Frequently Asked Questions About SSD Prices
What is a good price per TB for an SSD in April 2026?
In April 2026, a good price per TB for NVMe Gen 4 SSDs is $60–80. Budget SATA SSDs run $55–70/TB. Gen 5 NVMe drives cost $90–150/TB. Best value: 2TB–4TB Gen 4 NVMe drives. Prices have risen significantly from mid-2023 when NVMe storage was $30–40/TB.
Why are SSD prices going up in 2026?
Three converging factors: AI infrastructure demand consuming unprecedented NAND flash capacity, strategic production cuts by manufacturers to restore profitability after 2023 losses, and capacity allocation prioritizing higher-margin enterprise products. TrendForce projects a 33–38% NAND flash price increase in Q1 2026.
What capacity SSD has the best price per TB?
4TB NVMe SSDs currently offer the best price per terabyte, typically $70–90/TB. 2TB drives are the sweet spot balancing price and utility. 1TB drives have the worst $/TB ratio. Larger drives also benefit from higher endurance ratings (TBW) and better sustained write performance.
NVMe Gen 4 vs Gen 5: is Gen 5 worth the extra cost?
For most users in 2026, no. Gen 5 offers up to 14,000+ MB/s vs 7,000 MB/s for Gen 4, but real-world differences are minimal for gaming and general use. Gen 5 drives run hotter, cost 40–80% more per TB, and require a compatible platform (Intel 14th Gen/Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen 7000/9000).
Should I buy an SSD now or wait for prices to drop?
Buy now if you need storage. Industry forecasts show prices rising through at least mid-2026. NAND shortages are structural — driven by AI demand reallocating manufacturing capacity. New fabs won’t bring relief until late 2027.
SSD vs HDD: which is better value per TB?
HDDs are 5–8× cheaper per TB ($12–18/TB vs $60–110/TB for SSDs). However, SSDs are dramatically faster (100–250× for random I/O), completely silent, more durable, and use less power. For OS drives, gaming, and active workloads, SSDs are worth the premium. For archival storage, HDDs remain sensible.
How are prices tracked?
We compare SSD prices from Amazon US across all major brands including Samsung, WD/SanDisk, Crucial/Micron, Kingston, SK Hynix, Sabrent, Corsair, Silicon Power, PNY, and others. Price per TB is calculated by dividing the listing price by the drive's raw capacity. Both new and used listings are included and clearly labeled. Product links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.