Jesper Berg 
If you work with storage-heavy apps or simply want quick access to your entire Steam library, there is no substitute for a high-capacity SSD. 4TB SSDs are now quite common and we are also starting to see 8TB models in the consumer market.
Even larger capacities, while common in data centers, are still too expensive for the mass market.
Nevertheless, the cost of Flash memory has been dropping for some time. And thanks to the arrival of cheaper chips in the form of high-density TLC (triple-level cell) and QLC (quad-level cell) NAND, it is now easier than before to justify investing in a high-capacity solid state drive.
Here, we’ve rounded up the best 4TB and 8TB SSDs from major manufacturers as of early 2024 based on our own testing. The short version is that most high-end M.2 SSDs now come in a 4TB variety, as do many of the leading 2.5″ SATA models.
Fastest Vs. Best Value 4TB & 8TB M.2 SSDs
Cost per GB is always a key factor when buying a storage device, and it is of course especially important when shopping for a high-capacity SSD. Other than performance, it is mainly the type of Flash memory used that determines the price tag. Newer drives based on QLC (quad-level cell) memory tend to be cheaper. On the downside, they are also slower and come with much lower endurance ratings than high-end SSDs based on TLC (triple-level cell) chips.
This quickly becomes apparent when comparing some of the fastest 4 TB SSDs versus the most affordable.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have invested in a PCI-Express 5.0-capable system (based on e.g. AMD B650/X670 or select Intel Z790 boards with the latest AMD or Intel CPUs), the best-performing 4TB SSD is currently the Crucial T700. With sequential throughput of up to 12,400 MB/s, this drive is a leader among the still relatively few SSDs that utilize the Gen5 interface. For the same reason, it is also the fastest M.2 SSD overall.
In the Gen4 space, the Samsung 990 PRO is still the fastest drive we’ve tested – and it was only recently released in a 4TB model. The WD Black SN850X also remains an excellent choice for a high-end build. Both are backed by a solid 2,400 TBW endurance rating, meaning that it should withstand 600 full drive write/erase cycles before wearing out. Read our comparison of the 990 PRO and SN850X here.
At the affordable end of the spectrum – but amazingly still one of the fastest PCIe 4.0 around according to our testing – is the TeamGroup MP44. This DRAM-less drive, which is also available in an 8TB capacity, often competes with and sometimes surpasses much more expensive SSDs.
If you are looking for 8 TB of fast storage space at a somewhat reasonable price, the Corsair MP600 PRO NH is one of the most interesting new releases. It’s based on the Phison E18 controller and durable TLC NAND, resulting in an outstanding 6,000 TBW endurance rating.
List of 4TB M.2 (PCIe/NVMe) SSDs
PCI Express-based solid state drives in the M.2 form factor are the first choice as system drives, as they offer much higher performance than their 2.5″ SATA counterparts. However, not all high-end drives come in 4 TB capacities.
Many are technically entry-level M.2 SSDs and frequently use more inexpensive parts, such as 4-channel controllers and QLC NAND. Here is an extended list of current 4TB M.2 PCIe SSDs at the time of writing. It is roughly sorted by random IOPS throughput, which tends to be the more accurate indicator of real-world performance.
