The best SSD deals so you can store more games on your gear
It is common for install sizes and updates for modern games to exceed 50 to 100 GB per title. That’s just the way it is, and it’s not likely to change. Instead of constantly deleting games to make room for these hard drive hogs, maybe it’s time to get more storage space for your desktop, laptop, PS5, or Steam Deck. Luckily, our roundup of the best SSD deals will help you add more SSD real estate without breaking the bank. There are hundreds of SSDs on the market, but we will focus on products that provide good performance, are reliable and not too expensive.
Things to Know When Shopping for SSDs
M.2 SSDs are available in two speed classes (SATA, NVMe) and they all look almost identical. So gamers should carefully look for NVMe models, especially those that support PCIe 4.0 speeds (all SSDs in this post support this and are PS5 compatible). If your PC supports PCIe 4.0, you will get very fast speeds. It still works on PCIe 3.0 motherboards, just at less than advertised speeds.
A small but important note for your shopping: M.2 NVMe SSDs come in different sizes, the two most common being 2280 and 2230. 2280 is the larger of the two and is compatible with desktops, most laptops, and the PS5, while the smaller 2230 models at the bottom of this post are supported in handhelds like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. If you’re looking for 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, we won’t include them in this post.
Do you need a heat sink on your SSD? If you install it on a PS5, then yes, you do. On desktops and laptops it’s not a bad idea either, but it may not be necessary. We’ve added some options with a built-in heat sink, and some that don’t. FYI: Outfitting a bare SSD with an aftermarket model is a relatively simple and inexpensive process.
Best SSD deals for desktops, laptops or PS5
If you’re buying an SSD for your desktop PC, a laptop, or a PlayStation 5, the Samsung 990 Pro is the best option for the money. This model is available with or without heat sink and can be found in sizes up to 4 TB.
Best Buy currently offers the 2TB model of the 990 Pro without heatsink for $179.99 (was $219.99), while the 4TB The version is discounted to $319.99, down from the usual $409.99. You can also find the heatsink version of the 990 Pro in the 1TB configuration for $134.99 (was $154.99), while the 2TB and 4TB models retail for $199.99 respectively and $329.99.
WD Black, Western Digital’s gaming brand, makes some M.2 SSDs that also offer solid performance. While they’re not as fast as Samsung’s options (we’re splitting hairs here), they’re generally cheaper. The SN850X is the fastest model, with a 1TB model currently marked down to $84.99 at Amazon. Taller 2TB And 4TB options of the SN850X retail at Best Buy for $139.99 and $289.99 respectively.
If you prefer the SN850X with a built-in heat sink, it will cost a little more. You can currently find the 1TB configuration discounted to $99.99 (was $179.99) at Amazon. The 2TB model has been discounted by $10 Amazonbringing the price down to $189.99.
The PlayStation version of the SN850X, called the SN850P, is slightly more expensive, but unlike the generic version has a 4 TB option available from Western Digital that comes equipped with a heat sink for $339.99 (was $389.99 ).
If you’re willing to compromise a bit on speed, the Corsair MP600 Pro LPX SSD is a more affordable option worth considering. The 1TB configuration of this heatsink-equipped SSD is marked down to $99.99 Best Buy (was $119.99), while the 2TB model is available for $169.99 (was $209.99).
Best SSD deals for Steam Deck or ROG Ally
There aren’t as many options for expanding your handheld’s internal storage as there are for your desktop or PC, and even fewer are available at a discount. That’s because the smaller M.2 SSDs that fit into devices like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally aren’t as widely adopted in the tech industry. However, we managed to find a few M.2 SSDs on sale to give you some extra headroom on your Steam Deck or ROG Ally. These miniature SSDs cost exponentially more than microSD cards, but are a vastly superior option for storing games on your Steam Deck or ROG Ally thanks to their faster read and write speeds.
If you’re happy with 1TB of storage, the best value currently is the Corsair MP600 Mini, available from New egg for $94.99 (was $104.99). However, if you prefer a 2TB option, we recommend the WD Black SN770M, which you can find at Best Buy for $219.99 (was $239.99).
