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While the old-school hard drive (HDD) is still the king when it comes to capacity, when it comes to speed, you just can't beat a solid state drive (SSD). And M.2 drivers offer the best possible combination of speed, size, and performance.
Also: The best network-attached storage devices you can buy
Now that these storage drives have been around for a few years, all doubts about long term reliability are gone -- a good quality SSD will give you years of service and blistering performance!
What is the best M.2 SSD right now?
When you visit your favorite online retailer, you'll find numerous brands offering a wide variety of M.2 storage drives. So, which one should you choose? Don't worry: I've simplified the process by selecting the best M.2 SSDs for you. My top recommendation is still the Crucial P3 Plus 1TB 3D M.2 SSD, a drive that makes it to the top of the list because of its affordable price, excellent performance, and high reliability.
The best M.2 SSDs of 2025
The P2 3D is gone, but long live the new best drive -- the P3 Plus. This has become the default M.2 drive that I turn to. It's proven itself to be solid, reliable, and reasonably priced. I've bought and used dozens of these in PCs and external storage enclosures. I've not had one fail on me.
You can definitely find cheaper M.2 drives out there, but I wouldn't want to trust them with my data. You can also find faster M.2 drives, but they are going to cost you a lot more.
For a middle of the road drive, you this one is hard to beat, and online reviews support this conclusion.
Crucial P3 Plus 1TB 3D M.2 SSD features: Interface: NVMe PCIe | Sequential read speeds: Up to 2400MB/s | Sequential write speeds: Up to 1900MB/s
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Put simply, the Crucial T705 Series SSD is one of the fastest drives that you can currently buy.
This is the drive that I turn to when I want the fastest gaming performance or to put in systems that work with large photo/video/3D files. Yes, it's expensive, but if you want the speed, it's going to cost you.
Review: Crucial T705
Just as I'd expect, this drive has very positive reviews, with 80% giving it five stars. There are some concerns about heat, but I'm convinced this is normal, and the heat sinks are doing their job of shifting the heat away from the chips.
Crucial T705 Series SSD features: Interface: NVMe PCIe Gen5 | Sequential read speeds: Up to 14,500MB/s | Sequential write speeds: Up to 12,700MB/s
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I've been putting WD_BLACK storage into high-end gaming PCs for years now, and they never disappoint. This M.2 drive is no exception. It's fast, reliable, and built from quality components to offer the best lifespan possible. I've used quite a few of these and never had one fail.
There are two versions, one with a heat sink and one without. I recommend the one with the heat sink because it will dissipate heat better, which in turn makes it more reliable and gives you a longer product lifespan.
These drives have consistently drawn favorable reviews, with owners commenting on performance and reliability.
WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X Gaming M.2 SSD features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 | Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,300MB/s | Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,350MB/s
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One of the biggest killers of storage drives is heat. The faster the drive, the more waste heat it generates. And the CS3150 is a fast drive. Clocking sequential read and write speeds of 11,500MB/s and 8,500MB/s, respectively.
To keep the temperatures at a manageable level, the CS3150 not only features a massive heat sink, but also dual cooling fans.
Review: PNY CS3150
I stress-tested the drive using CrystalDiskMark and monitored the temperatures using CrystalDiskInfo, and -- despite my relentless thrashing of the CS3150 -- I could not get the temperatures to exceed the 70°C/158°F maximum operating temperatures.
Note that the fans do require a free set of 4-pin fan header pins on the motherboard. This drive is quite new, so there aren't many reviews for it yet, but those I've seen suggest this drive lives up to expectations.
PNY CS3150 features: Interface: PCIe Gen5x4 | Sequential read speeds: Up to 11,500MB/s | Sequential write speeds: Up to 8,500MB/s
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Samsung is a big name in storage, and the PRO series has consistently offered the best performance, reliability, fantastic power efficiency, and life possible -- but at a price.
When I need something that is going to be bombproof, then the 990 PRo is the drive that I turn to. This drive is fast and is about as reliable as it gets. Yes, I'm definitely paying extra for a bit more peace of mind, but there are times when it's worth it!
This drive gets close to five stars on Amazon -- which is quite something for a storage drive -- with review after review commenting on its incredible performance and high levels of reliability.
Samsung 990 Pro features: Interface: PCIe Gen4x4 | Sequential read speeds: Up to 7,450MB/s | Sequential write speeds: Up to 6,900MB/s
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This Satechi enclosure is the best way to build your own M.2 external storage drive.
You buy the drive, pick the M.2 drive you need -- if you're like me, you probably have some lying about -- slip the drive into the enclosure, and away you go. Yes, it's that easy!
Review: Assemble your own portable storage with this Satechi SSD enclosure
I think this is a great alternative to buying a ready-made external drive. With this setup, if you ever need to replace or upgrade the drive, you can do it quickly and easily.
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What are the tariffs in the U.S.?
The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what's next. Here's what we know
Laptops, PCs, and items such as storage are also hit hard by the new U.S. tariffs, as have storage drives, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything.
Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for storage due to these trade policies.
Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.
Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long
ZDNET's pick for the best M.2 SSD is the Crucial P2 500GB 3D M.2 SSD, which offers a great balance of affordability, performance, and reliability. It's not the fastest drive on the market, but it's a solid choice for those looking for a cost-effective M.2 SSD, with capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB.
Thankfully, there are numerous options that can offer a range of price points and performance.
Best M.2 SSD | Price | Features |
Crucial P3 Plus M.2 SSD | From $44 to $241 |
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Crucial T705 Series SSD | From $170 to $450 |
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WD_BLACK SN850X Gaming M.2 SSD | From $150 to $588 |
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PNY CS3150 XLR8 Gaming Epic-X RGB SSD | From $120 to $225 |
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Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink SSD | From $180 to $325 |
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Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIE NVME and SATA SSD | Around $50 |
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*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.
Two things are going to add to the price of your M.2 purchase -- speed and capacity. The more of either one of these you need, the more it's going to cost.
Choose this M.2 SSD… | If you want… |
Crucial P3 Plus | A budget drive that's perfect for a basic PC. This is my default choice for a general M.2 upgrade. |
Crucial T705 Series | One of the highest performance drives you can buy. If you want performance, this is the drive for you, but you better have the hardware to back it up to get the most out of it. |
WD_BLACK SN850X | To give a gaming PC a performance boost. A good choice for those wanting high performance without breaking the bank. |
PNY CS3150 XLR8 Gaming Epic-X RGB | To give a slowing PC an upgrade. Between the blazing fast storage chips and extreme cooling, this is a perfect performance upgrade. |
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink | A high performance drive with decent capacity and, and long life. If you want extreme reliability, this is the drive for you. It's also perfect for upgrading your PS5. |
Satechi USB-C Aluminum Tool-Free Enclosure for M.2 PCIE NVME and SATA SSD | To build your own M.2 portable storage drive. A great way to make yourself a fast external storage drive. |
I only recommend products that I've tested or used personally, and while there are many M.2 SSDs on the market, not every one is built the same. Here are some other factors I considered when testing and curating my top selections.
- Real-world use: When I test M.2 SSDs, I use them in a variety of systems, from basic PCs to high-end workstations, gaming systems, and drones, to CCTV systems under both easy and harsh conditions, to get a feel for how they actually work in the real world.
- Benchmarks: I'm also quite a nerd, and have carried out both real world and synthetic benchmarks on these M.2 SSDs. The tests included stress tests and performance tests (carried out using CrystalDisk and AJA System Test).
- User reviews: I'm one person, so there's a limit to how much testing I can do, which is why I like to keep an eye out on what users are saying on social media, Reddit, Amazon, and other online retailers.
M.2 is a type of solid-state drive (SSD) that is compact and designed for data storage. Unlike traditional SSDs that connect via a SATA III interface, M.2 drives connect directly to the motherboard of a computer. This direct connection facilitates faster data transfer speeds and enhances overall performance compared to SATA-based SSDs.
M.2 SSDs utilize the PCIe interface, which allows for significantly improved data transfer rates. This is particularly beneficial for tasks that require high-speed data access, such as gaming, video editing, and running demanding applications.
M.2 drives come in various formats and can support different types of storage protocols, including SATA and NVMe. While SATA M.2 SSDs offer improved performance over standard SATA drives, NVMe M.2 SSDs provide even greater speed and efficiency, making them the preferred choice for high-performance computing needs.
In terms of pronunciation, "M.2" is typically pronounced "M-dot-two."
Yes.
You'll see sizes like 2242, 2260, and 2280.
The first two numbers are the width in millimeters -- 22mm is the width of commercially available M.2 drives -- and the next two or three numbers are the length, again in millimeters.
Check the manual for your computer's motherboard or enclosure to know the size restrictions for the M.2 drive you can use.
M.2 slots come in two "keyings" that prevent the drive being inserted the wrong way. Older systems used a B key, and newer systems use an M key.
Modern drives come in two flavors -- M key or B+M, which will fit into both the newer and older slots.
No.
A U.2 SSD is a high-performance drive that uses Peripheral Component Interconnect Express interface, The drives themselves come in a 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch form factors, with the smaller being the more common. They have a greater capacity, greater endurance, and higher capacities up to 30TB.
Fitting an M.2 drive is easy!
Find the M.2 connector on your motherboard -- consult your manual if you are unsure. The contacts on the drive slots into the connector at an angle of 30 degrees from the motherboard. Not vertically. Not horizontal. At a shallow angle.
Insert the connector all the way into the slot, and then gently push it down flat to the motherboard, and finally affix it to the board using the retaining screw.
Done!
Other M.2 SSDs we've tested
This Lexar M.2 SSD offers up to 7,500MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write in an 2280 form factor package, and it is compatible with the PlayStation 5, making it the perfect upgrade.
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This affordable NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 SSD offering sequential read/write speed can reach up to 5,000MB/s and 4,500MB/s, respectively.
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