| Name | Max. sequential read/write (MB/s) | 4K random read/write (IOPS) | NAND | Endurance rating (terabytes written) | Latest Price* | Shopping Links |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Samsung 990 PRO 4TB | 7450/6900 | 1.55M/1.4M | TLC | 2,400 TBW | N/A | Amazon Newegg |
 | WD Black SN850X (4TB) | 7300/6600 | 1.2M/1.1M | TLC | 2,400 TBW | $299.98 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Corsair MP600 Pro XT (4TB) | 7100/6800 | 1M/1.2M | TLC | 3,000 TBW | $400.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Corsair MP600 Pro NH (4TB) | 7000/6500 | 1M/1.2M | TLC | 3000 TBW | $429.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Kingston Fury Renegade (4TB) | 7300/7000 | 1M/1M | TLC | 4,000 TBW | $330.00 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Kingston KC3000 (4TB) | 7000/7000 | 1M/1M | TLC | 3,200 TBW | $372.94 | N/A |
 | Seagate FireCuda 530 (4TB) | 7300/6900 | 1M/1M | TLC | 5,100 TBW | Price not available | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | TeamGroup Cardea A440 PS5 (4TB) | 7400/7000 | 1M/1M | TLC | 3000 TBW | N/A | N/A |
 | PNY XLR8 CS3140 (4TB) | 7500/6850 | N/A | TLC | 3000 TBW | $299.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Adata XPG Gammix S70 Blade (4TB) | 7400/6300 | 750K/750K | TLC | 2,960 TBW | $299.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Adata Legend 960 (4TB) | 7400/6800 | 700K/550K | TLC | 3,120 TBW | $270.99 | Amazon Newegg |
 | TeamGroup MP44 (4TB) | 7400/6900 | 660K/650K | TLC | 3,000 TBW | $259.99 | Amazon Newegg |
 | MSI Spatium M461 (4TB) | 5000/4200 | 600K/850K | N/A | 900 TBW | N/A | Newegg |
 | Corsair MP600 Pro (4TB) | 7000/6850 | 650K/700K | TLC | 3000 TBW | $372.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus (4TB) | 7100/6600 | 650K/700K | TLC | 2,800 TBW | $499.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Crucial P3 Plus (4TB) | 4800/4100 | N/A | QLC | 800 TBW | $226.99 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Crucial P3 (4TB) | 3500/3000 | 650K/900K | QLC | 800 TBW | $226.99 | N/A |
 | Corsair MP400 (4TB) | 3400/3000 | 610K/710K | QLC | 800 TBW | $1,075.84 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | OWC Aura P12 (4 TB) | 3400/3000 | 600K/600K | TLC | N/A | $549.99 | N/A |
 | Corsair Force MP510 (4TB) | 3480/2000 | 580K/680K | TLC | 6,820 TBW | Price not available | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Sabrent Rocket Q | 3200/3000 | 550K/680K | QLC | 1,040 TBW | $818.37 | N/A |
 | Mushkin Alpha (4TB) | 3200/3000 | 550K/640K | QLC | 900 TBW | N/A | N/A |
 | WD Black SN750 (4TB) | 3400/3100 | 550K/520K | TLC | 2,400 TBW | N/A | N/A |
 | Adata XPG S40G (4TB) | 3500/3000 | 290K/240K | TLC | 2,560 TBW | Price not available | N/A |
 | Adata XPG SX8100 (4TB) | 3500/3000 | 240K/290K | TLC | 1,280 TBW | N/A | N/A |
 | Kingston NV2 (4TB) | 3500/2800 | N/A | TLC/QLC | 1,280 TBW | $250.00 | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | PNY CS2130 (4TB) | 3500/3000 | N/A | QLC | N/A | N/A | N/A |
*Prices are updated automatically at regular intervals but are subject to change between updates.
Note that all drives with sequential speeds above 3,500 MB/s require a PCI-Express 4.0 (PCIe Gen4) platform to reach their full potential. The PCIe Gen4 interface is present in consumer platforms based on:
- AMD X570, B550, or TRX40 motherboards paired with a 3000/5000-series Ryzen/Threadripper CPU (or later)
- Intel Z590 and other 11th-gen motherboards paired with an Intel Core CPU from the same generation (or later).
Some highlights from the list (other than those mentioned above):
1. High-End Alternative: Kingston KC3000 & Fury Renegade
Launched in 2022, the Kingston KC3000 is among the fastest 4TB M.2 SSD at the time of writing. It is based on the Phison E18 controller and ultra-fast 176-layer Micron TLC NAND. These are the same parts as found in the Seagate FireCuda 530 (see below), but Kingston’s model seems to offer slightly better performance than the average E18 drive. Note that this drive is also available in a slightly faster version sold under the name Fury Renegade.
2. Superb Endurance & Performance: Seagate FireCuda 530
Seagate’s FireCuda 530 uses the same controller as the KC3000 and offers stellar sequential read/write performance at 7,300 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. The 4TB model also comes with an exceptional endurance rating of 5,100 TBW, making it a top choice for video editing and other storage-heavy workloads.
3. Great Gen4 Performance for Less: XPG Gammix S70 Blade
Adata’s XPG Gammix S70 Blade stands out in the crowd by using the somewhat unusual IG5236 “Rainier” controller from Innogrit. Although its random IOPS performance cannot compete with the class-leading Gen4 SSDs, sequential performance is very impressive at 7,400 MB/s (read) and 6,600 MB/s.
It is also highly competitive in terms of pricing and the 4TB model offers a solid endurance rating of 2,960 TBW. Additionally, it ships with a heatsink suitable for the PS5.
List of 4TB 2.5″ SATA SSDs
If you are looking for lots of fast internal storage space at a more reasonable cost, SATA drives should (and usually do) offer lower prices per GB compared to their M.2 PCIe counterparts. For quite some time Samsung was the only manufacturer with 4TB or larger consumer SSDs in the market. More recently, Western Digital/SanDisk and Seagate have also started to offer high-capacity alternatives.
