Are you planning on building a PC and want to purchase the best SSD under $100? There’s no doubt that SSDs are one of the most underrated products in our builds and most of the time we simply grab one for our build without thinking about its capabilities and features.
Unfortunately, this is not the best way to get SSD storage for our PC build.
Throughout our build, it’s quite important that we understand that even the SSDs are important components and they have to be closely examined. If we choose the right SSD, we can increase the overall performance of our system and they’ll even help you to decrease the boot-up time, as well as increase the overall file read and write speed of your system.
After thoroughly reviewing fifty+ SSDs, we’re here to help you choose the best one under $100 that will surely boost your PC’s performance.
💡 Thing to Remember;
Selecting the right SSDs is as critical as choosing all the other components. However, we recommend getting SSDs that are compatible with your motherboard, and to ensure this, we recommend selecting the motherboard you want to buy from PC Builder, and then carefully checking if your SSD is compatible or not.
PC Builder is an advanced compatibility checking website that checks parts’ compatibility with each other. To prevent damage to the parts, it is recommended to check each component before purchasing. By doing this, you can be sure you’re getting the right part for your build.
So let’s get started…
Table of Contents
Best SSD Under $100
The task of finding the right SSD for under $100 is not an easy one. There are hundreds of SSDs which are available in the market, but our teams of experts have done the nitty-gritty work for you and whittled it down to the 10 best SSDs for you to choose from.
So, any of these SSDs will perform well, without a doubt.
1. SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 500GB Internal SSD with M.2 NVMe Interface & V-NAND Technology (MZ-V7S500B/AM)
Capacity: 500GB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4, NVMe 1.3 | Sequential Read: 3500MB/s | Sequential Write: 3300MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
On our list of the best SSDs under $100, we have the Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD at the top of the list. This particular model comes with a capacity of 500GB and features M.2 NVMe interface along with V-NAND technology. As of right now, the SSD our team has their hands on comes with a 500GB storage capacity, but you might be able to find it in other capacities, such as 128GB, 256GB, or 1TB.
It is easy to take advantage of the 970 EVO Plus’s high transmission speeds, which sustain sequential read speeds of up to 3500MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 3300MB/s. Its performance makes it one of the fastest drives on the market, and it will certainly be able to meet the needs of power users. Also, the drive comes with a 5-year limited warranty, so you can be confident that it is a product you can trust.
The 970 EVO SSD is also designed to work with the latest generation of PC builds, and the form factor of this drive is M.2-2280, which is one of the most popular form factors for SSDs these days. Moreover, this SSD is also equipped with Samsung’s latest V-NAND technology and PCIe 3.0 technology.
Throughout this article, you will read terms like sequential read and write speeds, 3D NAND, and so on. They are all very important features of a Solid State Drive. When making your purchase decision, you should always prioritize the read and write speeds, as they are responsible for the overall performance of the drive.
There are many advertisements that focus on sequential or sustained speeds. I believe that it is important to focus on the random read and write speeds mainly, since they will be more useful for most general uses. Nonetheless, all of these SSDs have great sequential and random read/write speeds. Therefore, whichever one you choose, you can rest assured that you’re going to get a great performing drive.
On the 4KB QD32 benchmarks, the 970 EVO Plus has a maximum random read speed of up to 480,000 IOPS, as well as a maximum random write speed of up to 550,000 IOPS. They are some very impressive numbers that show the real value in this SSD because it is incredibly fast.
Pros
- It comes from one of the most reputable brands in the world, Samsung.
- It is one of the fastest PCIe 3.0 cards that you can find.
- The drive comes with a 5-year warranty and offers top read and write speeds.
Cons
- We didn’t find any cons for this SSD.
My Views?
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD is hands down one of the best SSDs we’ve tested. It is super fast, and you’ll experience a boost in your PC’s performance when you add it to your system. Also, it has a very compact design and an easy-to-install interface. This drive comes with everything you need, such as the software and cables to get started. Definitely, something that we recommend to our readers!
2. Seagate Barracuda 510 250GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with PCIe Nvme and 3D TLC NAND Technology (ZP500CM30001)
Capacity: 500GB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe Gen 3 ×4, NVMe 1.3 | Sequential Read: 3100MB/s | Sequential Write: 1200MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
The second most incredible SSD storage unit belongs to the Seagate series. The Seagate Barracuda 510 is one of the best SSDs under $100 available today, and it offers a host of features and benefits. This SSD is available in a capacity of 500GB and supports the M.2 2280 form factor to bring you maximum efficiency. The SSD comes with integrated AES 256-bit encryption to ensure the safety and security of your important data.
