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The 10 Best SSDs as of June 2026

Updated 18 June 2026 · Reviewed by the Pickarank team · Prices in GBP, subject to change

We compared the best ssds you can buy in 2026, scoring each out of 10 on performance, value, build quality and features. Here are the ten worth your money — with an at-a-glance table and the current best prices.

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Our top picks at a glance

Top pick

Samsung 990 Pro

9.2Best overall NVMe
Check price on Amazon ≈ £150
Best value

Samsung 990 Evo Plus

8.7Best value NVMe
Check price on Amazon ≈ £110
Also great

WD Black SN850X

9.0Best for gaming
Check price on Amazon ≈ £140

Prices were correct at the time of writing and change often — tap through for today's price on Amazon.

How we ranked these ssds

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

  • Performance (35%) — how well each SSD does its core job.
  • Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
  • Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
  • Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

At a glance: top 10 compared

#SSDsScoreBest forCapacityApprox priceAmazon links
1Samsung 990 Pro9.2Best overall NVMe2TB£150View Price
2WD Black SN850X9.0Best for gaming2TB£140View Price
3Crucial T7008.9Best PCIe 5.02TB£210View Price
4Samsung 990 Evo Plus8.7Best value NVMe2TB£110View Price
5Seagate FireCuda 5308.5Best for PS52TB£160View Price
6Samsung T7 Shield8.6Best portable2TB£130View Price
7Crucial P3 Plus8.4Best budget2TB£90View Price
8WD Blue SN5808.3Best everyday2TB£95View Price
9Crucial X9 Pro8.4Best portable value2TB£120View Price
10Samsung 870 Evo8.2Best SATA2TB£120View Price
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The full ranking

1
Best overall NVMe

Samsung 990 Pro

9.2Our number one pick.

The 990 Pro is the NVMe drive most people should buy: chart-topping PCIe 4.0 speeds, excellent sustained performance and Samsung's strong reliability record. It is no longer the fastest now PCIe 5.0 exists, but it runs cooler and costs less while feeling just as snappy day to day.

Speed: 9.4Real-world: 9.2Reliability: 9.4Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Top-tier PCIe 4.0 speed
  • Runs cool and efficient
  • Trusted reliability record
Cons
  • Beaten on paper by PCIe 5.0
  • Heatsink model costs more
Check price on Amazon≈ £150
2
Best for gaming

WD Black SN850X

9.0A superb runner-up.

WD's gaming flagship matches the best PCIe 4.0 drives and adds a Game Mode that keeps things responsive during long sessions. It is a fantastic all-rounder for a gaming PC or PS5, with an optional heatsink version for tight cases.

Speed: 9.2Real-world: 9.1Reliability: 9.2Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Excellent sustained speeds
  • Great for gaming and PS5
  • Heatsink option available
Cons
  • Can run warm without a heatsink
  • Gen5 rivals faster on paper
Check price on Amazon≈ £140
3
Best PCIe 5.0

Crucial T700

8.9Rounds out our top three.

If you have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard and shift huge files, the T700 delivers staggering sequential speeds no Gen4 drive can touch. It needs its chunky heatsink to stay cool and commands a premium, so it is for enthusiasts rather than everyday users.

Speed: 9.8Real-world: 9.0Reliability: 9.0Value: 8.0
Pros
  • Blistering PCIe 5.0 throughput
  • Superb for huge file transfers
  • Effective heatsink option
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Runs hot and needs good cooling
Check price on Amazon≈ £210
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4
Best value NVMe

Samsung 990 Evo Plus

8.7A standout in the upper half.

The Evo Plus hits a sweet spot of near-flagship speed at a noticeably lower price, making it the value pick for most builds and upgrades. Sustained writes dip on very large transfers, but for gaming and everyday use it feels every bit as quick as pricier drives.

