Best Samsung Gaming SSDs in 2026
Best SSDs under $75 for gaming
Best SSDs under $150 for gaming
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Samsung PM981a
Best SSDs under $300 for gaming
Samsung 990 PRO
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Samsung 9100 PRO
Why we recommend this ▼
The PCIe 5.0 interface delivers 14,700 MB/s reads and 13,300 MB/s writes, making this 1TB M.2 drive twice as fast as the 990 PRO for heavy workloads. Its 2,600K random write IOPS and 5nm controller with improved power efficiency suit AI tasks and large file transfers. Best for gamers and workstation users who need top-tier speed for 4K/8K editing and AI workloads, though it is not portable.
Samsung 990 EVO Plus
Why we recommend this ▼
The 7,150 MB/s read and 6,300 MB/s write speeds, paired with a nickel-coated controller that cuts power use by 16%, make this a fast and efficient PCIe 4.0 drive. Its DRAM-less design with Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 supports up to 4TB capacity, and the 600 TBW endurance plus 5-year warranty add long-term reliability. Best for laptop users who edit large video files or transfer big data sets and want a budget-friendly, power-efficient upgrade.
Samsung 990
Why we recommend this ▼
The PCIe 4.0 x4 interface delivers up to 7,150 MB/s reads and 6,450 MB/s writes, with 1,100K random write IOPS for fast game loading and file transfers. Its DRAM-less TLC design improves performance per watt by up to 38% over the 990 PRO, making it efficient for laptops and desktops. Best for gamers and DIY builders who want a reliable 1TB drive with hardware encryption and a 3-year warranty.
Samsung 970 EVO
Samsung 860 QVO
Samsung T7
Samsung 850 EVO
Samsung T9 Portable SSD
Samsung 860 PRO
Premium SSDs for gaming
Samsung 9100 PRO
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Samsung 990 PRO
Why we recommend this ▼
The 4TB Samsung 990 Pro hits 7450 MB/s sequential reads and 6900 MB/s writes on PCIe 4.0, backed by TLC NAND, a DRAM cache, and Samsung's in-house controller for efficient heat management. It offers 2400 TBW endurance, a 5-year warranty, and hardware encryption, making it a top-tier choice for high-end builds. Best for gamers and workstation users who need maximum sustained throughput for large file transfers and demanding workloads.
Samsung 990 EVO Plus
Why we recommend this ▼
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus hits 7,250 MB/s reads and 6,300 MB/s writes with a nickel-coated controller that cuts power use by 73%, keeping thermals low. It supports both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2, and its 2TB capacity pairs with Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 for large-file transfers. Best for laptop users and budget-conscious builders who need fast, efficient storage for daily tasks and gaming.
Samsung 980 PRO
Why we recommend this ▼
The 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive hits 7000 MB/s reads and 5100 MB/s writes, backed by TLC NAND, a DRAM cache, and Samsung's nickel-coated Elpis controller for sustained throughput. Its integrated heatsink and slim 8.6mm housing fit the PlayStation 5 directly, while Samsung Magician software adds drive health monitoring and firmware updates. Best for PS5 owners or PC builders who need a high-capacity, thermally controlled SSD for heavy gaming and graphics workloads without performance drops.
Samsung 970 PRO
Why we recommend this ▼
The Samsung 970 PRO pairs a Phoenix controller with V-NAND to hit 3,500 MB/s reads and 2,700 MB/s writes, backed by a 1,200 TBW endurance rating. Its Dynamic Thermal Guard and nickel-coated controller manage heat to sustain performance during long workloads, while Samsung Magician simplifies drive management. This drive suits workstation users and 4K/3D content designers who need reliable, high-throughput storage for intensive tasks.
Samsung 980
Why we recommend this ▼
The 980 hits 3,500 MB/s reads and 3,000 MB/s writes over PCIe 3.0, using HMB technology to compensate for its DRAM-less design, plus Full Power Mode for sustained performance. It adds AES 256-bit encryption and a 600 TBW endurance rating, making it a dependable pick for everyday builds. Best for budget-conscious PC builders upgrading from SATA drives who want NVMe speed for gaming and heavy file work without paying a premium.
Samsung 970 EVO
Samsung 870 EVO
Why we recommend this ▼
The 2TB SATA III drive hits 560 MB/s reads and 530 MB/s writes, with a 2,400 TBW endurance rating and a 5-year warranty, backed by a DRAM cache and TLC NAND for sustained performance. Its 1,500,000-hour MTBF and hardware encryption add reliability and security, while Samsung Magician software simplifies drive management and updates. Best for desktop and laptop users upgrading from HDDs or older SSDs who need a dependable, high-capacity SATA drive for everyday tasks and 8K video editing.
Samsung 860 Pro
Samsung 960 EVO
Samsung 950 PRO
Samsung 860 EVO
Samsung 850 EVO
Why we recommend this ▼
The 4TB capacity with 540 MB/s read and 520 MB/s write speeds, powered by TLC NAND and a DRAM cache, makes this SATA III drive a high-capacity upgrade for desktops and laptops. Its 1.5 million hour MTBF and V-NAND technology provide reliable endurance, while the included Samsung Data Migration and Magician software simplify setup and management. Best for users needing a large, dependable storage upgrade for workstations or general use, though its 2.5-inch form factor limits portability.
Samsung Portable SSD T9
Why we recommend this ▼
The Samsung Portable SSD T9 hits 2,000 MB/s read and 1,950 MB/s write over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, with MLC NAND and hardware encryption for sustained creative workloads. Its Dynamic Thermal Guard keeps temperatures controlled during long transfers, while Magician Software adds firmware updates and drive health monitoring. Best for video editors and photographers who need fast, reliable external storage for large 4K files on the go.
