Since last year, prices for solid-state drives (SSDs) and RAM have risen, largely due to the high demand from AI data centers that have consumed much of the available inventory.
This year, Black Friday represents more than just an opportunity for bargains; it could be one of the final windows to secure reasonable pricing on SSDs for the foreseeable future. Retailers are launching promotions ahead of schedule, aiming to capture consumer spending before rival stores draw away holiday budgets.
As always, shoppers should approach discounts cautiously, since not all reductions deliver true value. To maximize savings, understanding optimal shopping strategies and locations is essential—we've compiled a guide featuring top promotions and advice. These appear further down. At present, with promotions just beginning to appear, only a handful stand out as strong options, though more substantial ones should emerge as late November approaches.
Expect Black Friday itself to deliver additional bargains, potentially including deeper cuts, but early opportunities exist for immediate purchases. Such current pricing makes the SK Hynix P51 a more attractive choice, addressing the elevated launch price that previously hindered its appeal.
Explore our collections of leading deals across various PC categories!
In 2025, Black Friday falls on November 28, yet promotions typically kick off well in advance. Delaying until the official day risks overlooking attractive offers, as popular items often sell out quickly.
A worthwhile Black Friday SSD promotion features reductions on products from established, trustworthy manufacturers. Discounts of 15 to 20 percent qualify as solid, while deeper cuts represent exceptional value—however, amid the current upward price trend for SSDs, deals approximating last year's rates qualify as strong buys.
Keep an eye on manufacturers such as Samsung, Crucial, Corsair, SK Hynix, Western Digital (WD), Kingston, Solidigm, and Teamgroup. Venturing to less prominent brands increases the chance of acquiring slower-performing units.
Also, scrutinize the specific model involved in the sale. Multiple storage sizes might see cuts, but not every one translates to a smart purchase.
Currently, the most compelling offers center on capacities between 1TB and 2TB. For 4TB options, reductions remain minimal, as do those for drives of 500GB or smaller.
PCWorld conducts ongoing evaluations and assessments of the latest SSDs. For our top picks, refer to the 2025 rankings of superior SSDs. During Black Friday, several of these may appear in promotions, though possibly without matching the discounts on other models.
Alaina Yee, with 14 years in technology and gaming journalism, contributes to PCWorld on diverse subjects. A team member since 2016, she has covered processors, Windows, PC assembly, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and beyond, while acting as the outlet's deal specialist (#slickdeals). Her current emphasis lies in cybersecurity, guiding users on effective online protection measures. Her articles have also featured in PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine.