Buying Guide
The Best 1TB NVMe SSDs by Endurance
We weighed four SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the NM790 1TB has the fastest rated read speed, and the NV3 1TB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
On a 1TB drive, the rated write endurance tells you how long it will last under heavy use. Every pick is a 1TB NVMe drive, ordered by terabytes written.
The order reflects sequential read, sequential write and interface from maker specifications; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and a missing sequential write is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Lexar NM790 1TB
The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Kingston NV3 1TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the P310 1TB.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial P310 1TB
An Acronis data migration bundle.
Best for: Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD
An M.2 2230 size.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2230 size.
Our take Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the P310 1TB. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| An Acronis data migration bundle. | Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle. | Check price for Crucial P310 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| An M.2 2230 size. | Buyers who want M.2 2230 size. | Check price for Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 4
Lexar NM790 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NM790 1TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,000TBW rating, but uses HMB rather than onboard DRAM.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NV3 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It suits gamers and creators who want Gen4 speed at a mid-range price. Its 7,400MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the P310 1TB comes next at 7,100MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the NV3 1TB and P310 1TB; the FX953 1TB 2230 goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the FX953 1TB 2230 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Endurance: 1,000TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- 1,000TBW endurance rating on the 1TB model
- HMB in place of onboard DRAM
- 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,400MB/s)
Cons
- Costs more than the NV3 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
Kingston NV3 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NV3 1TB offers 6,000MB/s reads at the lowest 1TB price here, the trade being slower rated reads.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It includes Acronis cloning software, which makes moving an existing install easy. Its 6,000MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 4 here, behind the NM790 1TB (7,400MB/s) and ahead of the FX953 1TB 2230 (5,000MB/s). It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the NM790 1TB and P310 1TB; the FX953 1TB 2230 goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It undercut the P310 1TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the NM790 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- The lowest price among the 1TB drives here
- 6,000MB/s rated reads on PCIe 4.0
- Rated read speed of 6,000MB/s, ahead of the FX953 1TB 2230
Cons
- No published rated write speed
Also Consider3 of 4
Crucial P310 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The P310 1TB stands out for an Acronis data migration bundle, and it adds a design that also suits handheld consoles.
Best for
- Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NV3 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,000MB/s rated write speed. It uses Micron's G8 NAND with thermal control and is up to twice as fast as Gen3 drives for boot and app launches. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the NM790 1TB offers 7,400MB/s, and the FX953 1TB 2230 comes in at 5,000MB/s.
Like the NM790 1TB and NV3 1TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the FX953 1TB 2230 uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. When we checked, only the NV3 1TB cost less, and the FX953 1TB 2230 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Acronis data migration bundle
- Design that also suits handheld consoles
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the NV3 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 4
Fikwot FX953 1TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FX953 1TB 2230 stands out for an M.2 2230 size, and it adds a graphite heat-spreader label.
Best for
- Buyers who want M.2 2230 size.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: slower 5,000MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 5,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the NM790 1TB leads at 7,400MB/s. A PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface is unique to it among these picks, while the P310 1TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
You also get listed use in the Steam Deck. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Its price falls between the P310 1TB and the NM790 1TB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size
- Graphite heat-spreader label
- Listed use in the Steam Deck
- PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface, the only one here
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the NM790 1TB (7,400MB/s)
- No published rated write speed
How We Chose These 1TB NVMe SSDs by Endurance
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the NM790 1TB to the FX953 1TB 2230, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 1TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NV3 1TB and the FX953 1TB 2230 give no rated write speed.
- Price range
- From the NV3 1TB to the NM790 1TB, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 1TB NVMe SSD by Endurance
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 5,000MB/s on the FX953 1TB 2230 to 7,400MB/s on the NM790 1TB. The P310 1TB comes second for less money.
Rated write speed
Here rated write speed runs from 6,000MB/s on the P310 1TB to 6,500MB/s on the NM790 1TB. The NM790 1TB is the pick for rated write speed. No figure for the NV3 1TB and the FX953 1TB 2230.
Extras that separate them
The NV3 1TB: 6,000MB/s rated reads on PCIe 4.0. The P310 1TB: a design that also suits handheld consoles. The FX953 1TB 2230: a graphite heat-spreader label.
Budget
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the NV3 1TB at the low end to the NM790 1TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the NM790 1TB. Spending as little as possible: the NV3 1TB.
How to Choose a 1TB NVMe SSD by Endurance
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | NM790 1TB | The fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s) |
| Spending as little as possible | NV3 1TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the P310 1TB |
| Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle | P310 1TB | An Acronis data migration bundle |
| Buyers who want M.2 2230 size | FX953 1TB 2230 | An M.2 2230 size |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NM790 1TB leads on rated read speed at 7,400MB/s, ahead of the P310 1TB at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NM790 1TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| NV3 1TB | 6,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| P310 1TB | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| FX953 1TB 2230 | 5,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the P310 1TB compare with the NM790 1TB on rated read speed?
The NM790 1TB leads at 7,400MB/s, with the P310 1TB at 7,100MB/s. The FX953 1TB 2230 is at the other end of this group with 5,000MB/s.
Which has the fastest rated write speed: the NM790 1TB or the P310 1TB?
The NM790 1TB leads at 6,500MB/s, with the P310 1TB at 6,000MB/s. The NV3 1TB and the FX953 1TB 2230 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What does the NM790 1TB add over the NV3 1TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (7,400MB/s against 6,000MB/s). The NV3 1TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the NV3 1TB our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the P310 1TB. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the NM790 1TB and the FX953 1TB 2230 differ on interface?
The NM790 1TB, the NV3 1TB and the P310 1TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the FX953 1TB 2230 uses PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230).
What extras do the NM790 1TB and the NV3 1TB include?
The NM790 1TB: a 1,000TBW endurance rating on the 1TB model. The NV3 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB drives here. The P310 1TB: an Acronis data migration bundle.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NM790 1TB, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (7,400MB/s). Look at the NV3 1TB for the cheapest way into this group, below the P310 1TB, the P310 1TB for an Acronis data migration bundle and the FX953 1TB 2230 for an M.2 2230 size if those matter more to you.
Keep 10 to 20% of the drive free for speed and wear levelling.