Which is faster for gaming?

The WD Black SN770. Its 5150 MB/s read and 4900 MB/s write speeds cut game load times more than the Transcend's 2500/800 MB/s, and its single-sided design fits more slots.

Is the WD Black worth the extra money?

At the lowest prices seen, yes: $68.95 versus $40.00 buys about 2x read and 6x write speed. If you only browse and use office apps, the Transcend is enough.

Neither listing gives a terabytes-written rating, so endurance can't be compared from the specs. The WD Black's DRAM-less design and the Transcend's DRAM cache matter more for sustained speed than for lifespan.

Will either fit my laptop?

The WD Black comes in M.2 2230 and 2280, so it fits most laptops and handhelds. The Transcend is listed for desktop use in M.2 form, so check your slot before buying.

Do either have hardware encryption?

No. The Transcend lists no encryption, and the WD Black lists no 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Use software encryption such as BitLocker if you need it.

The Transcend lists dynamic thermal throttling, which manages heat under load. The WD Black lists only a single-sided layout, so its thermals depend on your case airflow.

Transcend M.2 NVMe SSD vs WD Black SN770 NVMe SSD 1TB

The WD Black SN770 is the better drive for most people: it reads at 5150 MB/s and writes at 4900 MB/s, roughly double and six times the Transcend's 2500/800 MB/s, and it costs $68.95 at its lowest versus $40.00 for the Transcend as of November 2. Buy the Transcend only if the $29 gap decides it and your work is light. The WD Black's price has ranged up to $99.99 as of November 7, so check the current store price before ordering.

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