This SSD drive can be used for increasing the storage capacity on your laptop as well. When compared with other drives on the list, it offers some major advantages. Some of these can include reduced power consumption to increase the longevity of your laptop’s battery life.
This Seagate Barracuda comes with a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, which is also backward compatible with the SATA 3 Gb/s interface. Comparing the sustained read and write speed of this drive to those of others, it can easily read and write at a speed of up to 3100MB/s and 1200MB/s respectively. This is really impressive, and the performance is further pushed forward by the 3D NAND technology that it comes with.
The drive comes with a 5-year limited warranty and has an MTBF rating of 1.8 million hours. The drive also utilizes Seagate’s Adaptive Memory Technology, which enables the SSD to respond to various computing scenarios and prioritize high-demand apps without compromising on the capacity of the drive.
The one thing I love about this drive is that it comes at a very affordable price while providing users with outstanding performance. There is an enormous amount of storage capacity on this device, and you can use it to store all your games, movies, documents, etc.
Pros
- This SSD has an efficient 500GB storage capacity.
- With this device, you can read/write sequentially at 3400MB/s and 2400MB/s.
- It also features 3D TLC NAND technology, as well as a 5-year warranty.
Cons
- The sequential write speed is 1200MB/s, which is ideal but not the best.
My Views?
If you are searching for a great performing M.2 SSD, then you may consider Seagate’s Barracuda SSD as an excellent choice. In addition to having fast read/write speeds, this device is relatively affordable as well.
In addition, this drive is equipped with all the useful features that you may need, such as encryption, reliability, speed, and many other things. Therefore, we highly recommend it to those of our readers who are looking for a solid and reliable drive.
3. Sabrent Rocket 512GB High-Performance Solid State Drive with NVMe PCIe, M.2 2280 Form Factor, and Latest V-NAND Technology (SB-ROCKET-512)
Capacity: 512GB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe NVMe | Sequential Read: 3400MB/s | Sequential Write: 2000MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
Sabrent Rocket 512GB SSD is another most incredible SSD which comes under $100 on our list. As the name suggests, it truly lives u to this name and provides you with a superfast performance. The drive we got our hands on comes with a 512GB configuration which can be suitable for storing and running your operating system, games, and personal data like documents, files, videos, or images.
According to the manufacturer, the device has a sustained read speed of 3400MB/s and a sustained write speed of 2000MB/s, which is quite fast when compared with other SSDs. Furthermore, you can easily connect this NVMe SSD to your system’s PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and experience its powerful performance by yourself.
This amazing SSD from Sabrent also comes with the latest V-NAND technology, which leads to faster reads and writes of your data, as compared with its older generation counterparts. The wear-leveling technology will further extend the life of your SSD and ensure that all of its NAND cells will be used evenly throughout the lifetime of the drive.
For improved performance, this SSD has an E12 controller as well, which further improves its performance by improving the responsiveness and quality of the data transfers. Along with all of these features, the Sabrent SSD comes with “FREE Sabrent Acronis True Image” for Sabrent Software for easy cloning.
Additionally, this drive supports many SMART and TRIM commands. Supports ONFi 2.3, ONFi 3.0, ONFi 3.2, and ONFi 4.0 interface, and has a very compact M.2 2280 form factor and a PCIe Gen3 X 4 interface that allows it to deliver read/write speeds of up to 3400/2000 MB/s respectively.
Pros
- V-NAND technology is supported by this Sabrent Rocket.
- It has a 512GB capacity of storage and M.2 2280 form factor.
- Plus, it offers 3400MB/s sequential read speed, with 2000MB/s sequential write, and 5 years of warranty.
Cons
- None
My Views?
Sabrent’s Rocket 512GB SSD is a great SSD option for users who require a high-performance drive that can handle the maximum read and write speed. The SSD comes with a 5-year warranty to ensure that your build is future-proofed and, it is very easy to install this SSD on your system.
Featuring the latest technologies, this drive will enhance your performance in every way. Moreover, it is designed with the M.2 2280 form factor, which is currently one of the most popular form factors for SSDs these days. With a sequential read and write speed of 2900MB/s and 2070MB/s, this drive delivers good performance.
