Rankings
The Lexar 1 TB Professional Go SSD offers blazing-fast USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 performance in an ultra-compact, IP65-rated package, ideal for iPhone 15/16 Pro videographers. Lack of built-in encryption and the need for a separate hub for full functionality are its main compromises.
An ultra-fast USB4 portable SSD delivering near-internal SSD performance with strong security and ruggedness, best for high-end creators, but its size and need for a USB4 host limit portability for some users.
The Amazon Basics 2 TB Portable SSD delivers flagship-class speeds in a rugged, IP65-rated metal case while staying ultra-light. It offers great value but real-world performance may vary and it lacks advanced security features.
The Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub offers a unique modular solution for iPhone filmmakers, delivering fast 1050 MB/s reads, IP65 protection and integrated power delivery. Its compact design and hardware encryption make it ideal for on-the-go ProRes capture, though the premium price and hub limitations may deter budget-focused users.
The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB adds rugged IP65 protection and a 3 m drop rating to the fast performance of the standard T7, while remaining bus-powered and encrypted. It's suited for outdoor professionals who need durability without sacrificing speed, though it is heavier and lacks biometric security.
A rugged, PS5-certified portable SSD offering 1000 MB/s speeds, IP65 protection, and hardware encryption, ideal for gamers and creators but limited by USB 3.2 Gen 2 bandwidth and inability to run games directly.
The Samsung T7 Shield 2TB combines the high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance of the T7 line with rugged IP65 protection and 3 m drop resistance, delivering secure, portable storage for demanding field work. It is slightly heavier and lacks biometric security, but its encryption and durability make it a solid choice for outdoor professionals.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO 1 TB delivers flagship-class NVMe speeds in a rugged, IP65-rated aluminum case, targeting professionals who need rapid off-loading of large media files. However, recent firmware reliability concerns and limited macOS performance temper its appeal.
Amazon Basics' 1 TB portable SSD promises flagship-class speeds and an IP65 rating at a budget price. While the specs are impressive, actual performance depends on having a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host, and some users question long-term durability.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2 TB balances NVMe-class performance with rugged IP65 protection, making it a strong choice for creators who need speed and durability on the go. While it offers excellent read/write rates, its larger size and occasional firmware issues are drawbacks.
A high-performance NVMe portable SSD with rugged IP65 protection and fast 2000 MB/s speeds, aimed at creative professionals, but limited by host compatibility and lack of encryption.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB offers fast NVMe-class performance, rugged IP65 protection and 3 m drop resistance in a lightweight, pocket-friendly package, making it a solid choice for creators on the move.
The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB combines rugged IP65 protection with fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance, offering AES-256 encryption and a 3-year warranty for users who need durable, secure portable storage.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 1,000 GB | 4,000 GBbest | 2,000 GB | 1,000 GB | |
1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 3,800 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | |
1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 3,700 MB/sbest | 1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | |
3 years | 3 years | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 3 years | 1 years | 5 yearsbest | — | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 98 g | 98 g | 49.9 gbest | 51 g | 97 g | 53.01 g | 77.5 g | 52 g | 71 g | 77.5 g | 172 g | 168 g | 95 g |
| ↓ lower better | 13 mm | 12.5 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.7 mm | 12.5 mm | 9.9 mm | 10.2 mm | 9.9 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.65 mm | 8.2 mmbest | 8.25 mm |
