Best M.2 SATA SSD Drives For Desktop PC’s and Laptops For Gamers

Does your motherboard support only M.2 SATA SSD Drives? If yes, then an M.2 NVMe will either not work. Now, this could be confusing to many, since both are M.2, looks similar, however, the interface and bus speed is different. Before you pick any of these, ensure that you have the correct type.

Most of us are well aware of SSDs that deliver much faster storage access compared to conventional HDDs. An M.2 SSD offers the same or even better storage performance as any traditional SSD, but it is more compact in form factor.  This specialized form factor is referred as Next Generation Form Factor / NGFF or M.2 (pronounced as M dot 2).

M.2 SSDs are utilized for high-performance storage in thin, power constrained devices. These drives are used in an ultrabook, notebooks and tablet computers. They are comparatively smaller and lightweight compared o SATA SSDs. Thus, they are used as an alternative for size compact devices.

M.2 SATA SSD Drives

If you own a notebook/ultrabook and looking forward to upgrading your storage, then this post will make your search a little bit easy. We have a list of some of the best M.2 SATA SSDs available out there in the market with their full specs. Here we go:

1. Crucial MX300:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Expansion Slots	8
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	256-bit AES
MTBF	1500000 sec
Color Category	blue
Hardware Encryption	Yes
Encryption Details	TCG Opal Encryption 2.0

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	Active Garbage Collection, Adaptive Thermal Protection, dynamic write acceleration, hardware encryption, power loss prevention (PLP), Crucial Custom Firmware, Data Path Protection, Device Sleep support, Error Correction Code (ECC), Extreme Energy Efficiency technology, Multistep Data Integrity Algorithm, Redundant Array of Independent NAND, TRIM support
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	530 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	510 MBps
4KB Random Read	92000
4KB Random Write	83000

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	550 MBps (read) / 525 MBps (write)
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)

MANUFACTURER WARRANTY

Service & Support

Limited warranty – 3 years

SOFTWARE & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Software Included

Acronis True Image HD

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Storage Temperature	-67 °F
Max Storage Temperature	185 °F
Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

STORAGE HARD DRIVE

Compliant Standards

S.M.A.R.T.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,500,000 hours

2. WD Blue 3D NAND SATA SSD WDS250G2B0B:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	3D NAND Technology, DEVSLP SATA low power mode
SSD Endurance	blue
Hard Drive Type	100 TB
Form Factor (Short)	internal hard drive
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	550 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	525 MBps

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	530 MBps (read) / 510 MBps (write)
4KB Random Write	83000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)
4KB Random Read	92000 IOPS

MANUFACTURER WARRANTY

Service & Support

Limited warranty – 3 years

SOFTWARE & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Software Included

Acronis True Image HD

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

 STORAGE HARD DRIVE

Compliant Standards

S.M.A.R.T.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	0.1 in
Height	3.1 in
Weight	0.25 oz

POWER CONSUMPTION

Mode	active, read, sleep, write
Value	2200 mW, 2250 mW, 52 mW, 56 mW

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

3. Samsung 850 EVO (500GB, M.2):

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Connector Type	M.2 Card

MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	1500000 sec
Hardware Encryption	Yes
Encryption Details	Self-Encrypting Drive (SED), TCG Opal Encryption 2.0

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	3D V-NAND Technology, Auto Garbage Collection Algorithm, Worldwide Name (WWN), DevSleep mode, Dynamic Thermal Guard protection, Hardware Full Disk Encryption (FDE), Microsoft eDrive compatible, RAPID mode support, Samsung MGX Controller, TRIM support, TurboWrite Technology
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	triple-level cell (TLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	540 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	500 MBps
Maximum 4KB Random Write	89000
Buffer Size	512 MB

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	540 MBps (read) / 500 MBps (write)
Maximum 4KB Random Write	89000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)

SOFTWARE & SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Software Included

Samsung Magician Software, Samsung Data Migration

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

STORAGE HARD DRIVE

Compliant Standards

256-bit AES, IEEE 1667, S.M.A.R.T.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.2 in
Height	0.1 in

POWER CONSUMPTION

Mode	active, average, maximum, sleep
Value	2 mW, 3.5 Watt, 4.7 Watt, 50 mW

SOFTWARE

Type	Samsung Data Migration, Samsung Magician Software

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	5 years warranty

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,500,000 hours

4. ADATA Ultimate SU800 M.2 2280:

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MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	2000000 sec

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	DRAM cache, DevSleep mode, Intelligent SLC Caching, LDPC error correction, SMI controller
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	3D triple-level cell (TLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	560 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	520 MBps

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	560 MBps (read) / 520 MBps (write)
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Storage Temperature	-40 °F
Max Storage Temperature	185 °F
Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.28 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

