Lexar and AFA's new Elite Legend Series of storage devices, including Lexar Air Portable SSDs and

Serious pro photographers might be interested in the SL500 Portable SSD Elite Legends Series combines read speeds of up to 2000MB/s and write speeds of up to 1800MB/s

Looking for something lighter and prepared to compromise on the speed? Lexar also has you covered with the 512GB or 1TB Air series of the even more portable SSD, which transfers files over USB 3.2 at a slightly more sedate 400 MB/s.

Lexar has also taken the opportunity to launch a co-branded

The problem for me, of course, as an Englishman, is that I'm not especially fond of the so-called talents of the Argentina Number 10 from forty years hence as celebrated by this design.

It is, of course, the famous Diego Maradona and so far as I'm concerned his most famous goal was the "Hand of God" goal scored in the 1986 World Cup in which England ended up losing to Argentina 2-1.

Not unreasonably, the idea of a goal assisted in its path by the hand – somewhat obvious from the video replay – isn't really something which impressed my fellow countrymen (and in 1986 it was only 20 years since England had last won a World Cup, so it didn't even seem impossible at the time).

There are many photographers who might like this device, however.

Scottish football fans have long rejoiced in England's bad luck, for a start!

A number of portable hard drives have aimed to offer creators the ability to back up photos and videos on site, but PixelMob is a new portable device that doesn’t just back up photos and videos. PixelMob is a hard drive with a built-in screen that doubles as a portable HDMI monitor, automates processes like HDR and focus stacking, and even culls and color grades photos on site.

The UnifyDrive PixelMob, unveiled over the weekend at the NAB Show, is at its core a NVMe SSD storage drive with a built-in touchscreen and memory card slots. That combination allows creators to create backup files on-site.

UnifyDrive says those backups have six layers of security, including a downloadable backup report that creators can send to commercial clients if needed. The company says those six layers include a streaming checksum verification while the files transfer, write-after-read on-disk integrity checks, RAID 1 mirroring, continuous SMART health monitoring, synchronous dual-location writes, and AES-256 encrypted cloud backup.

While backups may be the primary purpose of the PixelMob, that’s not the only feature built into the gadget. The drive uses on-board AI to cull photos – or choose the best ones – on site. Creators can use the screen to swipe left to toss it or swipe right to flag it as a keeper.

Culling isn’t the only feature powered by on-device AI. The company says the gadget will also power voice-controlled color-grading for photos on the device itself, which will export as XMP files that are supported by programs like Lightroom and Capture One.

The PixelMob is also compatible with camera tethering. Beyond placing files immediately on the drive, using a wired tether allows the PixelMob to automate focus stacking and HDR processing. The company says it can also be used to create time-lapses, stack star trails, and work with auto exposure bracketing.

The PixelMob also has a Wi-Fi Hotspot built-in that allows for sharing photos without downloading a dedicated app. Recipients scan a QR code to receive batch transfers connected to the drive itself rather than an internet connection.

The PixelMob will have two variants, one a smaller 5.5” screen with an eight-hour battery, and a larger 7” screen that also adds CFExpress Type B support and up to 10 hours of battery life.

The concept of a portable hard drive with a built-in card slot and screen for on-site backups isn’t new – and some earlier attempts at similar on-site drives have had limited success, like the LaCie Rugged BOSS and the Gnarbox, both of which are no longer available.

But, PixelMob is trying to be more than just a backup solution. There’s one missing piece in the announcement, however. UnifyDrive hasn’t yet shared the price for the PixelMob, nor a launch date, though an email sign-up list is open on the device’s website. The photos of the prototype drive and specs are subject to change.

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SanDisk has refreshed its core range of portable SSDs. The new line-up is split into three tiers - Extreme Pro Portable, Extreme Portable and plain Portable…

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD

The top-of-the-range, fastest drives are called SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD. They offer blisteringly fast transfer speeds of up to 4000MB/s read and 3800MB/s write, making it possible to move 10 minutes of 12K footage in under 60 seconds. This makes it not just faster than any previous SanDisk portable SSD, but also quicker than anything in the current SanDisk Professional range.

We assume this means the new Extreme PRO drives are using a USB4 interface, as anything less would bottleneck those advertised speeds, but as yet SanDisk has not revealed the USB version it's using here. Capacity options include 2TB, 4TB and 8TB variants. All are IP65-rated to resist water and dust ingress, and are claimed to withstand a 3-meter drop. Expect retail availability and pricing details in the second half of 2026.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

SanDisk's mid-range portable SSD offering is the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD (non Pro). This is still capable of a rapid 2000MB/s read speed, and it features the same IP65 ingress protection and 3-meter drop resistance as its Pro sibling. It should also fit into most pockets, thanks to its svelte 3.35" x 2" x 0.39" dimensions. 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities are available to buy now, priced at $259.99/£220.99, $459.99/£387.99 and a whopping $919.99/£770.99, respectively. A 500GB option is also slated for release later this year.

SanDisk Portable SSD

The entry-level model in the new SSD line-up is called simply SanDisk Portable SSD. This is aimed more at casual users - students, office workers, etc - and is said to "provide reliable, portable storage for everyday digital content". Speeds are quoted at up to 1000MB/s, via a USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection. Though this more basic drive doesn't come with an IP rating, it is advertised as having drop protection from up to 2 meter heights. As with the range-topping Extreme Pro drives, availability is scheduled for the second half of 2026, with 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities expected.

Keen students of the SanDisk product portfolio may recognise these product names from past portable SSDs. Rather confusingly, SanDisk re-uses the same naming system for multiple generations of its portable SSDs. To differentiate the latest offerings, look out for a 'V3' suffix at the end of the product name. The most obvious visual differentiator is the switch to the new SanDisk logo design for the V3 SSDs, and their red keychain loop has also been subtly reshaped.

I’ve been shooting more and more video content on my phone lately – behind-the-scenes footage, short-form Reels, even full talking head segments – and storage has quickly become one of the biggest bottlenecks.

Between high-bitrate 4K clips and the growing file sizes of ProRes footage, running out of space mid-shoot is a nightmare. That’s why Lexar’s latest release instantly caught my attention.

The Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD is a new MagSafe-compatible external SSD that attaches directly to your iPhone, offering transfer speeds up to 2000MB/s read and write. In other words, it’s fast enough to handle everything from 4K 120fps ProRes on the iPhone 17 to Samsung’s 8K 30fps Pro Video mode without breaking a sweat.

Above: A YouTube video showcasing the Lexar ES5

Available in capacities up to 4TB, the ES5 is designed to magnetically snap onto MagSafe-compatible iPhones, and Lexar even includes a ring accessory to make non-MagSafe phones compatible too. The design is slim and grippy thanks to a liquid silicone coating, and it’s surprisingly rugged; IP65 dust and water resistant, and drop-tested to three metres. For anyone filming outdoors or vlogging on the move, that’s a huge plus.

What really stands out to me, however, is how well Lexar seems to understand the realities of mobile content creation. The brand states the ES5 can sustain high-bitrate recording while keeping temperatures under control thanks to its built-in Thermal Control Design, something often overlooked in smaller drives. For me, this means being able to film longer sessions without worrying about overheating or write errors.

Lexar’s Director of Brand Marketing, Joey Lopez, says, "The Lexar ES5 portable SSD supports both Apple ProRes and Samsung Video recording to make sure iOS and Android users everywhere have the storage they need to film, store, and organize 4K and 8K video without losing their creative momentum. By giving creators up to 4TB of additional storage, they have the space they need to capture, edit, and export an entire day’s shoot from a single device."

