As solid state drive technology progresses, SSDs are getting cheaper while still offering improved performance and larger storage space. With 2024 now here, cheap SSDs can offer excellent performance and value. This article will explore the top budget-friendly SSD options currently available, looking at both internal and external models.

The internal SSDs covered will provide exceptional speeds and ample storage space at a fraction of the cost of premium drives. They allow users to boot computers rapidly, load programs efficiently, and improve general system responsiveness. Meanwhile, the external SSD options enable easily transporting files and expanding limited laptop/desktop storage quickly. While not as fast as internal SSDs via direct PCIe connection, external SSDs included here outperform old-school hard disk drives (HDDs) significantly. With real-world performance rivaling internal SATA III SSDs, the USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3 interfaces make these SSDs great for on-the-go productivity and creativity.

  • Samsung SSD 990 EVO

    Best Overall Internal SSD See at Amazon

  • Crucial X9 Pro

    Highly Rated See at Amazon

  • Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

    Best Value $250 at Best Buy

  • SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD

    Best Performance $120 at Best Buy

  • Addlink AddGame A93

    Best Performance Internal SSD See at Amazon
  • See More

  • Crucial P3 4TB PCIe M.2 2280 SSD

    Highly Rated Internal SSD See at Amazon

The Best Cheap SSDs In 2024

Best Overall Internal SSD

Samsung SSD 990 EVO

Speed Meets Efficiency!

The Samsung 990 EVO SSD sports a streamlined single-sided M.2 form factor. Its 133-layer 3D NAND flash memory provides zippy speeds up to 5,000MB/s read and 4,200MB/s write without a DRAM cache. This trim SSD delivers blazing fast performance to handle intensive games and workloads, all in a minimalist design perfect for any build.

Pros & Cons
  • High Performance: Fast read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s
  • Power Efficient: Up to 70 percent better performance per watt
  • Effective Thermal Management: Prevents overheating during heavy use
  • User-Friendly Software: Samsung Magician for monitoring and updates
  • Higher Price: More expensive than some competitors
  • No Dedicated DRAM: Relies on HMB, which may impact certain workloads
  • Heat Issues: Can get hot under load, requiring cooling solutions
  • Compatibility Limitations: Older systems may not fully utilize its capabilities
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That new Samsung 990 EVO SSD left my rig feeling like the Enterprise, warp speed ahead. Over seven GB per second reads and writes thanks to PCIe 4.0, plus NVMe protocol to maximize bandwidth. Game load screens will become a blink-and-you'll-miss-it affair. Simply put, for gaming and intense multitasking, this SSD rips through file transfers and tasks faster than R2-D2 on caffeine. Its speed personified. Simply put, it hauls. In short, it's a speed demon ready to handle anything you throw at it. Performance metrics hit high marks across the board. Random read and write IOPS peak at 1,050K and 1,400K in the four TB model.

This translates to buttery smooth operation when opening multiple files or apps simultaneously. The 990 EVO shows its mettle in demanding real-world use cases that cripple lesser SSDs. Samsung didn't skimp on niceties either. The drive sports excellent security features like AES 256-bit encryption and supports the latest TCG/Opal standards. Thermal throttling is kept at bay too thanks to an effective heat spreader label. Reliability hits a high note with a generous five-year warranty and up to 2400TB total bytes written. For those wanting no-compromise speed with airtight security, the Samsung 990 EVO delivers in spades.

Highly Rated

Crucial X9 Pro

Portable Power in Your Pocket!

Durable and stylish, the palm-sized Crucial X9 Pro portable SSD packs a performance punch alongside practical resilience. Enveloped in sleek anodized aluminum with a grippy rubber base, it tackles transfers up to 1,050MB/s while ably withstanding the rigors of travel. Thanks to robust dust/water protection and formidable 7.5-foot drop defense, this compact SSD reliability safeguards valuable data on the go.

Pros & Cons
  • Fast Speeds: Up to 1,050 MB/s read and 975 MB/s write
  • Durable: IP55 rated for water and dust resistance
  • Wide Compatibility: Works with Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux
  • Portable: Compact and lightweight design
  • No Encryption: Lacks built-in password protection
  • Limited Accessories: Only includes a USB-C cable
  • Variable Performance: Speed may drop with certain file types
  • Basic Design: Lacks distinctive aesthetic features
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The Crucial X9 Pro makes a strong first impression as soon as you unbox its sleek, aircraft-grade aluminum housing. This portable drive means business for creative pros and power users who need speedy, durable storage they can take anywhere. In real-world use, the X9 Pro screams through file transfers, living up to its promise of near-max read/write speeds over its USB 3.2 Gen2x2 connection. We clocked zippy 950MB/s speeds when dumping a folder of video footage onto the drive. Those speeds make short work of backups and offloading large media crucial for handling high-res photos or footage in the field.

