SSD MEGATEST

Expand your storage via M.2, SATA or USB

Our computing needs just keep getting bigger and bigger – but our C drives don’t. If you’re feeling the squeeze, this month’s Labs is for you. Whether you want to accommodate an ever-growing media library or just make space for those essential backups, it’s easy and affordable to upsize your storage. On the pages that follow we’ll help you pick a path through the dozens of options available.

For those looking to upgrade a modern laptop or desktop PC – or build a new one – we test a full range of M.2 SSDs using NVMe technology to deliver top performance. Some models take advantage of the latest PCIe Gen4 bus to unlock phenomenal speeds, while others focus on value, offering a massive 2TB of fast storage for a very reasonable £241.

If you want to expand an older PC or laptop, there’s still a good selection of SATA SSDs out there, offering storage that’s far swifter and smoother than a mechanical drive at compelling prices. We put four through their paces, and weigh up their subtle but important distinguishing features.

Then there’s the external option. USB drives are the most convenient way to add extra storage to any computer, and can provide a safe home for backups just in case your primary disk goes kaput. We test ten contenders of all shapes and sizes, at capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB; we also explore whether a USB flash drive makes a viable alternative, and look into the advantages of

NAS for home networks.

Whatever your storage needs, we’ve got you covered, with solutions ranging from £58 to £412. Read on for our biggest ever storage roundup and you may never need to confront the dreaded “disk full” error message again.