Best 500GB SATA M.2 SSDs
There are 15 500GB SATA M.2 SSDs compared here. The fastest is the Crucial MX500 M.2 at 560 MB/s read at 500GB, and the highest-rated for endurance is the Samsung EVO 860 M.2 (1200 TBW). Sequential reads across the group span 500–560 MB/s at 500GB.
Why this configuration
A 500GB SATA M.2 SSD is a budget and compatibility choice. SATA won't win benchmarks, but it's the cheapest way to add solid-state speed and fits essentially any PC or laptop with a 2.5-inch bay.
500GB is a sensible OS-plus-a-few-games size.
Usually chosen for: reviving older machines, cheap capacity upgrades and second drives.
Good fit: budget upgrades, older PCs and second drives.
Look elsewhere for: large-file creative work where NVMe pulls ahead.
Ranked list
Speeds on this page are the manufacturer's 500GB ratings where published (7 of 15 drives), not the family headline figure. 1 of the 15 are rated slower at 500GB than at their fastest capacity. Rated writes at 500GB run 500–560 MB/s.
| # | Model | Tier | Controller | Read MB/s (at 500GB) | TBW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Samsung EVO 860 M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | High-end | SAMSUNG MJX CONTROLLER (3-Core, 8- | 550 | 1200 | Check price on Amazon |
| 2 |  Samsung 850 EVO M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | High-end | Samsung MGX Controller (2-Core, 8- | 540 | 150 | Check price on Amazon |
| 3 |  Crucial MX200 M.2 250GB, 500GB | High-end | Marvell 88SS9189 | 550 | 160 | Find on Amazon |
| 4 |  Crucial MX500 M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Mid-range | Silicon Motion SM2258H (1-Core, 4- | 560 | 360 | Find on Amazon |
| 5 |  ADATA ULTIMATE SU800 M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Mid-range | Silicon Motion SM2258 | 560* | 800 | Find on Amazon |
| 6 |  Western Digital BLUE M.2 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Mid-range | MARVEL 88SS1074 (2-Core, 4-Canais, | 530 | 500 | Find on Amazon |
| 7 |  Mushkin SOURCE M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Value | Silicon Motion SM2258XT (1-Core, 4 | 560 | 400 | Find on Amazon |
| 8 |  ADATA ULTIMATE SU650 M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | Maxio MAS0902A controller | 550* | 210 | Find on Amazon |
| 9 |  TeamGroup MS30 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Value | Silicon Motion SM2258XT (1-Core, 4 | 550* | 480 | Find on Amazon |
| 10 |  Mushkin ATLAS VITAL™ 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | SandForce 2281 | 540 | — | Find on Amazon |
| 11 |  Kingston UV500 M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 960GB | Value | MARVEL 88SS1074 (2-Core, 4-Canais, | 520* | 400 | Find on Amazon |
| 12 |  Mushkin TRIACTOR 3D M.2 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 80GB | Value | Silicon Motion SM2258XT (1-Core, 4 | 500* | — | Find on Amazon |
| 13 |  Integral M.2 SATA III 22X80 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 960GB | Low-end | PHISON PS3111-S11T | 560* | — | Find on Amazon |
| 14 | Low-end | PHISON PS3111-S11T | 560* | — | Find on Amazon | |
| 15 |  Orico TROODON N300 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | — | Silicon Motion SM2258XT ou Silicon | 560* | 400 | Find on Amazon |
* family rating — the manufacturer does not publish a 500GB figure for this drive.
The parts, explained
500GB is a comfortable OS-and-games starting point.
SATA III tops out around 550 MB/s, but it is the cheapest interface and fits any 2.5-inch bay or older laptop.
The M.2 form factor plugs straight into the motherboard with no cables.
Common questions
Is SATA fast enough in 2026?
For an OS, apps and most games you won't notice the difference versus NVMe in daily use. NVMe pulls ahead mainly on large file transfers and load-heavy creative work.