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Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - CT500MX500SSD1, Blue/Gray
Crucial

Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - CT500MX500SSD1, Blue/Gray

Bottom line: The Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD ($254.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:17 UTC): 2.5-inch SATA fits nearly any laptop bay or desktop adapter, no M.2 slot needed; main trade-off: SATA interface caps throughput far below NVMe drives at similar capacities. Another in-stock pick with the same 500GB SATA: the Samsung 860 EVO 500GB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal…, $199.00 on Amazon as of (price may vary).

$254.00

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Buy on Amazon — $254.00 Compare to similar ssds & storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For SSDs and PC storage upgrades, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 2.5-inch SATA fits nearly any laptop bay or desktop adapter, no M.2 slot needed
  • ✓ Micron 3D NAND from Crucial, a first-party arm of a NAND manufacturer
  • ✓ Step-by-step install guide included for first-time SSD upgraders
  • ✓ 500GB holds Windows, core apps, and an active game without constant pruning

Cons

  • ✗ SATA interface caps throughput far below NVMe drives at similar capacities
  • ✗ 500GB fills quickly if you keep a large Steam library or 4K video files
  • ✗ 2.5-inch drives need a bay and cables - no good fit for slim modern laptops
  • ✗ No heatsink or mounting bracket included; desktop bays may need a 3.5-inch adapter

Manufacturer description

Start your PC in seconds instead of waiting on a mechanical drive. That volume of feedback matters when you are handing a drive your family videos, travel photos, music library, and tax documents: the MX500 has a long enough track record that its behavior is well understood rather than assumed. The 2.5-inch form factor is the point. It slots into essentially any laptop drive bay or desktop 3.5-inch adapter over a standard SATA connection, so there is no M.2 slot to hunt for and no motherboard compatibility chart to decode. That makes the MX500 the natural rescue for an aging laptop or a…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Crucial's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Crucial MX500 500GB fit my laptop?

It is a standard 2.5-inch SATA drive, so it fits any laptop with a 2.5-inch drive bay and a SATA connection. Laptops that only accept M.2 sticks will not take it. Check your laptop's drive bay type before ordering.

Is 500GB enough storage?

For an operating system, browser, office software, and a few active games or projects, yes. If you keep a large Steam library, RAW photo archive, or 4K video footage, plan on a second drive or a larger capacity.

How does this compare to an NVMe SSD?

The MX500 uses the SATA interface, which is slower in raw sequential throughput than NVMe. In everyday use - boot, app launches, file browsing - the gap is much smaller than the spec sheet suggests, and SATA works in machines with no M.2 slot.

Do I have to reinstall Windows after installing it?

No. Crucial includes a step-by-step guide covering cloning your existing installation to the new drive, so you can migrate your current setup rather than starting fresh. A SATA-to-USB adapter makes the clone step easier.

What warranty does the MX500 come with?

Crucial backs the MX500 with its standard service and support. Warranty length and terms vary by region and can change, so check the current Amazon product listing or Crucial's site for the terms that apply to your purchase.

Key Features

  • 2.5-inch Solid State Drive

Full Specifications

BrandCrucial
Model NameMX500
Read Speed560 megabytes_per_second
Unit Count1 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
Media Speed510 MB
Model NumberCT500MX500SSD1
Built-In Media7mm to 9.5mm Spacer, Acronis True Image for Crucial Cloning Software and Installation, MX500 2.5-inch Solid State Drive
Hard Disk Size500 GB
Item Type NameSolid State Drive
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberCT500MX500SSD1
Number of Items1
Special FeatureData Recovery Service
Hardware PlatformPC; Mac
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop
Data Transfer Rate6 gigabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialInformation Not Available
Additional FeaturesData Recovery Service

Ready to buy?

Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - CT500MX500SSD1, Blue/Gray is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $254.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

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Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5 Inch Internal SSD - CT500MX500SSD1, Blue/Gray
$254.00
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