Best 250GB Samsung TLC SSDs
There are 18 250GB Samsung TLC SSDs compared here. The fastest is the Samsung 980 PRO at 6400 MB/s read at 250GB, and the highest-rated for endurance is the Samsung EVO 870 (2400 TBW). Sequential reads across the group span 450–6400 MB/s at 250GB.
Why this configuration
A 250GB Samsung TLC SSD is a mainstream all-rounder. TLC balances speed, endurance and price for general use. Samsung specifically tends to be chosen here for its firmware track record and warranty support.
250GB covers an OS and core apps with little room for a large game library.
Usually chosen for: everyday desktop and laptop storage.
Good fit: everyday all-rounder use, from OS drive to game library.
Ranked list
Speeds on this page are the manufacturer's 250GB ratings where published (14 of 18 drives), not the family headline figure. 2 of the 18 are rated slower at 250GB than at their fastest capacity. Rated writes at 250GB run 450–2700 MB/s.
| # | Model | Tier | Controller | Read MB/s (at 250GB) | TBW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Samsung 980 PRO 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Top-tier | SAMSUNG ELPIS CONTROLLER (Samsung | 6400 | 1200 | Check price on Amazon |
| 2 |  Samsung 850 PRO 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Top-tier | Samsung 3-core 400MHz MHX Controll | 550* | 450 | Check price on Amazon |
| 3 |  Samsung EVO PLUS 970 M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | High-end | SAMSUNG PHOENIX CONTROLLER (5-Core | 3500 | 1200 | Check price on Amazon |
| 4 |  Samsung PM981A 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | High-end | — | 3500* | — | Check price on Amazon |
| 5 |  Samsung EVO 970 M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | High-end | SAMSUNG PHOENIX CONTROLLER (5-Core | 3400 | 600 | Check price on Amazon |
| 6 |  Samsung 960 EVO 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | High-end | Samsung Polaris Controller (5-Core | 3200 | 400 | Check price on Amazon |
| 7 |  Samsung PM981 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | High-end | SAMSUNG PHOENIX CONTROLLER "S4LR02 | 3200* | — | Check price on Amazon |
| 8 |  Samsung EVO 870 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | High-end | Samsung MKX "Metis" Controller (3- | 560 | 2400 | Check price on Amazon |
| 9 |  Samsung 860 EVO 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | High-end | SAMSUNG MJX CONTROLLER (3-Core, 8- | 550 | 2400 | Check price on Amazon |
| 10 |  Samsung EVO 860 M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | High-end | SAMSUNG MJX CONTROLLER (3-Core, 8- | 550 | 1200 | Check price on Amazon |
| 11 |  Samsung 850 EVO 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | High-end | Samsung MGX Controller (2-Core, 8- | 540 | 300 | Check price on Amazon |
| 12 |  Samsung 840 EVO 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 750GB | High-end | Samsung's 3-Core 400MHz MEX Contro | 540 | — | Check price on Amazon |
| 13 |  Samsung 750 EVO 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | High-end | Samsung MGX Controller | 540 | 100 | Check price on Amazon |
| 14 |  Samsung 850 EVO M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | High-end | Samsung MGX Controller (2-Core, 8- | 540 | 150 | Check price on Amazon |
| 15 |  Samsung PM961 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Mid-range | Samsung Polaris Controller "S4LP07 | 3000* | — | Find on Amazon |
| 16 |  Samsung 980 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Mid-range | SAMSUNG PABLO "S4LR033" CONTROLLER | 2900 | 600 | Find on Amazon |
| 17 |  Samsung T5 PORTABLE SSD 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Mid-range | SAMSUNG 2-core MGX controller(S4LN | 540 | — | Find on Amazon |
| 18 |  Samsung T3 PORTABLE SSD 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Mid-range | SAMSUNG 2-core MGX controller(S4LN | 450 | — | Find on Amazon |
* family rating — the manufacturer does not publish a 250GB figure for this drive.
The parts, explained
250GB fits an OS plus core apps.
TLC NAND is the mainstream choice — a solid balance of endurance, speed and cost.
Staying with Samsung means consistent firmware, tooling and warranty handling across the range.