These are the leading 4TB 2.5″ SATA SSDs available at the time of writing.
| Name | Max. sequential read/write (MB/s) | 4K random read/write performance (IOPS) | NAND | Endurance rating (terabytes written) | Check Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Samsung 860 PRO (4TB) | 560/530 | 100K/90K | MLC | 4,800 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Samsung 870 EVO (4TB) | 560/530 | 98K/88K | TLC | 2,400 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Seagate IronWolf 125 (4TB) | 560/540 | 95K/90K | TLC | 5,600 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Samsung 870 QVO (4TB) | 560/530 | 98K/88K | QLC | 1,440 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | Seagate IronWolf 110 (3.84TB) | 560/535 | 85K/45K | TLC | 7,000 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | WD Red SA500 (4TB) | 560/530 | 95K/82K | TLC | 2,500 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | WD Blue (4TB) | 560/530 | 95K/82K | TLC | 600 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
 | SanDisk Ultra 3D (4TB) | 560/530 | 95K/82K | TLC | 600 TBW | Amazon Newegg Amazon UK |
| Samsung 860 EVO (4TB) | 550/520 | 98K/90K | TLC | 2,400 TBW | N/A |
 | Seagate IronWolf Pro 125 (3.84TB) | 545/520 | 96K/30K | TLC | 7,000 TBW | N/A |
 | Exascend EXSC3 (4TB) | 540/530 | 85K/80K | N/A | N/A | N/A |
 | Adata Ultimate SU630 (3.84TB) | 520/450 | 40K/65K | QLC | 800 TBW | N/A |
Sequential performance is fairly similar across the board, which is not surprising considering that the SATA interface has been fully utilized by leading SSDs for many years. However, the 2.5″ form factor is still interesting as it offers higher capacities at (usually) much more attractive prices per GB. It is, of course, also the only alternative if you have no spare M.2 slots. Some of the highlights worth mentioning include:
1. Still a Market Leader: Samsung 860 PRO
The 860 PRO is quite possibly the last drive from Samsung to use high-quality MLC NAND. Like previous Samsung PRO-series SSDs, it has a rock-solid reputation for reliability, endurance, and not least performance. It has been around for several years now but is still one of – if not the – best SATA SSD you can get your hands on. Unfortunately, its MLC chips also make this drive significantly more expensive than most of the competition, which is particularly noticeable in the largest 4TB capacity.
2. Great Performance: Seagate Firecuda 120
For most users, a high-end, MLC-based SATA SSD like the Samsung 860 PRO does not represent value for money at this time – not least because spending that much will get you a significantly faster PCIe/NVMe M.2 SSD. If you nevertheless want a high-end model, a better case can be made for the Seagate FireCuda 120. This relatively recent drive, launched in 2020, now tops the performance charts in key areas, while also offering an exceptional endurance rating at 5,600 TBW for the 4TB capacity. It has unfortunately become difficult to find.
3. Affordable & Reliable: WD Blue 3D NAND
You may have noticed that the WD Blue 3D and SanDisk Ultra 3D specifications are identical. This is because these two drives indeed are identical in all but name and branding (SanDisk is a subsidiary of Western Digital). However, the WD Blue 3D NAND tends to be slightly cheaper for some reason, thus making the choice between the two a no-brainer. Although its endurance rating is relatively poor compared to other 4TB SSDs, the WD Blue has one of the best overall user ratings in the segment. At the same time, real-world performance is comparable to much more expensive alternatives.
8TB SSDs: Largest SSDs in the Market
While significantly larger capacities are available in the enterprise market, eight-terabyte consumer SSDs appeared only recently and are still not numerous. Most use QLC NAND memory to keep prices at a reasonable level and there are very few options in the high-end segment other than the Rocket 4 Plus.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The most affordable 8TB SSD by a wide margin is the Samsung 870 QVO. Unsurprisingly, there is also a rather wide performance margin between this SATA drive and any PCIe NVMe SSD. One of the more recent additions to the M.2 SSD market is the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 8TB, which is also the best-performing 8TB drive at present.
As mentioned, the list of 8TB consumer SSDs is not particularly long at this point in time, and availability is often limited.
One SATA Alternative: Teamgroup QX
At the time of writing, there is only one non-enterprise competitor to the 8TB Samsung 870 QVO and the Teamgroup QX is it. In fact, this drive is also available in an even more capacious (and expensive) 15.3TB variety.
