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Short on time? Our top pick is Samsung 990 PRO 2TB, Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB takes Best Samsung Gen5 SSD, while Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB takes Best Samsung SSD for PS5.
- Best Samsung SSD for Gaming Samsung 990 PRO 2TB Check price
- Best Samsung Gen5 SSD Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB Check price
- Best Samsung SSD for PS5 Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB Check price
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The best Samsung SSD for gaming depends on where it goes: a Gen5 desktop slot, a Gen4 PC or laptop, a PS5 or a USB port. Samsung makes its own controllers, memory and firmware, and its Magician software covers every drive here.
We picked six Samsung drives for different gaming setups. 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 Samsung SSDs for Gaming at a Glance
| Award | Drive | Type / Speed | Best For | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Samsung SSD for Gaming | Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | Gen4 / 7,450MB/s | Most gaming PCs | 9.3/10 |
| Best Samsung Gen5 SSD | Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB | Gen5 / 14,700MB/s | New high-end builds | 9.2/10 |
| Best Samsung SSD for PS5 | Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB | Gen4 heatsink / 7,450MB/s | PS5 and heatsink-free boards | 8.9/10 |
| Best Value Samsung SSD | Samsung 990 2TB NVMe SSD | Gen4 / 7,250MB/s | Saving money | 8.6/10 |
| Best Samsung Portable SSD | Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB | USB Gen 2x2 / 2,000MB/s | Portable library | 8.5/10 |
| Best Rugged Samsung SSD | Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB | USB Gen 2 / 1,050MB/s, IP65 | Travel | 8.2/10 |
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
The 2TB 990 PRO keeps 7,450MB/s reads and Samsung's nickel-coated controller, with room for a large library.
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280
Reads up to 14,700MB/s with a 5nm controller Samsung says is up to 49% more power efficient than the 990 PRO.
Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB, PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
The 990 PRO with a factory heatsink, rated up to 7,450MB/s and up to 50% better performance per watt than the 980 PRO.
Samsung Internal SSD 990 2TB, PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2
The 2TB Samsung 990 reads up to 7,250MB/s with Samsung's power-conscious design, sold by Amazon when we checked.
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Samsung's fastest portable SSD for creators, with sustained reads and writes up to 2,000MB/s and Dynamic Thermal Guard.
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2
The rugged T7, with an IP65 rating, protection from falls up to 9.8 feet and reads up to 1,050MB/s.
In-Depth Reviews
1. Which Samsung SSD Fits Your Setup?
Pick the 990 PRO for nearly any Gen4 desktop or laptop. If your motherboard has a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, the 9100 PRO roughly doubles sequential speed. For a PS5, Sony requires cooling, so the 990 PRO with Heatsink is the simple choice; see the PS5 M.2 SSD guide. The 990 is a lower-cost Gen4 option, and the T9 and T7 Shield are for USB.
2. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB: Best Samsung SSD for Gaming
The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB has the same 7,450MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write ratings as the 1TB model. Samsung's nickel-coated controller handles thermal control, the slim build suits laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard, and Samsung Magician monitors drive health and updates.
3. Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB: Best Samsung Gen5 SSD
The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB reads at up to 14,700MB/s and writes at up to 13,400MB/s, with random speeds up to 1,850K and 2,600K IOPS. Samsung's 5nm controller improves power efficiency by up to 49% over the 990 PRO, and the line goes up to 8TB.
4. Samsung 990 PRO Heatsink 1TB: Best Samsung SSD for PS5
The Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB is the 990 PRO with a factory heatsink attached. Samsung quotes random reads and writes up to 1,400K and 1,550K IOPS, which it says are 40% and 55% faster than the 980 PRO, and up to 50% better performance per watt.
5. Samsung 990 2TB NVMe SSD: Best Value Samsung SSD
The Samsung 990 2TB is rated for reads up to 7,250MB/s and writes up to 6,450MB/s. Samsung positions the 990 line as a balance of performance and power use, with Magician software for firmware updates and drive health checks.
6. Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB: Best Samsung Portable SSD
The Samsung T9 1TB is rated for sequential reads and writes up to 2,000MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, and Samsung says it holds that speed during longer transfers. Its Dynamic Thermal Guard controls heat under heavy use, and Samsung Magician handles firmware updates, encryption and drive health checks.
7. Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB: Best Rugged Samsung SSD
The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB is built for rough handling, with an IP65 rating for water and dust and protection from falls up to 9.8 feet. It reads at up to 1,050MB/s and writes at up to 1,000MB/s, and Samsung lists PC, Mac, Android and gaming consoles.
How to Choose a Samsung SSD for Gaming
Slot type
Gen5 slot: 9100 PRO. Gen4 slot: 990 PRO or 990. USB: T9 or T7 Shield.
Heatsink
Use the heatsink versions for PS5 or boards without an M.2 cover.
Capacity
2TB suits most gaming PCs; the 990 PRO also comes in 4TB.
Seller
Several Samsung drives were sold by Amazon when we checked; heatsink versions were third-party.
Quick Setup Tips
- Check your slot: your motherboard manual lists which M.2 slot runs at full speed
- Fit a heatsink: use the board's M.2 cover or a drive with one fitted
- Clone or fresh install: free cloning tools move your old drive over
- Update firmware: use the maker's software after install
- Check the live price: use the buttons to see the current price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Samsung SSD for gaming?
The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB, rated up to 7,450MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes.
Is the Samsung 9100 PRO worth it for gaming?
If you have a Gen5 slot and move big files. Game loads gain only modestly over the 990 PRO.
Which Samsung SSD works in a PS5?
The 990 PRO with Heatsink meets Sony's Gen4 and cooling requirements.
What is Samsung Magician?
Samsung's software for firmware updates, health checks and encryption.
Is the Samsung 990 good for gaming?
Yes. It is rated up to 7,250MB/s reads and costs less than the 990 PRO.
The Bottom Line
The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is the best Samsung SSD for gaming for most PCs. Choose the 9100 PRO for a Gen5 build, or the 990 PRO with Heatsink for a PS5.
