Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB
Score: 87/100
SanDisk Ultra Fit 512GB Black
Score: 84/100Rankings
The Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB offers blazing SSD-class read speeds and a rugged metal design with a sliding cap. Its main trade-offs are the lack of hardware encryption and heat buildup under heavy use. Ideal for professionals needing fast portable storage for large media files.
The SanDisk Ultra Fit 512 GB USB-A flash drive offers an ultra-compact low-profile design with blazing up-to-400 MB/s read speeds and a massive 512 GB capacity. Its lack of a protective cap, unspecified write performance, and USB-A-only interface limit its suitability for heavy write tasks or newer devices. Ideal for users needing permanent, low-profile storage on laptops or TVs.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1,024 GBbest | 512 GB | |
1,000 MB/sbest | 400 MB/s | |
900 MB/sbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 14 g | 10 gbest |
5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Storage(1) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 1024 GB | 512 GB |
Performance(1) | ||
Read Speed (MB/s) | 1000 MB/s | 400 MB/s |
Connectivity(2) | ||
USB Version | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
Interface | Type-A | USB Type-A |
General(1) | ||
OS Compatibility | Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.14+, Linux 2.6+, Chrome OS | Windows 10+, macOS 10.9+ |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 14 g | 10 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 9.0x22.0x91.2 mm | 29.7×14.2×5.1 mm mm |
Material | Metal | Plastic |
Power(1) | ||
Operating Temperature (°C) | 0-60 °C | 0°C to 35°C °C |
Features(2) | ||
Hardware Encryption | false | true |
LED Indicator | true | false |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers hail the DataTraveler Max as the "world's fastest USB pen drive," emphasizing its 1,000 MB/s read and 900 MB/s write benchmarks and real-world transfers that rival external SSDs. They commend the sliding cap, metal heat-sink housing, and reliable performance for large-file workflows, while noting cache-related speed drops and a warmer chassis under sustained load.
Everyday users echo the praise for blazing transfer speeds and the convenience of a portable, keyring-ready design, but commonly mention the drive getting warm during extended use, its relatively wide profile, and the absence of built-in encryption as minor annoyances.
Professional reviewers and editors emphasize the Ultra Fit's ultra-compact, plug-and-stay form factor and its impressive 400 MB/s sequential read performance, positioning it as a high-speed, low-profile storage solution that outpaces USB 2.0 drives by a large margin, though they caution about the lack of a protective cover and the USB-A only interface.
Everyday consumers consistently highlight the drive's fast read speeds and massive 512 GB capacity as major strengths, while repeatedly mentioning the missing protective cap and occasional warmth during extended use as drawbacks.
