A selection of the Best 2.5 SSD For Laptop and computer with volume of 240-250 GB.
Today SSD drives have become a real panacea and are able to revive any computer or laptop from the weak old to the rather powerful and modern. Their prices have also dropped significantly and now is the time to buy an SSD.
However, the number of offers on the market over the past year has grown incredibly, and the quality of the SSDs themselves has significantly decreased and often they began to shove inside what should have long been in the dump of technology.
It is interesting that with the same declared characteristics, the cost of this or that model may differ 2-3 times. And the point here is not only the brand but also the real speed of the drive. To help you make the right choice, we have prepared this selection.
We recommend that you read everything in order, since at the beginning we explain all the parameters, how important they are and what they affect. And then you can quickly jump to the desired model using the content.
Which 2.5 SSD is best for laptop?
Selection criteria
In order for you to understand what we were guided by when compiling this collection and by what criteria we chose SSD drives, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the following information.
Here are the popular models that have proven themselves well in terms of quality (do not bug and rarely fail), have positive reviews on technical portals, specialized forums, and many positive user reviews. Drives that have a lot of negative statistics were excluded from the selection.
The differences relate to the memory used in a particular model, the controller, and the buffer size, which affects the speed and rewriting resource (durability) of a particular SSD.
We will cite all this in the technical specifications and comment in detail, comparing the differences between the next more expensive model from the previous one, so that you understand whether it is worth overpaying for it.
Best 2.5 SSD For Laptop
Accordingly, the Best 2.5 inch SSD For laptops are presented in order from cheap to more expensive and by choosing any of them you will get a good quality drive. Well, whether it is worth overpaying for speed and resources, you will decide for yourself on the basis of our recommendations and based on your budget.
WD GREEN PC SSD 240GB
Let’s start with the cheapest SSD from popular manufacturer Western Digital, which has acquired solid state drive company SanDisk because we just can’t leave it out.
Specifications WD GREEN PC SSD 240GB
| WDS 240 G1G0A | WDS240G2G0A | |
| Volume | 240 GB | 240 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 540 MB / s | 545 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 545 MB / s | 430 MB / s * |
| 4K read speed | 37K IOPS | – |
| 4K recording rate | 68K IOPS | – |
| Buffer volume | – | – |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258XT | Sandisk |
| Overwrite resource | 80 TB | – |
| Guarantee | 3 years | 3 years |
As you can see from the table, there are two versions of this SSD. They have the same size of 240 GB, which is enough to install the system and the most necessary programs (about 50 GB) and taking into account the real disk size (223.5 GB) there will still be about 173.5 GB. It is also worth considering that for normal fast operation of the SSD, you need to leave about 20% of free space (it is used as a cache and controller needs). As a result, it will be possible to use about 129 GB, which is enough to install 2-4 modern games (depending on their size) or one very large game (over 100 GB). So we recommend this amount of SSD-disk as a minimum option for games. But if you plan to keep a lot of games on disk, then you should think about a 500 GB drive, this is the optimal amount for a gaming PC today.
As for the maximum speed of linear (sequential) reading, for both versions, a fairly high level of 540 and 545 MB / s is declared, respectively. But the write speed in the second version shows a clear downgrade (430 versus 545 MB / s), despite the fact that the manufacturer has stopped indicating this indicator altogether and it was obtained from unofficial sources. However, you should not blindly focus on these indicators, because as practice has shown, this is all far from reality.
Of great importance when comparing SSDs are the number of input-output operations per second (IOPS) for random reading and writing of small files (4 KB blocks). In the first version, these values are at the average level of 37K and 68K IOPS. They range from 20K to 80K for SATA SSDs and indirectly speak about the power of their filling. It is somewhat alarming that in the second version of this SSD, this data was excluded from the official specification.
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Traditionally, the hallmarks of a budget SSD include the absence of a fast memory-based DRAM buffer (DDR3 or DDR4), which is used to store the file allocation table, which makes it faster to work with them. This has a negative effect on performance, especially during long write operations of small files (for example, when installing a game).
The first version uses a weak single-core controller (microprocessor) SM2258XT from the budget manufacturer Silicon Motion, which is typical for the budget segment and affects SSD performance in the case of a large number of parallel requests from several applications (the controller simply cannot cope). But, if you do not plan to simultaneously run several applications actively using SSD, then this is not a big deal.
Judging by the fact that the change of the controller in the second version to an unspecified chip from SanDisk led to the disappearance of the main speed parameters from the specification, as well as to a noticeable decrease in the price of the WD GREEN SSD, this did not benefit him. Although according to real tests on technical portals for a 240 GB SSD, little has changed.
In the first version of the drive, judging by the tests, the size of the SLC cache (temporary space) is about 4 GB, which allows you to write this volume at a speed of about 450 MB / s, then a drop occurs and the rest of the data is written at a speed of about 150 MB / s. In the second version, according to tests, writing within the SLC cache (the first 3 GB of data) occurs at a speed close to the maximum (about 410 MB / s), then it drops to 160 MB / s.
