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Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD

Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD

Bottom line: The Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD ($85.45 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): Rated 10x faster than a hard drive for quicker boots and app launches; main trade-off: 120GB leaves little room beyond the OS and a few core apps.

$85.45

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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 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Rated 10x faster than a hard drive for quicker boots and app launches
  • ✓ 7mm-thin 2.5-inch body fits slim notebooks as well as desktops
  • ✓ Standard SATA3 interface works in most existing PC and laptop drive bays
  • ✓ Shock- and vibration-resistant build suits laptops that travel daily
  • ✓ Simple drop-in upgrade to revive an aging HDD-based system

Cons

  • ✗ 120GB leaves little room beyond the OS and a few core apps
  • ✗ SATA3 interface caps speed well below NVMe M.2 drives
  • ✗ Listing publishes no read/write speeds or endurance rating
  • ✗ Warranty terms are not stated in the product listing

Manufacturer description

The Kingston Q500 120GB SSD (part number SQ500S37/120G) is a straightforward way to retire a spinning hard drive in an older desktop or notebook. Kingston rates the Q500 as 10x faster than a traditional HDD, so boot times, application launches and file searches stop feeling like a wait. It uses the standard 2.5-inch form factor with a SATA3 interface, which means it drops into the drive bay or caddy most PCs and laptops already have. At 7mm thick, it also fits slimmer notebooks with tight drive bays. Because there are no moving parts, the Q500 is built to resist shock and vibration, a real…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the ssds & storage category before committing. 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 Kingston Q500 120GB fit in my laptop?

It will if your laptop takes a 2.5-inch SATA drive. The Q500 is 7mm thick, so it fits slimmer notebooks as well as standard drive bays. Check your laptop's manual to confirm it has a 2.5-inch SATA bay.

How much faster is the Q500 than my current hard drive?

Kingston rates the Q500 as 10x faster than a traditional HDD, which shows up as faster boots and app launches. The listing does not publish exact MB/s read/write figures, so check Kingston's spec sheet for SQ500S37/120G if you need them.

Is 120GB enough storage?

120GB works well as a boot drive for the operating system and a few core programs, or for a light-duty machine. For games or large media libraries, look at the 240GB or 480GB Q500, or pair this drive with a second storage drive.

Can I use the Q500 in a desktop PC?

Yes. It connects over standard SATA3 and fits any 2.5-inch drive mount. If your case only has 3.5-inch bays, you will need a 2.5-to-3.5-inch adapter bracket.

What warranty comes with the Kingston Q500?

The product listing does not state warranty terms. Check Kingston's website or the current product listing for warranty coverage on model SQ500S37/120G.

Key Features

  • 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD

Full Specifications

BrandKingston
ColorBlack
Model NameSQ500S37/120G
Read Speed500 megabytes_per_second
Unit Count1 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
Media Speed320 megabytes_per_second
Model NumberSQ500S37/120G
Hard-Drive Size120 GB
Mfr Part NumberSQ500S37/120G
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware PlatformPC, laptop
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate0.01 gigabits_per_second
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceSATA 6 GB/s
Warranty DescriptionLimited Warranty
Hard Disk DescriptionSolid State Hard Drive

Ready to buy?

Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD 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 — $85.45

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

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Kingston 120GB Q500 SATA3 2.5 SSD
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