| ↓ lower better | 88 mm | 86 mm | 100.8 mm | — | 86 mm | 59.2 mm | — | 59.2 mm | 100.8 mm | 100.8 mm | 100.84 mm | 43.5 mmbest | 43.5 mmbest |
| ↓ lower better | 59 mm | 57 mm | 52.6 mm | 52.6 mm | 56.97 mm | 59.2 mm | 57.4 mm | 59.2 mm | 52.6 mm | 9.7 mmbest | 52.58 mm | 25 mm | 25.5 mm |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | |||||||||||||
Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB4 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 3800 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 3700 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Warranty & Support(1) | |||||||||||||
Warranty Period (years) | 3 years | 3 years | 5 years | 5 years | 3 years | 1 years | 5 years | — | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
Security(1) | |||||||||||||
Hardware Encryption | true | true | true | true | true | — | true | — | true | false | true | true | false |
Compatibility(1) | |||||||||||||
Supported Operating Systems | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, mobile devices | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Android, consoles | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, others | Windows, macOS | — | — | — | Windows 10+, macOS 14+ | macOS, Windows, Linux | iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, USB‑C tablets |
Storage(3) | |||||||||||||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 1000 GB | 2000 GB | 1000 GB | 2000 GB | 1000 GB | 2000 GB | 1000 GB | 1000 GB | 2000 GB | 1000 GB | 4000 GB | 2000 GB | 1000 GB |
NAND Type | 128-layer 3D TLC V-NAND | 128‑layer 3D TLC V‑NAND | — | NVMe | — | — | NVMe | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Form Factor | — | credit card | — | 2.5-inch | credit card | — | 2.5-inch | — | — | — | — | — | External Portable SSD |
Power(1) | |||||||||||||
Power Source | Bus-powered | USB bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | USB bus-powered | USB | Bus-powered | — | — | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered | Bus-powered |
Build & Design(5) | |||||||||||||
Weight (g) | 98 g | 98 g | 49.9 g | 51 g | 97 g | 53.01 g | 77.5 g | 52 g | 71 g | 77.5 g | 172 g | 168 g | 95 g |
Thickness (mm) | 13 mm | 12.5 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.7 mm | 12.5 mm | 9.9 mm | 10.2 mm | 9.9 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.7 mm | 9.65 mm | 8.2 mm | 8.25 mm |
Length (mm) | 88 mm | 86 mm | 100.8 mm | — | 86.0 mm | 59.2 mm | — | 59.2 mm | 100.8 mm | 100.8 mm | 100.84 mm | 43.5 mm | 43.5 mm |
Width (mm) | 59 mm | 57 mm | 52.6 mm | 52.6 mm | 56.97 mm | 59.2 mm | 57.4 mm | 59.2 mm | 52.6 mm | 9.7 mm | 52.58 mm | 25 mm | 25.5 mm |
Height (mm) | — | — | — | 101 mm | — | 9.9 mm | 110.2 mm | 9.9 mm | 9.7 mm | 52.6 mm | 100.84 mm | — | 8.25 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Reviewers commend its rugged IP65 build and encryption, but note it lags behind Thunderbolt or USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 drives in raw speed and lacks immersion protection.
Users appreciate the durability and speed, though they mention the premium price, heat buildup during long transfers, and desire for a fingerprint sensor.
“4.8/5 stars based on over 1,270 reviews”
“IP65 dust- and water-jet resistance gives me confidence on shoots”
“The drive gets warm during long transfers but stays fast”
SanDisk is cheaper; T7 Shield provides higher speed and encryption
Samsung offers a comparable speed but with a different ecosystem and warranty
Choose Samsung T7 Shield if you prefer a marginally smaller, lighter unit and don't need the extra USB-A adapter.
Opt for the Extreme PRO if you need top-tier speed and are willing to pay a premium; otherwise the Extreme offers excellent value.
Choose SanDisk if you prefer a trusted brand and can accept lower speeds; choose Amazon Basics for higher speed and IP65 protection.
Professional reviewers praise the T7 Shield for its rugged build, strong encryption, and consistent high-speed performance, while noting the lack of DRAM and that read speeds can lag behind the advertised 1,050 MB/s.
Everyday users love the drive's reliability and durability in harsh environments, noting fast transfers, but some report lower real-world read speeds and wish for a longer warranty.
Tech reviewers praise its IP65 rating, drop protection and near-internal SSD speeds, noting its suitability for 4K/8K editing in harsh environments.
