Best 256GB, 250GB & 240GB Solid State Drive For The Money
Report Data Collected On: 1/Jan/2019
Looking for a perfect Solid-State Drive for your laptop or desktop computer and need some professional assistance before spending your money on anything. Then you really are at the right place because I update this article every month or maybe sometimes twice a month (usually update price on the second time) with comparing graphs just to make your SSD shopping a lot more worthier as you expect.
If you are a newbie, then choosing the best drive in a market is going to be really hard for you. I’m only saying this because there are numbers of factors which you need to know and can affect the whole performance of your new drive. Even missing a single one can lead you to the bad purchase.
People think that spending extra money on a well-known brand can get themselves the top-notch product in the market, which is completely wrong for solid-state drives because ‘HP H2C38AA 256GB’ who didn’t even get in our list cost more than 500 dollars where the top 1st drive of our list only costs 112$.
Why use a 256GB or 240GB Solid State Drive?
There was a time when SSDs were so expensive but thanks for those latest and reliable ‘Multi-Level Cell NAND Chips’ who cut down all the expensive cost and make SSDs a lot cheaper than it was before. Due to a prices drop now people start to realize that adding one in their computer can intensely increase the whole experience and can worth it all.
This year, the market is flooded with new solid-state drives for a better storage solution. And because of the huge price drop over years, now you can see 256GB drive becomes the new entry-level SSD in the market. Nobody’s buying 64GB or 128GB Solid State Drive, even most of the manufactures stop making the low storage drives.
The data is getting bigger day by day, and as you can see even a single 4K movies needs more than 25 gigs of storage. If you are a gamer then you can really understand the importance of storage. 50 GB setup file is average for the latest games. But still, 256 GB drive at least feed you enough to contain an OS and all your basic softwares with a couple of games, which is adequate for such a small storage drive.
#Let’s See The Top SSD’s List
I’ve taken an oath to get you best out of your purchase and that’s why I already maintained SSDs Data into a sheet which took me months of work, just to compare out the flawless solid-state drive available at the marketplace. I compared 180+ SSDs only under this storage category.
SSDs are available in 4 different types, 2.5 Inch, M.2, mSATA, and PCIe. To know more; How to buy SSD (Solid State Drive) for PC & Laptop?
Or if have any concern about the compatibility with your current selection, then here; Check SSD (2.5/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) Compatibility with Laptop or Desktop Motherboard
For performance comparison, just mainly look for the maximum numbers in spec under your budget and that will work for you.
So, let’s starts with;
#Best 240GB, 250GB & 256GB 2.5 Inch SSDs Available In the Market
3rd 2.5 Inch – Samsung 860 EVO MZ-76E250B/AM
- Form Factor: 2.5 inches, 7mm
- Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 550 MB Per Second / 520 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 98,000 IOPS / 90,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 5 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 150 TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND 3bit MLC
- Price: 57.99$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: This is a highly famous SSD in the budget-friendly category. A very remarkable and user-friendly feature about this SSD is that it is available with 30 days to return money back guarantee. This guarantee ensures that you can return the SSD if it poses any problems or if you are not satisfied with the product. This SSD ensures the best computing performance.
The high computing performance standards and blazing fast speed are a result of the VNAND Technology that makes possible seamless and smooth performance and boosts the read and write speed too. The results of this SSD are brilliant with effective data processing speeds and delivery. This SSD is very popular in the ultra-thin mobile computing range.
The Solid State Drive provides protection from unwarranted access through its remarkable algorithm controller. The Sequential Read speed of this SSD is 550 MB/s and the Sequential Write speed is 520 MB/sec.
The SSD has smart compatibility owing to the new EEC controller. This controller helps in fluid communications of the SSD with the host computer. The SSD is compatible with Windows and Linux based Operating systems as well.
In my Opinion;
This drive only ranks third in our list because of the storage category limitations. If you need a better deal, then by spending 23 more dollars you can actually buy “WD Blue 3D NAND WDS500G2B0A” who also ranks third in our “Top Best 480GB, 500GB & 512GB SSD (2.5 Inch/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) – Monthly Updated” article.
Click on link to check out the current price of “Samsung 860 EVO MZ-76E250B/AM“: @Amazon US ($57.99), @Amazon UK (£139.00), @Amazon IND (₹5,297.00), @Best Buy ($57.99), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($57.99).
