What is an SSD: Modern data storage for PCs and laptops explained

SSD
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Tester128)

If you've ever asked "what is an SSD?", or wondered how it is different than a traditional hard drive, you're not alone.

Most people understand that an SSD is a storage device for a computer that keeps hold of all your programs, files, and whatever else you have on your computer, but not all storage is the same. Even the best cheap SSD will give you next-level performance over the best hard drive, while the best SSD overall will provide load times that older PCs could only dream of.

So what is an SSD then? How is it different from traditional hard drives, and how do they work? And most of all, is an SSD the right storage solution for you, and if so which one?

Fortunately, we've tested so many SSDs over the years that you'd think we were starting a collection, but we've learned all you need to know about an SSD in the process, and we're here to help you make sense of this vital PC and laptop component so you can make the right choice when shopping for an upgrade or even your next PC.

What is an SSD: Your computer's storage explained

A Samsung 990 Pro in an M.2 slot in a motherboard

(Image credit: Future)

What is an SSD?

An SSD (Solid State Drive) is a storage device similar to a more traditional hard drive, but it differs from an HDD both in technology and performance. While the best SSD and best hard drives both store data effectively, they have distinct differences in how they store and retrieve that data, with an SSD being much faster and more stable than a traditional HDD.

An SSD uses small memory chips called flash memory to store data. Flash memory is non-volatile memory, which means that it retains data even when it isn’t being powered. This means that unlike a traditional hard drive, an SSD has no moving parts.

The absence of moving parts allows an SSD to have much faster read and write speeds compared to traditional hard drives, resulting in improved overall system performance, faster OS boot times, quicker file transfers, and faster loading times for software and games.

An SSD also has a smaller footprint compared to bulkier hard drives, making them more suitable for laptops and ultrabooks, where space is at a premium. What’s more, they generate less heat and consume less power, contributing to better energy efficiency and battery life, both important features of the best laptops.

How does an SSD work?

The Micron 5400 SATA SSD

(Image credit: Micron)

How does an SSD work?

An SSD is a storage device that uses a technology called flash memory to store data. Unlike traditional hard drives that rely on spinning discs and mechanical arms, SSDs are entirely electronic and have no moving parts.

The key component of an SSD is its flash memory, which is a type of memory called non-volatile, which means it can retain stored data without being powered. This allows it to hold an electrical charge in special cells that are organized into pages, and the pages are grouped into blocks.

When accessing data in an SSD, the controller within the SSD sends electronic signals to the appropriate memory cells. To read data, the controller determines the specific memory cells that contain the requested information and measures the electrical charge in those cells. A high charge represents a binary value of "1," while a low charge represents "0."

When you save or write data to an SSD, the controller prepares the memory cells by erasing them. A feature of a flash memory cell is that it cannot overwrite existing data directly, the entire block of memory cells must be erased together. Then, new data can be written to the newly cleared cells. 

Flash memory cells have a limited lifespan in terms of the number of times they can be erased and rewritten, so SSDs employ a technique called 'wear leveling' to ensure that data is evenly distributed across all available memory cells, preventing excessive wear on specific cells. This helps prolong the overall lifespan and endurance of the SSD.

The controller is a crucial component within an SSD. It acts as the 'brain' of the drive, managing data storage, retrieval, and overall performance. The controller also handles error correction, garbage collection (cleaning up invalid or deleted data), and various algorithms that optimize data placement and improve read and write speeds.

SSDs connect to the computer through various interfaces, such as SATA (Serial ATA) or PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express). These interfaces enable the transfer of data between the SSD and the computer's motherboard. PCIe interfaces generally offer higher data transfer rates and are commonly used in high-performance SSDs.

What are the disadvantages of an SSD?

WD Blue SN570 SSD

(Image credit: WD Australia)

What are the disadvantages of an SSD?

While SSDs offer numerous advantages over traditional hard drives, they also have a few disadvantages as well.

SSDs are generally more expensive than HDDs in terms of cost per storage capacity. While the prices of SSDs have been decreasing over time, they still tend to be more costly when compared to HDDs, especially for higher storage capacities.

In addition, each memory cell in an SSD has a finite number of times it can be written to or erased, known as program-erase (P/E) cycles. While modern SSDs have significantly improved in this regard, they still have a limited lifespan compared to HDDs — though, with normal consumer usage, the lifespan of an SSD is typically several years or more.

SSDs also have a limitation on the number of write operations they can sustain before individual cells begin to degrade, known as write endurance. Although newer SSDs implement technologies to mitigate this, it is still a consideration for SSD usage in certain scenarios involving intensive and continuous writing, such as high-endurance enterprise workloads or specific professional applications.

Possibly the biggest issue is an SSD’s limited recovery potential. In case of data loss or drive failure, recovering data from an SSD can be much more challenging than an HDD. Due to the complex structure and technology of SSDs, data recovery options may be more limited and potentially more expensive, if they are available at all.

What types of SSD are there?

Samsung Portable SSD T5

(Image credit: Samsung)

What types of SSD are there?

There are several types of SSDs available in the market, catering to different usage scenarios and interface standards.

