Tech

Beef up your storage options with one of these solid state drives

Whether you want to improve your laptop speed or secure some documents, a SSD is just what you need.
By Kaitlyn McInnis  on 
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Our Top 5 Picks

Samsung Electronics Solid State Drive (opens in a new tab)

Top Pick

The Samsung SSD performs very fast and it's available in multiple sizes and storage capacities, making it a high-value buy for the price.

The Good

  • Very fast performance
  • Great price for the quality
  • Available in multiple sizes

The Bad

  • Some reviewers noted that this SSD is quite difficult to set up

The Bottom Line

Although it may be difficult to set up at first, this SSD will more than make up for it with its incredible performance speed and storage capacity.
Pros & Cons

Western Digital Solid State Device (opens in a new tab)

Most Budget-Friendly Option

If money is tight but you still want a reliable SSD, Western Digital's just what you need.

The Good

  • Great price
  • Compatible with Mac and PC
  • Fast enough for most needs

The Bad

  • Some reviewers complained that this SSD is not very user-friendly

The Bottom Line

Compatible with Mac and PC, fast, and a great price point — what more could you want from a SSD?
Pros & Cons

Samsung T7 Portable SSD (opens in a new tab)

Best High End Design

Treat yourself to a high-end SSD with the Samsung T7 portable SSD and enjoy a fast performance and reliable storage.

The Good

  • Very fast performance
  • Compatible with laptops, PCs, and televisions
  • Available in multiple colorways

The Bad

  • Very high price tag compared to other models on the list

The Bottom Line

The Samsung T7 portable SSD is pricey — we admit it. But, its reliable design and storage will last owners many years.
Pros & Cons

Western Digital Internal Gaming SSD (opens in a new tab)

Best For Gaming

Trying to avoid the headaches that come with PC gaming? The Wester Digital gaming SSD was made for gaming without the glitches and lags.

The Good

  • High-speed capabilities
  • Sleek design
  • Great price for the quality

The Bad

  • Some reviewers mentioned that it doesn’t include installation screws

The Bottom Line

If you want a SSD that has a sleek design, high-speed performance, and a great price, the Western Digital gaming SSD is a great option for all your gaming needs.
Pros & Cons

SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD (opens in a new tab)

Best For Portability

If you just want a SSD you could take anywhere, you'll be happy with the SanDisk extreme portable SSD.

The Good

  • Compact design can easily slip into a backpack or pocket
  • Made to be extremely durable
  • Available in a number of different sizes

The Bad

  • Some reviewers mentioned that this SSD isn’t as fast as advertised

The Bottom Line

Not only is it super compact, it's also very reliable with digital storage capacities ranging up to 4TB.
Pros & Cons

Faster and more performant than just about any hard drive on the market, finding a great solid-state drive or SSD is vital if you want a highly functioning laptop or computer for gaming or editing.

Whether you’re hoping to improve the speed of your computer or you just want something that’ll ensure your documents and data are as secure as possible, a solid state drive will do the trick.

What to consider before buying a solid state drive

Whether you think you have enough storage space on your computer or you already know you’re going to need a little boost, a solid state drive will ensure your files and data are safe and secure without bogging down your devices. You’ll want to make sure you opt for something that’s both durable and offers more storage than you think you’ll need (it can fill up fast!). You’ll also want to think about the price point you’re comfortable with as SSDs can cost a pretty penny depending on the brand and size you’re after.

Thankfully, with prices going down and quality going up, these days finding a high-quality SSD has become easier than ever. We did the research, keeping in mind functionality, storage, and price to bring you some of the top options on the market.

Top Pick
Credit: Samsung
Specs
  • Digital storage capacity: 250GB to 2TB

Looking for something reliable and hardworking? The Samsung SSD is going to be your best bet. Compatible with most Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, this high quality solid state drive by Samsung is an ideal option for anyone looking for a reliable, top-rated device without a sky high price tag.

Most Budget-Friendly Option
Credit: Western Digital
Specs
  • Digital storage capacity: 250GB to 4TB

You don’t have to break the bank to get a high performance Solid State Drive. This budget-friendly option is compatible with both Mac and PC while offering high level reliability and an active power draw up to 25% lower than other models on the market.

Best High End Design
Credit: Samsung
Specs
  • Digital storage capacity: 2TB

No nonsense functionality comes first with this portable external Solid State Drive by Samsung. The high performing device allows for lightning-fast transfers, multi-device compatibility, and a rugged, compact design for easy storage.

Best For Gaming
Credit: Western Digital
Specs
  • Digital storage capacity: 250GB to 4TB

Available in capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB, this internal Solid State Drive was made for gaming and other high performance requirements. The sleek and modern design looks great in custom-built PCs while high speed performances makes gaming faster and more streamlined than ever.

Best For Portability
Credit: SanDisk
Specs
  • Digital storage capacity: 500GB to 4TB

Looking for something that you can easily throw in your bag for on-the-go convenience? This SSD from SanDisk is going to be your best bet if you want something that’s both compact and reliable. The powerful yet portable solid state drive is made strong so you don’t have to be too precious with it. It’s also available in sizes that range all the way up to 4TB for added convenience.


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