Overall, if you want to upgrade your system or are simply looking for a new one, this SSD is definitely something that you need to consider!
4. SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD For Gaming with 1TB Memory, PCIe 4.0 NVMe Gen 4, M.2 2280 Form Factor, and Thermal Control (MZ-V8P1T0B)
Capacity: 1TB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe NVMe | Sequential Read: 3500MB/s | Sequential Write: 3450MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
There’s a very high probability that whenever you ask your cousins, relatives, or friends, they recommend that you pick Samsung SSDs for your computer. It’s no surprise to me that these people recommend this SSD since it’s one of the best on the market with the latest PCIe 4.0 NVMe support.
This SSD is designed for power-packed users who wish to achieve higher performance and computing on their PC build. Whenever someone asks me to choose one, I always choose Samsung. This drive offers the highest performance one could expect from an SSD, and on top of that, it comes with a free copy of Samsung Magician, which allows users to monitor the drive health and speed of the SSD installed while also speeding up the PC.
Samsung 980 Pro comes with a sequential read and write speed of 3500MB/s and 3450MB/s respectively, which is extremely good for gamers and people who use the PC on a daily basis. Moreover, this drive is equipped with a PCIe 4.0 NVMe Gen 4 interface, which is designed to enhance the overall performance of your PC as well as provide you with superfast transfer speeds from your storage device to your PC.
Samsung SSDs also come in a number of different options, so that you can choose what suits your requirements best. If you choose to buy your storage from an eCommerce website like Amazon, you’ll be able to choose from 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options. With this SSD, a heatsink option is also available which prevents the SSD from overheating and assists in providing the best possible performance.
Samsung’s SSD 970 Pro Series is an outstanding storage device that provides extreme performance with a highly reliable design for users. Plus, the Smart Thermal Solution is optimized so that you can have stable performance and keep it cool at the same time.
Furthermore, using the Reliable Thermal Control technology, its driver is able to automatically adjust the power and cooling of the NAND, ensuring the quality of your data remains intact. Additionally, you will receive a limited warranty of five years that protects you against any problems.
Pros
- This SAMSUNG 980 PRO comes with large 1TB storage memory.
- Also included are NVMe Gen 4 PCIe 4.0 interfaces and Thermal Control technology.
- Up to 5X faster PC performance than the nearest competitor.
Cons
- We did not find any.
My Views?
Samsung is known for making some of the best SSDs, and the 970 Pro SSD is yet another example of why this company is so popular. This drive has an M.2 2280 form factor, which allows users to not just store a lot of data but also make their PCs faster.
Compared with all its competitors, this drive’s read/write speeds are significantly faster, and it offers an enormous amount of storage space.
5. Western Digital Blue SN550 Internal SSD with PCIe Gen3 x4, M.2 2280 Form Factor, and 3D NAND Technology (WDS100T2B0C)
Capacity: 500GB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe NVMe | Sequential Read: 2600MB/s | Sequential Write: 1800MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
Western Digital has been a leading name in the world of hard drives, and this SSD makes it clear that they can also make some of the best SSDs out there. The Western Digital Blue SN550 Internal SSD is equipped with PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 which allows users to experience lightning-fast transfer speeds up to 2600 MB/s.
The PCIe Gen3 x4 interface allows this SSD to work perfectly with any PC that you might have, and it is compatible with Windows 10, Ubuntu, and other operating systems as well. Additionally, the drive is equipped with 3D NAND technology which ensures that your data is safe and secure even after years of use, making this one of the best choices for PC builds under $1500.
This device is equipped with a Western Digital controller and firmware that are designed for performance optimization. You have the option to choose the storage capacity for this drive, which includes 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB. As I mentioned before, the drive is capable of supporting speeds of up to 2600MB/s read and 1800MB/s write.
With a limited warranty of five years, the Western Digital Blue SN550 Internal SSD is reliable and makes sure that you will never lose your data if there is a hardware failure. Furthermore, the WD Blue comes with Western Digital SSD Dashboard software, which allows you to monitor the drive’s performance and maintain peak performance over time by automatically managing disk usage.
Pros
- Three-dimensional NAND technology is found in the WD Blue SN550 SSD.
- The controller and firmware are highly optimized for better performance.
- Included Western Digital SSD dashboard software.
