by Daniel | Last Updated January 1st, 2021
A portable SSD is extremely useful for several reasons, but especially for travel. If you are worried about having inadequate space on your phone, a portable SSD may be a good option for you.
One of the best models in this class is the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. This device equips your computer with a large amount of additional storage, so you never have to stress about storage space.
There are four iterations of this device, including:
- 250GB
- 500GB
- 1TB
- 2TB
This range of options allows you to choose the capacity that best suits your specific needs.
Pros
- Slim, compact design
- IP55 support
- Using accessories, it is compatible with USB Type-A or Type-C
- Comes with carabiner and keychain loop
- Strong USB performance with a USB 3.1 Gen 2
Cons
- The surface can begin to mar if kept on a keychain
- There is no seal over the USB port
- A bit expensive compared to other drives
Design
Although the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is thicker than some other devices in the same category, it’s by no means too thick to wear comfortably. At 8.85mm thickness, the external SSD fits comfortably into your back pocket.
The small size (50 x 96.2mm) means that it is much smaller than most smartphones. The portable SSD is geared toward consumers who spent lots of time outdoors. It features a rubber body and an orange plastic loop that allows you to attach it to other items.
This portable SSD has an IP55 rated water and dust resistance. Be careful not to let anything get stuck in the USB-C connector. Anytime you submerge it in liquid, make sure you clean it and dry it thoroughly before using it.
Its shock resistance properties make it so it can withstand a drop of 2m on concrete without sustaining any damage.
Overall, the design is sleek, classic, and discreet. It’s extremely convenient to carry, and it can withstand extreme temperatures, high drops, and water flows of up to 30kPA for 3 minutes.
Benchmarks
Here is how the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD performed in benchmark testing:
- CrystalDiskMark: 560MBps (read) and 501MBps (write)
- Atto: 562MBps (read, 256mb) and 526MBps (write, 256mb)
- AS SSD: 520MBps (seq read) and 452MBps (seq write)
Performance & Hardware
- The connector on this portable SSD is a USB 3.1 (generation 2) port that is useful when used with the Type-C to Type-C cable. According to the manufacturer, it can reach read speeds of up to 550MBps. These transfer speeds are a bit higher than what you’d get when using it with a Type-A adaptor.
- The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD outperforms many other drivers when it comes to reading speed. It has a maximum data transfer rate of 10Gbps.
- It comes pre-formatted as an exFat device. This means that it is compatible with both Windows and Mac. Reformatting it to NTFS may limit its usability with Windows. However, this process enables TRIM, which results in a longer lifespan for the drive.
- It’s ready for plug-and-play use with Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, as well as macOS High Sierra, Sierra, and El Capitan without having to be reformatted.
- With this portable SSD, you also receive a copy of SanDisk’s SecureAccess 3.02 software. It gives you the option to make a password-protected folder. Here, you can store any private files using a 128bit AES encryption.
- The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD likely used the BiCS flash, which was created by Toshiba and Western Digital. BICS’s 3D nature helps better the performance of the drive, minimize heat dissipation, and lower costs. Future versions of this product are likely to offer you more value for your money.
Why It’s Perfect for Traveling
Having an external hard drive while traveling is essential, especially if you frequently travel for work and need access to many files. These devices offer many benefits. They protect your valuable information and allow you to transfer photos and videos securely.
Some people think that opting for a cheap hard drive is a safe bet. You shouldn’t hesitate to spend a bit more when shopping for a hard drive. If you spend your time in remote areas with rough terrain, you will need a portable SSD that can handle falls, dust, and harsh weather.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Drive is a reliable product that gives you the means to access your essential files on the go. Cloud storage is a convenient option for some, but many of those services only offer a limited amount of storage. Also, you may struggle to find a reliable internet connection while you are traveling.
Additionally, all of this extra space will save you from having to waste memory and RAM on your computer. You can use the Sandisk Extreme drive to store your files securely without ever having to risk slowing down your computer.
Verdict
There isn’t much competition in terms of other products in this category, especially in this price range. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a powerful storage device built to be durable and long-lasting.
The portable design makes it so you can easily travel with this external SSD. It is ultra-resilient and delivers high-speed transfers with reading speeds of up to 550MB. This is ideal for saving high-resolution photos and videos. It can hold its own in harsh weather conditions and rugged terrain.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD comes in several different capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB. It works with Windows and Mac, and USB-C or USB-A. This means that it will work with both older and newer PCs and Macs, and it’s completely compatible with both types of computers.
Best of all, you get high performance and a compact design that’s smaller than a smartphone. Although the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a bit thicker than some of its competitors, it is still thin enough to fit comfortably in your pocket.
When you buy this portable SSD, you’re guaranteed a reliable device. Built by SanDisk, an industry leader for more than 25 years, this product delivers when it comes to power and function.
We hope you found this review of the SanDisk Extreme helpful – check out our other reviews of External Hard Drives here.