Paying more for a very fast NVMe SSD is wasting money if you only save PDFs, but it is the only option if you are also going to work from it

Like me, you have probably also at some point faced the purchase of a new storage unit, internal or external, for your desktop PC or portable. Something that, until a few years ago, was quite simplified: either you chose a 5,400 rpm HDD (revolutions per minute), or you chose one of 7,200 rpm. End of story. To something else. But since SSDs came onto the scene, purchasing (and usage) possibilities have changed a lot, making opting for one type or another is not so simple.

Today, taking into account the price differences between HDDs (the “old” mechanical disks) and SSDs (the “modern” solid state drives), the choice is clear: SSDs win by a landslide, offering wide capacities and much, much higher speeds. Although well, the current context of AI surcharges It changes the film a little and, whatever purchase we make now, it will entail a greater outlay. But this shouldn’t last forever and, under normal conditions, SSDs are still the best value for money purchase option for general use.

So, well, you already have one thing clear: to expand capacity, in general terms, the ideal in 2026 is to go for an SSD. However, the choice is not so simple because different technologies and different models come into the field of SSDs, each with a series of advantages and disadvantages. All of them, valid for any use you plan to give them, be careful. But not all of them cost the same and, depending on what you need your new unit for, Smart purchasing will tip the balance on one side or the other. And your pocket, of course, will thank you for choosing carefully.

In other words and to give them first and last names: in a scenario in which you need more space for your PC or portable and you have to go through the checkout to expand it using an SSD, you will have to choose between an NVMe SSD or a SATA SSD (which are the main types of SSD that are generally sold). The first, more expensive and faster. The second, cheaper and slower. AND each one, in its proper context, shines with its own light. Next we are going to see how they differ and why they are a better purchase option compared to their rival, depending on the context. And thus pay more if the situation requires it or save as much as possible if you are not going to take advantage of its full potential.

SATA SSD: not as fast but cheaper

When SSDs burst onto the scene, they did so in a format we know as SATA. In units of different sizes (although also ostensibly more compact than mechanical HDDs) that are still commonly marketed in 2.5-inch models. If you have a laptop or desktop PC from a couple of decades ago, probably contains one of these.

These SSD units were, at the time, night and day compared to mechanical HDDs. What used to take you half an hour to wait was suddenly completed in minutes. And also, without noise. The “problem” is that today, with much more modern and faster units (spoiler: NVMe), this type of SSD have been relegated more to pure storage than as devices for daily work.

That is to say: what we once stored on HDDs, we now do on these SSDs. A digital storage room that, in any case, is much faster and makes it easier (and faster) to move large amounts of data and copy and paste files. In addition, the SATA SSD is probably the only option when it comes to somewhat “old” laptops: today, practically all models come with an M.2 connector (where the NVMe are installed), but if you have a laptop that is a few years old (around 2018 or earlier) it will probably not have said connector and the 2.5-inch SATA SSD is the one you will have to use. If you are also using a mechanical HDD, the change will be spectacular.

Does this mean they are a bad choice? Not at all, they’re still great in 2026… but especially for what I’m doing: storing. Because if what you need is a “hard drive” on which to install the operating system, applications and games, or on which work intensively on tasks that require constant writing and reading of data (such as video editing), then you will be limited. This leads us to the next model: NVMe SSD.

NVMe SSDs: faster and more expensive

While SATA SSDs are somewhat larger and slower (but cheaper), NVMe SSDs are a rocket. The quickest and most direct way to describe them is: speed, speed, speed. While the former would become a one-lane national highway, the latter become a highway with eight lanes in each direction. This means that if a sporadic car (some file, such as PDFs) is going to pass through these “roads”, SATA is enough for you; If you need several heavy trucks moving at the same time (video editing, for example, with thousands of MB of data moving at full speed) then That national highway will collapse and there is no choice but to drive on the highway..

