Compare HDDs vs. SSDs

Hard drives deliver reliable, massive, cost-effective storage. Find out how they compare to SSDs — and where they still come out on top.

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Which is better for me, SSD or HDD?

Massive capacities versus powerful performance — while solid state drives bring next-gen flash technology to data storage, hard drives offer capacity and affordability. The best choice for you will depend on how you use your computer, and what you plan to create, share, and save with your drives.
Inside view of an SSD.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Best for long-term storage

Uses mechanical parts like spinning disks

Great for cost-effective, massive capacities

Inside view of an HDD.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

Best for low-latency applications

Uses flash NAND memory cells without moving parts

Great for rapid boot times and fast file access

How long do HDDs last vs. SSDs?

What is the lifespan of an HDD?

HDDs are known for their long lifespans. That’s because hard drives use tried-and-tested mechanical parts to read and write data to spinning disks. HDD components will continue to access and store information as long as the mechanical parts are working and the drive is used within recommended workload limits.

What is the lifespan of an SSD?

Solid state drives use flash memory cells to read and write data via magnetic charges. These memory cells have limited read/write cycles. After a certain number of uses, SSD memory cells will become “worn out” and affect the overall lifespan of the drive.

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