Users average 4.5/5, lauding speed and ruggedness while noting occasional firmware defects and a temperamental USB-A adapter.
Professional reviewers rate the drive 4.5/5, praising its fast transfers, rugged IP65 construction, and strong security, while noting its larger size and legacy software.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise speed, ruggedness, and plug-and-play ease, though some report early failures and adapter connectivity problems.
Professional reviewers praise the T7 Shield for its rugged IP65 design, solid drop resistance, and fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance, while noting the lack of immersion protection, biometric security, and Thunderbolt support.
Everyday users highlight the drive's reliable fast performance and ruggedness for field work, but mention occasional speed variability on older hardware and wish for a longer warranty.
Professional reviewers praise the drive's impressive advertised speed and rugged metal design, but caution that the 2000 MB/s claim may not be consistently achievable due to undisclosed internals.
Everyday users love the fast transfers and portability, yet many report slower-than-advertised speeds and occasional heating.
Professional reviewers praise the Extreme PRO's 2000 MB/s speeds, rugged build, and long warranty, but warn about firmware-related reliability problems that emerged in 2023, advising caution until resolved.
Users love the fast transfers and included cables, but a growing number report sudden drive failures and frustration with limited Mac support and firmware issues.
Professional editors view it as a compelling budget alternative with near-NVMe speeds, but warn that real-world performance hinges on a compatible host and note uncertainty around internal components.
Everyday users like the speed and IP rating, yet many report that advertised 2000 MB/s is rarely achieved and express concerns about reliability and regional spec variations.
Professional reviewers laud the 2TB Extreme Portable SSD for its impressive NVMe-based performance, rugged IP65 construction, and official PlayStation 5 licensing, while noting the 5-year warranty and hardware encryption as confidence-boosting features.
Users praise the speed, durability, and carabiner loop, but note the inability to play PS5 games directly, occasional thermal throttling, and the short cable length.
Professional reviewers commend the Creator Pro for delivering true 2000 MB/s NVMe performance over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, noting the forged aluminum chassis eliminates thermal throttling, while pointing out the need for a Gen 2x2 host and the absence of hardware encryption.
Everyday users rave about the blazing-fast transfers and ruggedness, especially for on-location shoots, but complain about not reaching advertised speeds on older PCs, warmth during use, and short stiff cables.
Professional reviewers commend the Extreme PRO USB4 SSD for its blazing peak speeds and rugged build, while warning that real-world performance depends on a fully compatible 40 Gbps host and noting occasional throttling on non-Thunderbolt 4 systems.
Users praise the drive's speed, plug-and-play ease, and durable design for on-location work, though they report initial connection hiccups, a larger form factor, and speed throttling after the cache is exhausted.
Professional reviewers hail the Lexar Go as a game-changing solution for iPhone filmmakers, praising its seamless ProRes capture, compact modular design, high-speed performance and robust security. They note the premium price and limited Mac hub functionality as drawbacks.
Everyday users love the tiny, lightweight form factor, the ability to charge the phone while filming, and the ruggedness that survived outdoor conditions. Common complaints focus on the hub's lack of ruggedness, incompatibility with thick cases, upcoming iPhone 17 issues, and the high price tag.
Professional reviewers, notably PCMag, gave the Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub a perfect 5.0/5.0 score, calling it near-perfect for iPhone filmmakers and highlighting its seamless iPhone 15/16 Pro integration, blazing-fast performance, and innovative modular hub.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the drive's ability to record long ProRes 4K clips directly from the iPhone, its ultra-compact cable-free form factor, and the useful accessories included. Recurring complaints focus on the lack of encryption, incompatibility with thick cases, and the premium price.
Choose SanDisk for raw speed and longer warranty; choose Samsung for a more compact, proven-stable option.
Choose SanDisk if you need PS5 certification and longer warranty; choose Samsung for marginally higher speed.
Choose the T7 Shield if you need solid durability at a lower cost and don't require the highest transfer speeds.