Cons
- It isn’t as fast as the WD Black SN750.
My Views?
If you are looking for an SSD that can give you the performance that you expect, then the Western Digital Blue SSD is definitely worth a look. This SSD comes with 12GB of SLC cache, which helps in increasing the performance of the drive.
I have to say that the design of this drive is very sleek. Despite its seamless fit, you will be able to install it on any motherboard without having to worry about any type of problem at all, we tried installing it on a motherboard with Ryzen 5900X CPU and the performance was outstanding. Also, you might be surprised to find out that this device has received an impressive 18,6K+ positive ratings on Amazon, which points out how the people trust it.
6. Corsair Force MP510 Series SSD with 480GB of Memory, 3480Mbps Read Speed, 3D TLC NAND, and Compact M.2 2280 Form Factor
Capacity: 480GB | Form Factor: M.2 2280 | Interface: PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 | Sequential Read: 3480MB/s | Sequential Write: 2000MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
The Corsair Force MP510 SSD has a great combination of performance, security, and affordability. It is designed to meet the needs of all types of users from casual gamers to office workers who need fast storage for their daily computing needs. It comes with a 480GB capacity which is ideal for any kind of use.
It has a read speed of up to 3,480MB/s and a write speed of up to 2,000/s are some of the best in its class. It uses 3D TLC NAND for an increased number of program-erase cycles, which means that it is going to be very fast for many years. Furthermore, this particular drive comes with a data-loss protection technology that can be used by IT managers who need a high level of security.
Furthermore, it is compatible with the popular NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface. The NVM Express Adapters that are used within this SSD are compatible with the PCIe adapter that is used by a motherboard. Using this method, you can benefit from a significant increase in performance over traditional SATA/PATA drives.
This drive comes with a 5-year warranty and an extremely strong write endurance rating of up to 1,500TBW. It is also backed by a PSU that has an efficiency factor of over 90 percent, which means that you are going to be able to achieve long-term reliability with this SSD.
The last two SSDs on our list have been chosen for their incredible combination of performance, security, and affordability. Both of these drives are affordable, which means you can make your purchase without worrying about breaking the bank. They come with great performance, durability, and security ratings as well.
Pros
- This 480GB SSD is another reliable and affordable option.
- The manufacturer offers 5 years of warranty.
- It also has 3D TLC NAND technology for better performance.
Cons
- The speed of sequential writing is low.
My Views?
The WD Black NVMe SSD is a great drive that can be used in both your gaming PC as well as your laptop, which is perfect for any work-related computing. It comes with a PCIe Gen. 3 X 2 interface, which transfers data at speeds of up to 10GB/s. It has a write speed of up to 2,000MB/s and a read speed of up to 3,480MB/s.
It also has a 3D NAND, which results in higher speeds as well as increased endurance. It also comes with a RAID engine and a DRAM cache buffer that are designed to ensure that you end up getting the maximum possible performance without any bottleneck issues. Overall, this is an amazing product for those who are looking for something that will optimize performance and speed!
7. SanDisk SSD Plus 1TB Internal SSD with SATA III 6 Gb/s and 2.5″ Form Factor (SDSSDA-1T00-G26)
Capacity: 1TB | Form Factor: 2.5-inch, 7mm | Interface: SATA 6Gb/s | Sequential Read: 535MB/s | Sequential Write: 450MB/s | Warranty: 3 Years
The SanDisk SSD Plus is an affordable SSD that can be used with a wide range of devices. It is compatible with Windows, IOS, and Linux operating systems. This drive is designed to meet the needs of power users and gamers who want to boost their performance.
This product comes in different sizes, 240 GB, 480 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. There is a wide range of devices on which you can use this drive, including desktops and laptops. The SanDisk SSD Plus also gives you the freedom to unlock the full potential of your device to optimize your gaming experience, extend the life of your laptop by reducing power consumption, and helps in easily transferring large files.
The SSD has an effective read/write speed of 535 MB/s and 450 MB/s respectively, which is extremely fast for gaming and any other task that requires a very high amount of processing power. The product has many other outstanding features, such as exceptional shock and vibration resistance, and it can be used in extreme temperatures as well.
For example, this drive is extremely resistant to shocks and vibrations, so you won’t have to worry about anything going wrong or losing data. You can also be able to use this SSD in the harshest conditions with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 70°C. The humidity-proof architecture also makes it very reliable to use.