The Lexar ES5 Magnetic Portable SSD is available now in 1TB $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$235 and 2TB $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$339 versions, with a 4TB model coming in early 2026.

For someone like me who’s increasingly shooting, editing, and sharing straight from a phone / iPad, this might just be the neatest workflow upgrade I’ve seen all year.

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If this Lexar release piques your interest, you might want to check out our guides to the best external SSDs and the best SSD for video editing.

Lacie's Rugged line of orange-colored portable hard drives and SSDs has long been iconic in the portable storage world. Now the brand has launched a new Rugged version, called SSD4. As the name suggests, it adopts the latest USB4 interface, enabling incredibly fast data transfer speeds of up to 4000MB/s read and 3800MB/s write.

Read more: The best portable hard drives and SSDs

The SSD4 is also backward-compatible with USB standards right back to version 2.0, and it can work with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 devices, either PC or Mac. Compatibility extends to USB-C mobile devices, including Android and iOS phones and tablets, enabling easy offloading of video footage captured on a phone.

In-keeping with the Rugged name, the new SSD4 is IP54 dust- and water-resistant, and it should survive drops from up to 3 meters, with the classic orange rubberized bumper enhancing the drive's durability. The palm-sized construction also contains a minimum of 35% post-consumer recycled materials by weight.

The LaCie Rugged SSD4 is available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, priced at $134.99/£139.99, $249.99/£249.99 and $479.99/£449.99, respectively. It comes with a two-month Adobe Creative Cloud Pro membership, including access to Adobe Firefly, along with a 3-year warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services.

This week, I was fortunate enough to attend the Wales & West Photography Show, where the latest and greatest in photo and video gear was on display.

You’d expect something like the new Fujifilm X-E5 or Sony FX2 to steal the show. Don’t get me wrong, they’re impressive, but what actually caught my attention was something far less flashy and new – the Lexar Armor 700 Portable SSD.

Portable SSDs have become a vital part of my workflow in recent years. Whether I’m traveling, working on location, or transferring large amounts of footage, fast and reliable storage is non-negotiable. I’ve relied on the usual suspects, rugged Lacie drives and the ever-reliable Samsung T series, but the Armor 700 seems to blend the two, and it’s now firmly on my radar.

Above: A video showing the Lexar Armor 700 Portable SSD

What drew me in wasn’t just the speed, though with up to 2000MB/s read/write, it’s hard to ignore, but the fact that Lexar appears to have built this thing for real-world creative use. It’s rated IP66 for both water and dust resistance, and it’s drop-tested up to three meters, so it’s clearly made to survive life on the road or in unpredictable environments.

It’s also compact and lightweight enough to throw in a camera bag without even thinking about it. The drive supports both USB-C and USB-A out of the box, which means no faffing with extra adapters or cables. It plays nicely with Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, and even cameras, something that would make my life a whole lot easier when I’m jumping between devices during shoots or edits.

Another feature that stands out is the built-in 256-bit AES encryption via Lexar’s DataShield, which adds an extra layer of security for client work and sensitive files.

What I saw at the show was enough to make me seriously rethink the portable drives I’ve been using. I haven’t bought the Armor 700 yet, but I’m already planning to. It looks like the kind of gear that could streamline my workflow and take a few worries off my plate, less time waiting on transfers, less fear of losing files to a rogue coffee spill or sudden drop, and more confidence that my data is safe wherever I go.

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Check out our guides to the best portable SSDs and the best memory cards.

The best portable SSDs are great for transporting large amounts of data while still offering super-fast transfer speeds, as well as the convenience of a small device that only needs a USB connection. There are plenty of options to choose from, but the RP60 portable SSD from PNY seems to have pretty much every base covered: it's small, fast and tough. Two capacity options are available (1TB or 2TB) and both are reasonably priced. Lets see how it performs...

Features

Like most modern portable SSDs, the RP60 is small - way smaller than a traditional portable hard disk drive. It measures just 9.73 x 6 x 1.24cm (3.83 x 2.36 x 0.49 inches) so it easily fits into a jeans pocket. Unlike some sleek, metal-bodied portable SSDs, the RP60 is built to be rugged. Its shock-resistant rubberized casing helps the drive survive drops from up to 3 meters, and an IP65 ingress protection rating means water and dust shouldn't get inside. The grippy, ridged top surface is a dust magnet though, and I've owned devices with a similar rubberized coating in the past which after few years starts to degrade and ends up sticky. Hopefully the RP60 won't do the same.

The RP60 can connect to PC, Mac, Android or iOS mobile devices, and also games consoles via its USB Type-C connection. A 30cm-long Type-C to Type-C ribbon cable is provided, but there's no Type-C to Type-A adaptor. This is because the RP60 is designed to be used with modern USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB 4.0 devices, in order to perform at its best, and both these USB revisions only use Type-C ports. You could swap out the included cable for a Type-C to Type-A USB lead to connect the SSD to an older/slower USB port and it would still work, but transfer speeds would then be slowed noticeably by the host computer.

Performance

PNY claims the RP60 has a maximum read speed of 2000MB/s and a 1800MB/s peak write rate, making it one of the faster portable SSDs on the market. In order to achieve these speeds, your computer will need to support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps), but since this USB revision was short-lived, it's very uncommon to find devices that support it. You're now far more likely to encounter computers with more modern USB 4.0 / Thunderbolt 4 connections, which are a twice as fast (40Gbps), and backward compatible with Gen 2x2, thus letting the RP60 run at its full potential.

I broke out a modern Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 laptop equipped with USB 4.0 ports to see what the RP60 can really do. First impressions using CrystalDiskMark storage benchmark software are positive, with the drive immediately recording read and write speeds of 2013MB/s and 1782MB/s, respectively. That's almost exactly consistent with PNY's advertised transfer speeds.

But as benchmarking software isn't a real-world representation of how an SSD will perform, I also ran some practical tests transferring files to and from the drive. I used a folder of images totalling 25.7GB, as well as one large 36.2GB file, to test how fast the drive is when transferring multiple small files and a single large file (the latter will always result in faster read/write speeds). I then transferred each file type to and from the SSD three times, and used the average speed from the quickest transfer time. The internal NVMe SSD built into my test laptop is considerably faster than the RP60, so it was not a bottleneck. Here's how the RP60 performed in this real-world testing:

As is always the case, transferring a single large is faster than moving multiple small files, but the difference is impressively minimal. It's a pity these real-world transfer speeds aren't closer to the theoretical maximum speed of the drive, but unless you're shifting hundreds of gigabytes of data on a regular basis, you should still find this 850+ MB/s performance more than rapid enough.

Verdict

The price of portable SSDs tends to fluctuate in line with the market cost of solid state memory, but at the time of writing the 2TB PNY RP60 is cheaper than rival portable SSDs such as SanDisk's 2000MB/s Extreme PRO, the 2000MB/s Samsung T9, and even the 2100MB/s Crucial X10 (a portable SSD that's usually priced very aggressively). Given the impressive performance of the RP60, as well as its rugged and waterproof build, it's hard to find any significant drawbacks here. If you're after compact yet fast portable storage that's also rugged, the PNY RP60 is a great buy.

The iPhone Pro's ProRes 4K recording feature needs a plug-in SSD, and the new Planck SSD claims to be the "world's smallest with a phone-first design" and up to 2TB capacity. If it comes to pass, that is.

