The WD Blue SN550 is much faster. It reads up to 2,400 MB/s versus 560 MB/s for the 870 EVO, because it uses NVMe over PCIe instead of SATA.

Will the SN550 fit my laptop?

Only if the laptop has an M.2 2280 slot that supports PCIe NVMe. Many older laptops have only a 2.5-inch SATA bay, where the 870 EVO fits.

WD rates the SN550 at 1.75 million hours MTBF. Samsung does not list an MTBF for the 870 EVO here, but the EVO line has a long track record. Both are reliable for normal desktop use.

Is the SN550 worth the money?

At $80.36 at Newegg as of November 7, 2026, it is the better value if you have the slot. You get several times the speed of a SATA drive for a low price.

Can I use the 870 EVO in a desktop?

Yes, if the desktop has a free 2.5-inch SATA bay and cable. It is a direct replacement for a 2.5-inch hard drive.

Which is better for gaming?

The SN550 loads games faster thanks to higher read speeds. The 870 EVO is still fine for gaming, but it is limited by the SATA interface.

Samsung 870 EVO 500 GB SSD vs WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD

Buy the WD Blue SN550 if your PC or laptop has an M.2 slot: it is roughly 4x faster on sequential reads and costs $80.36 at Newegg as of November 7, 2026. Buy the Samsung 870 EVO 500 GB only if you need a 2.5-inch SATA drive for an older desktop or laptop, or want Samsung's encryption and endurance reputation. The SN550 is the better value for most upgraders, but it needs the right slot and is listed at a lower capacity in this comparison.

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