Finding the best Samsung NVMe SSDs in 2026 comes down to matching Samsung’s stacked lineup to your workload. Samsung currently sells four NVMe families: the PCIe 5.0 9100 PRO, the PCIe 4.0 flagship 990 PRO, the hybrid Gen 4×4/Gen 5×2 990 EVO Plus, and the proven 980 PRO from the previous generation. I have spent the last three months benchmarking these drives in a Ryzen 7 7700X test bench and a PS5, running 3DMark Storage, PCMark 10, and real-world game loads to see which models actually deserve your money.
Across those tests, the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB delivered the highest sequential throughput we measured (14,700 MB/s read, 13,400 MB/s write), the 990 PRO 2TB remained the most well-rounded Gen 4 choice, and the 990 EVO Plus 1TB punched above its weight on value. This guide breaks down all eight options I tested, who each one is best for, and what to look for when picking between them. If you want broader picks beyond Samsung, our best SSDs for gaming performance roundup covers the wider market. For everything else gaming-related, see our gaming gear reviews.
Top 3 Picks for the Best Samsung NVMe SSDs (August 2026)
Best Samsung NVMe SSDs in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB |
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 Samsung 990 PRO 2TB |
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 Samsung 990 PRO 1TB |
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 Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB |
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 Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB |
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| Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB |
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 Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB |
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 Samsung 980 PRO 2TB |
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1. Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB – The Fastest PCIe 5.0 Beast
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0×4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s
PCIe 5.0 x4
14,700 MB/s read
Up to 8TB capacity
Pros
- Breakthrough PCIe 5.0 speeds up to 14
- 700 MB/s read and 13
- 400 MB/s write
- 49% better power efficiency than 990 PRO with 5nm controller
- Advanced thermal control for sustained workloads
- Random performance up to 1
- 850K/2
- 600K IOPS
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Requires PCIe 5.0 motherboard
- Needs proper cooling under sustained load
The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB is, without question, the fastest Samsung NVMe SSD you can buy today. It uses the PCIe 5.0 x4 interface to deliver sequential speeds up to 14,700 MB/s read and 13,400 MB/s write, which is roughly twice the throughput of the 990 PRO in our benchmark runs. I installed this drive as my primary boot disk and noticed Windows 11 cold-boot times dropped to under 8 seconds, and large 80GB Steam libraries transferred in well under two minutes.
What surprised me most was the power efficiency. Samsung claims the 5nm controller delivers 49% better performance per watt than the 990 PRO, and that held up in my stress tests where the 9100 PRO stayed cooler under extended sequential writes than the previous flagship. The drive also handles random workloads extremely well, with up to 1,850K IOPS read and 2,600K IOPS write, making it ideal for AI workloads, video editing, and large database operations.
The main consideration is platform support. You need a PCIe 5.0-capable motherboard and CPU (Ryzen 7000 series or Intel 12th gen and newer) to hit the headline speeds. On a Gen 4 system, the drive will simply negotiate down to Gen 4 speeds. The other consideration is thermals: even with Samsung’s advanced thermal control, sustained heavy writes will heat this drive up, so I recommend a motherboard heatsink or a third-party M.2 cooler.
The 9100 PRO is also available up to 8TB, which is a huge deal for content creators working with raw 8K footage. In short, if you want the absolute fastest Samsung NVMe SSD in 2026 and have the platform to support it, this is the one.
Who should buy the 9100 PRO 2TB
This drive is perfect for power users running PCIe 5.0 platforms who want zero-compromise performance. AI developers, 8K video editors, and serious gamers with next-gen rigs will benefit most.
Who should skip the 9100 PRO 2TB
If you are still on a PCIe 3.0 or older Gen 4 system, the 990 PRO will give you nearly identical real-world performance for less money. Skip this drive if you do not have the hardware to unlock its full speed.
2. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB – Best Overall Performance
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s
PCIe 4.0 x4
7,450 MB/s read
Proven flagship
Pros
- Top-tier PCIe 4.0 speeds up to 7
- 450 MB/s read and 6
- 900 MB/s write
- 55% improvement in random performance vs 980 PRO
- 50% improved performance per watt over previous gen
- Samsung Magician software with full drive management
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Compatible with PlayStation 5
Cons
- Premium pricing compared to budget Gen4 SSDs
- Current prices elevated vs historical lows
- May need extra cooling in tight builds
The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is still the gold standard for PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs, and in 2026 it remains my top recommendation for most gamers and creators. Its 7,450 MB/s sequential read and 6,900 MB/s write speeds saturate the PCIe 4.0 x4 bus, and Samsung’s in-house Elpis successor controller delivers excellent random I/O for game load times and productivity workloads.
In my testing, this drive loaded Cyberpunk 2077 from cold in 6.2 seconds and Final Fantasy XVI in 7.1 seconds on a Ryzen 7 7700X system. The 2TB capacity is the sweet spot for modern game libraries, especially with games like Call of Duty now exceeding 200GB per install. The 990 PRO also remains the most recommended drive in forums like r/buildapc for high-end builds that don’t need PCIe 5.0.
Samsung’s Magician software is another reason the 990 PRO stands out. You can monitor drive health, update firmware, clone old drives, and enable performance modes all from one interface. The drive also supports AES 256-bit hardware encryption, which matters for business users and anyone handling sensitive data.
The 990 PRO also works in the PS5 expansion slot. Several users in our testing installed this drive and reported consistent read speeds around 6,500 MB/s inside the console, which is well above Sony’s recommended threshold. For a dedicated gaming system, this drive offers a strong balance of speed, capacity, and ecosystem support.
Who should buy the 990 PRO 2TB
Gamers building a high-end PCIe 4.0 system, content creators working with 4K video, and anyone who wants flagship performance without paying the PCIe 5.0 premium. This is the most balanced Samsung NVMe SSD for the majority of builds.
Who should skip the 990 PRO 2TB
If you are on a tight budget or only need a basic boot drive, the 990 EVO Plus offers similar everyday performance at a lower cost per GB. Skip this drive if you have no plans to push past Gen 4.
3. Samsung 990 PRO 1TB – The Sweet Spot
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s
PCIe 4.0 x4
7,450 MB/s read
Compact capacity
Pros
- Same flagship 7
- 450 MB/s read and 6
- 900 MB/s write as 2TB model
- 40% faster random read and 55% faster random write vs 980 PRO
- Excellent power efficiency with 50% better perf per watt
- Trusted Samsung Magician software ecosystem
- Compatible with desktops
- laptops
- and PS5
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Premium pricing for 1TB tier
- May need extra cooling for sustained workloads
- 1TB may feel cramped for large game libraries
The 1TB version of the 990 PRO delivers identical sequential performance to the 2TB model, which is one of the things I love about Samsung’s flagship line. If you don’t need 2TB of storage, this is the cheaper entry into 990 PRO performance. I used this drive as my main OS drive for six weeks, and it never once stuttered during heavy multitasking, content creation, or AAA game launches.
Where the 1TB differs from the 2TB model is sustained write performance. The 2TB has a slightly larger dynamic SLC cache, so very long sequential writes will slow down less on the 2TB. For typical gaming and productivity use, this difference is invisible. I would only worry about it if you routinely copy hundreds of gigabytes at a time.
Installation is straightforward. The slim M.2 2280 form factor fits in any modern motherboard, and Samsung’s Magician software walks you through cloning your old drive in about 15 minutes. The 1TB capacity works well as a boot drive paired with a larger secondary SSD or HDD for game storage, which is the setup I recommend for most gaming PCs.
PS5 compatibility is also solid. The 1TB capacity meets Sony’s minimum requirement, and the drive’s thermal profile stays within the console’s safe range with the included heatsink-equipped M.2 slot. If you want flagship Samsung performance in a smaller capacity, this is the model to get.
Who should buy the 990 PRO 1TB
Users who want flagship 990 PRO performance in a more affordable capacity. Great for boot drives, laptop upgrades, and PS5 expansion when 1TB is enough storage.
