SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 500GB USB-C
Score: 82/100
WD My Passport SSD 1TB
Score: 82/100Rankings
The SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD offers up to 1050 MB/s read and 1000 MB/s write speeds along with IP65 protection and 3 m drop resistance. Its performance is capped by the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface and warranty terms can be confusing. Best suited for on-the-go creators who value durability and built-in encryption.
Western Digital's My Passport 1TB SSD delivers up to 1050 MB/s read and 1000 MB/s write speeds, includes 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and comes in a sleek metal case with a 5-year warranty. Its limited 5 GB cache and occasional heat under heavy writes may concern power users, positioning it for mobile professionals needing fast, secure storage.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
500 GBbest | 1 GB | |
1,050 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/sbest | |
1,000 MB/sbest | 1,000 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 39 g | 7.09 gbest |
3 years | 5 yearsbest | |
3 mbest | 2 m |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 3 years | 5 years |
Connectivity(1) | ||
OS Compatibility | Windows 10+, macOS 12+, iOS 13+, iPadOS 15+, Android 10+ | Windows, macOS |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 39 g | 7.09 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 85.09x50.8x9.91 mm mm | 101.6 x 31.75 x 127 mm mm |
Drop Resistance (m) | 3 m | 2 m |
Accessories(1) | ||
Included Accessories | USB-C cable, USB-C to A adapter, carabiner loop | USB Type-C cable, USB Type-C to Type-A adapter, WD Discovery software |
Storage(1) | ||
Capacity (GB) | 500 GB | 1 GB |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the Extreme Portable SSD for its fast NVMe-class read/write performance, rugged IP65 rating, and broad compatibility, noting it excels in demanding field environments. However, they caution that the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface limits peak throughput and that warranty terms differ across model generations.
Everyday users consistently highlight the drive's compact size, rapid transfer speeds, and durability, often mentioning the convenience of the included cables and encryption software. The most common complaints revolve around speed variability on different host ports and occasional confusion over warranty length and exact dimensions.
SanDisk is preferable for users prioritizing ruggedness and accessories; WD is an option if brand preference or pricing is the main factor.
Professional reviewers commend the My Passport SSD for its sleek metal build, impressive 1050/1000 MB/s sequential performance, and strong hardware encryption, positioning it as a direct competitor to the Samsung T7 and Crucial X8. However, they note the premium price, limited 5 GB cache, and occasional heat during sustained writes as areas where it falls short of the best value proposition.
Everyday users love the drive's pocket-size portability, fast transfer speeds, and seamless Mac compatibility, often highlighting how quickly they can move large photo and video libraries. Recurring complaints focus on write speed variability, noticeable heat under heavy load, and the higher price per gigabyte compared with other external SSDs.