The Planck SSD Kickstarter launches today, and, assuming the design is final, it can plug into the bottom of a ProRes capable iPhone (like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro with USB-C port) and record uninterrupted recording at up to 10 Gbps.

That is fast enough to unlock ProRes 4K at 120fps without dropping frames, all powered using a NVMe chip. The USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 is also widely compatible with Android phones, including (as specifically noted by Planck) the Google Pixel and those from Samsung.

Planck, in case you've never heard of them was set up by the co-founder of ShiftCam, a mobile photography accessories company with a good few innovation and design awards in the bag for devices like the ShiftCam Pro Grip.

Planck has been getting some traction from its page on prelaunch. Certainly, SSDs that attach to phones are a useful technology that I expect to see becoming more prevalent as creators want to take advantage of ProRes and edit on laptops.

The wire-free approach (USB-C in the top of the device) is tidy, and one I've already seen on the Lexar Professional Go (though that is slightly bigger). Lexar, incidentally, also went down the Kickstarter route!

One thing that's interesting though – both this new Planck and the existing Lexar (which you can buy from Amazon today) claim a similar write speed (1050 MB/s for Planck, 1000 MB/s for Lexar), yet Lexar states 4K60fps compatibility, while Planck also mentions Apple's newer 4K120fps option. Interesting, but we can't say anything without testing the Planck.

In terms of ProRes, though, you're looking at 69 minutes of storage of 4K60 on the 1TB version, or 45 minutes of 4K120.

Planck SSD is available for $125 for the 1TB version or $199 for the 2TB version.

If you're interested, check out the Kickstarter. Remember, though, that Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform, not a retailer. We can't guarantee that the products you see there will make it to market, or live up to the marketing promises. It's possible to lose money or, sometimes, the products are re-designed before the end.

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LaCie has announced the latest in its line of Rugged Pro SSDs. The Rugged SSD Pro5 models are compatible with the latest high-speed Thunderbolt 5 tech, for ultra-fast data transfer, and are designed to withstand all the rigors that life may throw at it.

The high-speed storage drives feature the blazing-fast transfer speeds of Thunderbolt 5, which enables read and write speeds up to 6700 MB/s and 5300 MB/s respectively (when you enable the 50GB cache option), allowing you to work with 6K and 8K resolution video files directly from the drive rather than having to first move them to your computer. Without the cache option, the drive can achieve read speeds up to 5000 MB/s and write speeds up to 1800 MB/s, which is still sufficient for seamlessly managing most workloads. It is also compatible with standard USB-C and works with Windows, macOS, and iPadOS.

The reinforced case can withstand drops of three meters (around 10 feet), as well as crushing from a weight of up to two tons – handy if you're in the habit of running over your hard drives. The case is constructed from a minimum of 45% recycled materials, which should please environmentalists, and is also dust and water-resistant with an IP68 rating.

But should it come to the worst, the drive is covered by a five-year warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services, which aids in the recovery of any potential loss of data arising from a mechanical, accidental, or natural disaster. If the unthinkable should happen, data recovery experts will attempt to recover your information, which is then returned to you on an encrypted device.

We already rate its predecessor as being the most rugged device in our guide to the best hard drives for video editing and this revised version offers even better performance. The drive comes in 2TB and 4TB capacities, with prices in the USA set at $399 and $599 respectively. Pricing in other territories are coming soon.

Running out of internal storage is an issue I face regularly with my iPhone, but a new drive from SanDisk can free up data while staying attached to the smartphone using MagSafe. Introduced during CES 2025, the SanDisk Creator Phone SSD is a portable drive that works with smartphones as well as laptops.

Besides freeing up internal storage space, the SanDisk Creator SSD can also record 4K 60fps Apple ProRes video directly to the drive. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro can’t record that high quality footage to its internal storage, requiring portable drives that meet high speed specifications. By meeting those speed requirements and attaching to the back of the phone using MagSafe, the drive could help creators use ProRes without figuring how or where to stick the drive while recording.

The SSD drive will be available in capacities of up to 2TB, with read speeds of up to 1000MB/s and write speeds of up to 950MB/s. While the unique feature is the MagSafe attachment, the USB-C drive is also compatible with laptops and computers as well as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone16 Pro Max.

Carrying data around increases the risk of loss due to drops and damage, but the SanDisk Creator SSD is built with that in mind. The company says the drive can withstand drops of up to three meters (about 9.8 feet). The drive also has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance and comes wrapped in a silicon shell.

The drive is part of SanDisk’s Creator Series, a line of products that are geared for content creation. During CES 2025, the company also announced a USB-C flash drive, a drive with both USB-C and Lightning connections, and both a microSD and standard-size UHS-II SD that are part of the Creator series. Those memory cards and the USB-C drive can fit up to 1 TB of data, while the lightning-USB-C drive is available for up to 256GB of storage.

The MagSafe SSD is expected to begin shipping this spring, with a list price of $109.99 for the 1 TB version (which converts to about £89 / AU$178). The new memory cards are available now, while the thumb drives are expected out in February.

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Could the speed of Thunderbolt 5 allow creatives to work on files on an external drive without lag? Seagate says it's possible with the new LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5, which the company claims is the “industry’s fastest scratch disk for creative professionals.”

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 has maximum read speeds of up to 6700 MB/s, and write speeds of 5,300MB/s. The company says that those speeds are fast enough for real-time editing of 8K footage, or 6K RAW footage.

The drive’s speed comes partly from Thunderbolt 5. While Thunderbolt 5 uses the same USB-C port as previous technology, it offers 80 GB per second of bandwidth in both directions, according to Intel. That, coupled with the SSD technology, allows the drive to offer fast read and write speeds.

To reach those speeds, however, creatives will need a device with a Thunderbolt 5 port, such as the M4 Pro variant of the MacBookPro. The drive is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 4 (with a 10/20/40Gbps USB-C and at least 15W port on Windows, MacOS and iPad Pro devices), but those older devices won’t reach the top advertised speeds.

Seagate’s Lance Ohara, a vice president in the Endpoint Marketing division, says the speed can help meet the rising storage demands for the creative industry. “Storage demands of creative professionals have spiked, especially for those incorporating generative AI in their routine. The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 is equipped to handle those demanding workloads and data-intensive applications. This makes it an invaluable tool for experts seeking the unmatched transfer speeds and editing power.”

The Rugged SSD Pro5 carries an IP68 rating to seal out dust and moisture, making it a drive that’s designed for creatives on the go. The drive can resist drops up to three meters or about 9.8 feet, the company said. The drive is also built with at least 45 percent in recycled materials.

Those fast speeds and that relatively nascent Thunderbolt 5 technology comes at a cost – the 2TB version has a list price of about $400 / £359.99 with the 4TB for about $600 / £579.99.

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Nextorage has revealed a new, super-fast portable SSD: the NX-PS1PRO Series. By utilising the latest USB4, 40Gbps interface, this cutting-edge drive is capable of a blistering 3,900 MB/s maximum read speed, and an equally impressive 3,800 MB/s peak write rate. This has the potential to make the NX-PS1PRO up to four times faster at transferring files than a typical USB 3.2 Gen 2-based portable SSD.

Read more:
The best portable SSDs in 2024

To ensure the drive stays cool during prolonged data transfers, Nextorage has designed a designed fanless heatsink and a body optimized for heat dissipation, to minimize thermal throttling. The rugged exterior is also rated to withstand a drop from up to 3 meters, while also being shock-, vibration-, and bend-resistant. Even the USB-C cable connection is rated for over 10,000 insertion cycles, and the drive can be used in temperatures from 0°C to 35°C.

