the ultimate choice for fast computing. The projected CAGR is around 17.2%. In this current scenario, the SSD market is around 34.86 billion, while in the upcoming years, the market projection is around 90.10 billion.
Pro-Tip: Picking out the best M.2 SSD depends on several factors that you need to keep in mind. The most important thing that you need to consider is the storage capacity of the M.2 SSD. Any SSD with a 500 GB space should be good enough for you to use.
The next important things that you must consider are the read and write speed. Obviously, using an m.2 SSD means you are about to get a fast speed. Transferring files with such M.2 SSD will help you boot up faster and also do not waste any time.
Another key thing to focus on would be the purpose of purchase. It is important to have an M.2 SSD more than 1 TB of space if you require heavy gaming storage. You can consider the number of slots present on your PC for installation as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What does M.2 mean in SSD?
Answer: Many people get confused about what is m.2 SSD in such a motherboard. The term m.2 represents the form factor or the size and configuration in an SSD.
Technically, the it is smaller than the standard 2.5-inch SSD. Such types of SSD cards are 22 mm wide and hence the name is after m.2. It was formerly known as the Next Generation Form Factor.
Q #2) Is m.2 faster than SSD?
Answer: There are basically two types of SSD available, including the normal SSD and the NVMe type. When it comes to m.2 vs SSD available in the market, it is the fastest type of NVMe available. This has a higher read and writes speed that works better than most other SSD available.
Q #3) How much faster is m.2 than SSD?
Answer: Obviously, there is a big difference in speed, but there are more important things to consider. The M.2 sticks are much faster and might have at least 10 times the speed in reading and writing for SSD. M2 is also high-priced as compared to any SSD available.
Q #4) How many m.2 SSD can I have?
Answer: This will completely depend on the slots that you have in your motherboard. If you have two slots for SSD available, you can opt to put two SSDs available in all the slots. However, there are multiple SSD data available that you can use if you have a SATA interface.
Q #5) How do I know if my SSD is m.2?
Answer: There are two ways by which you can determine whether your SSD is m.2 or not.
The first way is to check the model number that you receive. You can search the model number on the Internet for more information about it. Alternatively, you can open Windows and go to Device manager. Select on the Disc Drives option and you will find the SSD type option.
Suggested Reading =>> SSD vs HDD
List of the Best M.2 SSD
Here is the list of popular m.2 NVMe SSD:
- Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280
- Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB-M.2 NVMe Interface Internal SSD
- Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280
- Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
- Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
- SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD
- Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD
- XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2
- WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD
- Inland Platinum 2TB SSD NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0×4 M.2 2280
Comparison Table Of Top M.2 SSD
Tool Name | Best For | Storage Capacity | Price | Ratings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kingston A400 240G | Desktop Use | 240 GB | $34.99 | 5.0/5 (29,341 ratings) |
Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD | High Storage | 2 TB | $329.99 | 4.9/5 (24,801 ratings) |
Western Digital 500GB SSD | Fast Booting | 500 GB | $54.99 | 4.8/5 (11,479 ratings) |
Sabrent Rocket Q 2280 | Game Storage | 1 TB | $109.98 | 4.7/5 (8,577 ratings) |
Crucial P2 3D NAND SSD | Laptop Usage | 2 TB | $231.44 | 4.6/5 (6,749 ratings) |
Top M.2 SSD review:
#1) Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280
Best for desktop use.
The Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280 is a friendly choice for people looking forward to a budget-friendly model with a lot to offer. The products come along with amazing read and write speed that should be enough for your regular works. It is important to have a good SSD that works for you, and surely the Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280 will provide you with decent results.
Features:
- Fast start-up
- Multiple capacities with space
- More reliable and durable
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 240 GB |
Read Speed | 450 MB/s |
Write Speed | 500 MB/s |
Weight | 0.16 ounces |
Verdict: Most people consider that the Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280 is an amazing device to choose for configuring your PC. This SSD is one of the most budget-friendly models that will help you get an amazing result.
The best part is that this device comes with amazing gameplay, and you can create a decent SATA 3 interface that is compatible with most other PC setups available.