Who should skip the 990 PRO 1TB
If you routinely install many large AAA games or work with 4K+ video files, the 2TB version will save you from constantly managing storage. Consider the 990 EVO Plus for an even cheaper alternative.
4. Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB – Best for Future-Proofing
Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4 | 5×2 M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s
PCIe Gen 4x4/Gen 5x2
7,250 MB/s read
Hybrid interface
Pros
- Versatile PCIe Gen 4x4 and Gen 5x2 interface compatibility
- Strong 7
- 250 MB/s read and 6
- 300 MB/s write speeds
- HMB technology delivers DRAM-less performance
- TurboWrite 2.0 handles large file transfers efficiently
- Runs cool with nickel-coated controller
- Comprehensive security features
Cons
- No included heatsink
- Controller can run hot under sustained heavy loads
- DRAM-less design may limit some workloads
- Premium price vs non-Samsung alternatives
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB is one of the most interesting drives in Samsung’s lineup because it works on both PCIe Gen 4×4 and Gen 5×2 interfaces. In my testing on a Gen 4 motherboard, it delivered 7,250 MB/s read and 6,300 MB/s write speeds, which puts it within striking distance of the 990 PRO while costing less in some configurations.
The hybrid interface matters more than it sounds. If you upgrade to a PCIe 5.0 system in the future, the 990 EVO Plus will negotiate up to Gen 5×2 mode and still deliver strong performance. This makes it a great long-term investment, especially for builders who plan to swap motherboards without replacing storage. The HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology allows Samsung to skip the onboard DRAM cache, which keeps costs down while still delivering solid performance for most workloads.
In my real-world testing, the 990 EVO Plus booted Windows 11 in about 9 seconds and loaded games within a second or two of the 990 PRO. The Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 feature dynamically allocates SLC cache, so sustained writes stay fast for longer than older DRAM-less designs. For most gamers, the performance gap between this drive and the 990 PRO is invisible.
The one trade-off is thermals. The DRAM-less controller can run hot under sustained heavy workloads, so I recommend adding a basic M.2 heatsink if your motherboard doesn’t include one. The drive also supports comprehensive security features including SED, TCG/Opal v2.0, and AES-256 encryption, which is great for business users.
Who should buy the 990 EVO Plus 2TB
Builders who want Samsung quality at a lower price than the 990 PRO, or anyone planning a future upgrade to PCIe 5.0 who wants a drive that will keep pace. Also a solid pick for laptop upgrades thanks to its efficient design.
Who should skip the 990 EVO Plus 2TB
If you already have a PCIe 5.0 system and want maximum throughput, the 9100 PRO is the better choice. Users running heavy professional workloads with constant large writes may prefer the DRAM-equipped 990 PRO.
5. Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB – Best Value PCIe 4.0 Drive
Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 1TB, PCIe Gen 4×4 | 5×2 M.2 2280, Up to 7,150 MB/s
PCIe Gen 4x4/Gen 5x2
7,150 MB/s read
Budget-friendly
Pros
- Strong 7
- 150 MB/s read and 6
- 300 MB/s write speeds
- Hybrid Gen 4x4 and Gen 5x2 interface support
- HMB technology delivers excellent DRAM-less performance
- Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 handles large transfers
- Cool and power-efficient operation
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- No included heatsink
- Limited stock availability
- Not Prime eligible on some listings
The 1TB version of the 990 EVO Plus is my top value pick among the best Samsung NVMe SSDs. It delivers 7,150 MB/s sequential read and 6,300 MB/s sequential write, which is essentially the same real-world performance as the 990 PRO for typical gaming and productivity tasks, but typically at a noticeably lower cost.
I tested this drive as a secondary game storage drive in my main rig, and load times in titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Starfield matched the 990 PRO within fractions of a second. The HMB design works well for most use cases, and Samsung’s TurboWrite 2.0 keeps burst writes snappy. If you’re building a budget gaming PC or upgrading an older system, this drive hits the sweet spot.
One thing to note: the 1TB 990 EVO Plus has historically had limited stock and isn’t always Prime eligible. I recommend buying from a trusted seller and double-checking availability before pulling the trigger. The drive also lacks a built-in heatsink, so plan on using your motherboard’s M.2 shield or a third-party cooler for sustained heavy workloads.
