In-depth review
Samsung 870 EVO 1TB Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Samsung 870 EVO 1TB: the SATA benchmark, and whether SATA still deserves a place in 2026.
Samsung 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB 2.5 Inch
The SATA benchmark: the fastest a SATA bay can go, with Samsung reliability for machines without an M.2 slot.
Our verdict
The Samsung 870 EVO is the best SATA SSD for machines without an M.2 slot, because it reaches the SATA speed limit reliably, with Samsung software and a long record behind it. It cannot compete with NVMe on speed, and no SATA drive can, but for older laptops and desktops where SATA is the only option, it is the upgrade that makes the machine feel new again.
What we like
- Speeds up to 560 MB/s read and 530 MB/s write reach the practical limit of SATA, so no SATA drive here is meaningfully faster.
- Samsung Magician software and a long reliability record make it the low-risk SATA choice.
- The 2.5 inch form factor fits a huge range of older laptops and desktops, including machines NVMe cannot help.
What to watch out for
- SATA speeds are a fraction of NVMe speeds, so buyers with an M.2 slot should not buy SATA by habit.
- It needs a SATA cable and bay in a desktop, or a 2.5 inch slot in a laptop, which newer thin laptops may lack.
- Capacity per money lags behind value NVMe drives, since SATA is now a mature, slower technology.
Who it is for
Older laptops and desktops with a 2.5 inch bay and no spare M.2 slot, or as a second drive for a game library.
SATA done properly
Reads up to 560 MB/s and writes up to 530 MB/s are the practical SATA ceiling, and the 870 EVO hits it consistently rather than only in ideal conditions. That consistency matters for an upgrade drive: boot times, app launches, and file copies all improve to the same degree, every time, which is why the 870 EVO has stayed the default SATA recommendation for years.
Why SATA still matters
Millions of machines have a 2.5 inch bay and no M.2 slot, from older laptops to desktops with all M.2 slots already filled. For those machines, SATA is not a compromise chosen from a menu: it is the only upgrade available, and the jump from a hard drive to the 870 EVO is still transformative. As a second drive, it also suits game libraries and media storage where NVMe speed is wasted.
How it stacks up
Against the Crucial MX500, the 870 EVO wins on 1TB capacity choice and Samsung software, while the MX500 wins on value at 500GB. Against the Kingston NV2, the 870 EVO wins on endurance and reliability record, while the NV2 wins hugely on speed for any machine with an M.2 slot. Against the Samsung 990 PRO, the 870 EVO wins only on compatibility with SATA-only machines, while the 990 PRO wins on every speed measure.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Older machines feel new again after the swap
- Samsung software makes cloning and monitoring simple
- Reliability over years gives owners real peace of mind
Common complaints
- Speed cannot match any NVMe drive in a machine with an M.2 slot
- A SATA cable and bay are needed in desktops
- Capacity value lags behind cheap NVMe alternatives
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Capacity
- 1TB
- Interface
- SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5 inch
- Sequential read
- Up to 560 MB/s
- Sequential write
- Up to 530 MB/s
- Endurance
- 600 TBW, 5-year warranty
Also consider
Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD
The small SATA upgrade: 500GB of fast, reliable storage for a boot drive or a laptop that only needs a little more room.
- Capacity: 500GB
- Interface: SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5 inch
Kingston NV2 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD PCIe 4.0 Gen4
The cheapest way into NVMe: modest Gen4 speeds that still leave hard drives and SATA far behind.
- Capacity: 1TB
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe, M.2 2280
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Will the 870 EVO fit my old laptop?
If the laptop has a 2.5 inch drive bay, usually yes, since the 870 EVO uses the standard 2.5 inch SATA form factor. Check bay height and whether the laptop uses a caddy or adapter, since some thin laptops need a specific bracket.
Can I clone my old hard drive onto it?
Yes, using Samsung Magician or a USB-to-SATA adapter, which is the easiest route for most upgraders. Clone first, then swap the drives, and keep the old drive untouched until the new one boots cleanly.
Is SATA too slow in 2026?
Not for its role. SATA is far slower than NVMe, but far faster than a hard drive, and for booting, office work, and media storage it still feels quick. It is only the wrong choice when an M.2 NVMe slot sits empty.