Are you looking to boost your computer’s performance without emptying your wallet? A solid-state drive (SSD) is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make, transforming slow boot times and sluggish application loading into a distant memory. But finding a decent capacity SSD, like a 500GB model, for around $50 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The good news is, it’s totally possible!
In this guide, we’ve scoured the market to bring you our top picks for the best 500GB SSD for $50 (or very close to it). Whether you’re upgrading an old laptop, building a budget PC, or just need some speedy external storage, we’ve got options that deliver great value and performance. Let’s dive in and find the perfect budget-friendly SSD for you!
Our Top 500GB SSD Picks for Under $50
Here are our top contenders, reviewed to help you make an informed decision:
PNY CS900 500GB 3D NAND 2.5″ SATA III Internal Solid State Drive
The PNY CS900 is a fantastic entry-level SSD that offers a straightforward and effective upgrade for anyone still relying on a traditional hard drive. It’s designed for simplicity and reliability, making it an excellent choice if you just want faster boot times and more responsive applications without any fuss. This drive proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to experience the significant benefits of solid-state storage.
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Key Features:
- Super-fast OS boot times and application loads
- Exceptional performance: up to 550MB/s sequential read, 500MB/s sequential write speeds
- Ultra-low power consumption for improved laptop battery life
- Backwards compatible with SATA II 3GB/sec
- Superior performance compared to traditional HDDs
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Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Simple plug-and-play installation
- Noticeable performance boost over HDDs
- Energy efficient
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Cons:
- Performance is standard for SATA SSDs, not as fast as NVMe
- Basic feature set compared to premium brands
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User Impressions: Users frequently praise the CS900 for its ease of installation and the immediate performance improvement it brings to older systems. Many highlight it as a cost-effective way to revitalize an aging PC or laptop, making it feel brand new again. It’s often recommended for its reliability as a primary boot drive.
SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA SSD 500GB 2.5” Internal Solid State Drive
When it comes to internal SSDs, Samsung’s EVO series is practically legendary for its blend of performance, reliability, and widespread compatibility. The 870 EVO 500GB, while sometimes a hair over the $50 mark, often dips into that range during sales and is worth keeping an eye on for its premium experience. It’s built upon Samsung’s pioneering technology, ensuring you get a drive that performs consistently and lasts for years, making it an excellent investment for both everyday computing and more demanding tasks.
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Key Features:
- Maximizes SATA interface limit: 560MB/s sequential read, 530MB/s sequential write speeds
- Industry-defining reliability with up to 600 TBW under a 5-year limited warranty
- Extensive compatibility testing for major host systems (chipsets, motherboards, NAS, etc.)
- Easy upgrade process with standard 2.5-inch SATA form factor
- Samsung Magician 6 software for drive management, updates, and performance enhancement
- World’s #1 flash memory brand, with in-house produced components
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Pros:
- Exceptional performance for a SATA drive
- Outstanding long-term reliability and endurance
- Excellent software suite for management
- Broad compatibility with various systems
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Cons:
- Can sometimes be slightly above the $50 budget (check for sales!)
- Still limited by SATA interface speeds compared to NVMe
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User Impressions: Customers consistently rave about the 870 EVO’s rock-solid reliability and its ability to breathe new life into older PCs. The Samsung Magician software is often highlighted as a major plus for easy monitoring and optimization. It’s a go-to choice for those seeking a dependable and fast SATA SSD.
SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s
Stepping away from internal drives for a moment, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is an absolute game-changer if you need ultra-fast, rugged external storage. While its NVMe performance might push it slightly over the $50 budget on some days, its speed and durability make it an incredible value for creative professionals, gamers, or anyone on the go. This drive isn’t just about speed; it’s built tough to withstand drops and splashes, making it a reliable companion for all your adventures.
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Key Features:
- NVMe solid-state performance: up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water/dust resistance
- Handy carabiner loop for securing to belt or backpack
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption for password protection
- SanDisk Memory Zone app for file management and space freeing
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Pros:
- Blazing-fast transfer speeds (NVMe level)
- Extremely durable and rugged design
- Compact and highly portable
- Includes security features
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Cons:
- Typically at the higher end or slightly above the $50 budget
- External drive, not suitable for internal PC upgrades
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User Impressions: Users love the SanDisk Extreme Portable for its impressive speed and rugged build. It’s a favorite among photographers and videographers for quickly offloading large files in the field. Its compact size and peace of mind from its durability also get frequent shout-outs.
SSK Portable SSD 500GB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MB/s
The SSK Portable SSD is another excellent external option that brings incredible speed and portability to the table, often hitting that sweet spot around $50. It’s designed for maximum convenience and performance, featuring a sleek aluminum alloy case that helps with heat dissipation. What really sets this drive apart is its broad compatibility, including specific optimization for 4K ProRes video capture on iPhones, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of users, from casual file movers to content creators.
