Knowing how to find the best Black Friday SSD deals in 2023 is probably going to be as tough as it's ever been.
As the PS5 SSD market continues to boom and as we continue to push the boundaries of what Gen 4 NVMe SSDs can do, there are so many options to choose from, and so many retailers to consult for the best prices. Things are made all the worse by seriously inaccurate prices these days after over a year of discounted drives.
Discounted products are usually a great thing, but the knock-on effect of prolonged discounts means that navigating winter sales is particularly tricky this year, because knowing what is and isn't a good deal is nigh-on impossible. Knowing the difference between genuine deals and phony offers can help you win big this Black Friday, and we're showing you exactly how to find the right discounts in the heat of the moment.
The good news is, whether you're searching for a PC storage solution or Black Friday PS5 SSD deals, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to grab hold of this November.
In fact, we expect PS5 SSDs to be some of the best Black Friday PS5 deals, just as they were last year. But if you're looking for a drive specifically for the inside of your PS5, you need to upgrade your PC or laptop storage, or you just want a top-performing portable drive, then you'll need to know how to find the best Black Friday SSD deals.
How to find the best Black Friday SSD deals
The SSD market will be flooded with deals this year so knowing how to find the best Black Friday SSD deal for you is key - and beyond getting lucky, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances. A fair few of these will come down to research and planning but it's always good to double-check your approach and your methods - getting any edge this time of year can be crucial to getting the best deals.
Know and manage your budget
Sounds obvious doesn't it, but it can be a bit more multi-faceted than you might think at first. The first thing is to try and be a bit flexible: while we might prefer to have a hard and certain ceiling on our budget, it actually pays dividends to, if you can, have a range in mind.
Instead of looking at only items valued at less than $100 / £100, for example, have a budget that means you'd ideally like to spend that but could go to £120 / $120 for the right product or the right deal.
This is also when value plays a big part. We regularly find that you can easily get something bigger or better for just a little more cash during larger sales events. If you can incorporate a bit of flexibility to your budget then you will definitely have a more successful time scouting out the best Black Friday SSD deals on the market.
Double-check the drive is the right model
Once you've got your budget in mind, then just pause once or twice to know that the models you're interested in are definitely the right ones. We only point this out as all the brand names, stylings, abbreviations, and model numbers can sometimes blur into one.
Was it the WD BLACK SN750 or WD BLACK SN850 I was after? What are the differences between the SN850, SN850X, and SN850P, again? As many will tell you, there's a fair bit of difference between all of those, and getting the most value for money can hinge on knowing which one does what.
Do you need a heatsink model SSD, or does your motherboard have a detachable one that will work okay? If it's for a PS5, do you have a heatsink that will fit inside the M2 bay?
We know many will be searching for Black Friday PS5 SSD deals this year, so here's a reminder of those exact specifications a drive needs to meet:
- PCIe Gen4 interface
- 250GB - 4TB capacity
- 5,500MB/s read speed or faster
- 22mm width (do not go for 25mm units)
- Heatsink required (built-in or DIY)
Compare like for like models
Something that tech-savvy folks will be already doing is comparing competitors' drives like for like, head to head. This will be very helpful, particularly if price tags are similar to begin with - or get similar price cuts.
Take the WD BLACK SN850 vs Samsung 980 PRO matchup, for example. These are two evenly matched SSDs for the most part, so knowing the benefits of buying either can be really beneficial.
With price cuts happening left, right, and center, and all throughout the SSD market, it'll pay to know which models are the competitors for the one you are initially drawn to as you may find more value on the other side.
Check prices using a price tracker, don't believe listed retail prices
This is a massive one for this year. SSD prices are quite honestly all over the place, and with a lot of the drives you'll be shopping for having 2020 release dates, online retailers often use original MSRPs to make a deal seem way better than it is.
Online price checkers like Camel Camel Camel have their benefits for that reason. Looking at a drive's average price as opposed to its listed price can show you how good a price reduction really is. Moreover, seeing what the lowest ever Amazon price is can show you if you're buying at the right time.
But for other retailers, this can be a little trickier. No matter the brand or model, nobody needs to spend more than the quantities below on an NVMe Gen 4 M.2 SSD this Black Friday:
- 1TB: $60 / £70
- 2TB: $90 / £100
- 4TB: $160 / £160
You might be asking, what about 512GB drives? To that, I say, don't buy them this November. While you might not need a whole terabyte of space, there really isn't much point in limiting yourself when 1TB drives are as cheap as they are these days. That said, if you really want one, go for it, but please double check you can't get a 1TB drive for a similar price, because you will be able to in all likelihood.
See if the price is guaranteed over Black Friday
This is important if you're slightly concerned with a product's price, or want to ensure you get the best possible Black Friday SSD deal this year. Generally, going all in on a deal over Black Friday - and particularly the days preceding it - brings with it a fear of missing out, with the chance the offers may improve later in the sales season. Traditionally, this was just the risk you take - it's always a roll of the dice.
However, some retailers are guaranteeing a price and refunding you the difference should it go lower over the sales season now, to encourage folks to pull the trigger earlier. This is very handy if you can get it as it'll give you peace of mind over not being beaten for price, and you'll also be able to beat the rush. Best Buy and Newegg both offered this kind of price guarantee last year for example so it's worth seeing if they, and others, are doing it this year.
However, you'll need to make sure that you and your item qualify in some instances: the price guarantee is only available on certain products (and sometimes certain variants of products) and you might need to be a particular member to get this guarantee. It's well worth doing, though, if you're looking for the best Black Friday SSD deals.
Best early Black Friday SSD deals available now
If you want to get your eye in right now for the latest prices and deals, just so you know the lay of the land, then the below internal NVMe SSDs should provide a solid reference point. These should offer a solid perspective for those looking for either a PS5 SSD or PC SSD.
However, if you're after an external SSD instead, then we've rounded up a bunch of those latest prices for you too. These will fare well as general-use external, portable drives, but also great as gaming hard drives, offering great amounts of storage space as well as the ability to take your game libraries on the go.
Check out out our PS5 SSD and best PS5 external hard drive guides for more PS5 storage solutions, and our Xbox Series X external hard drive page for that side of the console divide.
