Is eMMC Better than SSD?

If you’re looking for storage for a device, you have many options. In addition to HDDs, or hard disk drives, there are two common flash storage solutions: eMMC and SSDs. Each kind of storage has its own set of pros and cons, so the right kind for any device depends on several different factors. These include the type of device, the necessary capacity for storage, and how the device will be used. For people looking for flash storage, the question of whether eMMC is better than SSD is likely to come up. Which one comes out on top? Here is what you need to know.

SSD Basics

SSD stands for solid state drive. Within an SSD are flash-based memory chips that store data on individual cells within the drive. SSDs are considered to be more reliable than HDDs because they do not have any moving parts. HDDs have rotating disks that record data magnetically, which makes them more prone to failures and less reliable in industrial operating conditions. SSDs are available in a few different grades, including SLC, MLC, and TLC. Single-level cell, or SLC storage, describes an SSD in which one bit of data is stored per cell, while MLC, or multi-level cell storage, stores two bits of data per cell. TLC, or triple-level cell, stores three or more bits of data per cell. SLC is considered to be the most reliable and is generally used in industrial applications.

eMMC Basics

eMMC stands for embedded multimedia card. This technology also relies on flash storage, but an eMMC will usually be slower than an SSD. Because eMMCs are small, you can often find them in handheld consumer devices, such as smartphones, though they are also sometimes soldered to PC motherboards for lower cost devices. Some computers also have slots into which an eMMC can be inserted to expand the available storage.

eMMC vs. SSD

The question that OEMs should consider is not necessarily whether eMMCs are better than SSDs. Instead, they should determine which one is more suitable for their specific application. The storage capacities offered by eMMCs are much lower than those of SSDs, but they perfectly match with the needs of some devices. On the other hand, industrial applications may need the larger capacity and reliability of an SSD.

If you have questions about the right storage for your device, contact Delkin. Our customer service team is ready to answer your questions today about our range of rugged, embedded storage solutions.

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