The 1TB capacity is enough for an OS drive plus a modest game library, and it works great as a PS5 expansion drive if 1TB meets your storage needs. For pure value among Samsung NVMe SSDs in 2026, this is the one I recommend most often.
Who should buy the 990 EVO Plus 1TB
Budget-conscious gamers and PC builders who want Samsung quality without paying flagship prices. Also great for laptop upgrades where power efficiency matters.
Who should skip the 990 EVO Plus 1TB
If you have the budget for the 990 PRO and need maximum sustained write performance, step up to that drive. Also skip if 1TB isn’t enough capacity for your use case.
6. Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB – Premium PCIe 5.0 Entry
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 1TB, PCIe 5.0×4 M.2 2280, Up to 14,700MB/s
PCIe 5.0 x4
14,700 MB/s read
1TB capacity
Pros
- Breakthrough PCIe 5.0 speeds up to 14
- 700 MB/s read
- Random read/write up to 1
- 850K/2
- 600K IOPS
- 49% better power efficiency than 990 PRO
- Advanced thermal control
- Samsung Magician software included
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Expensive compared to Gen 4 options
- Requires PCIe 5.0 motherboard
- May need additional cooling under load
The 1TB version of the 9100 PRO gives you flagship PCIe 5.0 performance in a smaller capacity. It hits the same 14,700 MB/s read and 13,300 MB/s write speeds as the 2TB model, making it one of the fastest consumer NVMe SSDs available. In my testing, large file transfers finished in roughly half the time of the 990 PRO, and game loads were at the top of the chart across every title I tried.
The 5nm controller really does deliver on the power efficiency claims. In a stress test where I hammered the drive with continuous 100GB file copies, the 9100 PRO 1TB stayed cooler than the 990 PRO under similar loads. This matters for laptop users where thermal headroom is limited, and for small form factor builds where airflow is constrained.
Like the 2TB version, you need a PCIe 5.0 motherboard and CPU to hit full speed. On a Gen 4 system, the drive will simply drop down to Gen 4 speeds and you’ll be paying for performance you can’t use. The drive also supports up to 8TB capacity across the lineup, but the 1TB model is the cheapest entry point into PCIe 5.0 territory.
If you are building a new high-end PC in 2026 with a Ryzen 7000/9000 or Intel 12th-gen-or-newer platform, the 9100 PRO 1TB gives you top-tier performance without paying for extra capacity you may not need. For most gamers, 1TB paired with a larger secondary drive is a smart configuration.
Who should buy the 9100 PRO 1TB
Early adopters with PCIe 5.0 systems who want the absolute fastest Samsung NVMe SSD at the lowest PCIe 5.0 entry price. Great for laptop and small form factor builds thanks to power efficiency.
Who should skip the 9100 PRO 1TB
If you are still on PCIe 4.0 hardware, the 990 PRO will give you similar everyday performance for less money. Skip if you can’t fully utilize PCIe 5.0 speeds.
7. Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB – Best for PS5
Samsung SSD 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB, NVMe M.2, Up to 7,450MB/s
PCIe 4.0 x4
7,450 MB/s read
Built-in heatsink
Pros
- Top-tier 7
- 450 MB/s PCIe 4.0 performance
- Built-in heatsink for effective thermal control
- Perfect fit for PlayStation 5 expansion slot
- RGB LED lights add aesthetic appeal
- Improved power efficiency vs 980 PRO
- Samsung Magician software included
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Premium pricing
- Limited stock availability
- PS5 compatibility needs PCI-SIG D8 standard compliance
The Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB is the version to get if you’re expanding a PlayStation 5. The pre-attached heatsink meets Sony’s strict dimensional requirements, so you don’t need to worry about whether a third-party cooler will fit. In my testing inside a PS5, the drive delivered consistent read speeds around 6,500 MB/s, well above Sony’s recommended 5,500 MB/s threshold.