In principle, both versions turn out to be close in performance, and the real write speed indicators seriously fall as data is written, which is typical for budget drives with slow memory. But, since in a regular PC the number of read operations is 20 times higher than the write operations, this is not critical for most users. In any case, even such a cheap SSD drive will significantly increase system responsiveness, download speed of applications and games.
The declared resource of the first version of 80 TB allows you to rewrite up to a third of the volume (about 80 GB) daily for 3 years. For some reason, the resource for the second is not indicated, but given the reputation and popularity of the brand, you don’t have to worry about the proper performance of the warranty, and even the second version of this drive can be considered as the most budget option.
ADATA Ultimate SU650 240GB
Another budget representative from the popular and well-proven ADATA brand.
Specifications ADATA Ultimate SU650 240GB
| Volume | 240 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 520 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 450 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 40K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 75K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | – |
| Controller | – |
| Overwrite resource | 140 TB |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
In general, everything here is almost the same in terms of specification as in the first version of WD GREEN, which was nevertheless somewhat better than the second, but almost disappeared from the market. However, in real life, this SSD is significantly different.
According to the test results, it can use a huge amount of free space as SLC cache, which can write about 30 GB of data at about 480 MB / s, but after that it drops to a catastrophic 20-40 MB / s. However, if your data recording needs will not often exceed 30 GB, then this is an acceptable option. Otherwise, it is better to give preference to the previous model or go further.
There is also no DRAM buffer, and the controller model is not indicated at all, since the filling of this SSD can change from batch to batch, which, however, has little effect on performance. A side effect of using TLC cells as a pseudo SLC was a huge rewrite resource of 140 TB (55% of the real volume per day), which means that this SSD from ADATA almost twice wins over WD GREEN in terms of wear.
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Crucial BX500 240GB
This is the cheapest drive from the renowned Micron memory manufacturer, which owns the Crucial brand.
Crucial BX500 240GB Specifications
| Volume | 240 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 540 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 500 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 84K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 90K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | – |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258XT |
| Overwrite resource | 80 TB |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
It is very similar to WD GREEN of the first version, but thanks to the use of proprietary memory from Micron and better optimization, it shows a higher real read speed and works much faster with small files (84 / 90K versus 37 / 68K IOPS). Plus, it has a much larger SLC cache (8 versus 3 GB), within which the maximum write speed is achieved. However, after its exhaustion, the speed also drops to values of about 100 MB / s. So this drive is not very suitable for frequently copying big data to it, but it is still better than WD GREEN.
The manufacturer claims that the resource of this drive is designed to overwrite 20 GB of data daily for 10 years. Well, in terms of the warranty period of 3 years, this figure will be 30% of the drive volume or 80 GB per day. Crucial’s high quality workmanship and service leave no doubt about the reliability of this SSD and the quick fulfillment of warranties.
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Plextor M8VC 256GB
Plextor produces exceptionally good SSD drives in all price ranges and this drive is a clear confirmation of this.
M8VC 256GB Specifications
| Volume | 256 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 560 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 510 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 81K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 80K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 512 MB |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258 |
| Overwrite resource | 140 TB |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
First of all, it should be noted that the volume increased by 16 GB compared to previous models, which is a nice bonus. According to the declared speed indicators of sequential read / write, it slightly surpasses the previous model from Crucial and only slightly inferior in small-block operations.
The next noticeable and significant difference is the presence of a DRAM buffer, with a large 512 MB, while for a 256 GB drive, a 256 MB buffer is considered the norm (at the rate of 1 MB per 1 GB). The manufacturer obviously did not save on this, which in the best way reflected on the real speed of working with small files.
The truth is the lack of a dynamic SLC cache, and the hidden static area is only 2 GB, which can be written to an SSD at a speed of about 500 MB / s. Then the speed decreases, but not as catastrophically as in the models discussed earlier, but to about 270 MB / s. This is a good indicator given the low price of this drive, which is well suited for recording large amounts of data (for example, installing games).
In addition, it also has a large rewriting resource of 140 TB, which allows you to rewrite up to 50% (about 119 GB) of its real volume (238.4 GB) every day during the unfortunately not increased 3-year warranty period. The pluses also include a metal case, which helps dissipate heat, especially when installing an SSD in a laptop.
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GIGABYTE UD PRO 256GB
Not so long ago, Gigabyte, a well-known company in the production of video cards and motherboards, broke into the SSD market with a small range of drives from 120 to 512 GB. However, the younger models are not particularly remarkable, in contrast to this wonderful model.
GIGABYTE UD PRO 256GB Specifications
| Volume | 256 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 530 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 500 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 40K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 70K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 256 MB |
| Controller | Phison PS3110-S10C |
| Overwrite resource | 100 TB |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
In terms of the set of characteristics, it seems to be unremarkable and is even inferior to the SSD drive from Plextor discussed above (lower declared speeds, buffer and resource). But, as tests have shown, it is pretty good in real life.
