SanDisk Extreme PRO 4TB USB4
Score: 92/100
Amazon Basics 2TB External SSD
Score: 61/100Rankings
The 4 TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD uses USB4 to deliver near-internal SSD performance with up to 3800 MB/s reads, while offering rugged IP65 protection and hardware encryption. It shines on Thunderbolt-4 hosts but can fall back to slower speeds on older machines, and its larger size makes it less pocket-friendly.
The Amazon Basics 2TB Portable SSD delivers high advertised speeds in a rugged, IP65-rated metal case while remaining lightweight and affordable. Real-world performance may fall short of the 2000 MB/s claim, and the lack of disclosed internals and encryption may concern power users.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
4,000 GBbest | 2,000 GB | |
3,800 MB/sbest | 2,000 MB/s | |
3,700 MB/sbest | 2,000 MB/s | |
| ↓ lower better | 172 g | 53.01 gbest |
60 monthsbest | 12 months | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 50 °Cbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Capacity(1) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 4000 GB | 2000 GB |
Performance(3) | ||
Interface | USB4 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 3800 MB/s | 2000 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 3700 MB/s | 2000 MB/s |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 172 g | 53.01 g |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (months) | 60 months | 12 months |
Power & Connectivity(1) | ||
Included Cable Type | USB-C to USB-C | USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to USB-A |
Compatibility(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows 10+, macOS 14+ | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, consoles |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Extreme PRO USB4 SSD for its blazing peak speeds and rugged build, but repeatedly warn that real-world performance hinges on a fully compatible 40 Gbps host. PCWorld and The SSD Review note that without BIOS or firmware updates the drive often falls back to slower USB 3.x rates, and some USB4 implementations cap at 32 Gbps, keeping it slightly behind rivals like the Samsung X5. Nonetheless, on Thunderbolt-4 Macs the drive consistently hits its advertised 3800 MB/s reads.
Everyday users, especially video editors and photographers, praise the drive's speed, plug-and-play ease, and durable design for on-location work. The average rating hovers around 4.5 / 5, though recurring complaints focus on initial connection hiccups, the larger form factor, and occasional speed throttling after the cache is exhausted.
“Great SSD for the price”
“sustained 3000 MB/s speeds on a MacBook Pro”
“Extremely fast - my 100GB video project backed up in under 2 minutes.”
Professional reviewers note the drive's impressive advertised speed, compact metal design, and IP65 rating, while also questioning whether the 2000 MB/s claim can be consistently met given the undisclosed internal components.
Everyday users praise the SSD's speed, portability, and value, but repeatedly mention slower-than-advertised performance, occasional heating, and frequent stock shortages as pain points.
