Buying Guide
The Best Budget NVMe SSDs
From the MP33 512GB to the P510 1TB: five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and sequential read, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A budget NVMe SSD is still several times faster than SATA. These are ordered from the lowest listed price.
We sorted these picks by sequential read, interface and warranty, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips warranty, 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
Teamgroup MP33 512GBThe lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up.
Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial P310 500GBLaptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Best for: Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Check price for Crucial P310 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Kingston NV3 1TBThe lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Best for: Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
WD Blue SN5100 1TBA five-year limited warranty.
Best for: Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
Check price for WD Blue SN5100 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial P510 1TBThe fastest rated read speed here (11,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Crucial P510 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up. | Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. | Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. | Check price for Crucial P310 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among the 1TB drives here. | Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here. | Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A five-year limited warranty. | Buyers who want five-year limited warranty. | Check price for WD Blue SN5100 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (11,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Crucial P510 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Teamgroup MP33 512GB
What the MP33 512GB brings to the table is a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up.
Skip if
- Pass on it if slower 1,700MB/s rated reads rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 1,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface; compare the SN5100 1TB, which has a PCIe 4.0 x4 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the P310 500GB was closest. Rated read speed is its weakest area, and the P510 1TB covers it better at 11,000MB/s.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 1,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface, the only one here
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
Cons
- Slower 1,700MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the P510 1TB (11,000MB/s)
Also Consider2 of 5
Crucial P310 500GB
The P310 500GB stands out for laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Best for
- Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MP33 512GB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 6,600MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. Its 6,600MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the P510 1TB (11,000MB/s) and ahead of the MP33 512GB (1,700MB/s). It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the NV3 1TB and SN5100 1TB; the P510 1TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 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. Its price falls between the MP33 512GB and the NV3 1TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 6,600MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility
- Rated read speed of 6,600MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 0.5TB capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Kingston NV3 1TB
The NV3 1TB offers 6,000MB/s reads at the lowest 1TB price here, the trade being slower rated reads.
Best for
- Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MP33 512GB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It includes Acronis cloning software, which makes moving an existing install easy. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 6,000MB/s: the P510 1TB offers 11,000MB/s, and the MP33 512GB comes in at 1,700MB/s. Like the P310 500GB and SN5100 1TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP33 512GB uses a PCIe 3.0 x4 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 P310 500GB and cheaper picks cost less, and the SN5100 1TB cost more.
Key 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 MP33 512GB
Cons
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
WD Blue SN5100 1TB
The SN5100 1TB offers 7,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty at a low price.
Best for
- Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the MP33 512GB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the P510 1TB offers 11,000MB/s, and the MP33 512GB comes in at 1,700MB/s. Like the P310 500GB and NV3 1TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP33 512GB uses a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. It also comes with the lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here.
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 and cheaper picks cost less, and the P510 1TB cost more.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Five-year limited warranty
- The lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the P310 500GB
Cons
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed5 of 5
Crucial P510 1TB
What the P510 1TB brings to the table is TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It also offers an 11,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 11,000MB/s, ahead of the SN5100 1TB (7,100MB/s). No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface; compare the NV3 1TB, which has a PCIe 4.0 x4 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. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the SN5100 1TB the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 11,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (11,000MB/s)
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, the only one here
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Budget 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, interface, warranty and capacity, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out warranty.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MP33 512GB to the P510 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MP33 512GB, the P310 500GB and the P510 1TB give no warranty.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MP33 512GB ($50 to $100) to the P510 1TB ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Budget NVMe SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Across these 5 picks rated read speed spans 1,700MB/s (the MP33 512GB) to 11,000MB/s (the P510 1TB). For less, the SN5100 1TB is the runner-up at 7,100MB/s.
Capacity
The MP33 512GB and the P310 500GB list 0.5TB; the NV3 1TB, the SN5100 1TB and the P510 1TB list 1TB. Sort out capacity before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3 and 2.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard Features beyond the spec table
The NV3 1TB: 6,000MB/s rated reads on PCIe 4.0. The SN5100 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here. The P510 1TB: TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the MP33 512GB; $100 to $150 buys the P310 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the NV3 1TB, the SN5100 1TB and the P510 1TB at our last check.
An M.2 SSD installed in a laptop Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up: the MP33 512GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the P510 1TB.
How to Choose a Budget NVMe SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up | MP33 512GB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility | P310 500GB | Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility |
| Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here | NV3 1TB | The lowest price among the 1TB drives here |
| Buyers who want five-year limited warranty | SN5100 1TB | A five-year limited warranty |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | P510 1TB | The fastest rated read speed here (11,000MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The P510 1TB leads on rated read speed at 11,000MB/s, ahead of the SN5100 1TB at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" marks warranty where the MP33 512GB, the P310 500GB and the P510 1TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Warranty | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP33 512GB | 1,700MB/s | PCIe 3.0 x4 | Not listed | 0.5TB |
| P310 500GB | 6,600MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed | 0.5TB |
| NV3 1TB | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year | 1TB |
| SN5100 1TB | 7,100MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year | 1TB |
| P510 1TB | 11,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the MP33 512GB, sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the P510 1TB at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | MP33 512GB |
| About $100 to $150 | P310 500GB |
| About $150 to $250 | NV3 1TB, SN5100 1TB, P510 1TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the P510 1TB ahead of the SN5100 1TB on rated read speed?
The P510 1TB tops rated read speed at 11,000MB/s; the SN5100 1TB follows at 7,100MB/s, 55% apart. The MP33 512GB is at the other end of this group with 1,700MB/s.
Is the P510 1TB worth paying more than the MP33 512GB?
What it brings is rated read speed (11,000MB/s against 1,700MB/s). The MP33 512GB sat in the $50 to $100 tier and the P510 1TB in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
What makes the P510 1TB the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (11,000MB/s). The SN5100 1TB is next on rated read speed at 7,100MB/s, so this pick's 11,000MB/s is 55% further out. The MP33 512GB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the MP33 512GB and the P310 500GB differ on interface?
The MP33 512GB uses PCIe 3.0 x4; the P310 500GB, the NV3 1TB and the SN5100 1TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the P510 1TB uses PCIe 5.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MP33 512GB and the P310 500GB apart?
The MP33 512GB: a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds. The P310 500GB: laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. The NV3 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP33 512GB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the P310 500GB for laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility, the NV3 1TB for the lowest price among the 1TB drives here and the SN5100 1TB for a five-year limited warranty if those matter more to you.
DRAM-less drives are fine for games; heavy file work benefits from DRAM.
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
- Without a budget limitThe Best 4TB NVMe SSDs
- Similar guideThe Best PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- ExplainerNVMe vs SATA SSD
- ExplainerHow to Choose a SATA SSD
- Check compatibility: motherboardsMotherboard Chipsets Explained
- Similar guideThe Best 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
- 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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