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Short on time? Our top pick is Lexar NM790 2TB NVMe SSD, Lexar NQ780 1TB NVMe SSD takes Best Single Sided for Laptops, while WD Green SN3000 1TB takes Best Single Sided Budget Pick.
- Best Single Sided NVMe SSD Lexar NM790 2TB NVMe SSD Check price
- Best Single Sided for Laptops Lexar NQ780 1TB NVMe SSD Check price
- Best Single Sided Budget Pick WD Green SN3000 1TB Check price
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The best single sided NVMe SSD has all of its chips on one side of the board, leaving the back flat. That matters in thin laptops, where there may be no room for components under the drive.
Plenty of drives are single-sided, but few listings say so. We only included drives whose maker states a single-sided design on the Amazon listing or in specs we checked. We checked every listing on Amazon in October 2026 and used the specs the makers publish there. We do not list prices because Amazon prices change in real time; use the buttons to see the current price and availability. Scores are our editorial scores out of 10, not Amazon customer ratings.
Best Single Sided NVMe SSDs at a Glance
| Award | Drive | Read Speed | Best For | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Single Sided NVMe SSD | Lexar NM790 2TB NVMe SSD | 7,400MB/s | 2TB in thin laptops | 9.0/10 |
| Best Single Sided for Laptops | Lexar NQ780 1TB NVMe SSD | 6,500MB/s | Power control | 8.7/10 |
| Best Single Sided Budget Pick | WD Green SN3000 1TB | 5,000MB/s | Thin laptops and small PCs | 8.5/10 |
| Best Single Sided Value 2TB | Kingston NV3 2TB NVMe SSD | 6,000MB/s | Low power, 2TB | 8.3/10 |
Lexar NM790 2TB NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen 4x4, M.2 2280
A single-sided 2TB Gen4 drive with reads up to 7,400MB/s and lower power use than DRAM Gen4 drives, per Lexar.
Lexar NQ780 1TB NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen 4x4, M.2 2280
Lexar calls out laptops directly: a single-sided design, Intelligent Power Control and reads up to 6,500MB/s.
WD Green SN3000 1TB NVMe SSD, PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280
A single-sided M.2 2280 drive made for thin laptops, with reads up to 5,000MB/s and nCache 4.0.
Kingston NV3 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD, PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4
A low-power 2TB Gen4 drive with reads up to 6,000MB/s, cloning software and a 5-year warranty.
In-Depth Reviews
1. Why Single Sided Matters
Double-sided drives place NAND or other chips on the back. In a desktop that is rarely a problem, but some thin laptops leave too little gap between the board and the case. A single-sided drive avoids that risk.
Western Digital says plainly that the SN3000 uses a single-sided M.2 2280 design for thin laptops and small PCs, and Lexar says the NQ780 is great for laptops thanks to its single-sided design.
2. Lexar NM790 2TB NVMe SSD: Best Single Sided NVMe SSD
The Lexar NM790 2TB keeps the 7,400MB/s read and 6,500MB/s write ratings in a single-sided design, which helps in thin laptops. Lexar rates the 2TB model for 1,500TBW and quotes up to 40% lower power use than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives.
3. Lexar NQ780 1TB NVMe SSD: Best Single Sided for Laptops
The Lexar NQ780 1TB reads at up to 6,500MB/s and writes at up to 2,500MB/s. Lexar uses an 8-channel Gen4 controller with HMB and SLC cache, and says it is great for laptops thanks to its single-sided design and Intelligent Power Control. It has a 5-year limited warranty.
4. WD Green SN3000 1TB: Best Single Sided Budget Pick
The WD Green SN3000 1TB reads at up to 5,000MB/s. Western Digital uses a single-sided M.2 2280 design to suit thin laptops and small PCs, adds nCache 4.0 and offers Acronis True Image for moving your data.
5. Kingston NV3 2TB NVMe SSD: Best Single Sided Value 2TB
The Kingston NV3 2TB brings the NV3's 6,000MB/s reads to 2TB. Kingston markets the line as high speed, low power storage and includes Acronis cloning software with a 5-year limited warranty.
How to Choose a Single Sided NVMe SSD
Look for the maker's statement
If the listing does not say single-sided, check the maker's spec sheet.
Mind the label too
Thin labels like Lexar's and WD's add almost nothing; avoid drives with fixed heatsinks.
Capacity
Higher capacities are more often double-sided. The Lexar NM790 2TB and Kingston NV3 2TB keep 2TB on one side.
Speed
The NM790 2TB leads at 7,400MB/s; the SN3000 is slower but very affordable.
Quick Setup Tips
- Check your laptop's manual: confirm the M.2 length, PCIe generation and whether there is a free second slot
- Back up first: copy anything important before you swap the boot drive
- Clone or reinstall: several picks include Acronis cloning software for moving your old drive
- Skip big heatsinks: most laptops have no room for a desktop heatsink; a thin label is fine
- Check the live price: use the buttons to see the current price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best single sided NVMe SSD?
The Lexar NM790 2TB, a single-sided Gen4 drive with reads up to 7,400MB/s.
How do I know if an SSD is single sided?
Check the maker's listing or spec sheet. If it does not say, look at product photos of the back of the board.
Do desktops need single sided SSDs?
Rarely. It matters mostly in thin laptops and some small devices.
Is single sided slower?
Not by design. The Lexar NM790 2TB is single-sided and rated at 7,400MB/s.
Can I get 2TB single sided?
Yes. The Lexar NM790 2TB and Kingston NV3 2TB are 2TB single-sided drives.
The Bottom Line
The Lexar NM790 2TB is the best single sided NVMe SSD for speed. Pick the Lexar NQ780 1TB for laptop power control, or the WD Green SN3000 1TB on a budget.
