Buying Guide
The Best NVMe SSDs Under $120
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the Fikwot FX910 500GB has the fastest rated read speed, and the Fikwot FN950 500GB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
At current prices an NVMe SSD under $120 is a 500GB or 512GB drive, enough for the operating system and a few games. Every drive cost 120 or less when we checked and is an internal NVMe SSD with a stated capacity and read speed.
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Fikwot FN950 500GB
The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MP33 512GB.
Our take Check price for Fikwot FN950 500GB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Teamgroup MP33 512GB
A PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Our take Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD Green SN3000 500GB
WD nCache 4.0 technology.
Best for: Buyers who want WD nCache 4.0 technology.
Our take Check price for WD Green SN3000 500GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
fanxiang S690Q 500GB
A graphene heat-dissipation sticker.
Best for: Buyers who want graphene heat-dissipation sticker.
Our take Check price for fanxiang S690Q 500GB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Fikwot FX910 500GB with Heatsink
The fastest rated read speed here (7,300MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Fikwot FX910 500GB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MP33 512GB. | Check price for Fikwot FN950 500GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds. | Buyers who want PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds. | Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB (opens in a new tab) |
| WD nCache 4.0 technology. | Buyers who want WD nCache 4.0 technology. | Check price for WD Green SN3000 500GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A graphene heat-dissipation sticker. | Buyers who want graphene heat-dissipation sticker. | Check price for fanxiang S690Q 500GB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,300MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Fikwot FX910 500GB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Fikwot FN950 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Fikwot FN950 500GB brings to the table is dynamic TLC caching, plus adaptive temperature and power-efficiency management.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MP33 512GB.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: slower 5,000MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and offers a 2,400MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it ties with the WD Green SN3000 500GB at 5,000MB/s. It also comes with PS5 and laptop compatibility.
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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the MP33 512GB the next step up. What it gives up: rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, behind the Fikwot FX910 500GB (7,300MB/s); by contrast, the Fikwot FX910 500GB offers 7,300MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,000MB/s
- Sequential write: 2,400MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 0.5TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Dynamic TLC caching
- Adaptive temperature and power-efficiency management
- PS5 and laptop compatibility
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, behind the Fikwot FX910 500GB (7,300MB/s)
Also Consider2 of 5
Teamgroup MP33 512GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the MP33 512GB brings to the table is a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: slower 1,700MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 1,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. Its 1,700MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the Fikwot FX910 500GB leads at 7,300MB/s. You get a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface here, which sets it apart from the Fikwot FX910 500GB and its 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Fikwot FN950 500GB and the pricier WD Green SN3000 500GB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- 1,700MB/s rated read speed
- 0.5TB capacity
Cons
- Slower 1,700MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the Fikwot FX910 500GB (7,300MB/s)
- Costs more than the Fikwot FN950 500GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WD Green SN3000 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the WD Green SN3000 500GB brings to the table is WD nCache 4.0 technology, plus a single-sided M.2 2280 design for thin laptops.
Best for
- Buyers who want WD nCache 4.0 technology.
Skip if
- Pass on it if slower 5,000MB/s rated reads rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. On rated read speed it ties with the Fikwot FN950 500GB at 5,000MB/s. It also comes with free Acronis True Image migration software.
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 priced above the MP33 512GB and below the fanxiang S690Q 500GB at the time of writing. There is no published rated write speed figure, whereas the Fikwot FX910 500GB offers 6,200MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 0.5TB
Pros
- WD nCache 4.0 technology
- Single-sided M.2 2280 design for thin laptops
- Free Acronis True Image migration software
- Rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, ahead of the fanxiang S690Q 500GB
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Costs more than the Fikwot FN950 500GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
fanxiang S690Q 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The fanxiang S690Q 500GB is built around a graphene heat-dissipation sticker, with NVMe 1.4 support on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want graphene heat-dissipation sticker.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when slower 4,700MB/s rated reads is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 4,700MB/s rated read speed and offers a 5-year warranty. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 4,700MB/s: the Fikwot FX910 500GB offers 7,300MB/s, and the MP33 512GB comes in at 1,700MB/s. You also get PS5 compatibility.