The X9 Pro also feels snappy thanks to its dynamic SLC caching. Booting software or loading files stored on the SSD feels nimble even when working directly from the drive. All the while, the compact drive barely got warm despite heavy use. Between the rubberized coating and IP55 rating, it also feels prepared for life on the go with some splash and drop protection baked in. While a bit spare on software-based security, the X9 Pro focuses its attention on delivering uncompromising portable performance. For creative pros and business users needing to carry lots of data safely, it should prove a trusty travel companion.

Best Value

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

Durable Design, Lightning Fast!

The Samsung T7 touches down as a rugged yet refined portable SSD. Behind its sleek aluminum shell, the T7 packs up to four TB of storage coupled with zippy USB 3.2 speeds beyond one GB/s. Durable build and dynamic thermal throttling keep things running cool even when the workload heats up. For life on the go, the T7 aces both durability and performance marks.

Pros & Cons
  • Compact Size: Lightweight and portable, easy to carry
  • Fast Speeds: Up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write speeds
  • Durable: Robust aluminum casing protects against drops
  • Wide Compatibility: Works with PCs, Macs, and gaming consoles
  • Variable Write Speeds: Actual speeds may drop during large file transfers
  • No Biometric Security: Lacks fingerprint reader for added security
  • Heat Issues: Can get warm during extended use
  • No IP Rating: Not rated for water or dust resistance
$250 at Best Buy See at Amazon $250 at Walmart Expand Collapse

One look at the Samsung T7's sleek metal case and color options like pacific blue and metallic red, and you know this drive means business. I'll forgive you for wanting to add it to your keychain even if that might sacrifice those rubber edges that allow it to withstand a six-foot drop. Don't let its slim size fool you, this drive packs a serious punch thanks to the speedy USB 3.2 interface that delivers almost twice the performance of older SSDs. Transferring hi-res photos and 8K video footage is a breeze. That kind of speed generates some serious heat, but Samsung thought ahead and equipped the T7 with a dynamic thermal guard to keep levels in check.

With capacious storage of up to four TB, you can load up your whole media collection 10 times over, or use it to instantly add storage to laptops, desktops, and even gaming consoles. Yes, it's compatible with all your devices - now that's versatile! Whether you need it for work, play, or an ever-growing digital hoard, the T7 handles it all in a tiny, tough-as-nails package. The added built-in security features keep prying eyes away from sensitive data as well. If you want portable solid-state storage that leaves lackluster hard drives in the dust, packs some personality, and will probably outlive your gadgets, the new Samsung T7 is a no-brainer.

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Posts Best Performance

SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD

Compact Powerhouse for Creators!

With blazing fast transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, the rugged SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD secures your data on the go. Its IP65 rating for dust/water resistance and durable design withstand three-meter drops, making this drive an ideal solution for transporting large files while enduring the elements.

Pros & Cons
  • Fast Speeds: Up to 1050 MB/s read speed
  • Durable: IP65 rated and drop-proof up to 9.8 feet
  • Portable: Lightweight with a carabiner loop
  • Secure: 256-bit AES encryption for data safety
  • Compatibility Issues: No ProRes support on iPhone 15
  • Pricey: Costlier than traditional hard drives
  • Heat Sensitivity: Can get warm during use
  • No Backup Software: Lacks built-in data management tools
See at Amazon $120 at Best Buy Expand Collapse

Who knew you could pack so much storage and speed into something as small as your palm? SanDisk found a way with their latest Extreme Portable SSD. This tiny wonder serves up file transfers faster than you can spill your morning coffee, we're talking over 1000MB per second fast. Best part? That speed doesn't come at the cost of durability or security. This thing is rugged. Drop it from higher than a basketball hoop, and it'll bounce right back, ready for action thanks to its shockproof core.

Don't sweat accidental spills either with its water and dust resistance. Adventure-ready is an understatement. And your data stays safe too, with hardy 256-bit hardware encryption. Photographers, videographers and creative pros need a hardy on-the-go storage solution that transfers massive files in a flash without fail. It plays nice across devices too. Windows, Mac, iPad, Android, you name it. For pocketable transfer speeds nearly as fast as a thunderclap, the latest Extreme Portable SSD packs a wallop.

