1
Plextor M8PeY
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
Best 250GB PCIe 3.0 MLC SSDs
250GBPCIe 3.0MLC
There are 11 250GB PCIe 3.0 MLC SSDs in our database — each linked via an Amazon search on its part number. The fastest is the ADATA SX9000 at 2800 MB/s read. Sequential reads across the group span 1900–2800 MB/s.
Why this configuration
A 250GB PCIe 3.0 MLC SSD is an affordable NVMe step up from SATA. Gen3 is roughly six times SATA's throughput yet often costs little more, making it the easy default for a first NVMe drive or a laptop that only supports Gen3.
250GB covers an OS and core apps with little room for a large game library.
Usually chosen for: budget builders, laptop upgraders and anyone leaving SATA behind.
Good fit: mainstream desktop and laptop builds.
Ranked list
Ranked by tier, then link type, then sequential read. Drives we hold a product link for show a price button; the rest open an Amazon search on the manufacturer part number. Stock and prices are not shown here — they change too often.
2
Plextor M8PeG
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
3
Samsung 950 PRO
250GB, 500GB
4
Kingston KC1000
250GB, 500GB, 960GB
5
OCZ RD400
128GB, 250GB, 500GB
6
OCZ RD400 AIC
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
7
Plextor M8PeGN
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
8
Apacer Z280
128GB, 250GB, 500GB
9
Patriot HELLFIRE
250GB, 500GB
10
ADATA SX9000
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
11
ADATA XPG SX8000
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
The parts, explained
250GB fits an OS plus core apps.
PCIe 3.0 x4 reaches about 3,500 MB/s — plenty for everyday use and gaming, and cheaper than Gen4.
MLC NAND is older and costs more per gigabyte, but is very durable.
Common questions
How do the links to Amazon work here?
1 of the 11 drives listed have a direct product link; for the rest we link an Amazon search on the manufacturer part number, which lands on the right listing. We deliberately don't display stock or prices on this page — check both on Amazon, they change constantly.