Amazon’s Prime Day ended weeks ago, but the SSD market didn’t get the memo. Prices on the top internal NVMe drives and portable SSDs are still sitting well below MSRP, and some are cheaper now than they were during the sale. Here are 5 solid state drives worth picking up right now, from a PS5-ready workhorse to a pocket-sized backup drive that fits in your coin pocket.
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❗Quick Pick: Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe SSD
Price: $389.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
The Performance King: Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
If you want the fastest Gen4 NVMe drive money can buy without jumping to Gen5, this is it. The 990 PRO hits 7,450 MB/s reads and 6,900 MB/s writes, which means Windows boots in seconds, games load before you finish reaching for your drink, and 4K video projects scrub like they’re on internal storage. Samsung’s in-house controller handles heat well enough that you can skip an aftermarket heatsink for most use cases, though serious creators should still use one.
Where it shines: Gamers who want the fastest game loads on a Gen4 board, video editors who move multi-gigabyte project files daily, and anyone building a high-end PC who doesn’t want to pay Gen5 prices.
The tradeoff you need to know: At $389.99, the 2TB version is still a premium investment. If you’re on a budget, the 1TB version ($287.79) is nearly as fast for about $100 less.
❗Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
Price: $389.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
The Value Champ: Crucial P310 1TB
Not everyone needs a 2TB flagship. For the rest of us, the Crucial P310 delivers 7,100 MB/s reads and 6,000 MB/s writes at $179.00 for 1TB. That’s serious Gen4 speed at a price that makes upgrading a laptop or desktop feel like a no-brainer. It works in handheld gaming consoles too. ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and Steam Deck are all fair game. Crucial backs it with a 5-year warranty, and the included Acronis software offer makes cloning your old drive painless.
Where it shines: Budget builders, laptop owners who want a snappier boot drive, and handheld gamers who need more storage for their Steam library.
The tradeoff you need to know: 1TB fills up fast if you install modern AAA games. The extra $108 to jump to 2TB ($287.49) is worth considering if you know you need the space.
❗Crucial P310 1TB
Price: $179.00
Where to Buy: Amazon
The Speed Demon Portable: Samsung T9 1TB
For anyone who moves big files between machines, the Samsung T9 is the portable SSD to beat right now. It hits 2,000 MB/s reads over USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which means a 25GB 4K video project transfers in about 12 seconds. Its rubberized housing is drop-tested to 9.8 feet, and AES 256-bit encryption keeps your data safe if the drive walks off. At $239.99, it’s cheaper than it was during Prime Day.
Where it shines: Content creators editing directly off external storage, photographers backing up cards in the field, and anyone who needs fast, rugged, pocketable backup.
The tradeoff you need to know: You need a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port to hit those full 2,000 MB/s speeds. On older USB-C ports, it drops to around 1,050 MB/s. That’s still fast, but it isn’t the headline number.
❗Samsung T9 Portable 1TB
Price: $239.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
The Reliable Workhorse: Samsung T7 1TB
The T7 has been the default recommendation for portable SSD buyers for years, and for good reason. It does 1,050 MB/s read speeds in a package smaller than a credit card, weighs barely 2 ounces, and has a solid aluminum body that survives drops from 6 feet. It drops down to $219.77 right now, the lowest price it has hit since Prime Day.
Where it shines: MacBook users running Time Machine backups, students who need fast storage between campus computers, and anyone who wants a proven, affordable portable SSD.
The tradeoff you need to know: At 1,050 MB/s it’s half the speed of the T9, though most users won’t notice the difference outside of multi-gigabyte file transfers. And Samsung’s Magician software can be annoying to fully remove on Mac.
❗Samsung T7 Portable 1TB
Price: $219.77
Where to Buy: Amazon
The Rugged Traveler: SanDisk Extreme 1TB
If your storage lives in a camera bag, gets tossed into backpacks, or sees actual weather, the SanDisk Extreme is the one to grab. It hits 1,050 MB/s reads, survives 9.8-foot drops, and carries an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. At $189.99 for the current model, it’s the cheapest 1TB portable SSD in this lineup and the most durable.
Where it shines: Travel photographers, drone pilots, outdoor filmmakers, and anyone who works in conditions where a fragile SSD wouldn’t last a week.
The tradeoff you need to know: The write speeds (1,000 MB/s) trail the T9 significantly, and the older model (SDSSDE61-1T00-G25) has no price listed currently. Stick with the current version for confirmed pricing.
❗SanDisk Extreme 1TB
Price: $189.99
Where to Buy: Amazon
Which One Fits Your Setup
If you want the single fastest internal drive for a gaming or productivity PC, spend the extra money on the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB at $389.99. It’s the best Gen4 NVMe drive in this lineup, and at $389.99 it’s easier to justify than it has been all year.
If you’re on a tighter budget or just need a good boot drive for a laptop, the Crucial P310 1TB at $179.00 is the best value-per-gigabyte in this lineup. You get Gen4 speeds at a price that barely beats last-gen Gen3 drives.
For portable storage, the decision comes down to speed versus durability. The Samsung T9 at $239.99 is the fastest portable drive here by a wide margin. The SanDisk Extreme at $189.99 is the toughest. The Samsung T7 at $219.77 splits the difference and is the safest all-rounder recommendation.
What to Check Before Buying an SSD
Make sure your motherboard or laptop has an available M.2 slot before buying an internal NVMe drive. Most modern laptops have one slot, so upgrading means replacing your existing drive and cloning your OS. Desktop users typically have 2-3 slots and can add storage without disturbing the boot drive.
For portable SSDs, check which USB standard your device supports. USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) is required for the T9’s full speed. Most modern laptops and desktops support it, but older machines cap out at 10Gbps, matching the T7 and Extreme speeds anyway.
❗Quick Pick Summary
Best Internal NVMe: Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | $389.99 | Blazing Gen4 speed for gaming and creation
Best Value Internal: Crucial P310 1TB | $179.00 | Affordable Gen4 performance
Fastest Portable: Samsung T9 1TB | $239.99 | 2GB/s transfers in a rugged pocket drive
Best All-Round Portable: Samsung T7 1TB | $219.77 | Proven, compact, reliable
Toughest Portable: SanDisk Extreme 1TB | $189.99 | IP65 rated, drop-proof, camera-bag ready
Final TG Take
The post-Prime Day hangover has left SSD prices lower than they were during the actual event in several cases. Samsung’s 990 PRO and T9 are both cheaper now than they were in June. If you’ve been putting off an SSD upgrade, this is the moment to stop waiting. Prices on NAND flash are expected to rise later this year, and these deals won’t get better.
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