The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO will come in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, all capable of the same advertised file transfer speeds. Each drive measures an easily-portable 59mm x 128mm x 15mm and weighs in at 190g.

Expect to pay $249.99 for the 1TB flavor, $349.99 for the 3TB version, while the top-spec 4TB capacity will cost $599.99.

Pre-order the Nextorage NX-PS1PRO from B&H

In the last few years almost every time a memory card has failed on me it’s for the same reason - the lock switch gets stuck to locked rendering the card useless, destined for the bin. Almost all cameras have a feature where you can digitally lock images to the SD card so isn’t it time manufacturers ditch the physical switch so that less can go wrong?

My most recent run-in with a dodgy SD card was with a brand-new Sandisk 62GB Extreme 170 MB/s card. I’d bought it to go on holiday and hadn’t thought to test it before leaving and when I inserted it a message popped up saying “memory card 1 locked” I semi-went into panic mode. I did have another SD card on me but if that one also corrupted I’d be in the middle of nowhere with no way to use my camera.

The main purpose for the lock switch on SD cards – it's on the best SD cards and the others – is to protect your data from being accidentally deleted but over time the sliding mechanism can get jammed with dust or wear away from use. When this happens you have no option but to replace the card and while SD cards have come down massively in price it’s still frustrating knowing if that feature didn’t exist you’d probably have a memory card that still worked.

I can’t remember a time when I’ve even used to lock feature.

On my Sony A7III (and pretty much every camera I’ve used and owned since the Nikon D3500) you can mass select image to protect either by folder or date if you can’t be bothered to sdelect every individual image. Most modern mirrorless cameras have prompts asking users if they’re sure they want to delete or overwrite data. These safety nets provide all the protection we need without the awkward, tiny switch.

Surely I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s time for SD cards to receive a makeover and do away with the lock switch?

Storage technology has evolved so much in the last few years some SD cards can now store up to 1TB of data and feature read/write speeds of 300 MB/s and 260 MB/s respectively and if one of these gets permanently locked, it’ll cost a lot to replace. Removing the relic lock switch would be a small but significant step toward more streamlined, durable, and user-friendly data storage solutions.

(For now, though, the only solution is one of the best SD card cases.)

ProGrade Digital, renowned producer of high-end memory cards and card readers, has now released what could turn out to be one of the best portable SSDs. Available in 2TB, 4TB and 8TB capacities, the ProGrade Digital External SSD | USB 4.0 (PG10) has been designed specifically for demanding photographic, videographic and creative use. It boasts incredible headline speed specs of up to 2,500MB/s read and 2,500MB/s write, partly thanks to the drive's super-fast USB 4.0 interface that's also fully compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and other USB Type-C ports.

Read more:
The best portable hard drives and SSDs
The best hard drives for video editing

What's more, ProGrade has also focussed on making the drive not just fast for brief moments, but consistently quick during extended data transfers. Consequently, the PG10 is rated for a sustained 1500MB/s write speed for the 2TB variant, while the 4TB and 8TB capacities can manage a continuous 2000MB/s. The SSD is also compatible with ProGrade's Refresh Pro software, allowing you to monitor drive health, restore lost performance, and update firmware.

The PG10 measures a compact 65mm x 145.25mm x 21.05mm and features a magnetic base, which when combined with the included magnetic plate enables a quick-release attachment system to your workstation. The top panel of the drive also has a blank section where you can apply industry-standard Avery labels.

The ProGrade Digital External SSD | USB 4.0 (PG10) is available to buy now from B&H. Expect to pay $399.99 for the 2TB capacity, and $799.99 for the 4TB version. The range-topping 8TB model is priced at $1,399.99.

SanDisk has released a new line of rugged SD cards: SanDisk Outdoors. Designed for all-weather photography and any scenario where you might encounter extreme conditions, Outdoors cards boast the most rugged toughness credentials we've ever seen from an SD card.

Plenty of SD cards claim to be 'tough', and some are advertised as water resistant, but SanDisk Outdoors cards go well beyond this. They're built to be waterproof to a depth of 1 metre for 72 hours (that's in both fresh and salt water), and they have a huge operating temperature range of -25°C (-13°F) to 85°C (185°F). SanDisk also states Outdoors cards can withstand up to 500G of shock, a drop from up to 16.4 feet, up to 95% relative humidity, magnetic fields, and X-rays. Lastly, to make them more easily visible in low light, all Outdoors cards are housed in an easy-to-find 'Hunter Blaze Orange' enclosure.

Read more: The best memory card for your camera

Outdoors HD

SanDisk Outdoors cards come in three speed variants: HD, FHD and 4K. The base-spec HD card is designed for use in trail cams, spotting scope cameras, bow- or gun-mounted POV cameras, marine plotters and GPS mapping devices. No read/write speeds are given, only that the card is designed to be fast enough to record HD (1280 x 720) video. We can therefore assume this won't be particularly quick, but it should at least be tough. 32GB is the only capacity option available and, strangely, HD cards cannot be purchased individually, rather only in a pack of two or four cards, costing $24.99 and $43.99, respectively.

Buy SanDisk Outdoors HD cards from Amazon

Outdoors FHD

The mid-range Outdoors card is the FHD variant. This time SanDisk does advertise the cards' read speed, although write speed is still unknown. The maximum read speed also varies significantly depending on which card capacity you choose. For the 32GB and 64GB cards its 100MB/s. Step up to the 128GB capacity and max read speed increases to 150MB/s, while the 256GB and 512GB cards are capable of up to 160MB/s. FHD cards can be purchased individually, on in a two- or four-pack bundle. A single 32GB card is priced at $12.99, while a mid-range 128GB capacity single card costs $29.99. The top 512GB capacity comes in at $74.99.

Buy SanDisk Outdoors FHD cards from B&H

Outdoors 4K

SanDisk's Outdoors 4K cards are the fastest in the Outdoors line-up. Again, read/write speeds are dependent on the capacity you opt for, but even the lowest capacity (64GB) Outdoors 4K card is quicker than any FHD card, boasting 170MB/s read and 80MB/s write speeds. The 128GB 4K card will give you 190MB/s read and 90MB/s write rates, while the 256GB and 512GB cards offer the fastest 190MB/s / 130MB/s performance - impressive stuff from what is still just a UHS-I SDXC card. 

Expect to pay $23.99 for the lowest capacity 64GB Outdoors 4K card, and $32.99 for the 128GB version. The 256GB and 512GB cards cost $44.99 and $99.99, respectively. 4K cards can also be purchased as a twin pack.

Buy SanDisk Outdoors 4K cards from B&H

Lexar recently launched a Kickstarter for a brand-new portable SSD system targeted toward smartphone content creators, and within a couple of hours it had surpassed its $10,000 target goal (approximately £7,600 / AU$15,000) and hit $700,000 (£532,000 / AU$1.03 million).

While Lexar is probably best known for making some of the best memory cards for cameras, the new launch focuses on the new wave of content creation – and offers a memory solution for those shooting on camera phones.

Photography and particularly filmmaking on phones has become increasingly popular, and a fantastic option given the continued advancement of mobile technology. But content creation on a phone faces hurdles – perhaps the main one being a shortage of internal storage.