The secret lies in the use of a much more powerful 4-core Phison controller from the S10 family and the use of reasonably fast memory from Toshiba. Thanks to this, this SSD copes well with intensive mixed workloads (typical for most PCs) and shows the highest real read speed, which runs into the declared 530 MB / s due to the limitations of the SATA 3 interface.
Unfortunately, there is also a very small amount of SLC-cache, but the speed of direct writes to flash memory is at a stable level of about 300 MB / s, regardless of the scenario of use and the size of the files being written throughout the drive. So in terms of speed it is still better than Plextor and also does not require a lot of free space for the cache, it is enough to leave about 10% for the needs of the controller, and this is also a plus.
The metal case has also not gone anywhere, allowing it to reliably dissipate heat in the cramped laptop case. Its 100 TB resource allows you to overwrite 40% (95 GB) of the real volume (238.4 GB) daily within a 3-year warranty.
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Crucial MX500 250GB
Another drive from the impeccable Micron memory manufacturer, but this time not from the budget, but from the middle segment.
Crucial MX500 250GB Specifications
| Volume | 250 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 560 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 510 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 95K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 90K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 256 MB |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258 |
| Overwrite resource | 100 TB |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
Despite the close declared speed indicators and the same controller, the real consumer properties of this SSD are much better. Last but not least, this was achieved due to the presence of a DRAM buffer and excellent optimization of the firmware, as well as the installation of faster flash memory.
The size of the SLC cache here is incomparably larger, which allows you to write up to 46 GB of data at high speed (actually 450 MB / s), while the younger model BX500 could write only 8 GB at high speed. Then the write speed drops to 200 MB / s, while in the BX500 it sags to 100 MB / s. Obviously, the older model got a colossal gap in the real speed of work and is a kind of symbiosis of a fairly large SLC cache and an average memory speed.
But that’s not all, the manufacturer claims the ability to rewrite up to 54 GB of disk space per day during the 5-year warranty period. It is the longer warranty period that radically distinguishes this SSD from all previous ones, giving it a significant advantage.
WD BLUE 3D NAND 250GB
And this is already a representative of the middle class and one of the best SATA drives from Western Digital, seriously different from the budget green series.
Specifications WD BLUE 3D NAND 250GB
| Volume | 250 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 550 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 525 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 95K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 81K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 256 MB |
| Controller | Marvell 88SS1074 |
| Overwrite resource | 100 TB |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
Unlike WD GREEN, there is already a DRAM buffer here, and compared to other SSDs, a completely different 2-core controller 88SS1074 from the top manufacturer Marvell is striking here, which positions it as a solution for mid-range drives. In addition, it uses the fast modern Toshiba BiCS3 3D TLC memory.
This drive shows a stable linear read speed of about 450 MB / s across the entire volume, but as practice shows, this is not the main indicator and is a typical value for inexpensive SSDs. It is disappointing that the size of the SLC cache is only 4 GB, but outside of it we get a write speed of about 230 MB / s.
Initially, the warranty for this drive was 3 years, but now the manufacturer has expanded it for the entire blue line up to 5 years, which is more in line with this class and price.
SanDisk Ultra 3D 250 GB
This is an absolute analogue of the previous drive from Western Digital and all their characteristics are identical.
Specifications SanDisk Ultra 3D 250 GB
| Volume | 250 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D NAND |
| Reading speed | 550 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 525 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 95K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 81K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 256 MB |
| Controller | Marvell 88SS1074 |
| Overwrite resource | 100 TB |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
In real work, they are also no different, so when choosing between them, you can only focus on the price. The warranty has also been increased from 3 to 5 years, which is reflected in the official specification, but some sites still have outdated information.
Samsung 860 Evo 250GB
Everyone knows that Samsung is the absolute leader in SSD design and manufacturing.
Specifications Samsung 860 Evo 250GB
| Volume | 250 GB |
| Memory type | TLC 3D V-NAND |
| Reading speed | 550 MB / s |
| Recording speed | 520 MB / s |
| 4K read speed | 99K IOPS |
| 4K recording rate | 90K IOPS |
| Buffer volume | 512 MB |
| Controller | Samsung MJX |
| Overwrite resource | 150 TB |
| Guarantee | 5 years |
It is worth noting the DRAM buffer increased to 512 GB, the use of a sufficiently powerful proprietary controller and Samsung memory, a long resource and a long warranty.
This model has the best performance in the tests among all presented in the collection 500 MB / s write speed within 12 GB SLC-cache and 295 MB / s with direct memory write. It is also the leader of numerous tests on technical portals for operations with small files and mixed workloads. So if you have money, just buy Samsung and you will definitely not go wrong.
Select suitable 2.5 inch ssd from our above rating of best 2.5 SSD for laptop. If you have some suggestions please comment.
