Crucial MX500 500GB
Score: 79/100
Samsung T7 1TB
Score: 82/100Rankings
The Samsung T7 1TB Portable SSD offers blazing USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds and strong hardware encryption in a lightweight aluminum case. Performance drops on older ports and it lacks biometric security. Ideal for mobile professionals needing fast, secure on-the-go storage.
The Crucial MX500 500 GB is a 2.5-inch SATA SSD that delivers near-maximum SATA-III speeds, includes a 256 MB DRAM cache and AES-256 hardware encryption, and offers 180 TBW endurance with a 5-year warranty. Its drawbacks are the inherent speed ceiling of SATA and occasional write-performance throttling under heavy mixed loads. It is best suited for budget-conscious desktop or notebook upgrades seeking reliable, secure storage.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
500 GBbest | 1 GB | |
560 MB/s | 1,050 MB/sbest | |
510 MB/s | 1,000 MB/sbest | |
95,000 IOPSbest | — | |
90,000 IOPSbest | — | |
180 TBbest | — | |
1,800,000 hoursbest | — | |
256 MBbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | ||
Interface | SATA III | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Performance(2) | ||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 560 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 510 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Storage(2) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 500 GB | 1 GB |
NAND Type | TLC | 3-bit MLC V-NAND |
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 5 years | 3 years |
Design & Build(3) | ||
Form Factor | 2.5-inch | Portable |
Weight (g) | 39 g | 58 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 70×7.1×103 mm mm | 85x57x8 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the MX500 an ideal HDD replacement, praising its efficient SM2258 controller, strong sequential and random performance, and robust security features. However, they note that its mixed-workload write speeds and 4K random read numbers fall short of some competitors, and the SATA interface limits its appeal for high-performance scenarios.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the MX500 for its noticeable boost in boot speed, system responsiveness, and ease of installation, especially valuing the included cloning software.
Professional reviewers consistently commend the T7 for its sleek metal chassis, exceptional read/write speeds, robust AES-256 encryption, and effective thermal management that prevents throttling. They also note that the drive's performance hinges on using a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection and point out minor issues such as inconsistent weight reporting and the lack of fingerprint security found on the T7 Touch variant.
Everyday users praise the SSD's rapid 4K video and game file transfers, its pocket-friendly size, and reliable cross-platform operation. Recurring themes include occasional heat under sustained loads, concerns about cable durability, and speed reductions when paired with older USB ports, while most buyers are satisfied with the overall value and build quality.
