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Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD vs Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD

Buy the Samsung 860 PRO if you want the longest-lasting, most consistent 256GB SATA drive and have a 2.5-inch bay. Its MLC NAND and Samsung controller are rated for far more writes and hold speed better than the Timetec. Buy the Timetec if your board has an M.2 slot and you want a drive that mounts with no cables. It is a budget 3D TLC drive with a small SLC cache, so it slows on long writes and its endurance rating is modest. Owners of the 860 PRO report years of steady use; the Timetec has few ratings and a shorter track record.

  • Choose the Timetec 256GB if you have a free M.2 2280 slot and want a simple, cable-free boot or secondary drive for light everyday use.
  • Choose the Samsung 860 PRO 256GB if you have a 2.5-inch bay and want a drive built for heavy writes, long life and steady speed.

Prices

  • Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD: $47.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
  • Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD: $155.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: the Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD is $107.01 cheaper than the Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD at the latest prices (Nov 10)
Timetec
Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III Internal Solid State Drive

Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD

Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III Internal Solid State Drive

4.6(28 ratings)
$47.99at WalmartChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Mounts directly in an M.2 slot with no cables
  • 3D TLC NAND is more durable than older planar TLC
  • SATA interface works in most desktops and laptops with the right slot
  • Simple install for a boot or secondary drive
Cons
  • Small SLC cache means slower sustained writes
  • Lower endurance rating than MLC drives
  • M.2 SATA will not fit NVMe-only slots
  • Limited user feedback compared with major brands
Samsung
Samsung 860 PRO 256GB Internal Solid State Drive

Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD

Samsung 860 PRO 256GB Internal Solid State Drive

$155.00at eBayChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • MLC NAND with a high write endurance rating
  • Sustains speed on large transfers
  • Samsung controller and firmware are well proven
  • Fits any standard 2.5-inch SATA bay
Cons
  • Needs two cables and a drive bay
  • Older SATA design, no faster than any SATA SSD
  • MLC drives cost more than TLC for the same capacity
  • 2.5-inch size is awkward in slim laptops

What separates them

Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSDSamsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD
Form factorM.2 2280, screws flat to the board, no cables2.5-inch, needs a SATA data cable and power
NAND type3D TLCMLC
EnduranceRated around 128TBWSubstantially higher write rating for the same capacity
Sustained write speedSmall SLC cache; speed drops once it fillsHolds speed on long writes
Sequential readUp to about 450-550MB/s, both capped by SATASATA-limited, roughly the same ceiling
Track recordFew ratings, budget brandLong-running, widely used Samsung line
FitOnly in M.2 slots that accept SATA (not NVMe-only)Fits any 2.5-inch SATA bay

Price history

  • Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD: lowest $47.99 on Nov 10 at Newegg.
  • Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD: lowest $279.99 on Nov 10 at Newegg.

Prices at every store

Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by Timetec International Inc.Returns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $47.99Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Walmart
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $47.99Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Newegg

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD

  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $279.99Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit Newegg
  • eBayPre-owned

    Availability unknownSold by ricacommercial (99.8% positive, 62,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $34.95Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit eBay
  • eBayRefurbished

    Availability unknownSold by kl0 (99.5% positive, 66,600 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $79.99Free shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit eBay
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by alexander-2249 (100% positive, 7 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $155.00+ $5.89 shippingChecked Nov 10
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecTimetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSDSamsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD
Form FactorM.22.5"
TypeSSDSSD
PlacementInternalInternal
Size (GB)256256
Flash Memory3D TLCMLC
InterfaceS-ATA 6Gb/sS-ATA 6Gb/s
Sequential Read (MB/s)450—

What reviewers say

Timetec 256GB M.2 2280 SATA III SSD

  • 4.6 / 528 ratings

Ratings are strong for a budget drive, with buyers mainly reporting easy installs and snappier systems after swapping out hard drives.

What people mention
  • SpeedPraisedBuyers say the system boots and loads apps much faster than with the hard drive it replaced.
  • InstallPraisedOwners describe the M.2 install as quick and tool-light in compatible machines.
  • InterfaceMixedSome buyers are confused about SATA versus NVMe and find it will not fit or boot in NVMe-only slots.
  • CapacityCriticised256GB is reported to fill quickly once games and media are added.

Samsung 860 PRO 256GB SSD

Owners and reviewers treat the 860 PRO as a dependable, long-lived SATA SSD. Most praise its endurance rating and steady speeds; the common complaint is that it costs more than similarly sized TLC drives without being faster.

What people mention
  • EndurancePraisedOwners point to the MLC NAND and high TBW rating as the main reason to choose it over cheaper drives.
  • SpeedMixedReviewers find it fast for SATA but note it cannot compete with NVMe drives.
  • ValueCriticisedBuyers say it costs more than TLC drives that perform about the same in daily use.
  • ReliabilityPraisedLong-term owners report few failures and trust the Samsung name and warranty.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a laptop?
Check the slot first. If the laptop has a free M.2 2280 slot that accepts SATA, the Timetec fits with no cables. If it has a 2.5-inch bay, the 860 PRO is the safer pick.
Which lasts longer?
The Samsung 860 PRO. Its MLC NAND carries a much higher write endurance rating than the Timetec's roughly 128TBW, and it holds speed better under heavy writes.
Is the 860 PRO worth stepping up to?
Yes if you write a lot of large files or want a drive to last many years. For light office use and web browsing, the Timetec is enough.
Will either make my PC noticeably faster?
Both are SATA drives, so both beat a hard drive by a wide margin. Neither is faster than the other in everyday use, since SATA caps both near the same speed.
Does the Timetec work in any M.2 slot?
No. It is an M.2 SATA drive, so it needs a slot that supports SATA. Slots wired only for NVMe will not detect it.
Which runs cooler?
The Timetec, as an M.2 drive with no enclosure, generally runs cooler and draws less power than a 2.5-inch drive in a metal case.

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