2nd 2.5 Inch – SAMSUNG 850 PRO MZ-7KE256BW
- Form Factor: 2.5 inches, 7mm
- Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 550 MB Per Second / 520 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 100,000 IOPS / 90,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 10 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 150TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung 32 layer 3D V-NAND
- Price: 160.99$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: The Samsung 850 Pro stands as the first SSD in the market which uses the innovative format of 32 layers 3D vertical NAND (V-NAND) flash memory for top-notch performance along with an ultra-high endurance embedded with a high power management efficiency for both sequential and random workloads.
Just like standard drives, it’s diagonally 2.5 inches square shaped device with a standard SATA port on one side. As compared to conventional flash, it offers up to 2 times the speed and density required for gaming and other real-world performance.
The 850 Pro features a 4th Generation MEX controller which enables it to be the most-efficient drives out in the market. This uses up to 50% lower than the power required by conventional drives. It comes with a device sleep mode lowering the power consumption to less than 2mW, and it has the lowest active write power consumption.
It comes bundled with a 10 year, 150 TBW warranty wrapped with an undeniable sense of reliability. Files are secured at the top level owing to the AES Self-Encrypting Drive security technology.
The device includes Dynamic Thermal Guard Protection to sustain the performance rate while simultaneously decreasing the risk of overheating. This efficient feature keeps track of the driver’s optimal operating temperature embedded with a throttle feature which lowers the SSD’s temperature in order to protect your data and ensuring that you get the enhanced performance and responsiveness.
In my Opinion;
MZ-7KE256BW is the only one who has 10 years of warranty period under this storage category. But still, 160$ for the 10 Y warranty isn’t that worthful as compare the top first drive of our 2.5 inch list.
Click on link to check out the current price of “SAMSUNG 850 PRO MZ-7KE256BW“: @Amazon US ($169.99), @Amazon UK (£122.09), @Amazon IND (₹12,990.00), @Best Buy (N/A), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($160.99).
1st 2.5 Inch – SAMSUNG 860 PRO MZ-76P256BW
- Form Factor: 2.5 inches, 7mm
- Interface: SATA 6 Gb/s
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 560 MB Per Second / 530 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 100,000 IOPS / 90,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 5 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 300TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND 2bit MLC
- Price: 107.99$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: This Internal SSD used for Desktops and PCs measures 2.5 inches. This SSD is one of the leading products in the category of high performing and highly efficient Solid State Drives.
The SAMSUNG 860 PRO MZ-76P256BW SSD has remarkable storage, thanks to the highly productive, efficient and class-leading V NAND Technology that is used in this solid state drive. The V NAND Technology makes this SSD more effective, faster, highly productive and reliable. The revolutionary V NAND Technology is also the reason behind better power management of the SSD and faster sequential read and write speed.
This flash is the reason behind double the speed of a conventional SSD and leads to high-performance standards. This SSD has great reliability, endurance, performance standards and power management. The VNAND Technology improves the speed in both random workloads and sequential workloads.
The SSD is known to have very good energy efficiency which is why this SSD lasts longer than the conventional SSDs. In its ultra-less power state, this SSD consumes only 2 MW of power. For people who work on high demanding applications or are into gaming or visual graphics, then they work on their systems for a longer time. This often leads to overheating of the SSD, but this SSD comes with a Thermal Guard protection which protects the SSD from overheating and helps it to function for longer hours.
This Dynamic Thermal Guard protects your PC from overheating due to its throttle feature which reduces the temperature of your SSD and yet maintaining the responsiveness and results that you would expect. The precious data is protected with this SSD. This safeguarding of data is not done at the cost of performance.
In my Opinion;
This one is the perfect drive what you can buy for the money you spend. The top-notch performance with top-notch endurance, what else more? But still, if you can extend your budget upto more 60 dollars then you can actually buy the “SAMSUNG 860 PRO MZ-76P512BW” who ranks first in our “Top Best 480GB, 500GB & 512GB SSD (2.5 Inch/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) – Monthly Updated” article.
Click on link to check out the current price of “SAMSUNG 860 PRO MZ-76P256BW“: @Amazon US ($107.99), @Amazon UK (£113.33), @Amazon IND (₹11,400.00), @Best Buy ($120.99), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($107.99).
