Best budget 1TB SSDs
1TB is the sweet spot for a boot drive or a games drive: big enough to stop juggling installs, and cheap enough that it rarely makes sense to buy smaller. The main decision is the interface your machine supports. Below are the 1TB SSDs we are tracking on Amazon right now.
Quick picks
What to look for
- Check the slot: M.2 NVMe drives need an M.2 slot that supports NVMe; 2.5" SATA drives fit older laptops and desktops with a drive bay.
- PCIe 4.0 drives are faster on paper, but for gaming and everyday use a good PCIe 3.0 or budget 4.0 drive feels nearly identical.
- DRAM-less drives are cheaper and fine for games and general use; drives with DRAM or HMB hold up better under long, heavy writes.
- For a PS5 you need an M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 drive and ideally a heatsink.
- Endurance (TBW) and warranty length are listed by the manufacturer and are worth comparing between similar prices.
The picks
1. Western Digital 1TB SN850 NVMe SSD for PS5 Consoles
Listed at $119.50 on Amazon when we last checked, under this guide's $150 cap. From the listing: 1TB · NVMe. Confirm the final price, seller and any coupon on Amazon before you buy.
2. Crucial P3 PCIe Gen3 NVMe 1TB SSD, Up to 3,500MB/s Read
Listed at $89.99 on Amazon when we last checked, under this guide's $150 cap. From the listing: 1TB · Gen3. Confirm the final price, seller and any coupon on Amazon before you buy.
3. 1TB Verbatim Pocket SSD, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Listed at $149.99 on Amazon when we last checked, under this guide's $150 cap. From the listing: 1TB · USB 3.2 Gen 2. Confirm the final price, seller and any coupon on Amazon before you buy.
FAQ
Is NVMe worth it over SATA?
If your machine has an NVMe-capable M.2 slot, yes: NVMe drives often cost about the same as SATA now and are several times faster at sequential transfers.
Do I need a heatsink?
Desktops and PS5s benefit from one with PCIe 4.0 drives. Most laptops do not have room for one, and drives work fine without.
Should I buy 1TB or 2TB?
If you install many modern games, 2TB is worth pricing out. For a boot drive with documents and a handful of games, 1TB is enough.
As an Amazon Associate, Usual Deals earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability change often; the price on Amazon at checkout is what applies. We do not write reviews or test products for these guides. Picks are listings from our deal tracker that match the criteria above.
![[SnS, AC] $7.93 | 10-Count Energizer 2032 Batteries at Amazon (79.3￠ each)](/thumb/%5BSnS_AC%5D_%247.93_%7C_10-Count_Energizer_2032_Batteries_at_Amazon_79.3%EF%BF%A0_each_14878.jpg)
![[SnS, AC] $15.36 | 1.12-Pound Orgain Organic Vegan Protein + 50 Superfoods Powder (Vanilla Bean) at Amazon](/thumb/%5BSnS_AC%5D_%2415.36_%7C_1.12-Pound_Orgain_Organic_Vegan_Protein_%2B_50_Superfoods_Powder_Vanilla_Bean_at_Amazon_14877.jpg)
![[AC] $9.50* | Jada Star Wars Boba Fett 2017 Ford GT Die-Cast Collectible Car (1:32 Scale) at Amazon](/thumb/%5BAC%5D_%249.50%2A_%7C_Jada_Star_Wars_Boba_Fett_2017_Ford_GT_Die-Cast_Collectible_Car_1_32_Scale_at_Amazon_14875.jpg)
![[SnS, AC] $9.09* | 24-Oz McCormick California Style Garlic Powder With Parsley Coarse Grind Blend at Amazon](/thumb/%5BSnS_AC%5D_%249.09%2A_%7C_24-Oz_McCormick_California_Style_Garlic_Powder_With_Parsley_Coarse_Grind_Blend_at_Amazon_14874.jpg)
![[SnS, AC] $5.35* | 24-Count Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Caplets w/ Acetaminophen at Amazon](/thumb/%5BSnS_AC%5D_%245.35%2A_%7C_24-Count_Tylenol_Cold_%2B_Flu_Severe_Caplets_w_Acetaminophen_at_Amazon_14872.jpg)
![[AC] $21.20 | TP-Link USB WiFi 6 Adapter for Desktop PC,AX1800 Dual Band WiFi Antenna + 25% Back w/ Prime Visa Card at Amazon](/thumb/%5BAC%5D_%2421.20_%7C_TP-Link_USB_WiFi_6_Adapter_for_Desktop_PC_AX1800_Dual_Band_WiFi_Antenna_%2B_25_Back_w_Prime_Visa_Card_at_Amazon_14868.jpg)
![[SnS, AC] $16.44 | 2 × 3-Pack 16.9-Oz Nivea Men DEEP Active Clean Charcoal Body Wash ($8.22 each) at Amazon ($2.74 each)](/thumb/%5BSnS_AC%5D_%2416.44_%7C_2_%C3%97_3-Pack_16.9-Oz_Nivea_Men_DEEP_Active_Clean_Charcoal_Body_Wash_%248.22_each_at_Amazon_%242.74_each_14867.jpg)
![[YMMV, SnS, AC] $8.90* | 36-Ct Sharpie S-Note Chisel Tip Pastel Markers & Highlighters (Assorted Colors) at Amazon](/thumb/%5BYMMV_SnS_AC%5D_%248.90%2A_%7C_36-Ct_Sharpie_S-Note_Chisel_Tip_Pastel_Markers_Highlighters_Assorted_Colors_at_Amazon_14866.jpg)