Creators using phones will be all too familiar with the lack of memory on mobile device, particularly as things like ProRes become more widely adopted, but the Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD provides up to a whopping 2TB of extra storage.

"We've had a great response from our backers already," says Lexar's director of marketing, Joey Lopez.

"We're gaining valuable insights on the demand of mobile filmmaking storage, and we love the opportunity to engage with our customers as we strive to deliver more cutting-edge products that enable them to create more freely."

Using SSDs with your phone is not a new idea, but there are many features of the new Lexar device that make it more phone-friendly than your standard SSD.

Although compatible with Android, the Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD is targeted towards iPhone users – in particular those using the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It is designed for recording 4K 60fps videos in Apple ProRes, and via its USB-C interface provides "lightning fast" read (1,050 mb/s) and write (1,000 mb/s) speeds.

It is super compact and can attach directly via USB-C or can be clipped to the back of the phone or iPhone rig with little footprint, offering versatility and convenience.

For its size the SSD is also surprisingly durable and robust, and is ready to tackle most shooting scenarios that can be thrown at it. It features an IP65 rating for dust- and water resistance, and can withstand drops from up to 3.28ft / 1m. It also has a silicone case to further enhance this protection.

For those who want a more advanced setup (or, as Lexar states, to go from "amateur to pro") the SSD comes with a Hub system, complete with additional USB-C interfaces and improved power.

This creates a central hub for your iPhone rig and enables further expansion, with options for adding microphone receivers and lights without trailing wires and cables feeding to the same hub.

At the time of writing the Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD Kickstarter campaign has a two days left, and although it has soared past its target it is still offering exclusive discounts for backers.

Editor's note: As with all crowdfunding projects, there is no guarantee that the final product will match the early depictions in the campaign – or that the final product will be completed or delivered at all. DCW does not endorse this or any other crowdfunding campaign. 

You may also be interested in our guides to the best memory cards, the best portable SSD, and the best phones for video.

Lexar's range of SDXC cards can be confusing at first glance, so to try and clarify things: at the top of the tree are Gold-series cards, while Blue-series cards represent the entry-level offerings. Silver-series cards occupy the mid-range, and within this series are Silver Pro, Silver Plus, and Silver.

Silver Pro is the upper mid-range choice, being a faster UHS-II card. Silver Plus and Silver are both UHS-I cards and are almost identically specified: both have an advertised 205MB/s read speed, but while Silver Plus boasts a claimed 150MB/s max write speed, Silver cards are slightly slower at 140MB/s.

Read more: Lexar Professional Silver Pro SDXC memory card review

Lexar Silver Plus: Key features

Silver Plus cards are available in 1TB, 512GB, 256GB, 128GB and 64GB capacities. All but the 64GB varient have the claimed 205MB/s read and 150MB/s write speed, however the 64GB card has a reduced max write speed of 100MB/s. All capacities carry a V30 speed rating, so they should be capable of sustaining a minimum 30MB/s write speed when shooting video. For reference, the top Silver-series offering - Silver Pro - has a V60 rating, though Lexar still claims the V30 Silver Plus is capable of recording 4K video at 60fps.

According to Lexar, Silver Plus cards are "built for durability" and are wear proof (define that?), temperature-proof (they're rated to operate between -25℃ and 85℃), x-ray-proof, vibration-resistant, magnetic-proof and shock-proof.

Lexar Silver Plus: Performance

We test memory cards in real world use cases, but to get the best indication of a card's maximum possible transfer speeds, you need to use memory/storage benchmarking software like Crystal Disk Mark. This revealed a maximum 167.28MB/s read speed - some way short of the claimed 205MB/s, though our best write speed result of 156.06MB/s was slightly above Lexar's advertised 150MB/s.

These speeds were attained using a UHS-II SD card reader from ProGrade Digital, plugged into a USB4 port on a fast laptop, so none of our testing hardware should have been anywhere close to bottlenecking the memory card.

Moving to real-world file transfer testing, we copied a single large video file to and from the Silver Plus card to get an idea of the best possible read/write speed you're likely to see when offloading footage from the card. We also run the same tests using a folder containing hundreds of small image files - a scenario likely to produce slightly slower transfer speeds. In both the video and the multiple image transfer tests, our maximum sustained read and write rates were around 10-15% slower than the speeds recorded in Crystal Disk Mark:

To test real-world in-camera performance, we broke out our Sony a7R III and shot a continuous burst of 31 uncompressed RAW stills in the camera's Hi+ burst mode (the maximum number of stills before hitting the internal buffer limit). This 2.47GB burst of shots then took approximately 30 seconds to transfer from the camera's internal buffer to the Silver Plus card, equating to a write speed of 84.31MB/s - some way short of Lexar's claimed 150MB/s max write speed. We've used the same camera to test other SD cards and it's definitely capable of unloading its buffer more quickly than we experienced with the Silver Plus, implying the issue isn't related to the camera.

We also shot some 4K video at the camera's maximum 100Mbps bitrate - we encountered no perceivable glitches or dropped frames.

Lexar Silver Plus: Verdict

At the time of writing (August 2024) a 256GB Silver Plus card can be had for around $35 USD, while the regular Silver (non-Plus) card is barely cheaper at $34. This compares pretty well to other UHS-I cards from major brands with similar advertised read/write speeds.

It's a pity we weren't able to get close to the advertised 205MB/s read speed, and our tested in-camera write speed was way less than the quoted 150MB/s. However, the Silver Plus card easily handled recording high bit-rate 4K video, and it performed well when transferring images and video to and from a computer.

Overall, the Lexar Professional Silver Plus SDXC card offers respectable performance at an accessible price: it's a good-value SD card.

Read more: for more choices check out our top picks for the best memory cards for your camera - SD, microSD, CF, and XQD, and for getting the best speeds on your laptop the best memory card readers

The Lexar SL500 is a portable SSD marketed as being compact, fast and tough. Like other portable SSDs, it uses a single USB connection for both data transfer and device power, so no separate power supply is required. The drive is available in four capacity options: 512 megabytes, 1 terabyte, 2TB and 4TB.

But what really sets it apart from more average portable SSDs are its advertised maximum transfers speeds. Lexar claims the SL500 can achieve a peak read speed of 2000MB/s, and a maximum write rate of 1800MB/s. These speeds are only possible thanks to the drive's fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection, which has twice the bandwidth of the more widespread USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard. 

Lexar SL500: Specifications

Lexar Professional SL600: Price & Availability

At the time of writing, the Lexar SL500 costs $170 for the 2TB version of the drive. This compares favorably with competing USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 portable SSDs like the Samsung T9 or SanDisk Extreme Pro, which for the same capacity cost around $228 and $233, respectively.

Lexar SL500: Design & Handling

The SL500 uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection. This enables transfer speeds of up to 2500MB/s, which should be fast enough to let the 2000MB/s SL500 run to its full potential. There is a catch, however. The USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standard is not widely used by desktop or laptop computers, most of which will still have plain USB 3.2 ports. These will operate at a maximum 1250MB/s, and in practice more like 800-900MB/s, thereby bottlenecking the SL500's transfer speeds. Thankfully, if you're rocking a newer laptop with USB 4.0, these 5000MB/s ports are backward compatible with Gen 2x2 and will let the SL500 run at its full speed.

The SL500 measures an easily pocketable 85mm x 54mm, and Lexar markets it as being ultra-thin, at just 4.8mm. This is partly true, as the SL500 is indeed 4.8mm thick, but only at its edges. As the case is a tapered shape, the central section expands to 7.8mm thick, but the tapering design combined with the matte finish do make the SSD feel like a svelte product. The aluminium exterior feels solid and of a high quality, while also helping to dissipate heat from the NAND flash memory chips within.

