SSD storage in our range covers M.2 drives, 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, external SSDs and server and enterprise drives, for anyone upgrading a laptop or PC, adding portable storage or replacing drives in a server. With over 3,000 models, brands include Samsung, SanDisk, Western Digital, Kioxia and Crucial, alongside HP Enterprise, Lenovo and Dell.
How to choose an SSD
Form factor and slot. Check what your device accepts before anything else. Older laptops and desktops usually take 2.5-inch SATA drives, while newer machines use M.2 slots. An M.2 slot may support SATA, NVMe or both, so confirm this in the manual or motherboard specification.
Interface and speed. NVMe drives running over PCIe are considerably faster than SATA drives, which are limited to roughly 550 MB/s. For office work and web browsing the difference is rarely noticeable. It matters more for large file transfers, video editing and loading big games.
Capacity. Leave room to grow, because Windows, updates and applications take up space before you save a single file. 500 GB is a sensible starting point for a main drive, and 1 TB or more suits games, photos and video. SSDs also perform best when they are not almost full.
Internal or external. External SSDs connect by USB and suit backups, moving large projects between computers or adding space to a laptop with no free slot. Check the USB port on your computer, because a fast drive is held back by a slow port.
Endurance and compatibility. Server and enterprise SSDs are built for heavy, continuous writing and often include power loss protection. Many servers from HP Enterprise, Dell and Lenovo expect drives with specific part numbers, so match the number rather than only the capacity.
SSD brands we carry
- Samsung: makes its own flash memory and controllers, and is known for its 970 and 990 NVMe series and its portable T-series SSDs.
- SanDisk and Western Digital: well known for portable SSDs and for the WD Black and WD Blue internal drives, which cover gaming and everyday upgrades.
- Kioxia: the company formerly known as Toshiba Memory, where NAND flash was invented, with drives used in both consumer and enterprise systems.
- Crucial: the consumer brand of Micron, a major flash memory manufacturer, popular for straightforward M.2 and SATA upgrades.
- ADATA: a Taiwanese manufacturer whose XPG line is aimed at gamers and enthusiasts.
- Transcend: a Taiwanese brand known for memory cards and USB drives as well as internal, portable and industrial SSDs.
- HP Enterprise, Dell and Lenovo: supply drives matched to their own servers, workstations and laptops, which is useful when you need an approved replacement.
- Verbatim: known for optical discs and USB flash drives, now also offering SSD storage.
Also in our range: 2-Power.
Subcategories include M.2 SSDs, server and enterprise SSDs, external drives, 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, SSD extras such as adapters and accessories, plus OEM laptop and PC drives and SSDs for Apple computers.
SSD storage FAQ
Is an NVMe SSD better than a SATA SSD?
NVMe is faster, but not always better for your situation. NVMe drives can be several times quicker than SATA in sustained transfers, yet both feel fast in daily use compared with a hard disk. Choose NVMe if your device supports it and you handle large files, otherwise a SATA SSD is a perfectly good upgrade.
How do I know if an M.2 SSD fits my laptop or PC?
Check the interface and length your slot supports. Most M.2 drives are 2280 (22 mm wide, 80 mm long), but some devices accept only SATA or only NVMe. The device manual or the motherboard specification will list the supported types.
How much SSD storage do I need?
For a main drive, 500 GB covers Windows and everyday programmes, while 1 TB gives comfortable space for games, photos and video. Heavy video editing or large game libraries call for 2 TB or more. It is better to buy slightly more than you need, since a nearly full SSD can slow down.
Can I use an external SSD instead of an internal one?
An external SSD works well for backups, transferring files and extra storage, and many can also hold programmes. A laptop with a single internal drive still benefits most from an internal upgrade for the operating system. Speed depends on the USB port, so a modern high-speed port gives the best results.