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Key Features:
- Blazing-fast 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2) speeds: up to 1050MB/s read, 1000MB/s write
- LED Light for instant activity indication
- S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and TRIM technology for drive health and longevity
- Includes both USB-C and USB-A cables for wide device compatibility
- No slowdowns during large file transfers (SLC caching for files under 150GB)
- Optimized for 4K60Hz ProRes HDR video capture for iPhone
- Efficient heat dissipation with 2mm thick aluminum alloy case
- Extremely lightweight (36.6g) and compact (2.61.50.5 inch)
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Pros:
- Outstanding speed for an external SSD
- Highly portable and lightweight design
- Excellent heat management
- Broad device compatibility, including iPhone
- Includes both USB-C and USB-A cables
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Cons:
- External drive only, not for internal system upgrades
- Capacity reminder for Windows users can be confusing initially (standard for SSDs)
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User Impressions: Users are consistently impressed by the SSK Portable SSD’s incredible speed and tiny form factor. Many highlight its effectiveness for large file transfers and its seamless operation with various devices, including Apple products. The sleek design and the included cable variety are also frequently praised.
Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
If your motherboard supports an M.2 NVMe slot, the Crucial P3 500GB is hands down one of the best 500GB SSD for $50 you can find for internal storage. This drive brings the power of NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) to the budget segment, offering speeds that blow traditional SATA SSDs out of the water. It’s an ideal choice for gamers, power users, or anyone building a new system who wants lightning-fast boot times, game loading, and application responsiveness without a premium price tag.
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Key Features:
- NVMe (PCIe Gen3 x4) technology
- Up to 3500MB/s sequential reads, 3000MB/s sequential writes
- Random read/write 350K/460K IOPS
- Performs up to 33% better than the previous generation
- Rated at MTTF (Mean Time To Failure) greater than 1.5 million hours for longevity
- Specific uses: Personal, Gaming, Business
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Pros:
- Blazing-fast NVMe speeds at an incredible price point
- Excellent for gaming and demanding applications
- Compact M.2 form factor saves space
- High reliability rating
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Cons:
- Requires an M.2 NVMe slot on your motherboard (not compatible with SATA or older systems)
- May not be suitable for older laptops or desktops without M.2 support
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User Impressions: Reviewers are consistently amazed by the speed-to-price ratio of the Crucial P3. It’s a go-to recommendation for budget gaming builds and users looking to experience the significant leap in performance from SATA to NVMe. Its easy installation into compatible motherboards is also a plus for many.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What’s the main difference between SATA and NVMe SSDs?
A1: The main difference is speed and connection type. SATA SSDs connect via a SATA port and typically offer speeds up to 550MB/s. NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs connect via the PCIe interface (often in an M.2 slot) and can deliver speeds many times faster, often upwards of 3000MB/s, making them ideal for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing.
Q2: Can a 500GB SSD be enough for gaming?
A2: Yes, a 500GB SSD can be sufficient for gaming, especially if you install your operating system and a few of your most frequently played games on it. However, modern games can be very large (50GB-100GB+), so you might need to manage your game library or pair it with a larger traditional hard drive for less-played titles if you have many games.
Q3: How do I install an internal 2.5-inch SATA SSD?
A3: Installation is generally straightforward. For desktops, you’ll need a free 2.5-inch drive bay, a SATA data cable, and a SATA power cable from your power supply. For laptops, you usually replace the existing 2.5-inch hard drive. Ensure your computer is off and unplugged before starting. There are plenty of online tutorials and videos that can guide you step-by-step.
Q4: Is a portable external SSD worth it for backup?
A4: Absolutely! Portable external SSDs offer significantly faster backup and transfer speeds compared to traditional external hard drives. They are also more durable due to the lack of moving parts, making them ideal for backing up important files on the go or for quickly transferring large files between computers.
Q5: Why does my 500GB SSD show up as less storage on my computer?
A5: This is completely normal! Hard drive manufacturers define a gigabyte as 1,000,000,000 bytes, while operating systems (like Windows) calculate a gigabyte as 1,073,741,824 bytes (1024^3). This difference in calculation means a “500GB” drive from the manufacturer appears as roughly 465GB on your computer’s operating system.
Q6: What is TBW, and why is it important for SSDs?
A6: TBW stands for “Terabytes Written,” and it’s a measure of an SSD’s endurance. It indicates how much data can be written to the drive over its lifetime before it might start to degrade. A higher TBW rating generally means the SSD is designed to last longer under heavy write loads. For typical home users, even lower TBW ratings are usually more than sufficient for many years of use.
Q7: Can I use an M.2 NVMe SSD in any computer?
A7: No, an M.2 NVMe SSD requires a specific M.2 slot on your motherboard that supports NVMe. Many newer motherboards have these slots, but older systems or some budget motherboards might only have SATA M.2 slots (which are slower) or no M.2 slots at all. Always check your motherboard’s specifications before purchasing an M.2 NVMe drive.
Conclusion
Finding the best 500GB SSD for $50 is more achievable than you might think, and these five options prove that you don’t have to break the bank for a significant performance upgrade. Whether you need a simple internal boost with the PNY CS900 or Samsung 870 EVO, blazing-fast internal NVMe speeds with the Crucial P3, or rugged, portable power from the SanDisk Extreme or SSK Portable SSDs, there’s a fantastic budget-friendly choice waiting for you.
An SSD upgrade is one of the smartest things you can do for your computer’s speed and responsiveness. Pick the one that best fits your needs, and enjoy a much snappier computing experience!