The SL500 is supplied with a short USB Type C to Type C cable, however a Type C to Type A adapter isn't included, so you'll need to source your own if you plan on using the drive with an older computer.

Lexar SL500: Performance

In order to use the SL500 at its full potential, you'll realistically need a laptop with USB 4.0, as computers with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 are almost non-existent. So we broke out a high-end, USB 4-capable HP Z-Book Studio laptop to test the SL500. Our storage benchmarking software of choice is CrystalDiskMark, however after multiple attempts we could only get the SL500 to record a maximum 1067MB/s read speed and 1058 MB/s write rate. These do slightly exceed the speed a USB 3.2 Gen 2 SSD could achieve, so the drive is utilising the extra Gen 2x2 bandwidth, but only barely.

Switching to real-world file transfers, we recorded a sustained 861MB/s read speed when copying a single large file from the drive, and a sustained 634MB/s when writing the same video file back to the SL500. These are fast speeds, but nonetheless disappointing given the SL500's advertised speeds. Sadly we don't have a stack of other USB 4-capable computers with which to verify these results, but we have seen transfer speeds in excess of 2000MB/s when testing a USB 4.0 CFexpress card reader, so our test laptop is certainly capable of higher transfer speeds than the SL500 delivered.

Lexar SL500: Verdict

The Lexar SL500 is a well made, conveniently compact portable SSD. We found it connected seamlessly with our test computers, and delivered very fast file transfer speeds. It's disappointing that we couldn't get close to Lexar's advertised speeds, despite using a test computer which should let the SL500 perform at its best. However, this isn't the first time we've seen portable storage devices and memory cards fall short of their claimed speeds.

The SL500 is not without strong competition, however. It goes up against the SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSD, and Samsung's T9 portable SSD. Both these rivals also use a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection, and both advertise max speeds of up to 2000MB/s. However at the time of writing (May 2024) the SL500 undercuts both these drives on price, and is equally compact. It's a great value option if you want faster than average storage that's effortlessly portable.

Believe it or not, it's now almost four years since the CFexpress Type A memory card format broke cover, alongside the launch of the Sony a7S III. Since its introduction, it's been somewhat overshadowed by its faster Type B stablemate, but that's now changing. The latest and greatest Type A cards are built to CFexpress 4.0 spec, which means they're twice as fast as the Type A cards we're used to - this makes Type A 4.0 cards just as quick as a conventional (CFexpress 2.0) Type B card.

Atlas Pro CFexpress 4.0 Type A cards

The latest manufacturer to launch new, super-fast Type A cards is OWC, with its Atlas Pro CFexpress 4.0 Type A memory cards, available in 480GB and 960GB capacities. Both boast 1850MB/s read and 1700MB/s write speeds, making them fast enough for almost any image or video recording scenario, and they're certified to work with all Sony Alpha and FX cameras including the a9 III, a1, a7S III, a7 IV, a7R V, FX3, FX6, FR7, and FX30. Both cards also carry VPG200 certification, meaning they're guaranteed to sustain a minimum 200MB/s write speed.

Handily, OWC also includes a Type A to Type B adaptor, so you can use the card in a Type B camera, or with a Type B card reader - useful, as there's a much wider range of Type B card readers on the market. Atlas Pro CFexpress 4.0 Type A cards are expected to be available in May, priced at $319.99 for the 480GB card, while the 960GB version will cost $519.99.

Read more: The best CFexpress cards

Envoy portable SSD

OWC has also announced an all-new Envoy SSD. This USB-powered portable SSD has a palm-sized form factor and uses an aircraft-grade aluminium housing for better heat dissipation, crush and drop resistance. A USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface enables transfer speeds of up to a sustained 1000MB/s, and without thermal throttling. The design uses a native USB-C connection for easy compatibility with modern laptops. The new Envoy SSD will go on sale in May, available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, and priced at $149.99 and $279.99, respectively.

Read more: The best portable SSDs

Envoy Pro Elektron 4TB portable SSD

If you need maximum data protection, then the ruggedized Envoy Pro Elektron SSD is for you. Already available in 1TB ands 2TB capacities, OWC is now launching a new 4TB version of this ultra-tough portable SSD. The Envoy Pro Elektron SSD is crushproof, dustproof, and IP67-rated against water ingress, while being capable of transfer speeds up to 1011MB/s, again via a USB-C interface.

Read more: OWC Envoy Pro Elektron full review

Lexar has launched two new portable SSDs aimed at demanding photographers and videographers. The SL500 portable SSD is a sleek, compact device featuring an aluminium unibody construction that assists with heat dissipation. As with most portable SSDs, the device is powered by its single USB-C connection, and it uses a single-chip controller to lower power consumption while also minimising heat generation.

Thanks to a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 data connection, read speeds are said to be up to 2000MB/s, and write speeds up to 1800MB/s - both highly respectable figures. 256-bit data encryption is available via Lexar DataShield, so your files will be secure should the SSD fall into the wrong hands. The SL500 also supports Apple Log video recording in 4K 60FPS ProRes format on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Read more: the best portable SSDs

To make the SL500 work even more seamlessly with an iPhone, it's also available as a Magnetic Set. This bundles the SL500 with accessories like a magnetic ring, lanyard and data cable for easier carrying. Simply slip the SSD into its magnetic set and it'll attach securely to an iPhone, or other devices like laptops, cameras or games consoles.

Lexar has also announced the ARMOR 700 portable SSD. This features IP66 ingress protection to guard against water and dust, plus the SSD can withstand a drop from up to 3 meters. Designed for adventurous photographers, videographers and content creators, the ARMOR 700 SSD can be used with PC, Mac, Android devices and the iPhone 15 series, as well as cameras and games consoles. Like the SL500 SSD, read/write speeds are up to 2000MB/s and 1800MB/s, respectively, again via a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C connection. The supplied USB cable also contains a Type-A plug for backward compatibility with older devices.

The Lexar SL500 portable SSD will be available soon, in capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB. Expect to pay $229.99/£189.99 for the 2TB version, while the 1TB capacity is priced at £109.99. The Magnetic set bundle and ARMOR 700 SSD are due to arrive in April, with a £20 price premium over the standard SL500.

Buy the 2TB SL500 portable SSD at Amazon.com

The Samsung T7 range is looking pretty formidable now. The T7 offers good storage capacities with great encryption and the T7 Touch has a brilliant little fingerprint sensor which removes the need to remember a password. The T7 shield largely builds on top of the T7 by delivering a more rugged case that is IP65-rated and has a 3m drop resistance. 

The read and write speeds of the T7 Shield are comparable with almost all competitors and are faster than the T5 Evo which has disappointingly slow speeds. 

Samsung T7 Shield: Specifications

Samsung T7 Shield: Features

The T7 Shield is remarkably similar to the T7. It has storage capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. Across all capacities, it offers sequential read speeds up to 1050 MB/sec and sequential write speeds up to 1000 MB/sec. These speeds are not as quick as the Kingston XS2000, for example, but 1050 MB/sec is pretty standard across most competitors. It does have a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface which enables 10 Gbps. 

