Buying Guide
The Best NVMe SSDs Under $250
Five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and sequential read; the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $150 to $250 an NVMe SSD is typically a 1TB drive, so read speed, heatsink and PCIe generation are what to compare. Every drive cost 150 to 250 when we checked and is an internal NVMe SSD with a stated capacity and read speed.
We ranked these SSDs on sequential read, interface and capacity using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out sequential read, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3
The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up.
Our take Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Kingston NV3 1TB
The lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Best for: Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Our take Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Included Heatsink
Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5)
An included heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want an included heatsink.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
SanDisk Optimus 5100 1TB
An M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Optimus 5100 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Teamgroup MP44 1TB
The top of this price range, adding an SLC cache design.
Best for: Spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Teamgroup MP44 1TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up. | Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| An included heatsink. | Buyers who want an included heatsink. | Check price for Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5) (opens in a new tab) |
| An M.2 2280 NVMe drive. | Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive. | Check price for SanDisk Optimus 5100 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding an SLC cache design. | Spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Teamgroup MP44 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 stands out for a PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 1TB. A PCIe 3.0 x4 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the P310 1TB heatsink uses 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the NV3 1TB was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the P310 1TB heatsink, which offers 7,100MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen3x4 drive
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface, the only one here
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It includes Acronis cloning software, which makes moving an existing install easy. 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.
Another plus: 5-year warranty. Its price falls between the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the P310 1TB heatsink, based on our last check.
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
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Included Heatsink3 of 5
Crucial P310 1TB with Heatsink (PS5) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The P310 1TB heatsink is built around a heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Best for
- Buyers who want an included heatsink.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper NV3 1TB and the pricier Optimus 5100 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Heatsink for PlayStation 5
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,100MB/s)
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
SanDisk Optimus 5100 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Optimus 5100 1TB is built around an M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Best for
- Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it is rated for 1TB. 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.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the P310 1TB heatsink, which offers 7,100MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- M.2 2280 NVMe drive
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Teamgroup MP44 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP44 1TB is built around an SLC cache design.
Best for
- Spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it is rated for 1TB. 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.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Optimus 5100 1TB. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the P310 1TB heatsink, which offers 7,100MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- SLC cache design
- The top of this price range, adding an SLC cache design
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These NVMe SSDs Under $250
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five drives on rated read speed, interface and capacity from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 2 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated read speed has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 to the MP44 1TB, state interface and capacity and share 1TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, the Optimus 5100 1TB and the MP44 1TB give no rated read speed.
- Price range
- From the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 to the MP44 1TB, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a NVMe SSD Under $250
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
The P310 1TB heatsink tops rated read speed at 7,100MB/s and the NV3 1TB sits lowest at 6,000MB/s. Start with the P310 1TB heatsink if rated read speed decides it. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, the Optimus 5100 1TB and the MP44 1TB give no rated read speed figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The P310 1TB heatsink: a heatsink for PlayStation 5. The Optimus 5100 1TB: an M.2 2280 NVMe drive. The MP44 1TB: an SLC cache design.
Budget
All 5 sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, from the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the low end to the MP44 1TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up: the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3. Buyers who want an included heatsink: the P310 1TB heatsink. Spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the MP44 1TB.
Check your M.2 slots
Check which slots run at PCIe 5.0 or 4.0, and which disable SATA ports or a PCIe slot when used.
How to Choose a NVMe SSD Under $250
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up | Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here | NV3 1TB | The lowest price among the 1TB drives here |
| Buyers who want an included heatsink | P310 1TB heatsink | An included heatsink |
| Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive | Optimus 5100 1TB | An M.2 2280 NVMe drive |
| Spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | MP44 1TB | The top of this price range, adding an SLC cache design |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The P310 1TB heatsink leads on rated read speed at 7,100MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB at 6,000MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated read speed where the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, the Optimus 5100 1TB and the MP44 1TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | Not listed | PCIe 3.0 x4 | 1TB |
| NV3 1TB | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| P310 1TB heatsink | 7,100MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| Optimus 5100 1TB | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
| MP44 1TB | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the P310 1TB heatsink ahead of the NV3 1TB on rated read speed?
The P310 1TB heatsink leads at 7,100MB/s, with the NV3 1TB at 6,000MB/s. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, the Optimus 5100 1TB and the MP44 1TB are left out of this ranking because their rated read speed isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the P310 1TB heatsink our Included Heatsink pick?
It carries the badge for an included heatsink. It suits anyone who wants an included heatsink.
Do the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the NV3 1TB differ on interface?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 uses PCIe 3.0 x4; the NV3 1TB, the P310 1TB heatsink, the Optimus 5100 1TB and the MP44 1TB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
What extras do the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the NV3 1TB include?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3: a PCIe Gen3x4 drive. The NV3 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB drives here. The P310 1TB heatsink: a heatsink for PlayStation 5.
Should I pick the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 or the MP44 1TB?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 suits spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up; the MP44 1TB suits spending more than the Optimus 5100 1TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the NV3 1TB for the lowest price among the 1TB drives here, the P310 1TB heatsink for an included heatsink and the Optimus 5100 1TB for an M.2 2280 NVMe drive if those matter more to you.
Decide whether you need space or sequential speed; for game libraries, capacity usually helps more.