⚖️ Comparison · Updated for 2026
SSD vs HDD
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
Quick answer: SSD (Solid State Drive): no moving parts, ~3500 MB/s reads, silent, robust. HDD (Hard Disk Drive): spinning platters, ~150 MB/s reads, much cheaper per GB. For OS and apps: SSD is essential. For mass storage (videos, backups, archives): HDD still wins on cost.
Decision guide — when to use which
Use SSD when…
OS drive, application drive, anything performance-sensitive. All laptops.
Use HDD when…
Backups, media archives, low-budget bulk storage, NAS storage where read speed isn't critical.
📊 Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | SSD | HDD |
|---|---|---|
| Read speed (typical) | 3,500 MB/s (NVMe) | 150 MB/s (7200rpm) |
| Cost per TB (2026) | £60-90 | £18-25 |
| Power use | 2-5W | 6-10W |
| Failure mode | Sudden, often without warning | Gradual, often gives warnings |
| Lifespan | 100s of TB writes | Years of normal use |
Frequently asked
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Are SSDs less reliable than HDDs?
Modern SSDs have similar or better real-world reliability for normal use. HDDs are more reliable for write-heavy workloads at the same cost. Both should be backed up — single-drive failure is the risk.
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Should I get an NVMe or SATA SSD?
NVMe (M.2 slot) is 3-7× faster than SATA SSD. For new computers, NVMe is the default. SATA SSD still useful for older systems without NVMe slots or as a secondary drive.
Reviewed for 2026. All conversion factors and historical references verified against official sources (ISO standards, government weights & measures legislation, IEC technical specifications). Built by a UK-based qualified primary teacher and FA Level 2 coach as part of 247QuickTools' free utility-tools project. We don't sell SEO links or accept paid placements in this content.