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The Best SSDs to Speed Up Your System Instantly

Rising Tech Review Team
Written By Rising Tech Review Team
Last updated: Apr 24, 2025, 05:12 PM
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SSDs

Hard disk drives can be really sluggish, creating a bottleneck and affecting your computer’s overall performance, even for computers with top-of-the-line specifications. For the average user, this may not present much of a problem, most of the time, but for heavier users like gamers, graphic designers, software developers or anyone that has to handle large volumes of data on their computer, switching to a solid-state drive (SSD) may be an absolute necessity to get the best performance out of their computers. The extraordinary performance boost this offers is akin to one gotten from switching from an old computer to a newer, higher-capacity one. With SSD prices falling and capacity going up, there has never been a better time to make the switch. Here, we have compiled a list of the SSDs in 2025. Read on to find out why they deserve this honor.

View all Contents
  • SSD Buying Guide
    • What is an SSD?
    • Why Should I Get an SSD Over an HDD?
    • What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying an SSD?
    • How Much Do SSDs Cost?
  • People Also Asked
  • Your Trust, Our Core Commitment
  • Contributors
  • Related Reads

Our Top Picks of SSDs

  • SAMSUNG SSD: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • VectoTech SSD: Best Speeds (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • Kingston SSD: Runner-Up (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • Crucial SSD: Honorable Mention (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • Western Digital SSD: Most Reliable (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • SanDisk SSD: High-Capactiy (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • SK hynix SSD: Most Durable (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓
  • PNY SSD: Great Value (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ssd ↓

Compare the Best SSDs of 2025

SAMSUNG SSD

Best Overall
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This SSD from Samsung for laptops offers excellent performance and reliability. It is widely compatible and is the perfect choice for creators, IT professionals, and everyday users. It is easy to install and use.

The SAMSUNG 870 EVO 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD comes in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB formats. It is compatible with all computers and has a read speed of 560 MB/s. It weighs 2.08 ounces and measures 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 inches. It is compatible with major host systems and applications like chipsets, motherboards, NAS, and video recording devices. It is easy to install, and its renewed migration software allows for easy data migration. The enhanced Samsung Magician 6 software helps you easily manage your drive.

Product Pros
  • It has an excellent read speed
  • It offers different storage options catering to various budgets
  • It is very easy to install and allows for easy and quick data migration
Product Cons
  • The product doesn’t come with the cables needed for the data migration process

VectoTech SSD

Best Speeds
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If you’re looking for a rapid, lightning fast SSD, the VectoTech Rapid 4TB External SSD could be what you need. Suitable for use with PCs, Macs, and gaming consoles, this SSD offers speeds of up to 540 MB per second, making it one of the fastest options on the market. This SSD is available in a range of sizes, from 1TB up to 8TB, to suit your needs. 

It features USB 3.1 Gen 2 technology and is great for transferring huge files like 4K movies or the latest video games in a matter of minutes. Thanks to its 3D NAND technology, this SSD outperforms much of the competition, and it’s also a beautiful component, crafted from durable aluminum to resist scratches and heat trouble.

Product Pros
  • Strong, durable, aluminum design
  • Incredible transfer speeds
  • State of the art technology
Product Cons
  • One of the most expensive options

Kingston SSD

Runner-Up
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This internal SSD offers great speed and reliable performance, running up to 10 times as fast as hard drives. It is available in multiple drive form factors and capacities giving you all the space you need for storage. It is ideal for desktops and notebooks.

Kingston A400 Internal SSD comes in 2 styles, SATA 3 and M.2 2280 and offers 5 storage options (120GB, 240GB, 480GB, 960GB and 1.92TB). It has a read speed of up to 500 MB/s and a write speed of up to 450 MB/s. It functions quietly, with minimal heat production, and has shock and vibration resistance rendering it ideal for notebooks and other mobile computing devices. It offers backward compatibility to SATA Rev. 2.0 (3Gb/s).

Product Pros
  • It has very good read and write speeds
  • It is available in multiple storage capacities, from 120GB to 1.92TB
  • It is inexpensive
Product Cons
  • Some users report reliability issues

Crucial SSD

Honorable Mention
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This internal SSD can be installed very easily. It offers high storage capacity and functions at blistering speed. It has a system built in to preserve your unsaved work even when the power is unexpectedly cut. It offers top-level encryption for your protection.

