SanDisk Extreme PRO 4TB USB4
Score: 92/100
Lexar ES5 2TB
Score: 94/100Rankings
The Lexar ES5 2TB Magnetic SSD delivers blazing 2000 MB/s speeds, MagSafe magnetic mounting, and IP65 ruggedness, targeting mobile creators who need ultra-fast transfers on the go. Its performance shines on compatible hosts, but lack of Thunderbolt and occasional thermal throttling keep it from being universally optimal.
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.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
4,000 GBbest | 2,048 GB | |
3,800 MB/sbest | 2,000 MB/s | |
3,700 MB/sbest | 2,000 MB/s | |
| ↓ lower better | 172 g | 120 gbest |
60 monthsbest | 60 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Capacity(1) | ||
Storage Capacity (GB) | 4000 GB | 2048 GB |
Performance(3) | ||
Interface | USB4 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C |
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 | 120 g |
Power & Connectivity(2) | ||
Power Source | bus-powered | Bus-powered |
Included Cable Type | USB-C to USB-C | USB‑C cable |
Compatibility(1) | ||
Operating System Compatibility | Windows 10+, macOS 14+ | Windows 7+; macOS 10.6+; iOS; Android 4.4+ |
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”
“Incredibly fast transfers-moved a 100GB project in under 2 minutes”
Lexar ES5 is better for creators needing top speed and magnetic mounting; SanDisk Extreme Pro suits users prioritizing size and price.
Professional reviewers consider the Lexar ES5 a high-performance, creator-focused portable SSD, lauding its USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 bandwidth, MagSafe magnetic design, and rugged IP65 build, while cautioning that peak speeds require compatible hosts and noting the absence of Thunderbolt/USB4.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the SSD's blazing transfer speeds, magnetic attachment to iPhones, and rugged, lightweight design for on-the-go video work, though they note slower speeds on many Macs and complain about the lint-attracting silicone casing.
