Best M.2 Internal SSD of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

M.2 internal SSD is a type of solid-state drive that is designed to fit into M.2 slots on a computer's motherboard. These SSDs are smaller and faster than traditional hard drives, making them an excellent choice for users who need high-speed storage for their applications and files. They come in a range of capacities, from 128GB to 2TB, and are compatible with a wide range of devices, including laptops and desktop computers. M.2 internal SSDs use the latest NVMe protocol, which allows for faster data transfer speeds than SATA-based SSDs, making them ideal for gamers, content creators, and other power users who demand the best performance from their storage devices.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal Solid State Drive Cover #TOP 1
Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal Solid State Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.9
WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD Cover #TOP 2
WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SAMSUNG 990 EVO 2TB SSD Cover #TOP 3
SAMSUNG 990 EVO 2TB SSD
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 M.2 Internal SSD

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal Solid State Drive

MZ-V9P2T0B/AM
Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 Internal Solid State Drive Cover
SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P2T0B/AM

The Samsung 990 PRO SSD offers huge speed boost, breakthrough power efficiency, smart thermal control, and ultimate gaming experience for PS5 and DirectStorage PC games. It features up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s, and up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO. Samsung's nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control and the slim size is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops. With Samsung Magician's advanced optimization tools, users can monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates.

What We Like
Huge speed boost with up to 1400K/1550K IOPS and sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s
Breakthrough power efficiency with up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO
Smart thermal control with Samsung's own nickel-coated controller for effective thermal control
Ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games with up to 65% improvement in random performance
Advanced optimization tools with Samsung Magician software for monitoring drive health, protecting valuable data, and receiving important updates
#TOP 2

WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD

WDS100T3X0E
Black
WD_BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD Cover
Western Digital WD_BLACK 1TB SN770 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 5,150 MB/s - WDS100T3X0E

Experience lightning-fast load times and smooth in-game performance with the WD_BLACK NVMe SSD. With read speeds of up to 5,150MB/s, this SSD is ideal for gamers who want to get into their games quickly. The PCIe Gen4 interface helps to reduce stutter and provide smooth streaming. With capacities up to 2TB, there's plenty of space for all your games and updates. The WD_BLACK NVMe SSD also supports future games developed for Microsoft's DirectStorage technology, ensuring faster load times. Monitor your drive's health and optimize its performance with the WD_BLACK Dashboard, available on Windows.

What We Like
Lightning-fast read and write speeds
Wide compatibility with CPU and motherboard platforms
Generous 1TB storage capacity
#TOP 3

SAMSUNG 990 EVO 2TB SSD

MZ-V9E2T0B/AM
Black
2 TB
SAMSUNG 990 EVO 2TB SSD Cover
SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 5,000MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC Computer, Laptop, MZ-V9E2T0B/AM, Black

The SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD offers impressive read and write speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s and 4,200 MB/s, allowing you to load games and save files almost instantly. Its power efficiency ensures that you can enjoy enhanced performance without draining your system's power, making your computing tasks smoother. With smart thermal control, you won’t have to worry about overheating, as it keeps your system cool even during intense usage. The PCIe 5.0 interface provides more bandwidth, enhancing data processing and overall performance for a seamless experience.

What We Like
High-speed performance
Enhanced power efficiency
Smart thermal control
Supports PCIe 5.0
#TOP 4

WD_BLACK SN850X

WDS100T2X0E
Black
WD_BLACK SN850X Cover
WD_BLACK 1TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s - WDS100T2X0E

The WD_BLACK Gaming SSD, also known as the WD_BLACK SN850X, is the ultimate gaming edge you need to outperform your competition. With read speeds up to 7,300 MB/s, loading times will be radically short, and you'll experience top-level performance. Available in a range of capacities from 1TB to 4TB, you can keep more of today's games without worrying about storage space. The WD_BLACK Dashboard monitors your drive's health, controls your RGB style, and can automatically detect games to turn on Game Mode 2.0 (Windows only). The Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management features come to the SN850X to juice up your gaming performance and provide a seamless gaming experience. Plus, it supports future games developed for Microsoft's DirectStorage technology for faster load times.