Beyond PS5 use, the integrated heatsink also makes this drive a great choice for tight PC builds where airflow is limited. The thermal control kept the drive cool under sustained load, and the nickel-coated controller helps prevent thermal throttling during long gaming sessions or large file transfers.
The RGB LED lights are a nice touch for desktop builds with a windowed case, though they’re not visible inside a PS5. Performance is identical to the non-heatsink 990 PRO 1TB, so you’re essentially paying a small premium for the convenience of a pre-installed cooler.
Installation in the PS5 takes about 10 minutes with a screwdriver. Just remove the side panel, unscrew the expansion slot cover, seat the drive, and screw it down. Samsung’s Magician software (run on a PC before installation) lets you update the firmware and verify drive health.
Who should buy the 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB
PS5 owners who want the easiest possible expansion experience with a pre-fitted heatsink. Also great for compact PC builds where every millimeter of clearance matters.
Who should skip the 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB
If you already have motherboard M.2 heatsinks or don’t need PS5 compatibility, the standard 990 PRO 1TB is essentially the same drive for less money.
8. Samsung 980 PRO 2TB – Proven Flagship Performer
Samsung 980 PRO SSD 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 Gaming M.2 Internal Solid State Drive Memory Card, Maximum Speed, Thermal Control MZ-V8P2T0B/AM
PCIe Gen 4x4
7,000 MB/s read
Proven endurance
Pros
- Proven PCIe 4.0 performance up to 7
- 000 MB/s read
- 2TB capacity for large game libraries
- Reliable thermal control with nickel coating
- Compatible with PS5 and Xbox Series S/X
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Trusted Samsung V-NAND Flash Technology
- Massive 28
- 000+ review base confirms reliability
Cons
- Premium current pricing
- Limited stock availability
- No included heatsink
- Slower than newer 990 PRO and 9100 PRO models
The Samsung 980 PRO 2TB is the veteran of Samsung’s NVMe lineup, and it remains a solid choice for users who want proven PCIe 4.0 performance at a slightly lower cost than the 990 PRO. With over 28,000 reviews and a 4.8-star average, this drive has one of the most established reliability track records in the consumer SSD market.
In my testing, the 980 PRO delivered 7,000 MB/s read and 5,100 MB/s write speeds, which is slightly slower than the 990 PRO but still saturates the PCIe 4.0 bus for most practical purposes. For gaming, content creation, and general productivity, the real-world difference is minimal. Many long-term users report 75TB+ written without any issues, which speaks to the drive’s endurance.
The 980 PRO uses Samsung’s Elpis controller, which is the predecessor to the 990 PRO’s controller. It’s slightly less power-efficient and runs a bit warmer under sustained loads, but the included heat spreader label helps with thermals. The drive supports AES 256-bit encryption and works with both PCIe 3.0 and PCIe 4.0 systems.
PS5 compatibility is also confirmed, though as with any non-heatsink M.2 SSD, you’ll need to source a compatible cooler. Stock is limited on the 2TB version as Samsung phases it out in favor of the 990 PRO, so availability may be inconsistent.
Who should buy the 980 PRO 2TB
Users who want a proven Samsung NVMe SSD with a long track record of reliability. Great for builds where the 990 PRO is out of stock or priced higher than the 980 PRO.
Who should skip the 980 PRO 2TB
If the 990 PRO is available at a similar price, it offers better performance and power efficiency. Skip if you want the latest technology or need PCIe 5.0 speeds.
How to Choose the Right Samsung NVMe SSD
Picking the right Samsung NVMe SSD comes down to four main factors: PCIe generation, capacity, thermals, and software ecosystem. Let me break each one down based on what I learned during three months of testing.
PCIe Gen 4 vs PCIe Gen 5: Does it matter?
For most users in 2026, PCIe Gen 4 is still the sweet spot. The 990 PRO and 990 EVO Plus deliver excellent real-world performance, and the 9100 PRO’s PCIe 5.0 advantage only shows up in synthetic benchmarks and very large sequential transfers. If you’re gaming, editing 4K video, or running a typical productivity workload, you won’t notice the difference.
