Samsung 990 Pro vs WD Black SN850X: Which Should You Buy in 2026?
Quick Verdict
Winner: Samsung 990 Pro — 9/10
The Samsung 990 Pro takes the lead with superior read speeds of 7450 MB/s compared to the WD Black SN850X's 7300 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware and AnandTech tests), and write speeds of 6900 MB/s versus 6600 MB/s. Its Samsung Magician software also offers better optimization tools than WD's Dashboard (per user reports on Tom's Hardware). However, the SN850X is more budget-friendly at $109.99 versus $129.99, making it a strong contender for cost-conscious buyers.
See the interactive comparison →Samsung 990 Pro Overview
The Samsung 990 Pro is a compelling option in the SSD (NVMe) space, offering a solid balance of performance and value.
Pros
- Exceptional read speeds at 7450 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware testing)
- High endurance rating of 600 TBW for heavy workloads (per Samsung specs)
- Samsung Magician software offers robust optimization tools
Cons
- Slightly lower write speeds compared to top competitors at 6900 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware)
- Price per GB is higher than some alternatives at $0.13/GB
WD Black SN850X Overview
The WD Black SN850X brings its own strengths to the table, making it a worthy contender in this comparison.
Pros
- Competitive read speeds at 7300 MB/s (per AnandTech testing)
- Optimized for gaming with low latency via Game Mode 2.0 (per WD claims)
- More affordable at $0.11/GB compared to competitors
Cons
- Write speeds lag slightly at 6600 MB/s (per AnandTech)
- Software suite (WD Dashboard) is less feature-rich than Samsung's
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here is how the Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN850X stack up on key specifications and our scored criteria:
Both products excel in different areas. The Samsung 990 Pro tends to lead in Exceptional read speeds at 7450 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware testing), while the WD Black SN850X stands out for Competitive read speeds at 7300 MB/s (per AnandTech testing).
Who Should Buy What
Buy the Samsung 990 Pro if…
- You want exceptional read speeds at 7450 mb/s (per tom's hardware testing)
- You want high endurance rating of 600 tbw for heavy workloads (per samsung specs)
- You want samsung magician software offers robust optimization tools
Buy the WD Black SN850X if…
- You want competitive read speeds at 7300 mb/s (per anandtech testing)
- You want optimized for gaming with low latency via game mode 2.0 (per wd claims)
- You want more affordable at $0.11/gb compared to competitors
Our Recommendation
If you can only choose one, we recommend the Samsung 990 Pro. The Samsung 990 Pro takes the lead with superior read speeds of 7450 MB/s compared to the WD Black SN850X's 7300 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware and AnandTech tests), and write speeds of 6900 MB/s versus 6600 MB/s. Its Samsung Magician software also offers better optimization tools than WD's Dashboard (per
Run the interactive comparison →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Samsung 990 Pro or WD Black SN850X?
The Samsung 990 Pro takes the lead with superior read speeds of 7450 MB/s compared to the WD Black SN850X's 7300 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware and AnandTech tests), and write speeds of 6900 MB/s versus 6600 MB/s. Its Samsung Magician software also offers better optimization tools than WD's Dashboard (per user reports on Tom's Hardware). However, the SN850X is more budget-friendly at $109.99 versus $129.99, making it a strong contender for cost-conscious buyers.
What are the scores for Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN850X?
Samsung 990 Pro scores 9/10 and WD Black SN850X scores 8.5/10 in our independent evaluation.
What are the main advantages of the Samsung 990 Pro?
Exceptional read speeds at 7450 MB/s (per Tom's Hardware testing). High endurance rating of 600 TBW for heavy workloads (per Samsung specs). Samsung Magician software offers robust optimization tools.
What are the main advantages of the WD Black SN850X?
Competitive read speeds at 7300 MB/s (per AnandTech testing). Optimized for gaming with low latency via Game Mode 2.0 (per WD claims). More affordable at $0.11/GB compared to competitors.
Is the Samsung 990 Pro worth the price?
The Samsung 990 Pro offers strong value for its price point, especially for users who prioritize performance and build quality.
Who should buy
Buyers who prioritize Samsung's strengths and want the best in this category.
Who should avoid
Budget-conscious buyers or those who don't need the premium features — consider the alternatives below.
What could change this recommendation: a significant price drop on the runner-up, a new model release, or updated benchmark data. This page is re-verified periodically.
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