Best SATA SSD 2026: Top Picks for Upgrades & Budget Builds
The best 2.5" SATA SSDs for laptop upgrades, older desktops, and budget builds — with real-time pricing
Quick Answer+
The Samsung 870 EVO is the best SATA SSD for most users — excellent performance, reliability, and 5-year warranty. For budget builds, the Crucial BX500 delivers great value under $40 for 500GB. SATA SSDs max out at ~550 MB/s, making them ideal for laptops and older desktops without M.2 slots. For new builds with M.2 support, consider NVMe instead — similar prices, 5-10x faster.
- Samsung 870 EVO: Best overall SATA SSD
- Crucial MX500: Best value alternative
- Crucial BX500: Best budget option under $40
- SATA maxes at 550 MB/s — choose NVMe for new builds
SATA SSDs remain the best upgrade for older laptops and desktops that don't support NVMe. While NVMe drives are faster, SATA SSDs deliver the most noticeable performance improvement when replacing a hard drive — boot times drop from minutes to seconds, and applications launch instantly.
The short answer: the Samsung 870 EVO is the best overall SATA SSD for most users. It offers excellent performance, reliability, and a 5-year warranty. For budget builds, the Crucial BX500 delivers great value under $50 for 500GB.
Use the comparison tables below to see real-time pricing from Amazon for all SATA SSDs, sorted by price per TB. Prices fluctuate regularly, so checking current deals is essential.
Best SATA SSDs at a Glance
| Category | Top Pick | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Samsung 870 EVO | Best performance, reliability & 5-year warranty |
| Best Value | Crucial MX500 | Excellent reliability at lower price than Samsung |
| Best Budget | Crucial BX500 | Cheapest reliable option for basic upgrades |
| Best for Laptops | Samsung 870 EVO | Low power consumption, slim 7mm form factor |
| Best High Capacity | Samsung 870 QVO | Up to 8TB, best $/TB for large SATA storage |
| Best for NAS Cache | Samsung 870 EVO | High endurance for read/write caching |
When to Choose SATA Over NVMe
Choose SATA SSD when: Your laptop/desktop only has SATA ports (no M.2 slot), you're upgrading from a hard drive on a budget, you need a 2.5" form factor, or you're building NAS cache drives. SATA maxes out at ~550 MB/s — plenty fast for everyday use, but NVMe is better for new builds.
Best SATA SSDs: Detailed Breakdown
Best Overall: Samsung 870 EVO
The Samsung 870 EVO is the gold standard for SATA SSDs. It consistently delivers the highest sustained performance in its class, reaching the SATA III limit of 560/530 MB/s read/write. Samsung's V-NAND technology and proven controller make it exceptionally reliable.
Available in 250GB to 4TB capacities, the 870 EVO suits everything from basic laptop upgrades to high-capacity storage. The 5-year warranty and up to 2,400 TBW (terabytes written) endurance rating provide peace of mind. For most users upgrading from a hard drive, the 1TB 870 EVO offers the best balance of capacity and value.
Best Value: Crucial MX500
The Crucial MX500 delivers 95% of the 870 EVO's performance at a lower price. It uses Micron's proven 3D NAND and includes features often missing from budget drives: hardware encryption, power loss protection, and a 5-year warranty with up to 700 TBW endurance.
The MX500 is our recommendation when the Samsung is priced significantly higher. Both drives will feel identical in everyday use — the performance difference only shows in sustained benchmarks. Available in 250GB to 4TB.
Best Budget: Crucial BX500
The Crucial BX500 strips features to hit the lowest price point while maintaining reliability. No DRAM cache and a 3-year warranty (vs 5-year for MX500), but it still transforms any HDD-based system. For basic upgrades where budget is the priority, the BX500 delivers the essential SSD experience.
Best for: Office PCs, older laptops, basic file storage where you don't need high endurance or the absolute fastest speeds. The 500GB BX500 typically costs under $40 — an incredible value for the performance uplift over a hard drive.
Best High Capacity: Samsung 870 QVO
The Samsung 870 QVO uses QLC NAND to offer the highest capacities (up to 8TB) at the lowest $/TB for SATA SSDs. Write speeds slow after the SLC cache fills, making it better for read-heavy workloads than constant writes.