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. There is no published rated write speed figure, whereas the Fikwot FX910 500GB offers 6,200MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 4,700MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 0.5TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Graphene heat-dissipation sticker
- NVMe 1.4 support
- PS5 compatibility
Cons
- Slower 4,700MB/s rated reads
- Costs more than the Fikwot FN950 500GB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed5 of 5
Fikwot FX910 500GB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Fikwot FX910 500GB is built around HMB and a smart SLC cache, with DirectStorage and PS5 compatibility on top.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Fikwot FN950 500GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,200MB/s rated write speed. Its 7,300MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the Fikwot FN950 500GB comes next at 5,000MB/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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. 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 fanxiang S690Q 500GB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,200MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Heatsink: Included
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 0.5TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- 5-year warranty
- HMB and a smart SLC cache
- DirectStorage and PS5 compatibility
Cons
- Costs more than the Fikwot FN950 500GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These NVMe SSDs Under $120
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and warranty as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out rated write speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Fikwot FN950 500GB to the Fikwot FX910 500GB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 0.5TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MP33 512GB, the WD Green SN3000 500GB and the fanxiang S690Q 500GB give no rated write speed; the MP33 512GB and the WD Green SN3000 500GB give no warranty.
- Price range
- From the Fikwot FN950 500GB to the Fikwot FX910 500GB, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a NVMe SSD Under $120
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 1,700MB/s (the MP33 512GB) to 7,300MB/s (the Fikwot FX910 500GB). The Fikwot FN950 500GB comes second at 5,000MB/s, in the same price tier as the Fikwot FX910 500GB.
How much rated write speed you need
The Fikwot FX910 500GB tops rated write speed at 6,200MB/s and the Fikwot FN950 500GB sits lowest at 2,400MB/s. Start with the Fikwot FX910 500GB if rated write speed decides it. The MP33 512GB, the WD Green SN3000 500GB and the fanxiang S690Q 500GB give no rated write speed figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The WD Green SN3000 500GB: a single-sided M.2 2280 design for thin laptops. The fanxiang S690Q 500GB: NVMe 1.4 support. The Fikwot FX910 500GB: DirectStorage and PS5 compatibility.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the Fikwot FN950 500GB at the low end to the Fikwot FX910 500GB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MP33 512GB: the Fikwot FN950 500GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the Fikwot FX910 500GB.
How to Choose a NVMe SSD Under $120
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the MP33 512GB | Fikwot FN950 500GB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds | MP33 512GB | A PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds |
| Buyers who want WD nCache 4.0 technology | WD Green SN3000 500GB | WD nCache 4.0 technology |
| Buyers who want graphene heat-dissipation sticker | fanxiang S690Q 500GB | A graphene heat-dissipation sticker |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Fikwot FX910 500GB | The fastest rated read speed here (7,300MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Fikwot FX910 500GB leads on rated read speed at 7,300MB/s, ahead of the Fikwot FN950 500GB at 5,000MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the MP33 512GB, the WD Green SN3000 500GB and the fanxiang S690Q 500GB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fikwot FN950 500GB | 5,000MB/s | 2,400MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year |
| MP33 512GB | 1,700MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 3.0 x4 | Not listed |
| WD Green SN3000 500GB | 5,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| fanxiang S690Q 500GB | 4,700MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year |
| Fikwot FX910 500GB | 7,300MB/s | 6,200MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fikwot FX910 500GB ahead of the Fikwot FN950 500GB on rated read speed?
The Fikwot FX910 500GB leads at 7,300MB/s, with the Fikwot FN950 500GB at 5,000MB/s. The spread runs down to the MP33 512GB at 1,700MB/s.
How does the Fikwot FN950 500GB compare with the Fikwot FX910 500GB on rated write speed?
Between the top two, it is 6,200MB/s on the Fikwot FX910 500GB against 2,400MB/s on the Fikwot FN950 500GB, a 158% difference. The MP33 512GB, the WD Green SN3000 500GB and the fanxiang S690Q 500GB are left out of this ranking because their rated write speed isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the Fikwot FX910 500GB add over the Fikwot FN950 500GB?
What it brings is rated read speed (7,300MB/s against 5,000MB/s) and rated write speed (6,200MB/s against 2,400MB/s). Both sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated read speed and rated write speed cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Fikwot FX910 500GB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (7,300MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the Fikwot FN950 500GB, 7,300MB/s against 5,000MB/s, a 46% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the Fikwot FN950 500GB and the MP33 512GB differ on interface?
The Fikwot FN950 500GB, the WD Green SN3000 500GB, the fanxiang S690Q 500GB and the Fikwot FX910 500GB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the MP33 512GB uses PCIe 3.0 x4.
What extras do the Fikwot FN950 500GB and the MP33 512GB include?
The Fikwot FN950 500GB: dynamic TLC caching. The MP33 512GB: a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds. The WD Green SN3000 500GB: WD nCache 4.0 technology.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Fikwot FN950 500GB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the MP33 512GB for a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds, the WD Green SN3000 500GB for WD nCache 4.0 technology and the fanxiang S690Q 500GB for a graphene heat-dissipation sticker if those matter more to you.
Check how many free M.2 slots your motherboard has, and whether the slot is PCIe 3.0 or 4.0, before ordering.