mSATA SSDs are small solid-state drives for laptops, mini PCs, thin clients and industrial boards that have an mSATA slot, usually models from the early 2010s. They suit anyone replacing a slow hard drive or adding a second drive to an older machine. No models are listed in this category at the moment.
How to choose an mSATA SSD
Slot compatibility. Check that your device has a true mSATA slot before buying anything. The connector looks similar to M.2 but is physically and electrically different, so an M.2 drive will not fit. The device manual or the manufacturer's specification sheet will state which slot type is fitted.
Capacity. mSATA drives were made in sizes from tens of gigabytes up to about 1 TB. For a system drive running Windows 10 or Linux, 256 GB is a practical minimum. If the SSD will also hold files, choose 512 GB or more, because the slot is often the only upgrade path in a small device.
Interface speed. mSATA drives use the SATA interface, so speeds top out at roughly 550 MB/s for reads, well below an NVMe drive. Some older devices only support SATA II, which halves that ceiling. The drive will still feel far quicker than a hard drive, but a faster model gains little in a slower slot.
Endurance and cache. Look at the total bytes written (TBW) rating and whether the drive has a DRAM cache. Higher TBW suits devices that write a lot, such as small servers, point-of-sale terminals and digital signage. For light office use, a standard consumer rating is enough.
Brands we carry
- Established SSD makers: companies that design their own controllers and firmware generally offer longer warranties, regular firmware updates and published TBW ratings.
- Memory and module specialists: these brands often focus on embedded and industrial storage, with wide temperature ranges and long product availability.
- Budget and generic labels: these tend to compete on price per gigabyte, so it is worth checking the stated endurance and warranty terms before buying.
Specific brands will appear here once mSATA models are added to our range. The parent M.2 SSDs category lists the other drive types for newer systems.
mSATA SSD questions answered
What is an mSATA SSD?
An mSATA SSD is a small solid-state drive on a card about the size of a business card, using the mini-SATA connector. It communicates over the SATA interface, the same one used by 2.5-inch SSDs and hard drives. It was common in ultrabooks and compact PCs before M.2 replaced it.
Is mSATA the same as M.2?
No, mSATA and M.2 are different connectors and the drives are not interchangeable. An mSATA drive will not fit an M.2 slot, and an M.2 drive will not fit an mSATA slot. Adapters exist, but check the exact slot type and key notches first.
How do I know if my laptop uses mSATA?
Look up your exact model number in the manufacturer's manual or specification sheet, which lists the storage slot type. You can also open the service panel and compare the slot with photos of an mSATA connector. Many laptops from around 2011 to 2015 have one, but not all of them do.
Is an mSATA SSD faster than a hard drive?
Yes, an mSATA SSD is much faster than a mechanical hard drive for starting up, loading programmes and opening files. Typical sequential speeds are around 500 MB/s, compared with about 100 to 150 MB/s for a laptop hard drive. It also has no moving parts, so it copes better with knocks and movement.