#Best 240GB, 250GB & 256GB mSATA SSDs Available In the Market
1st mSATA – SAMSUNG 860 EVO MZ-M6E250BW
- Form Factor: mSATA
- Interface: SATA 6Gb/s
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 550 MB Per Second / 520 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 97,000 IOPS / 88,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 5 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 150TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND 3bit MLC
- Price: 82.99$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: This SSD is known for being available at a reasonable cost. The computing speed and strength of this SSD is pretty high which results in better functions and improved productivity.
The high-performance standards of computing are because of the VNAND Technology. The smooth performance and boost in the sequential read and write speed is also because of this revolutionary VNAND Technology. The Sequential Read speed of the SSD is pegged at 550 MB/sec and the write speed is 520 MB/sec. 
This SSD has high compatibility as it is compatible with all Computers with Windows-based Operating Systems such as the Windows 7, Windows XP, etc. The SSD is suitable and compatible with Linux based PCs as well.
This SSD that provides high business reliability and optimized standards for everyday computing is available with 5 years of warranty.
In my Opinion;
Another worthy drive of our list. But still, if you can spend more 32 dollars then you can buy the same series drive who also ranks first in our mSATA list of “Top Best 480GB, 500GB & 512GB SSD (2.5 Inch/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) – Monthly Updated” article.
Click on link to check out the current price of “SAMSUNG 860 EVO MZ-M6E250BW“: @Amazon US ($82.99), @Amazon UK (£69.81), @Amazon IND (₹11,275.00), @Best Buy ($100.99), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($82.99).
#Best 240GB, 250GB & 256GB M.2 SSDs Available In the Market
3rd M.2 – Corsair Force MP500 CSSD-F240GBMP500
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Interface: PCIe Gen 3.0 x4
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 3000 MB Per Second / 2400 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 250,000 IOPS / 210,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 3 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 349TBW
- NAND Type: Latest Generation NAND from Corsair.
- Price: 126.55$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: The Corsair Force MP500 series M.2 SSD is known for its high performance, boosting quick start, powered by fast transfer speeds, and efficient reliability. It comes packed with a fired up bandwidth allowing you quick access to data, to load files easily, and to launch games with an improved speed as compared to the SATA 3.0.
The driver features a sequential read and writes speed of up to 3,000MB/s and 2,400MB/s respectively. The fast response time and reliability ensure that improved performance, with additional protection aimed towards increasing the reliability in order to extend the life of the drive.
The device features support for over-provisioning, secure wiping of the disk, and it also enables disk cloning, FW Update and much more. The drive comes with a 3-year warranty ensuring additional error bit correction and an improved state of data retention as it comes embedded with the latest version of NAND.
The SSD enables a new and efficient level of performance in a compact form factor. It comes with toughened contact surface material which significantly improves the contact to the motherboard while simultaneously providing resistance from vibration, which ensures reliability and performance in vigorous conditions. It comes off as a space saver with faster system performance.
It is compatible with Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linus, and it required no additional special driver or administrative rights for installation and use.
In my Opinion;
Having the top similar specs with the highest endurance capacity under the 256GB storage category can surely win this drive the third position in our list. As usual, I have a better deal for you. If you are willing to spend 126.55 dollars on this drive then by paying more 22 dollars, you can actually buy “SAMSUNG 970 EVO MZ-V7E500BW” who ranks 2nd in our “Top Best 480GB, 500GB & 512GB SSD (2.5 Inch/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) – Monthly Updated” article.
Click on link to check out the current price of “Corsair Force MP500 CSSD-F240GBMP500“: @Amazon US ($126.55), @Amazon UK (£89.99), @Amazon IND (₹14,227.00), @Best Buy (N/A), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($126.50).
2nd M.2 – SAMSUNG 960 EVO MZ-V6E250BW
- Form Factor: M.2 80mm
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.2
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 3200 MB Per Second / 1500 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 330,000 IOPS / 300,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 3 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 100TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND Technology
- Price: 108.45$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: The Samsung 960 Evo is a high performing and reliable device which comes equipped with V-NAND owing to its efficient features. The device comes enhanced with a bandwidth beyond the SATA interface as provided by the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface, bundled up with the new Polaris Controller which essentially facilitates sequential read and write speeds ranging up to 3,200MB/s and 1,500MB/s respectively. The write speeds are accelerated by the presence of the new TurboWrite Technology.
The 960 Evo rambles on up to 100 TBW combined with a 3-year warranty period. Along with significant features like its Dynamic Thermal Guard, which prevents overheating issues, ensuring the protecting of your data and providing high-performance output.
