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Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s - WDS500G1R0A
Western Digital

Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD (WDS500G1R0A)

Bottom line: The Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD ($310.44 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Purpose-tested for 24/7 NAS duty, not just desktop use; main trade-off: SATA III caps speed far below NVMe drives at similar prices.

$310.44

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Buy on Amazon — $310.44 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 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Purpose-tested for 24/7 NAS duty, not just desktop use
  • ✓ Up to 560 MB/s reads saturate the SATA III 6 Gb/s link
  • ✓ 3D NAND endurance rated for heavy sustained NAS write loads
  • ✓ Standard 2.5in/7mm body fits most NAS bays without adapters

Cons

  • ✗ SATA III caps speed far below NVMe drives at similar prices
  • ✗ 500GB is tight for a primary NAS volume, better as cache
  • ✗ 2.5in only - no M.2 option for NAS units with M.2 cache slots
  • ✗ Sequential write speed is not listed in the product specs

Manufacturer description

The Western Digital WD Red SA500 500GB NAS SSD is built for the one thing a standard consumer drive is not: running 24/7 inside a NAS. Western Digital designs and tests this 2.5-inch, 7mm SATA III drive specifically for always-on network storage, where the read and write loads never really stop. Drop it into a caching tier and your NAS pulls your most frequently used files without waiting on spinning platters. Sequential reads reach up to 560 MB/s over the 6 Gb/s SATA interface, and the drive's 3D NAND gives it the endurance to absorb heavy sustained writes rather than degrading under them…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Western Digital'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

What makes the WD Red SA500 different from a regular SATA SSD?

Western Digital designs and tests the Red SA500 specifically for 24/7 operation and the sustained read/write loads a NAS generates, whereas standard consumer SSDs assume idle time between bursts.

How fast is the WD Red SA500 500GB?

Western Digital rates it at up to 560 MB/s, which effectively saturates the SATA III 6 Gb/s interface it connects over. Write speed is not listed in the product specs.

Will this fit in my NAS?

It uses the standard 2.5-inch, 7mm form factor, which is what most NAS drive bays and 2.5-inch desktop mounts accept. Confirm your NAS supports 2.5-inch SATA SSDs before ordering.

Should I use 500GB as NAS storage or as a cache drive?

Western Digital positions this drive for caching, where it holds your most frequently accessed files. At 500GB it works better as a cache or metadata tier than as a primary storage volume.

What workloads does Western Digital recommend it for?

Western Digital cites OLTP databases, multi-user environments, photo rendering, and 4K and 8K video editing, all cases where reduced latency matters more than raw capacity.

Key Features

  • Storage optimized for caching in NAS systems to rapidly access your most frequently used files.
  • Superior endurance can handle the heavy read and write loads demanded by NAS, giving you the reliability you need in a 24/7 environment.
  • Purpose-built for NAS with proven Western Digital 3D NAND to deliver maximum SATA performance to both home and business users.
  • Reduces latency and improves responsiveness for oltp databases, multi-user environments, photo rendering, 4K and 8K video editing, and more.

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorRed
Model NameSA500
Read Speed560 Megabytes Per Second
Unit Count1.0 Count
Form Factor2.5-inch
Media Speed560 megabits_per_second
Model NumberWDS500G1R0A
Built-In MediaSSD
Item Type NameSolid State Drive
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberWDS500G1R0A
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware PlatformPC
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate560 Megabytes Per Second
Enclosure MaterialInformation Not Available
Additional FeaturesPortable
Full listing titleWestern Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s - WDS500G1R0A

Ready to buy?

Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s - WDS500G1R0A 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 — $310.44

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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Western Digital 500GB WD Red SA500 NAS 3D NAND Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm, Up to 560 MB/s - WDS500G1R0A
$310.44
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