Price: $34.99
Website: Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280
#2) Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB-M.2 NVMe Interface Internal SSD
Best for high storage.
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB-M.2 NVMe Interface Internal SSD is one of the best choices to have if you are looking for the fastest m.2 SSD with high storage. It allows you to minimize the performance drops and also comes with a great Samsung Dynamic Thermal Guard.
The benefit of having this feature is that the SD remains cool, and it also does not affect the performance while running for long hours.
Features:
- Sequential read and write performance
- 5-year limited warranty
- Up to 600,000 IOPS Random Read
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 2 TB |
Read Speed | 3500 MB/s |
Write Speed | 3000 MB/s |
Weight | 1.90 ounces |
Verdict: As per reviews, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB-M.2 NVMe Interface Internal SSD is an amazing device to have for your phone and regular usage. It comes with an amazing SSD management interface that allows you to create space for more file storage. Obviously, you could expect a low lag time in the game because of this reason.
Price: $329.99
Website: Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD
#3) Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280
Best for fast booting.
If your PC takes up too much time to load, consider switching over to Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280. This product comes with a high-speed performance that is more reliable and also provides faster performance.
The read speed is more than 2600 Mbps, making the Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280 an efficient purchase. The product features great 3D NAND support.
Features:
- Western Digital designed a controller
- Western Digital SSD dashboard
- Firmware for optimized performance
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 500 GB |
Read Speed | 2600 MB/s |
Write Speed | 1800 MB/s |
Weight | 0.25 ounces |
Verdict: Most users like the prospect of using the Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280 with their PC setup. The real reason people like it the most is that it comes with an amazing boot-up time. It takes the least time to get started and doing the work.
People also found this product to have all-purpose productivity, which seems to be another added advantage for most people.
Price: $54.99
Website: Western Digital 500GB M.2 2280
#4) Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
Best for game storage.
The Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD is liked by most professional gamers because of the wonderful structure that it provides. It comes with both PCIe and NVMe support that is compatible with most motherboards.
It has a Sabrent Acronis True Image for Sabrent Software for easy Cloning. This feature helps a lot in the quick transfer of files.
Features:
- PCIe 3.1 Compliant/NVMe 1.3 compliant
- Power Management Support for APST/ASPM/ L1.2
- Supports SMART and TRIM commands
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
Read Speed | 3400 MB/s |
Write Speed | 3000 MB/s |
Weight | 2.40 ounces |
Verdict: According to the consumers, the Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD comes with ample space provided by the manufacturer to load up your games. The reason most people like this device is that it can be a cheaper alternative to any HDD and also provides accuracy.
The product also comes with power management support and does work on a low-profile mechanism.
Price: $109.98
Website: Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe
#5) Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD
Best for laptop usage.
The Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD sets up on a fast-moving platform and supports amazing work. The 2400 Mbps read speed with a 1900 Mbps write speed makes this one of the best in the market. Since the Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD is extremely light in weight, it does not add up any heavy load on the motherboard.
Features:
- NVMe PCIe interface
- Includes SSD management software
- Backed by a limited 5-year warranty
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 2 TB |
Read Speed | 2400 MB/s |
Write Speed | 1900 MB/s |
Weight | 0.60 ounces |
Verdict: Crucial P2 2TB 3D NAND NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD is a great tool to have for your personal requirements. It can be easily modified to any Laptop available and also provides a significant result as well. This product comes with a great performance optimization feature which is decent enough to use with any motherboard of your choice.
Price: $231.44
#6) SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD
Best for fast performance.
The SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD created a stir right from the moment it was launched. This SSD features a 1 TB storage which shall be good enough for your regular usage and file storage. The in-house design and the heat sink mechanism can easily allow the SSD to pass out on high-temperature operating life tests.
Features:
- Outstanding performance
- High-performance bandwidth
- Heavy-duty applications
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
Read Speed | 3500 MB/s |
Write Speed | 3200 MB/s |
Weight | 1.9 ounces |
Verdict: According to users, the SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD is a decent choice. The low cost of this product gives an added advantage to the users. Since it does not create any lag time, the SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe Gen3 M.2 2280 Internal SSD can be an ideal choice for 3D creators and professionals.