The device is ideal and compatible for tower desktops with high performance along with small form factor PCs that are supported by NVMe Port with a native M.2 Slot. It features an intuitive user interface which is simple to use, manage and monitor, guided by the Samsung Magician Software.
This also provides automatic firmware updates, enabling you to get easily notified when a new firmware update is released which can easily be installed to get an enhanced performance, compatibility, and stability of the system.
The data security in the drive is ensured by selective security options. It supports AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption along with TCG Opal and IEEE 1667, standing together to protect your data.
In my Opinion;
Was an excellent product a few months before with the price tag of just 80 dollars. But right now this drive is selling for about 108$ which isn’t a good deal if you’re looking for something under the budget. I suggest you to look for the 1st one.
Click on link to check out the current price of “SAMSUNG 960 EVO MZ-V6E250BW“: @Amazon US ($108.45), @Amazon UK (£79.41), @Amazon IND (₹9,599.00), @Best Buy ($124.99), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($114.99).
1st M.2 – SAMSUNG 970 EVO MZ-V7E250BW
- Form Factor: M.2 80mm
- Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.3
- Max Sequential Read/Write Speed: 3400 MB Per Second / 1500 MB Per Second
- Max Random Read/Write Speed: 200,000 IOPS / 350,000 IOPS
- Warranty/support: 5 Years Limited Warranty
- Endurance {Terabytes Written/lifespan}: 150TBW
- NAND Type: Samsung V-NAND 3-bit MLC
- Price: 87.99$ {Check Current Price}
Short Review: This is the latest 970 EVO Series drive who recently launched on May 7, 2018, and this series really has top of the line products in the market. This drive has 70k Less random 4K IOPS as compared to the old 960 EVO Series but still because of the new upgraded NAND chips from 48-layer 3D TLC to new 64-layer TLC chips. You’ll get even 20% better performance.
Evo Series is mainly TLC-based where the Pro version comes with the MLC NAND flash memory chips. The sad news is, Samsung stops making the 250GB variant Pro version drives when the 960 Pro Series came out. Therefore, you can see the excellent performance increment over the last 2 EVO Series.
Whatever you are, a gamer, a video editor or a user of some professional software, 3400 MB/s sequential read and 1500 MB/s sequential write is actually enough to fulfill all your performance need.
Even the endurance and warranty are extended, over the last series. Now you’ll get a total of 150 Terabytes Written with 5 years of warranty period. This one also comes with the ‘Samsung’s Magician Software’ which can help you to manage and update your SSD’s firmware, even without losing the current saved data. The software can show you the benchmark scores of your drive or how much Terabytes is remains to be Written and much more.
970 EVO MZ-V7E250BW has the same five-core Phoenix controller as it comes with the Pro model. Not just in Pro models, Phoenix controller also used in Samsung’s top of the line enterprise SSD too. So, that’s for sure you’ll get the maximum performance experience with this drive.
In my Opinion;
If you are looking for the best out of best, then this drive won’t let you down in any either way. Or otherwise, if you can spend 147$ then you can buy the same series drive even with better performance in 500 gigs variant. To know more, check out our “Top Best 480GB, 500GB & 512GB SSD (2.5 Inch/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) – Monthly Updated” article.
Click on link to check out the current price of “SAMSUNG 970 EVO MZ-V7E250BW“: @Amazon US ($87.99), @Amazon UK (£83.18), @Amazon IND (₹9,030), @Best Buy ($88.99), @Walmart (N/A), @Newegg ($87.99).
#Best 240GB, 250GB & 256GB PCIe SSDs Available In the Market
Sorry to say but not a single good PCI Express SSD card is available in the market who worth its price under this 240, 250 & 256 GB SSD category.
But the good part is, you can use NVMe M.2 SSD card on your computer even without having an M.2 slot on your computer’s motherboard;
And to do that, you only need an “M.2 to PCIe Card Adaptor” just as shown in the example picture given below and you are ready to go.
M.2 to PCIe Adapter – Single/Dual/Quad/DIMM.2/RAID
M.2 adapters are specially designed to allow the computers to support M.2 devices which lack the M.2 slot. But you need to double check before choosing it as it comes in two compatibility variables the first one is the length while the second is the Key… Read more
*And that’s our top 7 list of the best 240/250/256 GB (2.5/mSATA/M.2/PCIe) SSD what you can get for your desktop or laptop computer. Stay tuned for more! – So, what will you pick, if you wanted one for yourself? Let me know in the comments below:
Happy Shopping!!!
