Buying Guide
The Best SSDs Under $300
From the Predator GM9 1TB to the MP700 Elite 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
Between $150 and $300, you can buy 4TB Gen4 drives or fast Gen5 models. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by read speed.
We sorted these picks by sequential read, interface and capacity, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Kingston Fury Renegade G5 1TBThe fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Kingston Fury Renegade G5 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung 9100 Pro 1TBA PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
Check price for Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Acer Predator GM9 1TBThe cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Acer Predator GM9 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair MP700 Elite 1TBHigh-density 3D TLC NAND at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Predator GM9 1TB costs less.
Check price for Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Samsung 990 PRO 1TBThe highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for: Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
Kingston Fury Renegade G5 1TB
What the Fury Renegade G5 1TB brings to the table is a PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 drive.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It also offers a 14,800MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 14,800MB/s, ahead of the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/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.
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 9100 Pro 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,800MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,800MB/s
- PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 drive
- The fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the Predator GM9 1TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB
The 9100 Pro 1TB is built around a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
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 14,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 14,700MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 5 here, behind the Fury Renegade G5 1TB (14,800MB/s) and ahead of the 990 PRO 1TB (7,450MB/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.
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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper 990 PRO 1TB and the pricier Fury Renegade G5 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700MB/s
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the Predator GM9 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Acer Predator GM9 1TB
The Predator GM9 1TB stands out for NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It also offers a 14,500MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 14,500MB/s: the Fury Renegade G5 1TB offers 14,800MB/s, and the 990 PRO 1TB comes in at 7,450MB/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.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the 990 PRO 1TB was closest.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,500MB/s
- NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0
- The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed of 14,500MB/s, behind the Fury Renegade G5 1TB (14,800MB/s)
The catch
What it gives up: rated read speed of 14,500MB/s, behind the Fury Renegade G5 1TB (14,800MB/s); by contrast, the Fury Renegade G5 1TB offers 14,800MB/s.
Premium Pick4 of 5
Corsair MP700 Elite 1TB
The MP700 Elite 1TB is built around high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Predator GM9 1TB costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
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 Fury Renegade G5 1TB offers 14,800MB/s, and the 990 PRO 1TB comes in at 7,450MB/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.
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. Only the Fury Renegade G5 1TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key 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 990 PRO 1TB
- High-density 3D TLC NAND at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the Predator GM9 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Samsung 990 PRO 1TB
The 990 PRO 1TB offers 7,450MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes, the top rated speeds among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for
- Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the Fury Renegade G5 1TB offers 14,800MB/s.
Why we like it
Its random read and write are 40% and 55% faster than the 980 PRO, and Samsung's nickel-coated controller manages heat in slim laptops too. Its 7,450MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the Fury Renegade G5 1TB leads at 14,800MB/s. You get a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface here, which sets it apart from the MP700 Elite 1TB and its a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
You also get Samsung Magician software for firmware updates. 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 Predator GM9 1TB and the pricier 9100 Pro 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- The highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here
- Samsung Magician software for firmware updates
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, the only one here
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the Fury Renegade G5 1TB (14,800MB/s)
- Costs more than the Predator GM9 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the Fury Renegade G5 1TB offers 14,800MB/s.
How We Chose These SSDs Under $300
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 and capacity from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and all 3 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Fury Renegade G5 1TB to the 990 PRO 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 1TB capacity.
- Who each pick suits
- The Fury Renegade G5 1TB for the fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s); the 9100 Pro 1TB for a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface; the Predator GM9 1TB for the cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Predator GM9 1TB ($150 to $250) to the MP700 Elite 1TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an SSD Under $300
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 7,450MB/s (the 990 PRO 1TB) to 14,800MB/s (the Fury Renegade G5 1TB). For less, the 9100 Pro 1TB is the runner-up at 14,700MB/s.
Features beyond the spec table
The Predator GM9 1TB: NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0. The MP700 Elite 1TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND. The 990 PRO 1TB: Samsung Magician software for firmware updates.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Predator GM9 1TB, the 990 PRO 1TB, the 9100 Pro 1TB and the Fury Renegade G5 1TB; $250 to $500 buys the MP700 Elite 1TB at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the Fury Renegade G5 1TB. Keeping the cost under $250: the Predator GM9 1TB. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Predator GM9 1TB costs less: the MP700 Elite 1TB.
An M.2 SSD installed in a laptop Buy more capacity than you think
Many new games need 100GB or more. 2TB is a comfortable minimum for a gaming library; 4TB avoids juggling installs.
How to Choose an SSD Under $300
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Fury Renegade G5 1TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s) |
| Buyers who want PCIe 5.0 x4 interface | 9100 Pro 1TB | A PCIe 5.0 x4 interface |
| Keeping the cost under $250 | Predator GM9 1TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Predator GM9 1TB costs less | MP700 Elite 1TB | High-density 3D TLC NAND at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here | 990 PRO 1TB | The highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Fury Renegade G5 1TB leads on rated read speed at 14,800MB/s, ahead of the 9100 Pro 1TB at 14,700MB/s.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fury Renegade G5 1TB | 14,800MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| 9100 Pro 1TB | 14,700MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| Predator GM9 1TB | 14,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| MP700 Elite 1TB | 10,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| 990 PRO 1TB | 7,450MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Predator GM9 1TB, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the MP700 Elite 1TB at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Predator GM9 1TB, 990 PRO 1TB, 9100 Pro 1TB, Fury Renegade G5 1TB |
| About $250 to $500 | MP700 Elite 1TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the Fury Renegade G5 1TB or the 9100 Pro 1TB?
The Fury Renegade G5 1TB tops rated read speed at 14,800MB/s; the 9100 Pro 1TB follows at 14,700MB/s, 1% apart. The 990 PRO 1TB closes the ranking at 7,450MB/s.
Is the MP700 Elite 1TB worth paying more than the Predator GM9 1TB?
The MP700 Elite 1TB matches or trails the Predator GM9 1TB on rated read speed, so pay more only for a feature the spec sheet doesn't cover. The Predator GM9 1TB leads on rated read speed (14,500MB/s). The Predator GM9 1TB sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the MP700 Elite 1TB in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the Fury Renegade G5 1TB the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s). The 9100 Pro 1TB is next on rated read speed at 14,700MB/s, so this pick's 14,800MB/s is 1% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the Fury Renegade G5 1TB and the 990 PRO 1TB differ on interface?
The Fury Renegade G5 1TB, the 9100 Pro 1TB, the Predator GM9 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the 990 PRO 1TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Fury Renegade G5 1TB and the 9100 Pro 1TB apart?
The Fury Renegade G5 1TB: a PCIe 5.0 M.2 2280 drive. The 9100 Pro 1TB: a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. The Predator GM9 1TB: NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Fury Renegade G5 1TB, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (14,800MB/s). Look at the 9100 Pro 1TB for a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, the Predator GM9 1TB for the cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB and the MP700 Elite 1TB for high-density 3D TLC NAND at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Pick capacity first; the speed difference matters less day to day.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best SSDs for a PC Build
- Related guideThe Best 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
- Lower budgetThe Best NVMe SSDs Under $250
- Higher budgetThe Best NVMe SSDs Under $400
- ExplainerNVMe vs SATA SSD
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- 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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