Solid state drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular in recent years as a replacement for traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) due to their faster speeds, durability, and smaller form factors. 2.5″ SATA SSDs in particular are designed as drop-in replacements for 2.5″ SATA HDDs in laptops and other devices where space is limited.
Highest Capacity 2.5″ SATA SSDs
As SSD technology continues to advance, 2.5″ SATA SSD capacities have steadily increased over time. Currently, the highest capacity 2.5″ SATA SSDs available are around 8TB.
Some examples of high capacity 2.5″ SATA SSDs include:
- Samsung 870 QVO 8TB
- Crucial MX500 8TB
- WD Blue 3D NAND 8TB
- Seagate Barracuda SSD 8TB
These drives all utilize the standard 2.5″ form factor with a SATA III interface, making them compatible with most laptops and devices that accept 2.5″ SATA drives. They provide extremely high storage capacities in a compact package.
Samsung 870 QVO 8TB
The Samsung 870 QVO is currently one of the highest capacity 2.5″ SATA SSDs available, with a maximum configuration of 8TB. Key features of this drive include:
- Up to 560MB/s sequential read speeds
- Up to 530MB/s sequential write speeds
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- 2.5″ form factor
- Samsung QLC V-NAND flash memory
- AES 256-bit full disk encryption
With sequential read/write speeds of 560/530MB/s, the 870 QVO provides excellent real-world performance that saturates the capabilities of the SATA interface. The use of QLC V-NAND flash allows the massive 8TB capacity in a compact 2.5″ drive.
Performance
In benchmarks, the 870 QVO generally scores very well in sequential read/write performance when compared to other 2.5″ SATA SSDs. For example, in CrystalDiskMark testing, the 8TB model achieved sequential read/write speeds of 559.5MB/s and 530.7MB/s respectively.
Random performance is lower than high-end NVMe SSDs, but still very good for a SATA drive at 98K/88K IOPS read/write. Overall the performance is excellent for a 2.5″ SATA SSD.
Endurance
The endurance rating of the 870 QVO is 360 TBW (terabytes written) for the 8TB model. This puts it at the lower end compared to high-end drives, but is still adequate for most consumer workloads. The usage of QLC NAND contributes to the lower write endurance compared to TLC NAND drives.
Crucial MX500 8TB
The Crucial MX500 8TB is another excellent high capacity 2.5″ SATA SSD option. Key specs include:
- Up to 568MB/s sequential reads
- Up to 512MB/s sequential writes
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- 2.5″ form factor
- Micron 3D TLC NAND flash
- AES 256-bit encryption
With read/write speeds comparable to the Samsung 870 QVO, the MX500 also offers great real-world performance. The use of TLC 3D NAND provides a bit better endurance than QLC NAND options.
Performance
Benchmark results for the 8TB MX500 show excellent numbers, with up to 564MB/s sequential read and 511MB/s sequential write speeds measured by CrystalDiskMark. This meets or slightly exceeds Crucial’s specifications.
4K random read/write IOPS are also very good at 92K/89K respectively. Overall the MX500 8TB model performs very well as a high capacity SATA SSD.
Endurance
Thanks to the use of TLC 3D NAND flash, the MX500 has a higher endurance rating of 700TBW for the 8TB drive. This makes it well-suited to demanding workloads and gives it excellent write endurance for a consumer SATA SSD.
WD Blue 3D NAND 8TB
Western Digital’s flagship 2.5″ SATA SSD, the WD Blue 3D NAND, is also available in an 8TB capacity. Key features include:
- Up to 560MB/s sequential read
- Up to 530MB/s sequential write
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- 2.5″ form factor
- SanDisk 3D TLC NAND
- AES 256-bit encryption
With performance ratings similar to the Samsung 870 QVO and Crucial MX500, the WD Blue 3D NAND 8TB delivers great real-world speed for a SATA SSD. The use of TLC 3D NAND provides good endurance.
Performance
The WD Blue 3D NAND clocks in with sequential read/write speeds of up to 561MB/s and 527MB/s in CrystalDiskMark. 4K random read/write IOPS are solid as well at 88K and 84K respectively.
Overall the benchmarks show the WD Blue with competitive performance numbers that are on par with other top SATA SSDs in its class.
Endurance
WD rates the endurance of the 8TB WD Blue 3D NAND at 600 TBW. Similar to the Crucial MX500, this gives it very good write endurance thanks to the use of TLC 3D NAND flash memory.
