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Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB - 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive with MLC V-NAND Technology (MZ-76P256BW)
Samsung

Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB

Bottom line: The Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB ($79.90 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): Sequential reads up to 560MB/s, writes up to 530MB/s, near the SATA III ceiling.

$79.90

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Buy on Amazon — $79.90 Compare to similar ssds & storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For SSDs and PC storage upgrades, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Sequential reads up to 560MB/s, writes up to 530MB/s, near the SATA III ceiling
  • ✓ MLC V-NAND rather than TLC, aimed at sustained heavy-workload consistency
  • ✓ Up to 100,000 IOPS random read and 90,000 IOPS random write at 4KB QD32
  • ✓ Runs on legacy SATA 3Gb/s and 1.5Gb/s ports, not just 6Gb/s

Cons

  • ✗ Price, stock, shipping and returns are set by the retailer and may have changed since this page was last updated

Manufacturer description

The Samsung 860 PRO 256GB is a 2.5-inch SATA III internal solid state drive built on Samsung V-NAND technology, aimed at mainstream PCs, laptops, workstations, and NAS builds. It reaches sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 530MB/s, with random performance rated at up to 100,000 IOPS read and 90,000 IOPS write at 4KB QD32. At low queue depths, where everyday desktop work actually lives, it is rated for up to 11,000 IOPS random read and 43,000 IOPS random write. Samsung pairs the MLC V-NAND with an algorithm-based controller tuned to hold speeds consistent…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB 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.

Key Features

  • Powered by Samsung V-NAND Technology. Optimized Performance for Everyday Computing
  • Random read speed: random read (4KB, QD32): up to 100,000 IOPS random read, random read (4KB, QD1): up to 11,000 IOPS random read and random write speed: random write (4KB, QD32): up to 90,000 IOPS random write: random write (4KB, QD1): up to 43,000 IOPS random write. Enhanced Performance: Sequential Read/Write speeds up to 560MB/s and 530MB/s respectively
  • Ideal for mainstream PCs and laptops for personal, gaming and business use. Compatible with SATA 3 Gb/s & SATA 1.5 Gb/s interface. S.M.A.R.T Supported. World Wide Name supported
  • Hardware/Software Compatibility: Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX, and Linux

Full Specifications

BrandSamsung
ColorBlack
Model Name860 Pro
Read Speed560 megabytes_per_second
Form Factor2.5-inch
Media Speed530 megabits_per_second
Model NumberMZ-76P256BW
CompatibilityMac, Linux
Built-In Media2.5" (7mm) SATA III (6Gb/s) SSD & User Manual (All Other Cables, Screws, Brackets Not Included).
Item Type NameSamsung 860 PRO 256GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76P256BW)
Hard-Drive Size256 GB
Mfr Part NumberMZ-76P256BW
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware PlatformPC, Mac
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesLaptop
Data Transfer Rate6 megabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialMetal
Additional FeaturesPortable
Full listing titleSamsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB - 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive with MLC V-NAND Technology (MZ-76P256BW)

Ready to buy?

Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB - 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive with MLC V-NAND Technology (MZ-76P256BW) 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.

Buy on Amazon — $79.90

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

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Samsung 860 PRO SSD 256GB - 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal Solid State Drive with MLC V-NAND Technology (MZ-76P256BW)
$79.90
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