There are no issues when it comes to security with an AES 256-bit hardware encrypted password and Samsung Portable SSD Software 1.0, Samsung Magician Software. All of this gives a significant peace of mind to users. The rubber case is solid so the internal parts won't be damaged and the 3m drop resistance shows a high degree of build quality. This is a full 1m better than its T7 counterpart. 

Samsung T7 Shield: Design & Handling

The Samsung T7 Shield is almost identical to the T7 except when it comes to durability. If toughness is really important to you then you'll want to go for the Shield or the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 over and above the standard T7. This strength and protection comes largely from the IP65 rating which ensures resistance against both water and dust. To give an idea of what that means, the IP65 test requires the device to withstand low-pressure water jets from all directions. The T7 Shield survived absolutely fine.

Further to this, the rugged rubber design delivers even better results, especially when it comes to those little knocks and scrapes that are inevitable for a portable device. Its 3-metre drop resistance goes over and above what will be required in almost all circumstances but, again, communicates Samsung's commitment to making a robust SSD.

I was pleased to see a really thick rubber casing because most of the other Samsung SSDs that I've tested and handled have had metal cases. This is fine in most cases, but there's something reassuring about a rubber case, especially when it impacts a hard surface.

Samsung T7 Shield: Performance

When considering the performance of SSDs, we're wanting to test their reliability, the safety of the stored data, and at what speed the data can be transferred.

Its sequential read speed is 1050 MB/sec and the write speed is 1000 MB/sec. This is comparable to almost all competitors, including the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and Western Digital My Passport SSD, as well as Samsung's own T7. It's worth noting that it is faster than the most recently released Samsung T5 Evo, which has 460 MB/sec read and write speeds. I'd like to see fast read/write speeds in general, but most seem to have settled at 1050 MB/sec for some reason. 

The device performs incredibly well for durability and toughness. I had no concerns about dropping this unit, and any knocks or scrapes were easily handled by the thick rubber case. 

In terms of overheating, even though there are no advertised operating temperatures, I had no problem with the device getting too hot. It comes with a Dynamic Thermal Guard to control the heat, which seems to do a good job.

Samsung T7 Shield: Verdict

The T7 Shield is for users who want the highest assurance that their SSDs and therefore their data is not going to get damaged. With a solid rubber case, and an IP65 rating, the T7 Shield delivers on that front. With 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options, this SSD gives plenty of options for customers to pay only according to their data storage needs. The T7 Shield is pretty expensive and if you're not moving the SSD around very much then there are cheaper ways of getting 4TB of storage. It lacks the fingerprint sensor that the T7 Touch has but overall it performs very well.

Alternatives

One of the most similar competitors would be the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD. At a cheaper price point, that will be an appealing alternative. There have been some reports of performance issues with the SanDisk, so something like the SE800 by Adata might be better, although this tops out at 1TB.

In the fast-paced world of content creation, storage that complements your workflow is vital – and LaCie has built a reputation for providing just that. 

Adding to its already impressive lineup of portable storage solutions, LaCie has announced the LaCie Rugged Mini SSD at CES 2024. The Rugged series of SSDs are world-renowned for being both robust and powerful, placing them among the best portable hard drives on the market. 

The bright orange rubber casing has become iconic and identifiable among creatives, but it's not just the aesthetics that make these great storage solutions. The new LaCie Rugged Mini SSD is a portable storage drive that "delivers up to 4TB of durable, fast, and compact capacity".

Write speeds of up to 2000MB/s provide fast data transfer and feature USB 3.2 gen 2x2 technology. This offers compatibility with USB 40Gbps, USB 10Gps, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 hosts including the latest Apple iPad, iPhone and Macbooks, as well as other portable computing devices.

"The ultimate storage companion for content creators, this high-performance drive is designed for effortlessly capturing, storing, and transporting essential files, videos, and photos," says LaCie.

An important feature, and one that earned the Rugged series its stature, is its robust form, making it the go-to for creatives on the move. The new Rugged Mini SSD, designed by Neil Poulton, provides the same durable rubber enclosure made from 30% post-consumer recycled materials. The enclosure also benefits from being IP54-rated for dust and rain resistance, offering "3-meter drop protection and 1-ton car pressure resistance" – earning its Rugged name!

The Rugged Mini SSD is compatible with Windows, macOS, and iPadOS straight of the box, and employs the LaCie Toolkit software for on-demand backup and mirroring that enables seamless file access and syncing across multiple devices.

There is a reason these SSDs are adored by content creators, especially those who shoot in challenging environments or travel often. They provide reliable and secure storage for your most treasured projects, and the new mini form makes travel all that much easier.

The Lacie Rugged Mini SSD is available now at the price of $79.99 (500GB), $119.99 (1TB), $189.99 (2TB), and $349.99 (4TB). We will update when we have global pricing.

Take a look at the best SSDs and best portable SSDs you can buy right now.

Despite their pedigree in manufacturing other types of storage, Lexar is probably not a name that crops up a lot when talking about the best portable hard drives, with the middling Lexar SL200 being a big disappointment and big players like SanDisk, Western Digital, and Samsung since grabbing all the limelight with superior models.

Lexar however is back with a more serious entry, recently adding a twin set of much more competent seeming portable SSDs to its lineup – the Lexar SL660 Blaze and the Lexar Professional SL600. 

Fundamentally the same drive, but offering a slightly different design to court two different kinds of users. The SL600 Blaze adds a ring of colored LED lights to the carabiner handle to sit nicely next to any neon-lit gaming rig, while the SL600 Professional keeps things more demure by forgoing the lights altogether. But which one calls to you very much depends on your setup.

The drive I am reviewing here is the Lexar Professional SL600 Portable SSD, which in my opinion is likely the drive that fits photographers and videographers best, especially if using the drive to record directly to from a camera.

Lexar Professional SL600: Specifications

Lexar Professional SL600: Price & Availability

At the time of writing, the Lexar Professional SL600 costs $129.99 for the 1TB version of the drive, and $174.99 for the 2TB capacity, which is just a meager $45 increase to jump up a whole terabyte in capacity. This price is very consistent with rival drives, just slightly undercutting the price of rival drives like the Samsung T9 or SanDisk Extreme Pro, which offer similar Gen 3.2 2x2 speeds, although rival drives both offer more robust drop protection. The RRP is also the same as the Lexar SL600 Blaze, so you won’t need to pay extra if you want those LED colors.

Lexar Professional SL600: Design & Handling

Portable SSDs generally fall into two categories, there are those that aim to be as sleek and miniature as possible, or there are rugged portable SSDs that offer water resistance, drop protection, and ways to attach to bags for carrying. However, the latest SSD from Lexar kind of sits in between these categories.

It doesn’t have the rubberized outdoorsy feel of a rugged drive, instead being made of sleek sandblasted aluminum, and the drive doesn’t have an official drop rating. The drive does have a carabiner handle for attaching the drive for carrying around, although there is also no weather resistance rating quoted. There is no rule saying you have to be one or the other, but its mixed messages make it harder for me to place the drive when recommending it for different purposes. 

As a less adventurous photographer, my SSDs spend most of the time inside my house or office and are transferred inside a bag, so the handle adds little value for me personally. The handle however does make the drive larger than drives a little larger than other “inside drives” but is about on par with the size of other rugged SSDs.

I do however really like the look of the Lexar SL600, the design is sophisticated and professional looking, and the exposed screws and venting along the sides break up what might have otherwise been a very boring chassis. I think it is a design that would impress clients attached to my camera or laptop. 