SanDisk’s SSD Plus has a large 2.5″ form factor, meaning that it’s the perfect drive for all types of computer uses. Furthermore, with its advanced technology, the SanDisk SSD Plus consumes very less power.
Pros
- This drive has a large 1TB storage capacity.
- SanDisk’s Extreme PRO technology further enhances performance.
- It is extremely resistant to shocks and vibrations.
Cons
- As compared to M.2 SSDs, this SSD has low read and write speeds.
My Views?
If you are looking for a solid and reliable drive that can be used with a wide range of devices, then the SanDisk SSD Plus is definitely the flawless choice. It is a reliable drive that is easy to use, and it offers exceptional performance.
Additionally, this drive is extremely resistant to shocks & vibration, which prevent you from drop damage and data loss. It can be used in the harshest conditions with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 70°C and is also humidity-proof making it very reliable. As a bonus, they are currently running a special sale on SanDisk SSD Plus giving you a great value for money. Order yours today!
8. Kingston A400 Internal SSD for Gaming with 960GB of Memory, SATA Rev. 3.0 (6Gb/s), and 2.5-inch Form Factor (SA400S37/960G)
Capacity: 960GB | Form Factor: 2.5-inch | Interface: SATA III 6 GB/s | Sequential Read: 500MB/s | Sequential Write: 450MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
The Kingston A400 is another excellent choice for gamers looking to buy a 2.5″ SATA SSD for games and other day-to-day activities. This Kingston SSD is designed to improve the user’s gaming experience by offering a high-performance storage solution with superior reliability and durability.
It features SATA Rev 3.0 6Gb/s interface, 500MB/s sequential read speed, 450MB/s write speeds, and uses 2D NAND Flash memory. The A400 is a great option for users who are looking for an affordable reliable solution for enhancing their gaming experience without compromising on performance.
The Kingston A400 SSD offers a number of benefits that make it the ideal choice for gamers and power users. First, it provides a significant performance boost over traditional hard drives. Secondly, the A400 SSD can achieve read speeds of up to 500MB/s and write speeds of up to 450MB/s, which is more than 10x the speed of a typical hard drive. And third, the A400 SSD is much more reliable and durable than a hard drive, as hard drives are susceptible to data corruption and mechanical failure, while SSDs are not.
In case you need to do maintenance of your PC build, the Kingston A400 additionally includes an anti-static pouch and a microfiber cloth, both of which may be used to clean your SSD.
A few days ago, this product had a 9k+ Amazon rating and was then taken off the market. As a result, we modified the product URL with the supplier to avoid future problems. Because of this, you won’t find any Amazon reviews or rankings for this product. Nonetheless, it isn’t a bad product; it has remarkable features that make your system work and perform efficiently.
So if you are looking for an SSD that can improve your gaming experience and offer great value for money, the Kingston A400 is the perfect choice for you.
Pros
- With the 2.5″ format factor, this SSD is compatible with desktops and laptops.
- This SSD’s body is shock-proof and highly durable.
- You can also get an anti-static pouch and a microfiber cloth along with this drive.
Cons
- It only has a 500GB storage capacity.
My Views?
There is no doubt that the Kingston A400 is a reasonable SSD with a price range of under $150. It’s got the latest features like SMART and TRIM support, as well as a SATA 3.0 connection.
However, its performance is a bit lower compared with the other models on this list (especially if compared with M.2 SSDs), and its boot time is also quite long. In that case, if you’re looking for an SSD with a faster boot-up time or better performance, you might want to consider some of the similar products.
9. Crucial MX500 Internal SSD with 500GB Memory, 2.5″ Form Factor, and 3D NAND Technology (CT500MX500SSD1)
Capacity: 500GB | Form Factor: 2.5-inch | Interface: SATA 6.0 Gb/s | Sequential Read: 560MB/s | Sequential Write: 510MB/s | Warranty: 5 Years
This Crucial MX500 will be the perfect choice for all your computing needs, especially if you are looking for an affordable solution that will provide you with extremely high performance. This SSD has great performance and will be extremely useful for your computer.
The drive comes with a very fast read/write speed of 560MBps, and 510MBps, respectively. It is important to note that the random write speed can reach up to 90K while the random read speed can reach up to 95K for all types of files. I think, these are some impressive features for SATA-based SSDs.
