Samsung X5
Score: 86/100
Kingston XS1000R 2TB
Score: 89/100Rankings
The Kingston XS1000R 2TB is a pocket-sized external SSD that delivers industry-leading 1,050 MB/s read speeds in a featherweight metal-plastic chassis. Its main trade-offs are the need for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host to hit peak performance and the lack of an included protective case. Ideal for travelers and mobile professionals who need fast, high-capacity storage on the go.
The Samsung X5 Portable SSD 2TB delivers Thunderbolt 3 performance with up to 2,800 MB/s read speeds and a rugged magnesium-alloy chassis. Its need for a Thunderbolt 3 port and premium price limit its appeal to non-professional users. Ideal for creators who require top-tier speed and durability.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2 GB | 2,000 GBbest | |
2,800 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | |
2,300 MB/sbest | 1,000 MB/s | |
| ↓ lower better | 150 g | 28.7 gbest |
3 years | 5 yearsbest | |
2 mbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(2) | ||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 5 years |
Operating Temperature (°C) | 45 °C | 0-40 °C |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | Thunderbolt 3 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
OS Compatibility | macOS 10.2+, Windows 10+ | Windows 11/10, macOS 11.15+, Linux 4.4+, Chrome OS, Android, iOS/iPadOS 13+ |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 150 g | 28.7 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 119×62×19.7 mm mm | 69.6×32.5×13.5 mm mm |
Enclosure Material | Magnesium alloy | Metal + plastic |
Accessories(1) | ||
Included Accessories | Integrated cable | 12" USB Type‑C to USB‑A cable; USB‑A to USB‑C adapter |
Storage(2) | ||
Capacity (GB) | 2 GB | 2000 GB |
NAND Type | TLC | 3D |
Performance(2) | ||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 2800 MB/s | 1050 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 2300 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers overwhelmingly praise the X5 for its blistering real-world performance, noting read speeds around 2.5 GB/s and write speeds over 2 GB/s that closely match the advertised figures. They highlight the dramatic speed advantage over the T5 and USB-based competitors, the ability to transfer large 4K video files in seconds, and the rugged magnesium-alloy build with 6-foot drop resistance. However, they also point out the mandatory Thunderbolt 3 interface, lack of macOS firmware support, larger footprint, and high price as notable drawbacks that limit its appeal to users without Thunderbolt ports or tight budgets.
Professional reviewers commend the XS1000R for its ultra-lightweight metal/plastic build, fast 1,050/1,000 MB/s performance and broad OS support, positioning it as a highly portable solution for professionals. Their main criticisms focus on the lack of an included protective case and the need for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host to realize full speeds, with some noting inconsistent weight reporting.
Everyday users consistently praise the drive's tiny size, featherweight feel, fast transfers and plug-and-play simplicity, especially on smartphones and laptops. Recurring complaints revolve around the missing protective case, slower speeds on legacy ports, and occasional confusion over the listed weight.
