Samsung T5 Portable SSD 500GB
Score: 36/100
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB
Score: 81/100Rankings
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB delivers flagship-class NVMe speeds, IP65 ruggedness and 3 m drop protection in a feather-light package, backed by a generous five-year warranty. While performance is excellent, some users have encountered early failures and a problematic USB-A adapter.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
500 GB | 1,024 GBbest | |
540 MB/s | 1,050 MB/sbest | |
520 MB/s | 1,000 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 45 gbest | 49.9 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) | 500 GB | 1024 GB |
Performance(3) | ||
Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C |
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 540 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 520 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 45 g | 49.9 g |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 36 months | 60 months |
Power & Connectivity(2) | ||
Power Source | bus | Bus-powered |
Included Cable Type | USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A | USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A adapter |
Compatibility(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Android | Windows, macOS 10.9+, Android |
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.
“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.”
“Transfers my 50GB video projects in under a minute.”
Pick the T5 for superior build quality and encryption; pick SanDisk if maximum sequential speed and lower cost are main concerns.
Professional reviewers from TechRadar, PCMag, The Verge, CNET and DPReview commend the Extreme Portable SSD for its IP65 rating, 3-meter drop protection, and near-internal SSD speeds that enable direct 4K/8K video editing. They highlight the carabiner loop and ultra-light chassis as ideal for mobile professionals, and note the 5-year warranty as a standout advantage over many rivals.
Everyday users rate the drive an average 4.5 / 5, praising its lightning-fast transfers, ruggedness in rain or dust, and pocket-friendly size. Recurring complaints focus on early hardware failures, a flaky USB-A adapter, preinstalled antivirus software, and noticeable heat during prolonged use.