This model also has good compatibility with different types of operating systems. So, whether you have Windows or Linux OS, you can use this SSD without any problem. Apart from that, it comes with a 5-year limited warranty which is great for the customers.
Most importantly, this drive offers 256-bit hardware encryption making it one of the most secure drives. You can use this drive to store all of your confidential documents and sensitive information so that no one will have access to your stuff.
Nowadays, people are looking for ways to get more storage capacity in their computers without spending too much money. And, the Crucial MX500 is a great option for those who want to upgrade their laptops or desktops without breaking the bank. So, if you’re looking for an affordable SSD with high performance and great features, this is a good choice for you. Buy it today!
Pros
- The drive is compatible with many devices and operating systems.
- Secure your data with 256-bit hardware encryption.
- It comes with 500GB of storage capacity and a 2.5″ form factor and a 5-year warranty.
- It also features 3D NAND technology.
Cons
- If it had a faster read and write speed, it would be better.
My Views?
The Crucial MX500 is a budget SSD, and we believe it works well despite its low price. While other high-end drives may have additional features, the MX500 can still compete in this market. Despite being an inexpensive product, its performance is still excellent, making it a viable alternative if you want to upgrade your drive.
And as we know, when it comes to security, we must spend money on something that keeps our data secure from unwanted access. For these, the Crucial MX500 is one of the perfect solutions for this.
10. Crucial BX500 Internal SSD with 1TB Memory, 3D NAND Technology, and 2.5″ Form Factor (CT1000BX500SSD1)
Capacity: 1TB | Form Factor: 2.5-inch, 7mm | Interface: SATA 6Gb/s | Sequential Read: 540MB/s | Sequential Write: 500MB/s | Warranty: 3 Years
Finally, we have the Crucial BX500 which is another best SSD under $100 on our list. Because of its affordability, this one is one of the most popular choices among a lot of users. Depending on your needs, this SSD is available in a variety of capacity options, so you can easily pick one that is right for your needs.
The following is the capacity it comes with;
- 240GB
- 480GB
- 1TB
- 2TB
As compared to the other SSD storage drives on our list, the price of this SSD is really low. The drive has been built in a form factor of 2.5″, making it a suitable storage option for your laptop or desktop computer. This SSD uses the SATA interface and 3D NAND technology to operate at a faster speed.
The sequential read and write of this SSD are at the rate of 540MB/s and 500MB/s respectively, which is ideally 10x faster than HDDs.
Regarding its warranty, this SSD comes with a 3 years limited warranty from the manufacturer so you can be sure that you are protected for a long period of time. So if you want to get your computer running at optimal performance without breaking the bank, then investing in the Crucial BX500 is the best option.
However, if you are looking for an SSD that has a faster read and write speed, then this one might not be the right choice. But again, it’s still worth considering because of its low price tag and reliable performance.
Pros
- The cost per GB is very good.
- There is 1TB of memory space on this drive, so you can better store media files and sensitive data.
- In this drive, Micron MLC 3D NAND memory is used.
- Compared to its competitors, it consumes 24% less power.
Cons
- Does not have 256-bit encryption.
My Views?
There is no question that the Crucial BX500 is one of the best SSDs out there if you are seeking an affordable and reliable SSD. It offers a great design and offers impressive performance, as well as a power consumption that is less than half that of today’s SSDs.
Also, the SSD comes with a 3-year warranty, which can be of great use to you if you have any problems with it. Plus, the MLC 3D NAND memory and advanced data protection technology in the Crucial BX500 help you keep your data safe. So, it is a very good idea to check it out.
Best SSD Under $100: Choosing the Best One in 4 Steps
Getting the right SSD is equally as important as getting the other components. That’s because when it comes to combining a slower SSD with your CPU under $100 or whatever CPU you have, all the processes and applications that run on your system will be slowed down as well.
The average processor nowadays can perform billions of cycles per second. However, if you have a slower or sluggish SSD, the data feeding from the processor to the storage unit will take more time.
And I’m sure you don’t want this, right?
To ensure the best performance for your system, you should always choose the best SSD for it. You can choose between 128GB to 1TB or 2TB storage options depending on your needs. However, if you have a limited budget and still need more storage space, we recommend getting 128GB or 256GB of SSD storage and also getting 1TB of HDD storage or SATA SSD storage.
What’s the main difference between M.2 SSDs, SATA SSDs, and HDDs?
