Samsung SSD Comparison 2026
Complete guide to Samsung's SSD lineup — from flagship 990 Pro to budget-friendly 870 QVO. Compare speeds, lifespans, and prices to find your perfect match.
Last Updated: July 2026
Samsung SSD Series Overview
Why Choose Samsung SSDs?
Samsung is one of the world's largest NAND flash memory manufacturers, giving them a complete supply chain advantage from chips to finished products. Their SSDs consistently rank highest for reliability, with industry-leading TBW (Terabytes Written) ratings and comprehensive 5-year warranties on most consumer models. Samsung's Magician software provides robust health monitoring, performance optimization, and firmware updates.
Quick Buying Guide
| Use Case | Recommended Series | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming (PS5/PC) | 990 Pro / 980 Pro | Fast load times, high endurance |
| Content Creation | 990 Pro / 980 Pro | High sustained write speeds |
| Office Work | 980 / 870 EVO | Reliable, cost-effective |
| Budget Upgrade | 870 QVO / 970 EVO Plus | Best value for money |
| Portable Storage | T7 / T5 | Fast, compact, durable |
Samsung NVMe SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | TBW (1TB) | Warranty | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 Pro | 1TB / 2TB / 4TB | 7,450 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $130-$180 | Gaming, Creation, PS5 |
| 980 Pro | 250GB-2TB | 7,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $100-$150 | Gaming, Power Users |
| 980 | 250GB-2TB | 3,500 MB/s | 3,000 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $70-$100 | Everyday Use |
| 970 EVO Plus | 250GB-2TB | 3,500 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $80-$120 | Budget NVMe |
Key Differences
990 Pro vs 980 Pro: The 990 Pro offers higher sequential write speeds (6,900 vs 5,000 MB/s) and is optimized for PS5 compatibility. The 980 Pro provides excellent performance at a lower price point.
980 Pro vs 980: The 980 Pro uses PCIe 4.0 with speeds up to 7,000 MB/s, while the 980 uses PCIe 3.0 at 3,500 MB/s. Choose 980 Pro for gaming and power use, 980 for everyday tasks.
970 EVO Plus: A classic model being phased out. Good value for budget-conscious users, but verify firmware is updated to avoid known issues.
Samsung SATA SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | TBW (1TB) | Warranty | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 870 EVO | 250GB-4TB | 563 MB/s | 533 MB/s | 600 TBW | 5 years | $80-$120 | SATA Upgrades |
| 870 QVO | 1TB-8TB | 560 MB/s | 530 MB/s | 360 TBW | 3 years | $60-$90 | Bulk Storage |
When to Choose SATA SSDs?
- Older laptop upgrades (no NVMe slot available)
- Large capacity storage needs (870 QVO up to 8TB)
- Budget-conscious builds
- SATA-only devices (some NAS, PS4)
870 EVO vs 870 QVO: The 870 EVO has higher endurance (600 TBW vs 360 TBW) and a longer warranty (5 years vs 3 years). Use EVO for system drives with frequent writes, QVO for pure storage with infrequent writes.
Samsung Portable SSD Comparison
| Model | Capacity | Read Speed | Write Speed | Interface | Weight | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T7 | 500GB-2TB | 1,050 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 58g | $90-$140 | Portable Storage |
| T7 Shield | 1TB-4TB | 1,050 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 98g | $100-$180 | Rugged Use |
| T5 | 250GB-2TB | 540 MB/s | 515 MB/s | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | 51g | $70-$110 | Budget Portable |
Portable SSD Features
T7 Series: Features AES 256-bit hardware encryption, compatible with PC, Mac, Android, and gaming consoles. The T7 Shield adds IP65 dust and water resistance for rugged use.
T5 Series: Classic reliable portable SSD, great value for daily backups and file transfers.
Samsung Enterprise SSDs
| Series | Interface | Capacity | Use Case | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM9A3 | PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 960GB-7.68TB | Data Center | High density, low latency |
| PM983 | PCIe 3.0 NVMe | 960GB-3.84TB | Enterprise Server | Cost-effective NVMe |
| PM893 | SATA 3.0 | 960GB-7.68TB | Enterprise Storage | High reliability SATA |
Enterprise vs Consumer SSDs
Enterprise PM series drives offer higher endurance (up to 3 DWPD), power loss protection, and 24/7 reliability for data centers and servers. These are typically sold through enterprise channels, not consumer retail.
When to consider enterprise SSDs: 24/7 high-load servers, data centers, enterprise storage arrays, applications requiring maximum reliability.
