Buying Guide
The Best 4TB NVMe SSDs
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the T705 4TB has the fastest rated read speed, and the SN5000 4TB costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 4TB NVMe SSD holds a large game library in one slot. Every pick has 4TB.
Rankings weigh sequential read, sequential write and interface as the makers state them; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and if a maker skips sequential write, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
WD Blue SN5000 4TBThe cheapest way into this group, below the SN7100 4TB.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $500.
Check price for WD Blue SN5000 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
WD_Black SN7100 4TBA quoted 6,700MB/s write speed.
Best for: Buyers who want quoted 6,700MB/s write speed.
Check price for WD_Black SN7100 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial T705 4TBThe fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Crucial T705 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD_Black SN850X 4TBA quoted 6,300MB/s write speed.
Best for: Buyers who want quoted 6,300MB/s write speed.
Check price for WD_Black SN850X 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Crucial T500 4TBThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs.
Best for: Buyers who want TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs and can spend more than the SN850X 4TB costs.
Check price for Crucial T500 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the SN7100 4TB. | Keeping the cost under $500. | Check price for WD Blue SN5000 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A quoted 6,700MB/s write speed. | Buyers who want quoted 6,700MB/s write speed. | Check price for WD_Black SN7100 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Crucial T705 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A quoted 6,300MB/s write speed. | Buyers who want quoted 6,300MB/s write speed. | Check price for WD_Black SN850X 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs. | Buyers who want TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs and can spend more than the SN850X 4TB costs. | Check price for Crucial T500 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
WD Blue SN5000 4TB
The WD Blue SN5000 is the slowest drive here at 5,500MB/s reads, but still loads games quickly.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $500.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: slower 5,500MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It is the budget way to 4TB. Its 5,500MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the T705 4TB leads at 14,100MB/s. You also get a 1,200TBW endurance rating on the 4TB model, Acronis True Image for Western Digital migration software and a lower price per terabyte than performance drives.
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 cheapest of the group when we checked; the SN7100 4TB was the next step up.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 5,500MB/s
- Endurance
- 1,200TBW
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- 1,200TBW endurance rating on the 4TB model
- Acronis True Image for Western Digital migration software
- Lower price per terabyte than performance drives
- The cheapest way into this group, below the SN7100 4TB
Cons
- Slower 5,500MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s)
- No published rated write speed
The catch
If rated read speed is your priority, the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Also Consider2 of 5
WD_Black SN7100 4TB
The SN7100 4TB stands out for a quoted 6,700MB/s write speed.
Best for
- Buyers who want quoted 6,700MB/s write speed.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SN5000 4TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,000MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,700MB/s rated write speed. On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,700MB/s: the T705 4TB offers 12,600MB/s, and the SN850X 4TB comes in at 6,300MB/s. 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 SN5000 4TB and the T705 4TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- Quoted 6,700MB/s write speed
- Rated read speed of 7,000MB/s, ahead of the SN5000 4TB
- Rated write speed of 6,700MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 4TB
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed3 of 5
Crucial T705 4TB
The T705 4TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive with 14,100MB/s reads, Micron TLC NAND and a five-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a Gen5 slot and good cooling. Its 14,100MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the SN850X 4TB comes next at 7,300MB/s. Its 12,600MB/s rated write speed is the fastest here; the SN7100 4TB comes next at 6,700MB/s.
A PCIe 5.0 x4 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the SN7100 4TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It also offers an Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle. 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.
Use a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, usually the one closest to the CPU, and a board heatsink or the drive's own; in a PCIe 4.0 slot it runs at 4.0 speed. Its price falls between the SN7100 4TB and the SN850X 4TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,100MB/s
- Sequential write
- 12,600MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,100MB/s
- 5-year warranty
- Micron TLC NAND
- Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
WD_Black SN850X 4TB
What the SN850X 4TB brings to the table is a quoted 6,300MB/s write speed.
Best for
- Buyers who want quoted 6,300MB/s write speed.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the T705 4TB offers 12,600MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,300MB/s: the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s, and the SN5000 4TB comes in at 5,500MB/s. Its 6,300MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the T705 4TB leads at 12,600MB/s. 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 T705 4TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the T500 4TB cost more.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- Quoted 6,300MB/s write speed
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the SN7100 4TB
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 4TB capacity
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s)
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Crucial T500 4TB
The T500 4TB is built around TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs.
Best for
- Buyers who want TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs and can spend more than the SN850X 4TB costs.
