Buying Guide
The Best NVMe SSDs Under $400
Five SSDs compared, from the P310 2TB to the SN850X 1TB heatsink, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $250 and $400 you reach 2TB drives and the first PCIe 5.0 models alongside faster PCIe 4.0 drives. Every drive cost 250 to 400 when we checked and is an internal NVMe SSD with a stated capacity and read speed.
Our comparison rests on published figures for sequential read, sequential write and interface; where a maker leaves out sequential write, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Crucial P310 2TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the T705 1TB.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the T705 1TB the next step up.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial T705 1TB
The fastest rated read speed here (13,600MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Crucial T705 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB
High-density 3D TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Write Speed
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink
The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs.
Our take Check price for WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the T705 1TB. | Spending as little as possible, with the T705 1TB the next step up. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (13,600MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Crucial T705 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| High-density 3D TLC NAND. | Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND. | Check price for Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s). | Buyers who put rated write speed first. | Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink. | Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs. | Check price for WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Crucial P310 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The P310 2TB offers 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices here.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the T705 1TB the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the T705 1TB offers 13,600MB/s, and the MP600 Elite 1TB comes in at 7,000MB/s. Its 6,000MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the MP600 Elite 1TB leads at 6,500MB/s. Like the MP600 Elite 1TB and SN850X 1TB heatsink, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the T705 1TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
You also get an Acronis data migration 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. 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 T705 1TB was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Acronis data migration bundle
- One of the lowest 2TB prices here
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB
- 2TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the MP600 Elite 1TB (6,500MB/s)
Fastest Rated Read Speed2 of 5
Crucial T705 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T705 1TB is built around TLC NAND at 13,600MB/s.
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
On the spec sheet, it offers a 13,600MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Nothing else here matches its 13,600MB/s rated read speed; the MP700 Elite 1TB comes closest at 10,000MB/s. Like the MP700 Elite 1TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the P310 2TB 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. 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. It was priced above the P310 2TB and below the MP700 Elite 1TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated write speed figure, whereas the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 13,600MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- TLC NAND at 13,600MB/s
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (13,600MB/s)
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP700 Elite 1TB is built around high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Best for
- Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND.
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
On the spec sheet, it offers a 10,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 10,000MB/s: the T705 1TB offers 13,600MB/s, and the MP600 Elite 1TB comes in at 7,000MB/s. Like the T705 1TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the MP600 Elite 1TB 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. 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. It was priced above the T705 1TB and below the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated write speed figure, whereas the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 10,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Rated read speed of 10,000MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 1TB heatsink
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Write Speed4 of 5
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP600 Elite 1TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes on TLC NAND, with a heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the T705 1TB offers 13,600MB/s.
Why we like it
Its 7,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the T705 1TB leads at 13,600MB/s. Nothing else here matches its 6,500MB/s rated write speed; the SN850X 1TB heatsink comes closest at 6,300MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the P310 2TB and SN850X 1TB heatsink; the MP700 Elite 1TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
It also offers high-density 3D TLC NAND and a heatsink version listed for PS5. 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. Its price falls between the MP700 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Heatsink version listed for PS5
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (6,500MB/s)
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the T705 1TB (13,600MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
WD_Black SN850X 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the SN850X 1TB heatsink brings to the table is a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the P310 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,300MB/s rated write speed. Its 7,300MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the T705 1TB (13,600MB/s) and ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB (7,000MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,300MB/s: the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s, and the P310 2TB comes in at 6,000MB/s.
It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the P310 2TB and MP600 Elite 1TB; the MP700 Elite 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 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 MP600 Elite 1TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These NVMe SSDs Under $400
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and heatsink as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated write speed and heatsink have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the P310 2TB to the SN850X 1TB heatsink, state rated read speed, interface and capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB give no rated write speed; the P310 2TB, the T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB give no heatsink.
- Price range
- From the P310 2TB to the SN850X 1TB heatsink, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a NVMe SSD Under $400
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 7,000MB/s on the MP600 Elite 1TB to 13,600MB/s on the T705 1TB, a 94% spread. The T705 1TB is the pick for rated read speed.
How much rated write speed you need
The MP600 Elite 1TB tops rated write speed at 6,500MB/s and the P310 2TB sits lowest at 6,000MB/s. If rated write speed is your first filter, the MP600 Elite 1TB sets the ceiling at 6,500MB/s. The T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB give no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Heatsink
The MP600 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink have it. Sort out heatsink before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
Capacity
The P310 2TB lists 2TB; the T705 1TB, the MP700 Elite 1TB, the MP600 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink list 1TB. Sort out capacity before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The MP700 Elite 1TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND. The MP600 Elite 1TB: a heatsink version listed for PS5. The SN850X 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink.
How to Choose a NVMe SSD Under $400
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the T705 1TB the next step up | P310 2TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the T705 1TB |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | T705 1TB | The fastest rated read speed here (13,600MB/s) |
| Buyers who want high-density 3D TLC NAND | MP700 Elite 1TB | High-density 3D TLC NAND |
| Buyers who put rated write speed first | MP600 Elite 1TB | The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s) |
| Buyers who want a factory-fitted heatsink and can spend more than the MP600 Elite 1TB costs | SN850X 1TB heatsink | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory-fitted heatsink |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T705 1TB leads on rated read speed at 13,600MB/s, ahead of the MP700 Elite 1TB at 10,000MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P310 2TB | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| T705 1TB | 13,600MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed |
| MP700 Elite 1TB | 10,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed |
| MP600 Elite 1TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| SN850X 1TB heatsink | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T705 1TB ahead of the MP700 Elite 1TB on rated read speed?
The T705 1TB leads at 13,600MB/s, with the MP700 Elite 1TB at 10,000MB/s. The spread runs down to the MP600 Elite 1TB at 7,000MB/s.
Which has the fastest rated write speed: the MP600 Elite 1TB or the SN850X 1TB heatsink?
The MP600 Elite 1TB tops rated write speed at 6,500MB/s; the SN850X 1TB heatsink follows at 6,300MB/s, 3% apart. The P310 2TB is at the other end of this group with 6,000MB/s. The T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB don't state a rated write speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the SN850X 1TB heatsink worth paying more than the P310 2TB?
The spec sheets show rated read speed (7,300MB/s against 7,100MB/s) and rated write speed (6,300MB/s against 6,000MB/s) in its favour. Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated read speed and rated write speed cost little extra by tier.
What makes the MP600 Elite 1TB the Fastest Rated Write Speed?
It carries the badge for the fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s). The SN850X 1TB heatsink is next on rated write speed at 6,300MB/s, so this pick's 6,500MB/s is 3% further out. It gives up rated read speed (7,000MB/s against 7,100MB/s) to the P310 2TB, the cheapest pick. It is aimed at anyone who puts rated write speed first.
Do the P310 2TB and the T705 1TB differ on interface?
The P310 2TB, the MP600 Elite 1TB and the SN850X 1TB heatsink use PCIe 4.0 x4; the T705 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB use PCIe 5.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the P310 2TB and the T705 1TB apart?
The P310 2TB: an Acronis data migration bundle. The T705 1TB: TLC NAND at 13,600MB/s. The MP700 Elite 1TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the P310 2TB, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the T705 1TB. Look at the T705 1TB for the fastest rated read speed here (13,600MB/s), the MP700 Elite 1TB for high-density 3D TLC NAND and the MP600 Elite 1TB for the fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s) if those matter more to you.
PCIe 5.0 drives run hot, so check whether your board's M.2 heatsink or the drive's own heatsink fits.