Best for: Media libraries, game storage, archival use where you need maximum capacity in a 2.5" form factor. Not recommended for write-intensive tasks or as a boot drive — choose the 870 EVO for those uses.
What to Look For in a SATA SSD
DRAM Cache
Drives with DRAM cache (like 870 EVO, MX500) maintain consistent speeds. DRAM-less drives (BX500) slow during large transfers but work fine for basic use.
Important for: Power usersTLC vs QLC NAND
TLC drives (870 EVO, MX500) offer better endurance and sustained writes. QLC drives (870 QVO) trade some performance for higher capacity and lower cost.
TLC for: Boot drives, frequent writesEndurance (TBW)
TBW (terabytes written) indicates drive lifespan. 300-600 TBW is plenty for typical users. Only heavy workloads need 1000+ TBW ratings.
Higher = Longer lifespanForm Factor
Most SATA SSDs are 2.5" / 7mm — fits laptops and desktops with adapter bracket. M.2 SATA exists but is less common; don't confuse with M.2 NVMe.
Check compatibility firstAll SATA SSDs — Current Prices
All 2.5" SATA SSDs sorted by price per TB. Updated hourly from Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions: SATA SSDs
Is SATA SSD still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for the right use cases. SATA SSDs are perfect for upgrading older systems without M.2 slots, budget builds, and secondary storage. The jump from HDD to SATA SSD is transformative — boot times drop from 60+ seconds to under 15. For new builds with M.2 support, NVMe drives offer better value at similar prices.
Samsung 870 EVO vs Crucial MX500 — which is better?
The 870 EVO is technically better, but the MX500 offers better value. Samsung has slightly higher sustained performance and endurance ratings. In everyday use, they're indistinguishable — both max out SATA speeds. Buy whichever is cheaper. If prices are similar, the 870 EVO's higher endurance gives it the edge. Check current prices in the table above.
How much SSD storage do I need?
500GB minimum for a boot drive; 1TB is the sweet spot. Windows 11 needs ~30GB, leaving room for apps and files. Gamers should consider 1-2TB as modern games often exceed 100GB each. For pure storage (media, backups), buy based on your data needs — the 870 QVO offers up to 8TB for large libraries.
Can I use a SATA SSD in my laptop?
Yes, if your laptop has a 2.5" drive bay. Most laptops from 2008-2018 use 2.5" SATA drives — perfect for SSD upgrades. Newer ultrabooks may only have M.2 slots. Check your laptop's specs or open it to verify. The Samsung 870 EVO is our top laptop recommendation for its low power draw and slim 7mm form factor.
What's the difference between SATA and NVMe?
NVMe is 5-10x faster than SATA. SATA SSDs max out at ~550 MB/s due to interface limits. NVMe SSDs connect via PCIe and reach 3,500-14,000 MB/s. For everyday tasks (booting, launching apps), you won't notice much difference. NVMe shines in large file transfers, video editing, and gaming load times. Choose SATA if your system doesn't support NVMe.
Is the BX500 (DRAM-less) reliable?
Yes, the Crucial BX500 is reliable for basic use. DRAM-less drives work fine for boot drives and general storage — you'll only notice slower speeds during large sustained writes. The BX500 uses proven Crucial/Micron NAND with a 3-year warranty. For budget upgrades where you're replacing an HDD, it's an excellent choice. Power users should choose the MX500 or 870 EVO instead.
Can I use SATA SSD for NAS cache?
Yes, SATA SSDs work well for NAS caching. The Samsung 870 EVO is popular for Synology and QNAP cache due to its high endurance. For read cache, any decent SATA SSD works. For write cache, choose drives with high TBW ratings (500+). Enterprise SATA SSDs like Samsung PM893 offer even higher endurance for demanding environments.
How long do SATA SSDs last?
Modern SATA SSDs last 5-10+ years for typical users. A 500GB drive rated at 300 TBW could handle writing 150GB daily for 5+ years before wearing out. Most users write far less. SSDs don't suffer from mechanical failure like HDDs. The 870 EVO's 2,400 TBW (4TB model) rating would take decades to exhaust under normal use.