The Crucial MX500 500GB is the objective winner of this comparison, securing more total spec victories than its competitor. Its most significant performance advantage is a sequential read speed that is 203% better than the alternative. This superior read capability makes it the more efficient choice for tasks requiring rapid data access and responsiveness. By outperforming in the majority of measured categories, this drive establishes itself as the more technically capable component for standard computing operations.

Users prioritizing speed and system responsiveness should select the Crucial MX500 500GB for their primary storage needs. Conversely, those who require massive data retention should opt for the Western Digital WD Red Plus 4TB, which offers a 700% advantage in total capacity. While the former excels in performance-driven scenarios, the latter is the clear choice for users who need to store large volumes of files where high-speed read operations are not the primary requirement.