Price: $134.99
Website: SK Hynix Gold
#7) Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD
Best for gaming.
The Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD comes with multiple features designed to provide you with the best output. Since it comes with 1 TB storage, you can get ample space for game file allocation. The product comes with Bad Block Management and Error Correction Code for quick and easy diagnosis. It provides a decent experience as well.
Features:
- NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface
- Advanced Wear Levelling
- Supports ONFi 2.3
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
Read Speed | 3400 MB/s |
Write Speed | 3000 MB/s |
Weight | 0.20 ounces |
Verdict: As per customer reviews, the Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe 4.0 Gen4 PCIe M.2 Internal SSD is an amazing product to choose from when it comes to having a decent interface along with motherboard support.
This SSD can feature both PCIe and NVMe configuration that allows you to get an amazing result. The product comes with advanced wear-leveling that keeps this device cooler.
Price: $159.98
#8) XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2
Best for video storage.
The XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 comes with amazing storage and video files. Even if the performance varies by a slight margin depending on the system verification, the XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 is a great choice to have. The transfer speed is always on a high and provides an amazing result.
Features:
- PCIe NVMe Gen3x4
- E2E Data Protection
- SX8200 Pro SSD supports LDPC error-correcting code
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 1 TB |
Read Speed | 3500 MB/s |
Write Speed | 3000 MB/s |
Weight | 0.28 ounces |
Verdict: Video files might be quite long at times and could be stored on this device. The XPG SX8200 Pro 256GB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 comes with an E2E data protection option that keeps your stored files safe and also encrypted in nature. The SSD comes with higher storage space and an amazing read speed of 3000 Mbps as well.
Price: $44.99
#9) WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD
Best for quick loading.
The WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD is ideal if you are looking for a dedicated drive for gaming. This product features an amazing dashboard that allows you to store files and manage them accordingly. You can always wish to create a good impression as well.
Features:
- Non-heatsink model
- Works with custom desktops or gaming rigs
- 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 500 GB |
Read Speed | 3400 MB/s |
Write Speed | 2900 MB/s |
Weight | 0.27 ounces |
Verdict: According to reviews, the WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD comes with a perfect setup for any PC or desktop use. If you are looking for an SSD that serves your quick loading options, the WD Black 500GB SN750 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD is the best one to pick up. This product comes with amazing adaptability with most motherboards.
Price: $74.99
#10) Inland Platinum 2TB SSD NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0×4 M.2 2280
Best for notebooks.
The Inland Platinum 2TB SSD NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0×4 M.2 2280 is unmatched when it comes to being reliable and delivering. This product comes with higher density, large storage capacities, lower power consumption, and much more options that are amazing to have.
The product comes with a great form factor that works with the HDD. You can also use any OS to support this SSD m.2.
Features:
- High-speed M.2 PCIe Gen3
- Support PCIe Express Base 3.1
- 1500000 hours MTBF with 3-year limited parts
Technical Specifications:
Storage Capacity | 2 TB |
Read Speed | 3200 MB/s |
Write Speed | 2900 MB/s |
Weight | 0.27 ounces |
Verdict: A lot of people feel that the 500,000 hours MTBF with 3-year limited parts are a bit highly priced. But the performance that this SSD delivers is unmatched. This product comes with an amazing interface and also multiple other protective measures.
Options like Advanced Wear Levelling, Bad Block Management, Error Correction Code, and Over-Provision flash management provide an added benefit.
Price: $209.99
Conclusion
The main purpose of the M.2 SSD is to enhance your computer performance and improve the fps. It is slightly different from that of any regular SSD. The form factor and the ability to perform better make it much more important.
But the most important thing is to know is to install it properly. You must have appropriate slots in your motherboard to complete the configuration.
Also Read=>> Explores top Fastest SSDs
As per our research, we found that the Kingston A400 240G Internal 2280 is the best m.2 SSD available with a high storage option. It comes with a total space of 240 GB with a 450 MB/s read speed. If you are looking for the best m.2 SSD for gaming, you can also opt to purchase the Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD.
Research Process:
- Time is taken to research this article: 25 Hours.
- Total tools researched: 25
- Top tools shortlisted: 10