What We Like
Insane speeds up to 7,300 MB/s
Range of storage capacities up to 4TB
WD_BLACK Dashboard for drive monitoring
Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management
Supports future games developed for Microsoft's DirectStorage technology
#TOP 5

WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD

WDS100T3B0E
Blue
WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD Cover
Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SN580 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Gen4 x4 PCIe 16Gb/s, M.2 2280, Up to 4,150 MB/s - WDS100T3B0E

Upgrade to the WD Blue NVMe SSD for blazing fast speeds of up to 4,150 MB/s, ideal for boosting productivity or handling large files effortlessly. The nCache 4.0 technology ensures quick copying of media assets, while the slim M.2 2280 form-factor offers up to 2TB of storage for all your applications and media. Benefit from low-power consumption to maximize your laptop's battery life and experience seamless multitasking with NVMe technology. With a 5-year warranty, enjoy peace of mind reliability.

What We Like
Blazing Fast Speeds
Large Storage Capacity
Low Power Consumption
#TOP 6

SAMSUNG 980 PRO 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 M.2 Internal SSD

MZ-V8P2T0B
Black
SAMSUNG 980 PRO 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 M.2 Internal SSD Cover
SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 Gaming M.2 Internal Solid State Drive Memory Card , Maximum Speed, Thermal Control MZ-V8P2T0B/AM

The Samsung 980 PRO 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 M.2 Internal Solid State Drive is a powerful and reliable storage solution for gamers and tech-savvy users. It offers maximum speed and efficient thermal control, with read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and a compact M.2 2280 form factor. It also comes with a heat spreader label and nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level.

What We Like
High-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications
Compact M.2 2280 form factor
Heat spreader label and nickel coating for efficient thermal control
Read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s
#TOP 7

Crucial P3 4TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD

CT4000P3SSD8
Black
Crucial P3 4TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Cover
Crucial P3 4TB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT4000P3SSD8

The Crucial P3 4TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD is an internal solid-state drive that utilizes PCIe Gen3 x4 technology for up to 3500MB/s sequential reads and 650K/700K IOPS random read/write speeds. With spacious storage up to 4TB, this SSD performs up to 33% better than the previous generation, providing solid Gen3 performance with an MTTF greater than 1.5 million hours for extended longevity and reliability.

What We Like
Fast sequential read speeds up to 3500MB/s
Large storage capacity up to 4TB
33% better performance than the previous generation
#TOP 8

Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD

FBA-SU001TBSS3A55M28AB
Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD Cover
Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD SATA III Internal Solid State Drive 2280 SU001TBSS3A55M28AB

The Silicon Power 1TB A55 M.2 SSD is a compact internal solid state drive ideal for ultrabooks, tablet computers, and mini PCs. It features a high quality controller and 3D NAND flash that delivers high transfer speeds. Additionally, it comes with a free-download SSD Health Monitor Tool - SP Toolbox Software that allows you to monitor your drive's health. The SSD also comes with a 3-year warranty when you register your product via SP official website.

What We Like
Compact M.2 form factor
High transfer speeds
Comes with a free-download SSD Health Monitor Tool - SP Toolbox Software
#TOP 9

WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD

WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
Black
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Cover
WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN

Introducing the WD_BLACK 2TB NVMe SSD, an officially licensed M.2 SSD designed specifically for PlayStation 5 consoles. With its easy installation, you can confidently expand your PS5 storage and store more of your favorite games. Say goodbye to the hassle of transferring or removing games from your console, as you can now play directly from the drive with this officially approved storage expansion. Thanks to its PCIe Gen4 technology, you'll experience seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times, with read speeds of up to 7,300MB/s. Upgrade your gaming experience with the WD_BLACK 2TB NVMe SSD.

