Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB
Score: 36/100Buffalo SSD-SAO1.0U3B
Score: 78/100Rankings
The Buffalo SSD-PUT 1TB packs a full-capacity SSD into a thumb-drive-sized body, offering decent USB 3.2 speeds after a firmware update and MIL-STD-810G shock resistance. Its ultra-small form factor and console support make it ideal for on-the-go gamers and professionals who value size over raw performance.
The Samsung T5 500 GB Portable SSD offers near-internal SSD speeds, a premium aluminum build, and built-in hardware encryption, making it a solid choice for fast, secure portable storage.
| Attribute | | Buffalo SSD-SAO1.0U3B |
|---|---|---|
500 GB | 1,000 GBbest | |
540 MB/s | 600 MB/sbest | |
520 MB/sbest | 500 MB/s | |
| ↓ lower better | 45 g | 18 gbest |
36 monthsbest | 24 months |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | Buffalo SSD-SAO1.0U3B |
|---|---|---|
Capacity(1) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 500 GB | 1000 GB |
Performance(3) | ||
Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 540 MB/s | 600 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 520 MB/s | 500 MB/s |
Security(1) | ||
Hardware Encryption | true | false |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 45 g | 18 g |
Form Factor | portable | Thumb drive |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 36 months | 24 months |
Power & Connectivity(2) | ||
Power Source | bus | USB |
Included Cable Type | USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A | USB‑C adapter |
Compatibility(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows/macOS/Chrome OS/PS4/PS5/Xbox |
Technical Specs(1) | ||
NAND Type | 64-layer V-NAND | TLC |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the T5 for its near-internal speeds, solid build, and encryption, while noting the 3-year warranty and lack of endurance specs as minor drawbacks.
Users love the lightning-quick transfers and rugged feel, but some are frustrated by the short warranty and inability to recover a lost password.
Professional reviewers commend the SSD-PUT for its unprecedented miniaturization and solid performance for a thumb-drive size, but note the modest PCMark score, need for a firmware update, and lack of DRAM cache.
Everyday users love the pocket-size convenience and fast transfers after updating, while complaining about lower-than-advertised speeds out-of-the-box and concerns about the durability of the retractable plug.
“Transfers my 80 GB video project in under 5 minutes-way faster than my old HDD.”
“Lost my password and can't reset the drive-no recovery option.”
“Users love the ultra-portable design, often comparing it favorably to carrying a regular flash drive.”