Best Performance Internal SSD

Addlink AddGame A93

Mean Power

The Addlink A93 pairs lightning PCIe 4.0 speeds up to 7400/6500MB/s reads/writes with an aluminum heatsink for superior thermal performance. With expansive four TB capacity and compatibility with both PS5 and PCs, it has the versatility and muscle for smooth gaming and intensive workloads.

Pros & Cons
  • Fast Speeds: Up to 7400 MB/s read
  • Effective Cooling: Aluminum heatsink included
  • Versatile Use: Compatible with PCs and PS5
  • No DRAM Cache: May affect some tasks
  • Less Known Brand: Not as recognized as competitors
  • Basic Features: Fewer advanced options
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Engineered for both bleeding-edge gaming PCs and the PlayStation 5 alike, the Addlink AddGame A93 harnesses the potential of PCIe 4.0 to unlock lightning-fast sequential read/write speeds up to 7400/6500 MB/s. Blazing-fast random performance, over one million IOPS crushes antiquated SATA drives. The M.2 2280 form factor fits modern motherboards seamlessly, while an aluminum heatsink tames thermals for ideal sustained performance.

With extensive compatibility spanning AMD, Intel, and next-gen consoles, the A93 provides a versatile, future-proofed speed perfect for gaming and professional creative workflows. Although not the single fastest SSD available, excellent, well-rounded performance pushes boundaries at its price point. Top-notch reliability features including advanced error correction, endurance-focused firmware, and a five-year warranty instill confidence that intense workloads won’t slow this SSD down. For those seeking responsive storage that keeps up with bleeding-edge components without breaking the bank, the AddGame A93 checks all the boxes.

Highly Rated Internal SSD

Crucial P3 4TB PCIe M.2 2280 SSD

Boost Your Storage Game!

Harnessing the potential of PCIe 3.0, the Crucial P3 SSD unleashes lightning-fast speeds up to 3500/3000 MB/s sequential read/write thanks to Micron’s innovative 176-layer 3D NAND. Capacities from 500GB to Four TB accelerate load times dramatically while advanced error correction safeguards data integrity, making the P3 a high-performance storage solution.

Pros & Cons
  • Affordable: Competitive pricing for a PCIe 3.0 SSD
  • High Capacity: Available up to four TB for diverse storage needs
  • Solid Performance: Read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,000 MB/s
  • Five Year Warranty: Offers reliability assurance
  • Lower Write-Durability: QLC NAND results in lower endurance ratings
  • No Hardware Encryption: Lacks built-in data security features
  • Performance Limitations: Slower than PCIe 4.0 drives in high-performance tasks
  • Average 4K Performance: Mediocre performance with smaller file transfers
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The Crucial P3 solid-state drive brings snappy responsiveness to daily computing. Built with 3D NAND technology and a PCIe 3.0 interface, it delivers sequential read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and writes topping 3,000 MB/s. While benchmarks show slightly lower write performance than listed specs, real-world usage sees excellent efficiency, especially for single-threaded tasks. Available from 500GB up to a spacious four TB, the P3 suits varied storage needs. The compact M.2 form factor readily fits modern desktops and laptops, while Micron-crafted 3D NAND flash memory promises enduring reliability.

Sustained performance does take a minor hit, however, with the drive’s QLC architecture less durable across heavy write workloads compared to TLC alternatives. For those seeking a responsive and high-capacity SSD that excels at reads, boots quickly, and handles most tasks with aplomb, the P3 brings formidable value. Only those pushing sustained writes all day long need to proceed with caution. For all other usage scenarios, the P3 delivers snappy, capacious storage ready to upgrade any system.

FAQ

What's the difference between internal and external SSDs?

Internal SSDs connect directly to a computer's motherboard for faster data transfer speeds. External SSDs connect via USB cables. They are portable for easily sharing files between devices, but may be a bit slower than internal SSDs.

How do SSDs improve computer performance?

SSDs make your computer faster by reducing boot times, loading programs quicker, and improving overall system responsiveness compared to traditional hard drives.

Are cheap SSDs reliable?

Yes, modern cheap SSDs can be reliable. Many offer good performance, durability, and come with warranties, though higher-end models may have better longevity.

What should I consider when buying an SSD?

Consider the storage capacity you need, the drive's speed, compatibility with your device, and any extra features like water resistance or encryption for portable drives.

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