Speed: 8.8Real-world: 8.8Reliability: 9.0Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Near-flagship speed for less
  • Efficient and cool
  • Great everyday performer
Cons
  • Write speed dips on huge transfers
  • No heatsink included
Check price on Amazon≈ £110
5
Best for PS5

Seagate FireCuda 530

8.5A well-rounded mid-table pick.

With a pre-fitted heatsink option and high endurance ratings, the FireCuda 530 is a proven, hassle-free PS5 expansion drive that also flies in a PC. It costs a little more than rivals, but the longevity and peace of mind justify it.

Speed: 9.0Real-world: 8.8Reliability: 9.2Value: 8.2
Pros
  • Heatsink model ready for PS5
  • High endurance rating
  • Strong sustained speeds
Cons
  • Pricier than some Gen4 rivals
  • Overkill for light users
Check price on Amazon≈ £160
6
Best portable

Samsung T7 Shield

8.6Great value in the middle of the pack.

The T7 Shield is the portable SSD to beat: pocket-sized, rugged with IP65 dust and water resistance, and quick enough over USB 3.2 for on-the-go editing and backups. It is not Thunderbolt-fast, but it is far cheaper and far tougher.

Speed: 8.4Real-world: 8.6Reliability: 9.0Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Rugged, IP65-rated body
  • Pocketable and reliable
  • Good real-world speed
Cons
  • Slower than Thunderbolt drives
  • No on-device security button
Check price on Amazon≈ £130
7
Best budget

Crucial P3 Plus

8.4A dependable pick if the price is right.

The P3 Plus is one of the cheapest ways to add a fast 2TB of NVMe storage, and for everyday tasks and game libraries you will rarely notice it is not a flagship. Sustained writes slow once the cache fills, so it suits secondary storage more than scratch disks.

Speed: 8.2Real-world: 8.2Reliability: 8.6Value: 9.2
Pros
  • Excellent price per terabyte
  • Fast enough for most uses
  • Cool and efficient
Cons
  • Write speed drops on big transfers
  • QLC endurance below premium drives
Check price on Amazon≈ £90
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8
Best everyday

WD Blue SN580

8.3Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

A dependable, efficient drive for laptops and everyday desktops, the SN580 keeps booting, apps and browsing quick without costing much. It is not for heavy content creation, but as a no-fuss main drive it is excellent value.

Speed: 8.0Real-world: 8.2Reliability: 8.8Value: 9.0
Pros
  • Great value everyday drive
  • Low power draw
  • Reliable in laptops
Cons
  • Not for heavy creative workloads
  • Mid-tier sustained speeds
Check price on Amazon≈ £95
9
Best portable value

Crucial X9 Pro

8.4A budget-friendly option worth a look.

The X9 Pro offers T7-class portable speeds in an even more pocketable, understated package, often for a little less. It is a great low-key backup and transfer drive, though it lacks the rubberised armour of the T7 Shield.

Speed: 8.4Real-world: 8.4Reliability: 8.8Value: 8.8
Pros
  • Compact and light
  • Good USB 3.2 speeds
  • Often cheaper than rivals
Cons
  • Less rugged than the T7 Shield
  • Not Thunderbolt fast
Check price on Amazon≈ £120
10
Best SATA

Samsung 870 Evo

8.2Rounds out our top ten.

For older laptops and desktops without an NVMe slot, the 870 Evo remains the gold-standard SATA SSD: reliable, consistent and a huge upgrade over any hard drive. SATA caps the speed, so only choose it when M.2 NVMe is not an option.

Speed: 7.6Real-world: 8.2Reliability: 9.2Value: 8.6
Pros
  • Best-in-class SATA reliability
  • Huge upgrade over a hard drive
  • Ideal for older machines
Cons
  • SATA limits peak speed
  • NVMe is faster where supported
Check price on Amazon≈ £120
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Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the ssds in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Samsung 990 Pro, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The WD Black SN850X and Crucial T700 are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best ssds without overthinking it, the Samsung 990 Pro is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £150

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