The Crucial MX500 Internal SSD comes in either gray or blue and offers storage capacities of 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB. This drive can work with desktops and laptops that accept 2.5″ 7mm SATA drives. It offers sequential reads and write speeds of up to 560MB/s and 510MB/s respectively and random reads/writes up to 95k/90k on all file types. Its next-gen Micron 3D NAND is remarkably efficient, achieving top-level performance while using only a minimal amount of power.

Product Pros
  • It comes with a 5-year limited warranty
  • It has a system built into to preserve your data even after unexpected power outages
  • It is remarkably efficient
Product Cons
  • The installation instructions are not as detailed as they should be

Western Digital SSD

Most Reliable
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This drive is compatible with Macs and PCs. It comes with multiple storage options and works at remarkable speed. It functions reliably and efficiently, drawing less power and keeping your computer on for longer on a single charge. It comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.

The Western Digital Blue Internal SSD comes in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB storage capacities. It has a sequential read and write speed of up to 560MB/s and 530MB/s, respectively, making it appropriate for high-end computing. Its active power draws during sequential reads are up to 25% lower than in previous generations of WD Blue SSD. The drive offers free downloadable software to monitor the status of your drive, clone a drive, or back up your data. It has an impressive 1.75M hours MTTF with up to 600 TBW for enhanced reliability.

Product Pros
  • It is extremely reliable
  • It functions at impressive speed
  • It offers free downloadable software for easy use
Product Cons
  • Some users ran into issues using the cloning software

SanDisk SSD

High-Capactiy
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This portable, high-capacity SSD provides powerful solid-state performance in a durable and dependable package. It includes high-end encryption to protect your data and is capable of reaching neck-breaking speeds. It comes in various storage capacity options and is compatible with a wide range of devices.

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD offers write and read speeds of up to 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s, respectively. It is portable, measuring only 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches and weighing 0.11 Pounds. It is durable,e with up to two-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance. It offers password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption for your security and a Memory Zone file management app for accessibility on the go. It is supported by Windows 8, Windows 10, macOS, and USB Type-C smartphones. It is available in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options.

Product Pros
  • It is portable
  • It offers read and write speeds of up to 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s respectively
  • It is compatible with smartphones
Product Cons
  • Comes in ExFAT format that makes it unsuitable for storing multiple small files, this can be easily fixed by reformatting to NTFS

SK hynix SSD

Most Durable
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This drive offers speeds up to 10 times that of HDDs and is extremely reliable and durable. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is compatible with desktops and laptops that accept 2.5″ 7mm SATA drives.

The SK hynix Gold measures 3.94 x 2.75 x 0.28 inches and weighs 2.15 ounces. It comes in memory size options of 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB and has a sequential read and write speed of up to 560MB/s and 525MB/s respectively. It offers top-level reliability and stability with 1.5 Million Hours MTBF and 600 TBW.

Product Pros
  • It is easy to install
  • It is durable and reliable
  • It has excellent read and write speeds
Product Cons
  • The installation instructions could be better

PNY SSD

Great Value
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This SSD is highly durable and reliable, with up to 3 years of warranty. It is an easy and cost-effective option for upgrading your HD,D offering up to a 50% increase in boot-up speed. It comes in a wide range of capacities.

The PNY CS900 3D NAND 2.5″ SATA III Internal SSD comes in 120GB, 240GB, 250GB, 480GB, 500GB, 960GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. It is compatible with laptops and desktops and offers sequential read and write speeds of up to 535MB/s and 500 MB/s, respectively. It measures 2.76 x 3.94 x 0.28 inches, weighs 1.44 ounces, and has ultra-low power consumption.

Product Pros
  • It is cost-effective
  • It comes in a wide range of storage capacities
  • It has an ultra-low power consumption
Product Cons
  • It doesn’t come with migration software

SSD Buying Guide

Has your computer started to slow noticeably, so much so that you’re starting to consider ditching it for a newer one? Do you need your computer to better and faster handle large files and run applications more smoothly? Well, upgrading your computer’s storage from the slower hard disk drives (HDDs) to faster, more reliable solid-state drives (SSDs) can give your computer the performance boost you require. This is so because while an HHD has mechanical components that age with time and are prone to discrepancies, SSDs do not, making them faster and less susceptible to damage.

What is an SSD?

It’s short for Solid State Drive. An SSD is a device for storing digital content. It is a type of nonvolatile storage media that uses integrated circuit assemblies to store data persistently on solid-state flash memory. It is made up of 2 key components, a flash controller and NAND flash memory chips. SSDs are designed to deliver high read and write performance for both sequential and random data requests. A solid-state drive can also be referred to as a solid-state device or a solid-state disk.