Like the 870 QVO, the QX is based on QLC NAND and should offer about the same performance. They are also priced about the same, though the Teamgroup QX comes with an inferior endurance rating at 2,000 TBW versus the QVO’s 2,880 TBW.
Other 8TB M.2 NVMe/PCIe Models
1. Corsair MP600 Pro XT
One of the very few high-end M.2 drives that come in an 8TB version is the Corsair MP600 Pro XT. This flagship SSD from Corsair uses premium 176-layer NAND memory chips and the Phison E18 controller, resulting in sequential read/write performance of 7,100 MB/s and 6,800 MB/s, respectively. Random performance in the 4TB and 8TB capacities is also very impressive at 1M/1.2M read/write IOPS. The endurance rating is 6,000 TBW. Additionally, it comes bundled with a large aluminum heat spreader that is not optional but can be removed if it doesn’t fit in your build.
Shopping links: Amazon, Newegg, Amazon UK
2. Corsair MP600 Pro NH
Corsair is more active than other manufacturers in the high-capacity space, with several drives on the market with confusingly similar designations. The MP600 Pro NH has a lot in common with the MP600 Pro XT, however, as they both use the Phison E18 controller and TLC NAND. There are also a few differences, most notably that the NH comes with no heat spreader and a more modest price tag. Sequential performance is also slightly behind at 7,000 MB/s (read) and 6,800 MB/s, but you get the same massive 6,000 TBW endurance rating with the 8TB model.
Shopping links: Amazon, Newegg, Amazon UK
3. Mushkin Gamma
The 8TB Mushkin Gamma is yet another high-end Gen4 M.2 SSD powered by the Phison E18 controller but is specified as being slightly slower than the Corsair models (likely due to previous-gen NAND). It still gets quite close to the bandwidth limits of the PCIe 4.0 interface with a sequential performance of 7,000 MB/s (read) and 5,900 MB/s (write). Random performance is 700K/1M IOPS (read/write).
Shopping links: Amazon
4. Sabrent Rocket Q 8TB
We have previously reviewed the 1TB model of the Rocket Q and found it to be an attractive M.2 drive from a price/performance perspective. As its name implies, the Sabrent Rocket Q uses QLC memory chips to keep costs down, but it still offers more than decent sequential performance at 3,300 MB/s (read) and 2,900 MB/s (write). The endurance rating for the 8TB capacity is 1,800 TBW.
Shopping links: N/A
The Best External/Portable 4TB SSDs
If you just want lots of really fast storage to go, you actually have quite a few options. Unlike hard drives, solid state drives are not limited by the size of spinning platters, only by how the manufacturers decide to arrange the memory chips and layout of the PCB. Therefore they may vary greatly in size and shape.
What to keep in mind when shopping for an external SSD include the drive’s rated performance and its interface. The best-performing drives use either the USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt interfaces. Here are some of the most popular models right now.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Note that high-end external SSDs that use Thunderbolt require compatibility with the interface. This is a standard feature on recent Macs, but not on PCs, where it is mainly found on creator-oriented motherboards. USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) ports are far more common but only on more modern PCs. Unlike Thunderbolt, however, high-end USB devices are backward-compatible but will run slower on old hardware.
There are of course additional high-capacity alternatives on the external SSD market. Some of the most popular include:
Samsung T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2) – Samsung’s T7 Shield comes in a rugged aluminum enclosure and offers transfer rates of up to 1050 MB/s via a 10 Gbps USB interface. It’s also highly portable with a thickness of just 0.5 inches.
Corsair EX100U (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2) – Using the 20 Gbps USB 3.2 2×2 interface, the Corsair EX100U can reach sequential transfer rates of up to 1600 MB/s (read) and 1500 MB/s (write), respectively. At 0.43 inches, it’s nevertheless even thinner than the Samsung T7.
WD My Passport SSD (USB 3.2 Gen 2) – Western Digital’s portable SSDs come in more conventional, HDD-inspired enclosures. The difference is that they are significantly smaller and, of course, much faster. In the latest incarnation, the My Passport SSDs use the 3.2 Gen 2 USB interface and offer read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s.
Build Your Own External SSD
When shopping for external storage, it’s also worth comparing the cost of a DIY alternative. Buying an affordable 4TB M.2 SSD and installing it in an M.2 PCIe/NVMe enclosure will often result in decent savings compared to branded external SSDs.
You also get to choose your own interface. Most external SSDs are limited to 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2, which is below spec for nearly all NVMe SSDs. Enclosures are also mostly 10 Gbps, but you are also free to opt for 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 all the way up to 40 Gbps USB4/Thunderbolt.