NVMe SSDs also stand out in design: they are compact, stylish and very small. The inseparable companion of any current desktop or laptop PCbut also in video game consoles by offering better performance in all types of tasks and taking up less space (something vital, for example, in the case of consoles). In fact, this is the type of SSD that the PlayStation 5, the Steam Deck… come with in the M.2 connectors that they incorporate. Connector that, by the way, has been present on practically any desktop or laptop motherboard for a few years now.

This type of SSD is more expensive than its SATA relatives, but that extra financial effort is worth it if, in addition to storing data as such, you plan to work on them. Work on an SSD? I mean running applications or video games that are installed on the SSD. And even when it comes to the operating system. Because that extra speed of these NVMe compared to SATA (several thousand MB per second for the former, a few hundred MB per second for the latter) is where it shines.

So using an NVMe SSD to store data and files is useless? Nothing could be further from the truth: both types are suitable for both uses. You can install applications on all of them, work on all of them and store on all of them, too. The key to all this is choosing well. depending on what you need to basically not overspend and get the most out of every euro you spend. Even more so now, when we continue to see sky-high prices.

The good and the bad, face to face

So to summarize and be much clearer about the differences between one SSD and another, This table is a good indication.

Which one may interest you more: we do the math

At this point, what you have to take into account is the use you plan to give the SSD and what you want (or can spend). Furthermore, once again, the prices on the market today. This way, you will get the most out of every euro invested and you will make a much smarter purchase. In this sense, SATA SSDs are more than suitable for general use that does not require greater expense.

• Actual use: You use a SATA SSD to store data and files and you do not plan to install applications, games or the operating system on it
• What experience you get: speed when copying and pasting data (minutes, not hours) without spending more

On the contrary, for work or studies you need the maximum possible speed on your “hard drives” because every minute counts. The scenario where NVMe SSDs shine with their own light and in which, without a doubt, they are the most appropriate choice. In exchange, the outlay you have to make is greater but in the long run, the time you gain more than compensates for that original investment.

• Actual use: Not only will you store data and files, but you will install games, applications and even the operating system on your NVMe SSD
• What experience you get: the applications, the loading times of the video games, the startup of the operating system after turning on the device and, in general, everything you use on a daily basis are almost instantaneous

In summary:

👉 Choose a SATA SSD if: You need a “digital storage room” to store files, data, images, videos and documents that you need to access quickly, you are not going to install applications or games in it and you also want to save as much as possible

👉 Choose an NVMe SSD if: You are going to install the operating system, the applications, the video games and all the programs that you use daily for studies, work or leisure to obtain the best possible experience and, in addition, save minutes of your time that you can dedicate to something else

Recommended models

SATA SSD: Crucial BX500

One of the options I always recommend when it comes to SATA SSD drives, regardless of the capacity chosen, is the Crucial BX500. I have used this SSD in several desktop configurations and I have never had problems in any usage scenario. It is ideal for storing everything we need and accessing it very quickly, thanks to the maximum 540 MB/s it reaches.

Although, as I told you before, we are not in the best time to buy SSD units in general for prices that are far from reality, this Crucial BX500 is still maintaining an affordable and acceptable cost in its different configurations:

NVMe SSD: Samsung 990 Pro

When it comes to NVMe SSDs, my choice is also very clear: the Samsung 990 Pro. An expensive model, yes, especially now. But it is worth every euro it costs as long as we take advantage of it. Personally, it’s the one I’ve used on more recent PC builds (before the price hike, of course) and I couldn’t be happier with him.

It exceeds 7,000 MB/s, which translates into very high speed for everything: the operating system flies, applications open in the blink of an eye, and The games install and load in a very short time. A choice for work or any demanding use, for years. Right now, these are their prices in their different versions and capacities:

Do you want to see more models?

In the field of SSDs, their different types and uses there is much more fabric to cut. If you want to continue delving into them, don’t miss our comparison of SSD versus HDD. EITHER this guide that will help you better differentiate all types of SSD.

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

Images | Joseph Greve and Samsung Memory on Unsplash, Crucial, Samsung, Xataka

In Xataka | What is the best laptop for working in 2026. Tips and recommendations

In Xataka | This is the gaming tower that I would buy. The computers with the best quality-price ratio for gaming recommended by Xataka