What We Like
Officially licensed
Easy installation
Eliminates game transfer
#TOP 10

Crucial T500 1TB NVMe SSD

CT1000T500SSD8
Black
Crucial T500 1TB NVMe SSD Cover
Crucial T500 1TB Gen4 NVMe M.2 Internal Gaming SSD, Up to 7300MB/s, Laptop & Desktop Compatible + 1mo Adobe CC All Apps - CT1000T500SSD8

The Crucial T500 SSD offers lightning-fast speeds, reaching up to 7,300MB/s for reading and 6,800MB/s for writing. This means you can enjoy quicker game loads and smoother gameplay, enhancing your overall gaming experience. If you're into content creation, this SSD boosts performance by up to 42%, allowing you to handle heavy tasks like photo and video rendering more efficiently. Additionally, it installs easily in your laptop or desktop, making upgrades hassle-free. Plus, you get a month of Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps, giving you access to powerful tools for your projects.

What We Like
Incredibly fast read/write speeds
Easy installation
Improved gaming performance
Enhanced content creation efficiency
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is M.2 SSD better than SSD?

M.2 SSDs are smaller, faster, and more power-efficient than traditional 2.5-inch SSDs. They have become popular in gaming setups due to their compact size and improved performance. M.2 SSDs are also beneficial for portable devices as they enhance battery life.

2. What is the difference between NVMe and M.2 SSD?

NVMe M.2 SSDs offer higher performance compared to SATA M.2 SSDs. By utilizing the PCIe bus, NVMe M.2 SSDs can achieve theoretical transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps, which is faster than the 6Gbps of SATA M.2 SSDs.

3. What are the disadvantages of M.2 SSD?

The main disadvantages of M.2 SSDs are their higher cost and limited compatibility. M.2 SSDs are more expensive compared to SATA SSDs of the same capacity. Additionally, not all devices or motherboards support M.2 SSDs, which limits their universality.

4. Will any M.2 SSD work on PS5?

Most M.2 SSD devices without a built-in cooling structure and with compatible size specifications will work on the PS5's SSD slot. However, the presence and size of cooling structures, such as heatsinks, can vary and may impact compatibility.

5. Do M.2 drives last longer than SSD?

M.2 SSDs and SATA SSDs have similar longevity as they use nearly identical storage technology. Both types of SSDs offer reliable performance and durability, making them suitable choices for storage solutions.

6. Is M.2 SSD faster than RAM?

M.2 SSDs are significantly faster than traditional HDDs and SATA-based SSDs. However, they do not match the speed of RAM (Random Access Memory). While M.2 SSDs offer impressive data transfer rates, they operate at a different level compared to RAM.

7. Can M.2 and NVMe use the same slot?

M.2 and NVMe are not the same but work together. M.2 refers to the SSD form factor, while NVMe is the interface that connects the M.2 SSD to the motherboard. They are complementary technologies.

8. What is the lifespan of M.2 SSD?

The lifespan of an M.2 SSD can vary. Some estimates suggest that it can last up to 10 years or even longer. SSDs, including M.2 SSDs, generally have a longer lifespan compared to traditional spinning drives.

9. What is the highest capacity M.2 SSD for PS5?

The PS5 allows for an M.2 SSD with a capacity between 250GB and 4TB to be added via its expansion slot. If you only need to add a few games to the internal storage, you can opt for a smaller capacity SSD to save money.

Editor's Notes

During our m.2 internal ssd research, we found 24 m.2 internal ssd products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 553,176 customer reviews through our big data system to write the m.2 internal ssd list. We found that most customers choose m.2 internal ssd with an average price of $117.54.

The m.2 internal ssd are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of m.2 internal ssd, including SAMSUNG, WD_BLACK, Western Digital, Crucial, SP Silicon Power. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.