SHOCK & VIBRATION TOLERANCE

Shock Acceleration (Operating)	1500 g
Shock Duration (Operating)	0.5 ms

RELIABILITY

MTBF	2,000,000 hours

5. Transcend MTS800:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	DevSleep mode, Intel ISR support, Native Command Queuing (NCQ), TRIM support
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	multi-level cell (MLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	560 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	310 MBps

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	560 MBps (read) / 310 MBps (write)
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)

MANUFACTURER WARRANTY

Service & Support

Limited warranty – 3 years

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS Required

Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP / 7 / 8

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	3.1 in
Depth	0.9 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.39 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

6. ADATA Premier Pro SP900 M.2 2280:

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MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	1200000 sec

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	DevSleep mode, Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Smart Response Technology, TRIM support, synchronous flash memory
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	multi-level cell (MLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	550 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	530 MBps
4KB Random Write	86000

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	550 MBps (read) / 530 MBps (write)
4KB Random Write	86000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)

STORAGE HARD DRIVE

Compliant Standards

S.M.A.R.T.

BAY REQUIRED

Type	internal
Form Factor	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2
Total Qty	1

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.28 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,200,000 hours

7. Kingston SSDNow – 240 GB:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	1000000 sec
Color Category	black

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	Advanced Garbage Collection, DevSleep mode, TRIM support, Wear Leveling Support
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
SSD Endurance	300 TB
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2280
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	multi-level cell (MLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	550 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	330 MBps
4KB Random Write	79000
Maximum 4KB Random Write	10000
Maximum 4KB Random Read	80000 IOPS
Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD)	0.7

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	550 MBps (read) / 330 MBps (write)
Maximum 4KB Random Write	10000 IOPS
4KB Random Write	79000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)
4KB Random Read	79000 IOPS

MANUFACTURER WARRANTY

Service & Support

Limited warranty – 5 years

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

BAY REQUIRED

Type	internal
Form Factor	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2
Total Qty	1

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.21 oz

POWER CONSUMPTION

Mode	idle, read, write
Value	0.06 Watt, 1.56 Watt, 3.01 Watt

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	5 years warranty

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,000,000 hours

8. Transcend MTS600 – 256 GB:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2260
Features	Intel ISRTsupport
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2260
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	multi-level cell (MLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	560 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	310 MBps

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)
Internal Data Rate	560 MBps (read) / 310 MBps (write)

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	600 MBps (external)
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	2.4 in
Depth	0.9 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.25 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

9. SanDisk X400 – 128 GB:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	1750000 sec

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	DEVSLP SATA low power mode, DataGuard Technology, Device Initiated Power Management (DIPM), LDPC error correction, nCache 2.0 technology
SSD Endurance	72 TB
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2260
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	triple-level cell (TLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	540 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	340 MBps
4KB Random Read	93500
4KB Random Write	60000

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	540 MBps (read) / 340 MBps (write)
4KB Random Write	60000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)
4KB Random Read	93500 IOPS

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.25 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	5 years warranty

POWER CONSUMPTION

Mode	average, read, write
Value	2050 mW, 3350 mW, 70 mW

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,750,000 hours

10. WD Green PC SSD WDS240G1G0B:

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INTERFACE PROVIDED

Qty	1
Connector Type	M.2 Card
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600

MISCELLANEOUS

MTBF	1750000 sec

HARD DRIVE

Form Factor	M.2 2280
Features	DEVSLP SATA low power mode
SSD Endurance	80 TB
Hard Drive Type	internal hard drive
Form Factor (Short)	M.2
Form Factor (metric)	M.2 2260
Form Factor (Short) (metric)	M.2
Storage Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface	Serial ATA-600
NAND Flash Memory Type	triple-level cell (TLC)
Data Transfer Rate	600 MBps
Internal Data Rate	540 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	465 MBps
4KB Random Read	37000
4KB Random Write	68000

EXPANSION & CONNECTIVITY

Interfaces

1 x SATA 6 Gb/s – M.2 Card

PERFORMANCE

Internal Data Rate	540 MBps (read) / 465 MBps (write)
4KB Random Write	68000 IOPS
Drive Transfer Rate	600 MBps (external)
4KB Random Read	37000 IOPS

SOFTWARE & SYSTEM REQUIREMENT

Software Included

WD SSD Dashboard

ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS

Min Storage Temperature	-67 °F
Max Storage Temperature	185 °F
Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

STORAGE HARD DRIVE

Compliant Standards

S.M.A.R.T.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Width	0.9 in
Depth	3.1 in
Height	0.1 in
Weight	0.23 oz

SERVICE & SUPPORT

Type	3 years warranty

RELIABILITY

MTBF	1,750,000 hours

Conclusion:

We hope our list of top M.2 SATA SSD Drives helps you to choose the right product for yourself. Remember, these drives are only best for upgrading size and power compact devices such as notebooks, laptops, and tablets. If you have any query or advice, please feel free to use the comment section below. See you until next post!