Why Should I Get an SSD Over an HDD?

  • SSDs give faster random and sequential read and write speeds than HHDs.
  • SSDs are much less prone to damage than HHDs and, as such, are more durable and reliable.
  • SSDs are less likely to slow with age.
  • Due to the absence of moving parts in SSDs, they are typically able to function with much lower power input, resulting in greater efficiency and longer battery life for your device.
  • SSDs run more quietly and generate less heat than HHDs.
  • SSDs weigh less than and are generally smaller than HHDs, and so, you can fit more powerful drives into smaller compartments.
  • SSDs are easier to install than HHDs.

What Factors Should I Consider Before Buying an SSD?

Although the average SSD offers much better performance than the average HHD, not all SSDs are created equal. Some SSDs offer greater read and write speeds, reliability, compatibility, and storage, amongst other things, than others. With this in mind, choosing the best solid-state drive that meets your particular needs while staying within your budget should be a priority. With so many products from top brands available on the market today, making a choice can be hard. To help you with this, in addition to the list of the best SSDs we have already given you, we will run you through the factors to pay attention to when SSD shopping in this buying guide.

Form factor

SSDs can be classified into four form factors, 2.5-inch, M.2, U.2 and Add-in card (AIC), which describes the physical attributes of a hardware component, such as its weight and dimensions.

  • The 2.5-inch form factor is the most commonly used SSD form factor especially for upgrades because it is the natural replacement for the 2.5-inch HDD already used by a lot of custom builds. 2.5-inch SSDs utilize the SATA interface for establishing a connection with the motherboard.
  • The M.2 form factor looks similar to a RAM stick and is used in the majority of laptops these days. M.2 SSDs come in different sizes and have the NAND chips on either one or both sides of the drive, and you can find an M.2 SSD with either SATA or PCIe interface.
  • U.2 SSDs look similar to the SATA HHDs; they are bigger and offer more heat dissipation and capacity than M.2s. U.2 uses the PCIe interface to connect to the motherboard.
  • Add-in Card (AIC) SSDs can be plugged into your device like an extension, granting it greater compatibility and flexibility. It relies on the PCIe expansion slot for connection.

SATA or PCIe interface

SATA drives are the more common sort, they typically cost less but run more slowly than NVMe/PCIe drives. If your computer supports NVMe/PCIe and you need your computer to perform heavy-duty functions you should consider buying a drive that uses this interface.

Capacity

The storage capacity of an SSD determines how much data it can hold. The capacity SSD you get depends on your use and specific needs. SSDs typically come in capacities ranging from 128 GB to 4 TB; higher capacities are available but are not very common. It is advisable that you get an SSD with at least 500 GB for the best experience; for the average user, 1 TB SSDs are appropriate.

Power consumption

This applies especially to use with laptops and convertible tablets. A more efficient SSD makes it so you can get optimal performance without having to sacrifice battery life. You should note that higher-capacity SSDs usually use more power than lower-capacity drives, so you should be careful about getting a higher-capacity drive than you need.

Durability

SSDs have a limited lifespan. An SSD’s rated endurance is usually listed in total terabytes written (TBW), or drive writes per day (DWPD). Higher values indicate more endurance.

Additional features

The best SSDs usually come with additional features like custom software for easy transfer of data from your old drive to the new one (cloning) to simplify the installation process, features to retain data even after unexpected power outages and others. Pay attention to these as they can greatly improve your user experience.

How Much Do SSDs Cost?

The price of a solid-state drive depends on factors like its storage capacities, interface, form factor, durability, and brand, amongst others. SSDs can cost anything from $30 for the lower capacity ones to $2000 monsters. For the average user, 1 TB SSDs usually costing about $100 is appropriate.

People Also Asked

Are SSDs better than HHDs?

Yes, they are. They are faster, more efficient, more durable alternatives. SSDs typically cost more than HHDs of the same storage capacity, however.

Which is better, SATA or PCIe?

The PCIe interface works faster and tends to cost more than SATA. If your computer supports PCIe, it is better to get a drive that uses this interface, especially if you use your computer to process large amounts of data.

How much storage capacity do I need on my SSD?

It depends on your usage, for the average person, 1TB of storage is sufficient.

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Contributors

Rising Tech Review Team
Rising Tech Review Team
At Rising Tech, we’re a team of tech lovers who believe technology should enhance your life, not complicate it. We're passionate about bringing you the latest and greatest in smart home devices, wearable tech, office gadgets, phones, and computers. Our goal is simple: to help you understand your options and make the best choices—no fluff, no bias.
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