Nowadays there are plenty of storage options to choose from. Especially for people who’re looking to outfit their gaming PC build with faster and cost-effective storage options.
Considering the types of options we’re getting in the market, there are several types of form-factors are available for storage, and they can include;
- M.2 SSDs,
- Serial AT Attachment (SATA) SSDs, and
- HDDs.
SSDs are among the most commonly used storage units. Compared to traditional hard drives, SSDs offer data transmission speeds at approximately ten times faster rates. Of course, the speed of an SSD is also dependent on a number of factors.
For example, a SATA SSD can be described as a type of SSD that has a SATA interface and a top speed of 600MB/s. The majority of SATA SSDs offer lower-cost storage than M.2 or NVMe drives, therefore they are usually the best choice for those on a tighter budget and seeking a general-purpose drive.
In contrast, M.2 can be considered a new type of form factor for SSDs. This type of SSD can insert directly into the motherboard of your computer without you having to use any extra cables as with SATA SSDs. Compared to a 2.5″ SATA SSD, these devices are generally smaller in size. Despite their smaller size, though, they are able to store as much data as a standard SATA SSD.
M.2 SSDs are also available in three different versions: SATA-based, PCIe-based, or PCIe-based with NVMe support. As a general rule, one can expect a PCIe NVMe SSD with M.2 support to offer 5 times the performance and capacity of one with SATA M.2 support.
Which type of SSDs work best for your PC build?
The M.2 SSDs can be used with SATA SSDs, PCIe interfaces with NVMe support, or PCIe ports without NVMe support. There are many choices, so you have to choose the one you think will work best and will meet your requirements.
In general, if you are getting an M.2 SSD with NVMe support and are planning on using it for your daily needs including streaming videos, live content streaming, and browsing the internet, then you will not notice any big differences in performance and speed when comparing NVMe SSDs to SSDs without NVMe, there is a significant difference in pricing between these two products. Therefore, if you only need to fulfill these requirements, we would recommend choosing the one without NVMe support, since it will cost significantly less.
However, if you are looking for an SSD to help with your gaming, 3D rendering, video editing, or graphics-related needs, then getting your hands on the latest NVMe series SSDs is the most suitable and recommended option. You will witness a huge difference in terms of speed and performance in these types of SSDs – but yes, it will cost you approximately twice or thrice as compared with SATA SSDs.
What capacity do you need?
It is also important to select an SSD with the right capacity, and this must be done by taking your needs into consideration. If you intend to use your SSD only for browsing online and saving files to your drive, you should look for a drive that provides 256GB or more storage options. However, if you have a limited budget for SSDs, then you should consider getting 128GB SSDs and 1TB HDDs for your device. This will further ensure that your system will boot up quickly, and will be able to store more data.
In contrast, if your needs are high as playing games, and doing tons of video-related work, then you need a solid-state drive with at least 512GB of storage and in this case, it is recommended that you choose NVMe SSDs. They will provide you with better performance and will allow you to perform your day-to-day tasks smoothly.
And lastly, how much you can spend?
Next, determine your budget and start looking for the best SSD under $100 that fits within your budget. If you do this, it will make it easier for you to narrow down your choices and find the right one that fits your needs.
Please remember that there are many factors that affect the price of a solid-state drive, such as its capacity, type of NAND memory, type of controller, and so on.
You can find good quality SSDs for under $100, but if you want the absolute best, then you might have to spend a little bit more. However, that does not mean that you should spend more than you need to.
There are many great SSDs out there that offer good value for money, so make sure to do your research and shop around before making your final decision.
Wrapping Up!
With astonishing speed, flawless reliability, high storage capacity, and substantial durability, the best SSDs are available at a price that will make you say WOW! A solid-state drive upgrades your computer’s performance at a price that is far less than what you would pay for an entirely new desktop or laptop computer.
In this article, we have selected the best SSDs under $100, keeping in mind that the aim is to meet the needs of users who have a limited budget. The SSDs listed above are based on their performance, reliability, storage capacity, value, and testing.
Furthermore, we also try to update this list of best SSDs every month to make sure that you get the latest information about the best cheap solid-state drives (SSDs). At the end of this article, you can also find a brief buying guide that will help to under all-important factors and choose the best SSD for yourself.
I hope that you can make the right decision after reading this article. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to leave a note below. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thanks for reading. Let’s dig in!