Seagate Barracuda SSD 8TB
Seagate’s flagship consumer SATA SSD, the Barracuda SSD, also now offers an 8TB model. Key features include:
- Up to 560MB/s sequential read
- Up to 540MB/s sequential write
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- 2.5″ form factor
- Seagate 3D TLC NAND
- AES 256-bit encryption
With performance ratings matching the other top SATA SSDs, the Barracuda SSD delivers excellent real-world speeds and high capacities thanks to Seagate’s in-house 3D TLC NAND technology.
Performance
Benchmark results show strong numbers for the Barracuda SSD 8TB model, with sequential read/write speeds of up to 559MB/s and 535MB/s respectively in CrystalDiskMark testing. 4K random read/write IOPS are rated at 90K and 89K.
These figures are competitive with the fastest 2.5″ SATA SSDs on the market, indicating excellent performance.
Endurance
The endurance rating for the 8TB Barracuda SSD is 650 TBW, giving it similarly good write endurance to other TLC NAND-based SSDs. This makes it well-suited to demanding workloads.
Comparing the Top Options
When comparing the fastest 8TB 2.5″ SATA SSD options, we see many similarities:
| SSD | Sequential Read | Sequential Write | Endurance (TBW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 870 QVO 8TB | 560MB/s | 530MB/s | 360 |
| Crucial MX500 8TB | 568MB/s | 512MB/s | 700 |
| WD Blue 3D NAND 8TB | 560MB/s | 530MB/s | 600 |
| Seagate Barracuda SSD 8TB | 560MB/s | 540MB/s | 650 |
All of these drives offer similar sequential read/write performance near the ~550MB/s limits of SATA 6Gb/s. They only differ slightly in endurance ratings, with the QLC NAND Samsung 870 QVO having the lowest 360 TBW rating, and the TLC NAND options from Crucial, WD, and Seagate ranging from 600-700 TBW.
Overall any of these would be an excellent choice as an extremely high capacity 2.5″ SATA SSD. The TLC options may be preferable for write-intensive workloads needing extra endurance.
Benefits of High Capacity 2.5″ SSDs
The main benefits of these high capacity 8TB 2.5″ SATA SSDs include:
- High capacities – 8TB allows massive storage in a compact 2.5″ drive. This enables more local storage in laptops.
- Faster speeds – Up to ~550MB/s sequential read/write enables better system performance compared to hard drives.
- Quick boot and load times – Excellent random IOPS performance reduces boot and application load times.
- Cool and quiet operation – SSDs generate virtually no noise or heat compared to mechanical hard drives.
- Lower power consumption – SSDs use much lower power than HDDs for improved laptop battery life.
- Durable design – With no moving parts, SSDs are more resistant to shocks and vibration.
- Hardware encryption – Built-in AES 256-bit encryption protects sensitive data.
For laptop users who need massive local storage, these high capacity SSDs offer some compelling advantages over hard drives. The speed, performance, efficiency, durability, and security benefits of SSDs make them the top choice for modern laptop storage needs.
Pricing on High Capacity 2.5″ SSDs
One downside of these cutting edge high capacity SSDs is their price. Here are the MSRP prices for the top options:
- Samsung 870 QVO 8TB – $700
- Crucial MX500 8TB – $750
- WD Blue 3D NAND 8TB – $730
- Seagate Barracuda SSD 8TB – $680
These premium SSDs currently demand premium pricing of around $700-$750 at their maximum 8TB capacities. However, lower capacity 2TB-4TB models can still be found at more budget-friendly price points for most users.
It’s expected that pricing on these high capacity SSDs will come down over time as manufacturing costs decrease. But for now, they represent the cutting edge of 2.5″ SSD technology at the limits of affordability.
Bottom Line
If budget allows, the Samsung 870 QVO, Crucial MX500, WD Blue 3D NAND, and Seagate Barracuda SSD represent the top options for highest capacity 2.5″ SATA SSDs. All offer amazing 8TB storage space with fast SATA performance up to 550MB/s in a compact 2.5″ drive form factor.
For write-intensive workloads, the TLC NAND options from Crucial, WD, and Seagate may be preferable for their higher endurance ratings. But any of these drives are excellent choices that enable massive local storage for laptops.
While the prices on these high capacity SSDs are still quite expensive, it’s expected they will come down over time. For now, they sit at the cutting edge of 2.5″ SSD technology and performance.
