Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E250B/AM)
Bottom line: The Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD ($139.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-30 16:15 UTC): Up to 550MB/s read and 520MB/s write, near the SATA III 6Gb/s ceiling; main trade-off: 250GB fills fast with modern games or large 4K video projects.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-30. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Up to 550MB/s read and 520MB/s write, near the SATA III 6Gb/s ceiling
- ✓ Samsung V-NAND handles 4K video and 3D project files, not just office work
- ✓ AES 256-bit hardware encryption with TCG Opal and IEEE 1668 support
- ✓ 5-year limited warranty and 1.5 million hour MTBF rating
Cons
- ✗ 250GB fills fast with modern games or large 4K video projects
- ✗ SATA III caps speed far below NVMe drives at similar prices
- ✗ No cables, screws, or mounting brackets included in the box
- ✗ 7mm 2.5-inch body needs a spacer or adapter in some bays
Manufacturer description
Innovative V-Nand Technology: Powered by Samsung V NAND Technology, the 860 EVO SSD offers optimized performance for everyday computing as well as rendering large sized 4K videos and 3D data used by the latest applications Enhanced read write speeds: Sequential read and write performance levels of up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively Secure encryption: Protect data by selecting security options, including AES 256 bit hardware based encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1668
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Samsung's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Samsung 860 EVO 250GB?
Samsung rates it at up to 550MB/s sequential read and up to 520MB/s sequential write, which is at the practical limit of the SATA III 6Gb/s interface.
Does the 860 EVO come with a SATA cable and mounting screws?
No. The package includes the 2.5-inch 7mm SATA III SSD and a user manual only. Cables, screws, and brackets are sold separately.
What warranty does Samsung offer on this SSD?
It carries a 5-year limited warranty, and Samsung rates reliability at 1.5 million hours MTBF. Check the product listing for current warranty terms in your region.
Will this SSD work in a Mac or a Linux machine?
Yes. Samsung lists compatibility with macOS and Linux, plus Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Vista SP1 and above, and XP SP2 and above.
Does the 860 EVO support hardware encryption?
Yes. It supports AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1668, so encryption runs on the drive rather than your CPU.
Key Features
- Innovative V-Nand Technology: Powered by Samsung V NAND Technology, the 860 EVO SSD offers optimized performance for everyday computing as well as rendering large sized 4K videos and 3D data used by the latest applications
- Enhanced read write speeds: Sequential read and write performance levels of up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively
- Secure encryption: Protect data by selecting security options, including AES 256 bit hardware based encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1668
- Warranty and compatibility: 5 year limited warranty; Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32 bit and 64 bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX and Linux
- Included contents: 2.5 inches (7 millimeter) SATA 3 (6 Gb/s) SSD & user manual (All other cables, screws, brackets not included); Reliability (MTBF): 1.5 Million Hours Reliability (MTBF)
Full Specifications
| Size | 250GB |
|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung |
| Color | Black |
| Model | MZ-76E250B/AM |
| Warranty | 5 Year |
| UnitCount | 1 |
| ReleaseDate | 2018-01-10T00:00:01Z |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics DAV |
| ItemPartNumber | MZ-76E250B/AM |
Hardware benchmark data
Ready to buy?
Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E250B/AM) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-30. Price and availability subject to change.
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