Samsung SSD Lifespan & Health
TBW (Terabytes Written) Data
TBW indicates the total data you can write during the warranty period. Higher TBW means longer lifespan under heavy write workloads.
| Model | 250GB | 500GB | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 Pro | - | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | 2,400 TBW |
| 980 Pro | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 980 | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 970 EVO Plus | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | - |
| 870 EVO | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | 2,400 TBW |
| 870 QVO | - | - | 360 TBW | 720 TBW | 1,440 TBW |
How to Check Samsung SSD Health
Method 1: Online Tool
Recommended
Use our free SSD Health Check tool for instant health estimate. No installation required.
Check SSD Health NowMethod 2: Samsung Magician
Official Samsung Tool
Official tool for Windows with health monitoring, firmware updates, and performance optimization.
Download Samsung MagicianMethod 3: CrystalDiskInfo
Third-Party Tool
Free utility that reads SMART data from any SSD brand. Shows health percentage and temperature.
Learn MoreSamsung Magician Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Drive Health | View health percentage and TBW usage |
| Performance Benchmark | Test read/write speeds |
| Firmware Update | Update drive firmware |
| Secure Erase | Safely wipe all data |
| Encryption | Manage encryption settings |
| Rapid Mode | Performance acceleration (select models) |
Samsung SSD Buying Recommendations
Gaming (PS5 / PC)
Recommended: Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro
PCIe 4.0 delivers fast game loading, high TBW handles frequent writes, and 990 Pro is officially PS5-compatible. Get 1TB for most gamers, 2TB for large game collections. PS5 requires heatsink version.
Content Creation (Video / Photo Editing)
Recommended: Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro
High sustained write speeds handle large file transfers, capacity options up to 4TB, and proven reliability protects your work. Consider 2TB+ for video projects.
Office Work / General Use
Recommended: Samsung 980 or 870 EVO
Sufficient performance for daily tasks, excellent value, 5-year warranty for peace of mind. 512GB-1TB ideal for system drive plus documents.
Budget-Conscious Users
Recommended: Samsung 870 QVO or 970 EVO Plus (if available)
Lowest prices while maintaining Samsung reliability. Note: 870 QVO has lower TBW, avoid for system drives with frequent writes. Best for storage-only use.
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended Model | Capacity | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50-$80 | 870 QVO | 1TB | Storage, Budget Upgrade |
| $80-$120 | 980 / 870 EVO | 1TB | Office, Everyday Use |
| $100-$150 | 980 Pro | 1TB | Gaming, Power Users |
| $120-$180 | 990 Pro | 1TB | Gaming, Content Creation |
| $150-$250 | 990 Pro | 2TB | Large Game Library, Video Editing |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro?
The 990 Pro offers higher sequential write speeds (6,900 MB/s vs 5,000 MB/s) and is optimized for PS5 compatibility. The 980 Pro provides excellent performance at a lower price point. For most users, the 980 Pro offers better value.
How long do Samsung SSDs last?
Samsung consumer SSDs typically last 5+ years under normal use. The TBW (Terabytes Written) rating indicates the total data you can write during the warranty period. For example, a 1TB 980 Pro has a 600 TBW rating, meaning you can write 600TB of data over 5 years (about 328GB per day).
Does Samsung SSD come with warranty?
Yes. Most Samsung consumer SSDs come with a 5-year limited warranty. The 870 QVO has a 3-year warranty. Enterprise PM series also have 5-year warranties. Warranty covers manufacturing defects and normal wear.
How do I check my Samsung SSD health?
You can check your Samsung SSD health using: (1) Our free online SSD Health Check tool, (2) Samsung Magician software (official tool), or (3) CrystalDiskInfo (third-party tool). All methods show health percentage, temperature, and SMART data.
Is Samsung 870 QVO good for gaming?
The 870 QVO is a SATA SSD with lower speeds than NVMe drives. It's suitable for storage and older systems, but for gaming, we recommend NVMe drives like the 980 or 980 Pro for faster load times.
Which Samsung SSD is best for PS5?
The Samsung 990 Pro is officially PS5-compatible and offers the best performance. The 980 Pro is also compatible and more affordable. Both require a heatsink version or aftermarket heatsink for PS5.
Can I use Samsung NVMe SSD on older computers?
Most NVMe SSDs are backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots, but you'll only get PCIe 3.0 speeds. Check your motherboard manual for M.2 NVMe support. SATA SSDs like 870 EVO work with any SATA port.
What is Samsung Magician?
Samsung Magician is the official Samsung SSD management software. It allows you to check drive health, update firmware, run performance benchmarks, enable encryption, and securely erase drives. Available for Windows only.
Ready to Check Your Samsung SSD Health?
Use our free online tool for an instant health estimate. No installation required.
Check Your SSD Health Now