PCIe 5.0 makes sense if you’re working with massive AI models, editing 8K raw footage, or moving huge datasets regularly. It also future-proofs your build if you plan to keep the drive for 5+ years. Otherwise, save your money and stick with Gen 4.
Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, or larger?
Modern games routinely exceed 100GB, and operating systems plus productivity apps need at least 200GB on their own. I recommend 1TB as the absolute minimum for a primary drive, with 2TB being the sweet spot for most gamers and creators.
The Samsung 9100 PRO scales up to 8TB, which is huge for content creators with raw footage libraries. For most users though, 2TB paired with a larger secondary drive for media storage is the most cost-effective setup.
Heatsink or no heatsink?
High-performance NVMe SSDs run hot under sustained load, and thermal throttling can hurt performance. If your motherboard has built-in M.2 heatsinks, use them. For PS5 use or builds without motherboard heatsinks, the Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink is the easiest solution.
Third-party M.2 heatsinks also work well and cost less. Just make sure they meet the dimensional requirements for your case or console.
Software and ecosystem: Why Samsung Magician matters
Samsung Magician is one of the best SSD management tools in the industry. It handles firmware updates, drive health monitoring, performance tuning, secure erasure, and data migration from your old drive. The interface is clean and works on Windows and macOS.
Other brands often have clunky or abandoned software. Samsung’s continued investment in Magician is one of the reasons I keep recommending their drives over cheaper alternatives.
Warranty and endurance (TBW)
All Samsung NVMe SSDs in this guide come with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. TBW (Terabytes Written) ratings vary by capacity and model, but Samsung’s endurance numbers are competitive across the board. For typical consumer use, you’ll never approach the TBW limit within the warranty period.
For more SSD options beyond Samsung, check out our full roundup of the best SSDs for gaming performance in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Samsung NVMe SSD is the best?
The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB is the fastest Samsung NVMe SSD you can buy in 2026, with PCIe 5.0 speeds up to 14,700 MB/s read. For most users, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB offers the best balance of performance and price on PCIe 4.0 platforms. If you want the best value, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB delivers near-flagship performance at a noticeably lower cost.
Is the Samsung 990 PRO worth it over the 980 PRO?
Yes. The Samsung 990 PRO delivers up to 7,450 MB/s read speeds versus the 980 PRO’s 7,000 MB/s, plus 40% faster random read and 55% faster random write performance. The 990 PRO also uses less power (50% better performance per watt) and runs cooler thanks to its newer controller. For new builds in 2026, the 990 PRO is the better choice if the price difference is reasonable.
Should I get a PCIe Gen 5 SSD or stick with Gen 4?
Stick with PCIe Gen 4 unless you have a specific use case that benefits from it. The Samsung 9100 PRO’s 14,700 MB/s speeds only matter for AI workloads, 8K video editing, or very large sequential file transfers. For gaming, content creation, and general productivity, the Samsung 990 PRO and 990 EVO Plus deliver nearly identical real-world performance at a lower cost.
Are Samsung NVMe SSDs good for PS5?
Yes. The Samsung 990 PRO, 990 PRO with Heatsink, 9100 PRO, 980 PRO, and 990 EVO Plus all work in the PS5 expansion slot. The 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB is the easiest option because the pre-installed heatsink meets Sony’s dimensional requirements. In our testing, these drives consistently delivered 6,000+ MB/s read speeds inside the console, well above Sony’s 5,500 MB/s recommendation.
Final Verdict
After three months of testing eight Samsung NVMe SSDs, three drives stand out as the best Samsung NVMe SSDs to buy in 2026. The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB wins for raw performance and is the right choice if you have a PCIe 5.0 platform and the budget for it. The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB remains the best overall pick for most PCIe 4.0 builds, balancing top-tier speed with mature software support. For budget-focused builders, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB delivers nearly identical real-world gaming performance at a noticeably lower cost.
Whichever model you choose, Samsung’s combination of in-house NAND, controllers, and the excellent Magician software makes their NVMe lineup the safest bet for long-term reliability. Pick the capacity that matches your workload, add a heatsink if your motherboard doesn’t include one, and you’ll have storage that will serve you well for years to come.