Skip if
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 4TB. 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 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the SN850X 4TB and the rest. The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the T705 4TB offers 12,600MB/s.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs
- Rated read speed of 7,000MB/s, ahead of the SN5000 4TB
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4TB NVMe SSDs
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out rated write speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the SN5000 4TB to the T500 4TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 4TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN5000 4TB and the T500 4TB give no rated write speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SN5000 4TB ($250 to $500) to the T500 4TB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 4TB NVMe SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Across these 5 picks rated read speed spans 5,500MB/s (the SN5000 4TB) to 14,100MB/s (the T705 4TB). If rated read speed is your first filter, the T705 4TB sets the ceiling at 14,100MB/s.
How much rated write speed you need
The T705 4TB tops rated write speed at 12,600MB/s and the SN850X 4TB sits lowest at 6,300MB/s. For less, the SN7100 4TB is the runner-up at 6,700MB/s. The SN5000 4TB and the T500 4TB give no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Extras that separate them
The T705 4TB: an Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle. The SN850X 4TB: a quoted 6,300MB/s write speed. The T500 4TB: TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the SN5000 4TB; $500 to $1000 buys the SN7100 4TB, the T705 4TB, the SN850X 4TB and the T500 4TB at our last check.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $500: the SN5000 4TB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the T705 4TB. Buyers who want TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs and can spend more than the SN850X 4TB costs: the T500 4TB.
How to Choose a 4TB NVMe SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $500 | SN5000 4TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the SN7100 4TB |
| Buyers who want quoted 6,700MB/s write speed | SN7100 4TB | A quoted 6,700MB/s write speed |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | T705 4TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s) |
| Buyers who want quoted 6,300MB/s write speed | SN850X 4TB | A quoted 6,300MB/s write speed |
| Buyers who want TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs and can spend more than the SN850X 4TB costs | T500 4TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with TLC NAND for PS5 and PCs |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T705 4TB leads on rated read speed at 14,100MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 4TB at 7,300MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the SN5000 4TB and the T500 4TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN5000 4TB | 5,500MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4TB |
| SN7100 4TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,700MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4TB |
| T705 4TB | 14,100MB/s | 12,600MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 4TB |
| SN850X 4TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4TB |
| T500 4TB | 7,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 4TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SN5000 4TB was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the T500 4TB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | SN5000 4TB |
| About $500 to $1000 | SN7100 4TB, T705 4TB, SN850X 4TB, T500 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T705 4TB ahead of the SN850X 4TB on rated read speed?
The T705 4TB leads at 14,100MB/s, with the SN850X 4TB at 7,300MB/s. The spread runs down to the SN5000 4TB at 5,500MB/s.
How does the SN7100 4TB compare with the T705 4TB on rated write speed?
Between the top two, it is 12,600MB/s on the T705 4TB against 6,700MB/s on the SN7100 4TB, an 88% difference. The SN850X 4TB closes the ranking at 6,300MB/s. The SN5000 4TB and the T500 4TB don't state a rated write speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the T500 4TB add over the SN5000 4TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (7,000MB/s against 5,500MB/s). On our last price check the SN5000 4TB was in the $250 to $500 tier and the T500 4TB in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the T705 4TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the SN850X 4TB, 14,100MB/s against 7,300MB/s, a 93% margin. The SN5000 4TB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the SN5000 4TB and the T705 4TB differ on interface?
The SN5000 4TB, the SN7100 4TB, the SN850X 4TB and the T500 4TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the T705 4TB uses PCIe 5.0 x4.
What extras do the SN5000 4TB and the SN7100 4TB include?
The SN5000 4TB: a 1,200TBW endurance rating on the 4TB model. The SN7100 4TB: a quoted 6,700MB/s write speed. The T705 4TB: Micron TLC NAND.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SN5000 4TB, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the SN7100 4TB. Look at the SN7100 4TB for a quoted 6,700MB/s write speed, the T705 4TB for the fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s) and the SN850X 4TB for a quoted 6,300MB/s write speed if those matter more to you.
Check the TBW rating if you write large files often.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best SSDs for a PC Build
- Related guideThe Best 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget NVMe SSDs
- Similar guideThe Best 4TB SSDs for a Large Game Library
- ExplainerNVMe vs SATA SSD
- ExplainerHow to Choose a SATA SSD
- Check compatibility: motherboardsHow to Check Motherboard BIOS Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Topic hubAll ssds and storage guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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