NAND Memory Types and Endurance Ratings
As you may have noticed from the specs, the main differentiator in the different 2.5″ SATA price brackets is not so much performance as it is endurance measured in terabytes written (TBW). For the vast majority of users, this is not a major concern, since none of the drives listed above are likely to wear out before all other parts of the computer have turned to scrap.
More recent NAND allows for storing additional bits per cell, with the drawbacks of reduced endurance and performance.
What mainly affects the endurance rating is the type of NAND memory chips use. These are exemplified in Samsung’s 2.5″ lineup by:
- the 860 QVO, which uses quad-level cell (QLC) NAND chips
- the 860 EVO uses triple-level cell (TLC) NAND, and finally
- the 860 PRO, which is one of the increasingly rare SSDs that still use multi-level cell (MLC) NAND.
MLC memory is the oldest NAND generation, but still the superior technology in terms of performance and endurance. MLC has been mostly replaced by the newer and denser TLC type, which is somewhat slower and less durable. The most modern and least durable type today is QLC.
Additional bits in every cell increase the number of charge states in each transistor. This makes them more prone to voltage drift and other issues that need to be corrected, which is a reason why high-density NAND doesn’t perform as well.
Of course, the newer memory types are not without advantages. The main one is that the higher densities allow for lower production costs. And as for performance, the difference is quite small as long as you are on the bandwidth-limited SATA bus. Compared to other technologies, modern QLC SATA drives offer an attractive price/performance calculation, unless you plan on putting the drive through extremely heavy use.
Summary
If money is no object, or you happen to run a data center, it’s possible to buy SSDs in much greater capacities than 8TB, such as Samsung’s 30.72 TB PM1643. Enterprise drives are only limited by what businesses are willing to pay – which is typically a lot more than the average consumer. Prohibitive prices are what hold back ultra-high-capacity SSDs in the consumer space today.
Evolution of NAND Flash memory.
The good news is that SSD prices have dropped at a steady pace, partly thanks to smaller production processes (in nanometers), but mostly thanks to additional bits per cell. However, the cost per GB is obviously still high compared to mechanical hard drives. For most PC builders today, the most cost-effective solution is still to combine a lower-capacity SSD with a slow conventional hard drive for backups and other files that are not frequently accessed.
On the other hand, some categories of users can definitely take advantage of large amounts of fast storage space, which is an advantage for everyone working with large files. Photo-, video, and audio editing come to mind.
The options are still somewhat limited, but it is 100% certain that we’ll see more high-capacity SSDs in the future. And hopefully at reasonable prices, thanks to the proliferation of QLC NAND and more efficient production processes.
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You forgot the OWC Express 4M2 NVMe, which offers true Thunderbolt 3 performance. You can bolt in four Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 SSDs and get a 4TB external drive with 2,883 MB/s read speeds for about $900. ?
Thanks for the tip Michael! Will add it in next update.
have a look at this 8TB Micron 5210 Enterprise drive
https://www.amazon.com/Micron-MTFDDAK7T6QDE-7-68TB-2-5-Inch-Enterprise/dp/B07JQ2F2WG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=8TB+SSD&qid=1590085643&s=electronics&sr=1-3
Thanks. Please, note that the article text still states:
“The VectoTech Rapid is bound by the limits of the USB 3.0 (or USB 3.1 Gen1) interface and it’s, therefore, slower than its competitors”.
On the other hand:
Brand new higher-capacity internal SSD (4 TB & 8 TB) from Micron will allow higher-capacity external portable SSD
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/brand-new-higher-capacity-internal-ssd-4-tb-8-tb-from-micron-will-allow-higher-capacity-external-portable-ssd.2208536
More with updated speed information:
VectoTech Rapid 4TB External SSD USB-C Portable Solid State Drive (USB 3.1 Gen 2)
Super fast Read/Write speeds up to 540Mb/s
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC1RI61
VectoTech Rapid take apart disassemble would be great to see internal SSD. Is it Micron?
On the other hand, your information is outdated:
VectoTech Rapid 2TB External SSD USB-C Portable Solid State Drive (USB 3.1 Gen 2)
https://www.amazon.com/VectoTech-Rapid-External-Portable-Solid/dp/B01JKMZ6L6
Check out the pictures with USB C connector and cables. Albeit the speed is outdated. Amazing!
Thanks for the info, will uppdate asap. I have yet to see a full review of the vectotech. But Micron or Toshiba NAND would be the most likely.