BUYING GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
Buy storage for sustained work, capacity and recovery—not just a peak transfer rate.
Review roundups summarize published reviews; we haven’t tested these products. Links to retailers may earn us a commission. How we work
Fast storage, but do not overpay for the headline speed
3 published review linksFor sustained transfers on a machine with a proper Gen5 slot and cooling.
2 published review linksPortable storage built for taking along
2 published review linksCompare this with the 9100 Pro for a demanding Gen5 workstation.
2 published review linksA straightforward high-performance gaming SSD
2 published review linksCompare the exact capacity and interface being sold. Performance and endurance can differ between versions with the same family name.
Look for sustained writes, heat and realistic file-copy tests. Short bursts can hide what happens after the fast cache fills.
Plan backup and recovery before buying. A second drive in the same enclosure does not protect against every way data can be lost.
Ask yourself: How will I recover my files if this device fails, is stolen or is accidentally erased?
Every pick, with the tradeoffs and alternatives worth considering.
2TB M.2 NVMe, without heatsink
Fast storage, but do not overpay for the headline speed. The 2TB 990 Pro is a strong PCIe 4.0 drive for a demanding PC, supported by Samsung’s management software. Ordinary loading times may not justify a large premium over another good Gen4 SSD. Compare it with the SN850X at the same capacity and include a heatsink if your system needs one.
3 published review links
2TB M.2 2280 drive without heatsink
A good Gen4 SSD is often the better spend for gaming; compare the SN8100 at the same capacity.
2 published review links
2TB USB 10Gbps portable SSD; not T7 Touch
Portable storage built for taking along. The T7 Shield pairs a protective case with a 10Gbps USB connection, making it useful for moving large files between compatible computers. The host port still sets the speed limit. IP65 protection is welcome outdoors, but it is not a promise of waterproofing or a substitute for keeping another copy of important files.
2 published review links
2TB M.2 2280 drive without heatsink
For a gaming upgrade, a cheaper SN850X or 990 Pro may deliver more useful value without the Gen5 premium.
2 published review links
2TB M.2 NVMe, without heatsink
A straightforward high-performance gaming SSD. The 2TB SN850X and Samsung 990 Pro are close enough in purpose that price and cooling requirements deserve more attention than peak transfer rates. Check whether you are buying the bare drive or heatsink version. A PS5 installation needs suitable cooling, and results for other capacities do not automatically describe this 2TB model.
2 published review links
The latest coverage we found; article types are inferred.