M.2 SSD drives are small solid-state storage modules for laptops, desktop PCs, workstations and some game consoles. Most are NVMe models, with a few SATA ones. Our range of over 1,200 models includes drives from Lenovo, Transcend, Western Digital and Dell.
How to choose an M.2 SSD
Interface and protocol. M.2 describes the connector shape, not the speed. Most drives in our range use PCI Express with NVMe, but there are also slower Serial ATA III models. Check your laptop or motherboard manual to see whether the M.2 slot supports NVMe, SATA or both. The category also contains a few 2.5-inch and mSATA drives, so look closely at the form factor.
PCIe generation. You will find PCI Express 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 drives. Generation 3 is enough for everyday work, generation 4 is common in newer computers, and generation 5 only pays off if your board supports it and you regularly move very large files. A faster drive in an older slot runs at the speed the slot allows.
Size and compatibility. Check the length of the drive: 2280 is the most common, but shorter sizes such as 2230 and 2242 exist. Our range includes drives for laptops, desktop PCs, servers and workstations, and game consoles. Consoles often have extra requirements, such as a heatsink.
Capacity. Drives in our range come in 256 GB, 500 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB. 256 GB or 512 GB covers an operating system and everyday programs, 1 TB or 2 TB is more comfortable for games and work files, and 4 TB makes sense for video archives.
Endurance and operating temperature. Most drives in our range are rated for 0 to 70 °C, which suits ordinary computers. A few are specified for a wider span, from -25 to 85 °C, which matters in industrial equipment. If you will rewrite the drive often, also check its rated write endurance (TBW). The mean time between failures (MTBF) quoted for drives in our range runs from 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 hours.
Brands in our range
- Samsung: designs its own memory and controllers, which is why its drives often serve as a reference in speed comparisons.
- Western Digital: known for the WD Black line aimed at gaming and the WD Blue line for everyday use.
- Crucial: the consumer brand of the memory maker Micron.
- Kingston: best known for memory modules, but also makes NVMe SSD lines.
- ADATA: has the XPG line for gamers.
- Lexar: first known as a maker of memory cards.
- Transcend: also makes industrial-grade storage.
- Lenovo and Dell: their drives are usually meant for replacing or upgrading storage in the manufacturers' own laptops and workstations.
Also in our range: 2-Power, SanDisk and HP Poly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between M.2 SATA and M.2 NVMe drives?
The difference is the protocol and the speed. NVMe drives use the PCI Express bus and are much faster than SATA ones. Both types can share the same M.2 shape, but not every slot accepts both, so check your device specification first.
Will an M.2 SSD fit my laptop?
It will if the slot type, drive length and supported interface all match. Check whether your model uses NVMe or SATA and what length it accepts, most often 2280. Some thin laptops only have room for shorter drives.
How much capacity do I need in an M.2 SSD?
256 GB or 512 GB is enough for office work and browsing, while a gaming computer is better served by at least 1 TB. Modern games take up a lot of space, and a nearly full drive writes more slowly. For large video or project archives, choose 2 TB or 4 TB.
Is a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it?
Usually not, unless your motherboard supports it and you constantly work with very large files. For everyday tasks and gaming, a PCIe 4.0 drive is quick enough. PCIe 5.0 drives also tend to run hotter and need good cooling.