SATA SSDs are the most widely used type of SSDs. They connect to the computer using the SATA interface, which is commonly found in laptops and desktops. SATA SSDs have a limited data transfer rate compared to other types of SSDs, typically ranging from 500 MB/s to 600 MB/s.

PCIe SSDs connect via your motherboard's PCIe interface, which provides faster data transfer rates compared to SATA. PCIe SSDs utilize the high-speed lanes of the PCIe bus, enabling significantly faster performance. PCIe SSDs can achieve data transfer rates in the gigabytes per second (GB/s) range, offering a substantial performance boost.

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is an interface protocol designed specifically for SSDs to take full advantage of the speed and parallelism of modern NAND flash memory. NVMe SSDs connect through the PCIe bus and provide even faster performance compared to traditional SATA and PCIe SSDs, and can achieve significantly higher data transfer rates, typically up to 7,000 MB/s or more.

M.2 is a small form factor and versatile interface used for SSDs in compact devices like laptops and ultrabooks, but increasingly in modern motherboards as well. They come in different lengths and widths, with varying performance capabilities. M.2 SSDs offer a space-saving solution and can be easily installed on M.2 slots on the motherboard.

External SSDs are portable storage devices that connect to computers or other devices via USB or Thunderbolt interfaces. They provide the convenience of external storage with the speed and reliability of SSD technology. The best portable SSDs are popular for backup, file transfer, and portable storage needs.

Which SSD is right for my needs?

A Samsung 980 Pro SSD on a table in front of its packaging

(Image credit: Future)

Which SSD is right for my needs?

Choosing the right SSD for your needs and budget is an important decision. Here are some things to consider as you compare different options.

Performance: If you require high-speed storage for tasks like gaming, video editing, or professional workloads, consider NVMe SSDs or PCIe SSDs. These SSDs offer the fastest data transfer rates and low latency, providing optimal performance for demanding applications.

Capacity: SSDs are available in various capacities, ranging from smaller sizes like 128GB or 256GB to larger sizes like 1TB, 2TB, or even higher. Consider your current and future storage needs to choose an SSD with adequate capacity.

Form Factor: Consider the form factor that is compatible with your device. If you have a desktop computer, traditional 2.5-inch SATA SSDs or M.2 SSDs may be suitable. For laptops or ultrabooks, M.2 SSDs are often preferred due to their compact size.

Interface: Check the interface compatibility of your device. SATA SSDs are widely compatible with most laptops and desktops that have SATA ports. If your device supports PCIe or NVMe interfaces, consider PCIe or NVMe SSDs for faster performance.

Budget: Determine your budget for the SSD. NVMe SSDs and PCIe SSDs generally tend to be more expensive compared to SATA SSDs.

Specific Use Cases: If you have specific use cases, consider SSDs optimized for those scenarios, like SSDs designed for gaming that offer faster load times, or SSDs intended for enterprise use with additional features like power-loss protection or higher write endurance.

John Loeffler
Components Editor

John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY.

Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.

You can find him online on Bluesky @johnloeffler.bsky.social

Read more
The best SSD, the Samsung 990 Pro, against a two-tone techradar background
The best SSD in 2025: top solid-state drives for your PC
A Crucial T705 SSD on a pink desk mat
Fastest SSDs of 2025
PS5 SSD Buying Guide
The best SSD for PS5 in 2025: top storage expansion options tested and ranked
A TechRadar Pro best portable SSD banner
Best portable SSD of 2025
Samsung T7
Fastest external SSD of 2025
A SeaGate BarraCuda, one of the best hard drive picks, against a TechRadar background
The best hard drive of 2025: top picks for long-term storage
Latest in Storage & Backup
SanDisk portable SSD on a blue background
Get a 2TB portable SSD for less than $0.07 per GB in this limited-time deal at Amazon
An Orico O7000 SSD on a table with its retail packaging
Orico O7000 SSD review: high-end PCIe 4.0 storage without the frills
A PC Gamer looking happy sat in front of their desktop monitor
Looking at buying an SSD? Hold fire for now – prices are predicted to drop (and on top of that, Black Friday is on the horizon)
External hard drive
How to fix an external hard drive that's not showing up
Staples Task Chair in a home office
This budget office chair gets a massive discount, dropping below $50
Lexar Computex 2024
Lexar reveals incredibly fast SSDs, RAM and other storage innovations at Computex 2024
Latest in How Tos
Max Verstappen of Red Bull in testing for the 2025 season in Bahrain
Australian Grand Prix 2025: How to watch F1 First Practice race online from anywhere
Lunar eclipse
I'm a pro photographer – here's how I'm shooting the total lunar eclipse blood moon with my camera and phone
Photoshop CC logo on a screen
How to make an image background transparent in Photoshop
Glasgow Rangers' Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers runs with the ball during a UEFA Europa League round of 16 first-leg football match in March 2025
Rangers vs Fenerbahce live stream: How to watch today's UEFA Europa League match online
Tottenham Hotspur player Lucas Bergvall participates in the match at the AFAS Stadium for the UEFA Europa League
Tottenham vs AZ live stream: How to watch the Europa League online from anywhere today
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during a Premier League match in March 2025
Man Utd vs Real Sociedad live stream: How to watch the Europa League game online from anywhere today