Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
Score: 91/100
Kingston SPSD
Score: 95/100Rankings
The Kingston 1TB Dual USB-A/C Portable SSD offers USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 1,050 MB/s read and 950 MB/s write in a 13 g, thumb-drive-sized package with dual connectors, though sustained writes throttle and durability are limited.
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB is a top-tier PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD offering blazing sequential speeds, strong endurance, and robust security, ideal for high-performance desktops and laptops.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2,000 GBbest | 1,000 GB | |
3,500 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | |
3,300 MB/sbest | 950 MB/s | |
600,000 IOPSbest | — | |
550,000 IOPSbest | — | |
1,200 TBWbest | — | |
5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 6 Wbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance(3) | ||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 3500 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 3300 MB/s | 950 MB/s |
Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Storage(3) | ||
Capacity (GB) | 2000 GB | 1000 GB |
Form Factor | M.2 2280 | Portable |
NAND Type | V-NAND 3-bit MLC | 3D QLC |
Power & Energy(1) | ||
Operating Temp (Max) (°C) | 70 °C | 60 °C |
Design & Build(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 9.07 g | 13 g |
Thickness (mm) | 2.38 mm | 8.6 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Reviewers consider it the best overall PCIe 3.0 SSD, praising its speed boost over the 970 EVO and reliable thermal management despite lacking a heatsink.
Users consistently rate it 5-stars for speed and reliability, noting occasional warmth and the missing heatsink as minor drawbacks.
Professional reviewers commend the Kingston Dual Portable SSD for its clever dual-connector design, near-spec USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, and solid metal construction, calling it a convenient, high-performance alternative to traditional flash drives. However, they note practical drawbacks such as port blocking, fragile caps, lack of environmental sealing, and thermal throttling under sustained load.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's universal compatibility, lightning-fast transfers, and pocket-friendly size, often highlighting how it eliminates the need for cables. Common complaints revolve around the device's tendency to block neighboring ports, the easy loss of protective caps, heat buildup with speed throttling, and the absence of a tether or keychain loop.
“Windows boots in seconds-faster than I've ever experienced.”
“Installed games load dramatically quicker; feels like a new system.”
“Cloning my old drive was seamless; no driver issues.”
