Western Digital P40
Score: 77/100
Amazon Basics Portable SSD
Score: 70/100Rankings
The WD Black P40 1TB Game Drive provides up to 2000 MB/s advertised read speeds, RGB lighting, and an aluminum chassis with 2 m shock resistance for gamers across PC and consoles. Sustained write speeds fall to around 500 MB/s and full performance requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, making it ideal for gamers prioritizing speed and aesthetics.
Amazon Basics 1TB Portable SSD offers a compact, IP65-rated design with claimed 2,000 MB/s speeds at an affordable price. In practice, speeds are lower and the short warranty may concern power users. Suited for budget-conscious creators needing portable storage on modern USB-C devices.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
1 GBbest | 1 GBbest | |
2,000 MB/sbest | 2,000 MB/sbest | |
850 MB/s | 2,000 MB/sbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 77 g | 51.8 gbest |
5 yearsbest | 1 years |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Warranty (years) | 5 years | 1 years |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
OS Compatibility | Windows, macOS, PlayStation, Xbox | Windows, macOS |
Build & Design(3) | ||
Weight (g) | 77 g | 51.8 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 51 x 13 x 107 mm mm | 59.2×59.2×9.9 mm mm |
Enclosure Material | Aluminum | Metal with polymer bottom |
Accessories(1) | ||
Included Accessories | USB‑C to USB‑C cable, USB‑C to USB‑A adapter, Quick start guide, PS5 install sheet, WD Black Dashboard software | 2 cables, protective case |
Performance(1) | ||
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 850 MB/s | 2000 MB/s |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers agree the WD Black P40 delivers strong random I/O and eye-catching RGB styling, making it a solid choice for gamers who need fast portable storage. However, they criticize the limited sustained write speeds, reliance on the niche USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface, and higher price relative to competitors, noting that console performance gains are minimal due to USB bandwidth caps.
Everyday users praise the drive's speed, portability, and easy setup, often calling it their go-to external storage for games and media. Recurring themes include satisfaction with the fast transfers and durable design, while complaints focus on speed throttling during long writes, occasional warmth, and the lack of water/dust protection.
“go-to external device”
“night and day”
“pretty good performance (42GB in 2 min, 1135/858 MB/s)”
Professional reviewers commend the Amazon Basics LSPSSD1TB for delivering a solid mix of speed, capacity, and portability at a low price, especially for creators and gamers on modern USB-C devices. However, they consistently note that the advertised 2000 MB/s peak is unrealistic in typical use, with real-world read speeds topping around 1100 MB/s and sustained writes dropping significantly. Durability claims such as IP65 and drop protection are viewed skeptically, and the shorter warranty compared to rivals is a drawback.
Everyday users generally appreciate the dramatic speed boost over HDDs and the pocket-sized convenience, seeing it as good value for a 1 TB drive. Recurring complaints focus on speed throttling during large or prolonged transfers, noticeable heat buildup, and doubts about the durability promises, leading some to feel the product falls short of its hype.
