Crucial X6 1TB
Score: 34/100
SanDisk Extreme 500GB
Score: 65/100Rankings
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 500 GB delivers solid NVMe performance in a rugged, lightweight package with IP65 protection and hardware encryption. It's ideal for creators on the go who need fast, secure storage, though the lack of a metal heatsink and occasional early failures are drawbacks.
The Crucial X6 1TB is an affordable, ultra-light portable SSD with decent everyday performance, but its QLC NAND and DRAM-less architecture prevent it from delivering the high sustained speeds some users expect.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,000 GBbest | 500 GB | |
540 MB/s | 1,050 MB/sbest | |
212 MB/s | 1,000 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 40 gbest | 52 g |
36 months | 60 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Capacity(1) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 1000 GB | 500 GB |
Performance(3) | ||
Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 540 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 212 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Security(1) | ||
Hardware Encryption | false | true |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 40 g | 52 g |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 36 months | 60 months |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the X6 a serviceable, budget-friendly portable SSD that works well for everyday tasks but is hampered by its SATA-based internals and DRAM-less design, recommending PCIe-based alternatives for power users.
Consumers appreciate the X6's reliability, pocket-size convenience, and price, though many note that real-world speeds fall short of the advertised 800 MB/s and that performance drops after the cache is exhausted.
Professional reviewers commend the Extreme Portable SSD for delivering near-top tier performance (1050 MB/s) in a rugged, IP55-rated package, emphasizing its suitability for 4K video editing and secure data handling. They note the absence of a metal heatsink as the main drawback, but conclude that passive cooling is adequate for typical use cases.
Everyday users love the SSD's tiny footprint, durability, and speed for photo/video backups, often highlighting the handy carabiner loop. Complaints focus on occasional early failures, a flimsy USB-A adapter, the default exFAT format, and the device warming under heavy use.
“smaller than car keys”
“perfect for travel”
“Crucial SSDs have never failed me.”
