Compare WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB and WD Blue SN5100 1TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in May 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both run on Gen 4 hardware but at different capacities: 2 TB for the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB versus 1 TB for the WD Blue SN5100 1TB. Whether the larger drive's $/TB advantage justifies the higher upfront cost depends on how much you actually need.
Hardware-wise, the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB runs on the SanDisk A101 — a more recent design from the WD/SanDisk lineup. The WD Blue SN5100 1TB pairs the SanDisk controller.
On warranty endurance the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB carries 1,200 TBW against WD Blue SN5100 1TB's 600 TBW. Both will outlast typical use, but the gap matters if you're doing professional content work.
Heading to a PlayStation 5? Both drives drop into the console's M.2 bay and report identical real-world benchmarks since the PS5 caps storage at PCIe 4.0 speeds. The WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB wins this matchup on $/TB. Heavy write workloads — video editing, RAW photo libraries, backup operations — favor the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB's 6,900 MB/s sustained write speed. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
Pick the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB if you value better $/TB economics ($82.50/TB), higher sustained writes (6,900 MB/s), and a higher TBW endurance rating (1,200 TBW).
Pick the WD Blue SN5100 1TB if you value the lower retail price ($89 vs $165).