The Best M.2 SSDs 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Upgrading your PC storage to an SSD has been one of the best ways to enhance your rig for years, but these days, the best M.2 SSDs 2024 are primarily M.2 drives. This interface has quickly become the favorite of SSD manufacturers, thanks to its small size and extremely fast connection speed to your motherboard. Plus, it helps that the best PS5 SSDs are all M.2 drives, because, well, nothing else is even compatible with the console.

The M.2 slot is a variation on a PCIe slot, as it uses the same connection lanes that something like a graphics card does. This allows M.2 SSDs to have much more bandwidth and less latency, as the CPU has to do less work to access it. This also means whenever there’s a generational leap in PCIe connectivity, M.2 SSDs get faster. We’re right in the middle of PCIe 5.0 making its mark on the SSD market right now, after all. But while M.2 SSDs used to be cutting-edge technology, they’ve been out long enough that these drives are actually affordable. If you don’t need the absolute fastest SSD on the market, you can get a pretty solid drive like the Kingston NV2 for less than the price of a new AAA PC game. So, whether you want a bleeding-edge PCIe 5.0 SSD or you just need a cheap drive to run Windows 11 off of, we’ve gathered up some of our favorites.

What to Look for in The Best M.2 SSDs 2024

Selecting the best M.2 SSDs 2024 involves considering several factors:

- It has to deliver the most storage for the price

- Speed is crucial, especially for gaming and creative applications

- Compatibility with your system, including form factor and interface

- Additional features like built-in heatsinks for better thermal management

1. Samsung 990 PRO: Best M.2 SSD 2024

 

Samsung 990 PRO

Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 Sequential read: 7,450 MB/s Sequential write: 6,900 MB/s NAND: TLC Warranty: 5 years

PROS: – Super fast performance – Integrated heatsink for smooth operation

CONS: – Version with heatsink costs more The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the best SSDs ever made, and it’s perfect for everything from gaming to Adobe Premiere. Thanks in large part to its fast controller, the 990 Pro is one of the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives out there. We’re talking sequential read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and random reads of up to 1.2 million IOPs – this means it’s fast whether you’re booting up your PC or trying to load into your match faster than anyone else.

2. WD_Black SN850X: Best M.2 SSD for Gaming 2024

 

WD_BLACK SN850X

Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 Sequential read: 7,300 MB/s Sequential write: 6,400 MB/s NAND: TLC Warranty: 5 years

PROS: – Speedy performance – Comes with its own software suite

CONS: – Limited capacity options The WD_Black SN850X is considered the default SSD for gaming, and it’s no mystery as to why: High random read/write speeds and a long warranty make this a drive that’ll last (game) generations. Thanks to its high random read/write speeds, this drive is especially good at loading games, whether that means the initial loading screen or waiting for the world to render as you travel.

3. Crucial T705: Best PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD 2024

 

Crucial T705

Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB Interface: PCIe Gen 5.0 x 4 Sequential read: 13,600 MB/s Sequential write: 10,200 MB/s NAND: TLC Warranty: 5 years

PROS: – Competitive price – Good capacity variety

CONS: – Uses PCIe Gen 3, so it’s a bit slower The Crucial T705 is fast and expensive. You probably don’t need it, but on the other hand, it’s not like there are many faster drives out there right now. This PCIe 5.0 drive with read/write speeds of up to 13,600/10,200 MB/s will feel like you’ve replaced Fred Flinstone’s car with a Ferrari.

4. Kingston NV2: Best Budget M.2 SSD 2024

 

Kingston NV2

Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 Sequential read: 3,500 MB/s Sequential write: 2,800 MB/s NAND: QLC Warranty: 3 years

PROS: – Great price – Fantastic performance for basic tasks

CONS: – Short warranty The Kingston NV2 is a cheap PCIe 4.0 SSD, what’s not to love? This M.2 SSD offers significant improvements over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) with its fast read/write speeds of up to 3,500/2,400 MB/s, making it perfect for anyone looking for a budget drive for their PC.

5. Corsair MP600 PRO LPX: Best M.2 SSD for Compact Builds 2024

 

Corsair MP600 PRO LPX

Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 Sequential read: 7,100 MB/s Sequential write: 6,800 MB/s NAND: TLC Warranty: 5 years

PROS: – Compact design – Fantastic for PS5

CONS: – Non-optional heatsink The Corsair MP600 PRO LPX is a solid little gaming drive. It delivers incredible read/write speeds of up to 7,100/6,800 MB/s, making it ideal for gaming and content creation. However, because this drive is only sold with a heatsink attached, it’s a pain to use with some of the best motherboards that use their own SSD heatsinks. This is a non-issue if you’re trying to toss it in your PS5, though.

How to Pick the Best M.2 SSDs 2024

M.2 SSDs come in various sizes, so first, check your motherboard to see which type it supports. Generally, an M.2 2280 drive is a safe choice, but some compact motherboards, like the Steam Deck, require a smaller M.2 2230 drive. Newer SSDs are typically faster, with PCIe 5.0 drives now available, though their full speed requires a new CPU (12th-gen Intel or 7th-gen AMD or newer). If you use a PCIe 5.0 drive with an older processor, it will still work but won’t reach its maximum speed. For a PS5 SSD, ensure it has a heatsink to dissipate heat during intense workloads. Aftermarket heatsinks are available; just ensure they fit the PS5′s SSD slot. Prices for M.2 SSDs have dropped significantly, with 1TB drives around $100 and 120GB drives for OS installation as low as $20.

M.2 SSDs FAQ

Which M.2 slot should I use on my motherboard?

It depends on your motherboard. Your first step should be checking your motherboard manual to see if it tells you which slot has the most bandwidth. But if you can’t find your manual, a general rule of thumb is the slot with the least physical distance from your CPU will generally be the best slot to put your shiny new SSD in.

Conclusion

In summary, the best M.2 SSDs 2024 offer a range of options to suit different needs and budgets. Whether you need blazing fast speeds for gaming and content creation or a budget-friendly option for everyday tasks, there’s an M.2 SSD out there for you. By considering factors like storage capacity, speed, compatibility, and price, you can find the perfect M.2 SSD to upgrade your system.