Lexar Professional SL600: Performance

The Lexar SL600 features a Gen 3.2 2x2 interface to speed up data transfer and can offer top read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s in perfect conditions. The big downside – a lot of off-the-shelf PCs and all current Macs do not support Gen 3.2 2x2, meaning that most people won’t see any benefit to this drive speeds over a regular Gen 3.2 port. This is also true for most cameras, to my knowledge the majority of which also do not recognize a Gen 3.2 2x2 connection for direct recording.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the Lexar SL600 is still fast with a Gen 3.2 connection, and leaves older drives in its wake, offering speeds of up to 16x that of an external HDD.

In my Blackmagic Disk Speed Test the SL600 achieved a 783MB/s write speed and an 885.3MB/s read speed when paired with my Apple MacBook Pro and formatted in ExFAT. These ratings put the SL600 neck and neck with the PNY EliteX-PRO and just ever so slightly behind the Samsung T9. 

However, when the drive was reformatted to MacOS Journaled, the SL600 write speeds were upped to 876.8MB/s write and 907.8MB/s read speed, which is a significant write speed bump, although does severely limit the drive's compatibility with cameras and non-Apple devices.

In more practical testing – I copied my usual testing folder made up of RAW and JPEG files to and from the drive, the folder makes up around 35GB of data and around 500 files in total.

The files were transferred from my internal MacBook SSD to the Lexar SL600 (exFAT) in 47 seconds, for a speed of around 744MB/s, this was improved to 40 seconds in MacOS Journaled, or approximately 853MB/s. For comparison, the same files took a whopping 10 minutes and 24 seconds (~55MB/s) to transfer on a Western Digital Essentials portable HDD, which was almost 17 times slower than, so anyone still using an old portable hard disk drive, it is certainly time to upgrade.

Lexar Professional SL600: Verdict

The Lexar Professional SL600 Portable SSD is a great option for a wide array of photographers and videographers and offers commendable speed for most recording and editing tasks that don’t demand the utmost in extreme high-speed performance. The drive is another Gen 3.2 2x2 SSD, although compatibility for this connection is not widespread, so you might struggle to reach the drive's top speeds if you use any off-the-shelf PC or Mac. Thankfully the drive can still reach decent speeds on regular USB-C 3.2 connections that are lightyears ahead of older HDDs.

When it comes to design, the inclusion of a carabiner handle seems somewhat superfluous for a drive not explicitly geared toward rugged use. Personally, I'd have favored a sleeker, more compact design over the rugged aesthetic, but I am sure some creators will find this useful.

Alternatives

Western Digital's My Passport is a great lightweight SSD that has a range of excellent features including security encryption and a backup facility.

The unit itself comes in a range of different colors including gold and red which are particularly nice. With read/write speeds of 1050MB/sec and 1000MB/ sec respectively you'll be able to transfer files pretty quickly.

This SSD is good to go straight out of the box with PC and Mac compatibility. It supports USB 3.2 Gen-2 technology and comes with a USB-C cable. For those on legacy systems, a USB-C to USB-A adaptor is included. 

The My Passport SSD can move large files around relatively quickly with read speeds of up to 1050MB/sec and write speeds of up to 1000MB/sec. This puts it on par with the likes of the Samsung T7 and the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2.

To help keep data safe and secure, the My Passport includes encryption to keep it safe from others and drop-resistant to protect it from accidents. The encryption comes in the form of password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The drop resistance is up to 1.98m and it's also shock and vibration resistant. Due to the lightweight nature of the materials, I would doubt its ability to endure more substantial knocks.

For those who want additional peace of mind, this SSD includes backup software that enables files to be backed up to another drive or cloud service account. This requires an internet connection.

WD My Passport SSD: Design & Handling

The build and handling of the My Passport is probably the only thing that lets this feature-rich SSD down. The case is of metal construction which you would think would be a positive but in reality, it's not a particularly thick metal and therefore lacks durability. This design choice is likely to be the result of wanting to keep the weight down but it does make me wary of just throwing it in the bag or exposing it to potential impacts.

At 45.7g this device is one of the lightest on the market and will not add any meaningful extra weight to any on-the-go bag.  At 100 x 55.0 x 9.0mm in size it makes it comparable in size to their Samsung, Lexar, and SanDisk competitors.

I was grateful to see a USB-C to USB-A adapter but the included USB-C cable is woefully short giving no flexibility for positioning the device anywhere other than right next to the port it is plugged into.

WD My Passport SSD: Performance

The My Passport SSD performed well during testing and worked reliably in my workflow. The My Passport SSD boasts speeds that will be sufficient for most users. Read speeds of 1050MB/sec and write speeds of 1000MB/sec were more than enough for me when transferring my files around. The only times I could imagine this not being enough is for users working a lot with larger files such as 8K video or large zip files.

The device's drop rating is 1.98m which means it performs comparably with most other devices of this type. Due to its weaker metal construction, I would feel much more comfortable dropping this on a carpet rather than a solid concrete floor. Despite it being advertised as shock and vibration-resistant, it doesn't have an IP rating which means it has no official rating for this. If this is important to you then SanDisk's Extreme Portable SSD V2 has an IP rating. of IP65.

The device doesn't have the best operating temperature range with only 5°C to 35°C being supported. The low end of this will be particularly limiting for users who want to use it under more extreme weather conditions. There's no problem with storing the device in colder conditions though with a non-operating supported range of –20°C to 65°C.

WD My Passport SSD: Final Verdict

Western Digital's My Passport SSD is feature-rich with great transfer speeds. At 1050MB/sec for read speed and 1000MB/sec for write speed, you'll find your files transferring at an impressive rate. The variety of case colors is a nice touch for customization but the case itself is flimsy and susceptible to damage if exposed to more extreme force. Encryption security and a backup facility will give users peace of mind to know their files aren't going to be stolen or lost.

Alternatives

Similar specced SSDs include the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and the Samsung T7 SSD with the former sold at the same price and the latter a little more expensive. Better read/write speeds are available with the Kingston XS2000.

SanDisk's Extreme Portable SSD V2 is a beautiful piece of kit. The design and build are top quality and even boast up to three-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance so you can be sure it'll stand the test of time. The inclusion of a 5-year warranty also gives extra peace of mind. 

Files can be password protected with 256‐bit AES hardware encryption so files can be kept absolutely private. These files can be transferred at read speeds of 1050MB/sec and write speeds of 1000MB/sec.

The main selling points of the Extreme Portable SSD V2 center around its reliability and durability. Up to 3-meter drop protection and an IP65 water and dust-resistance rating means you're not having to bubble wrap this device. It is what every portable SSD should be like, something that can be thrown around without having to care about damaging it. 

There's no lack of features when it comes to core functionality either though. The 1050 MB/sec read speed and 1000 MB/sec write speed might not win any awards but it is more than capable for most day-to-day requirements.

In terms of security, there's AES 256-bit hardware encrypted protection for those who want to make sure their data isn't misused.

Editor's note: There have been credible reports that SanDisk SSDs have reliability issues. At Digital Camera World when testing SanDisk SSDs we have not experienced any of these issues, although none of our staff use SanDisk SDDs long-term. This review is an account of our reviewer's experience testing the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2, but please consider reading the reports linked above before making any buying decisions. Lastly, all drives can fail, so remember to back up your data!

SanDisk Extreme V2: Design & Handling

The design and build of the Extreme Portable SSD V2 is a dream for anyone who wants a truly portable SSD. The tough casing is made up of a plastic front with pin-sized indents and a rubber backing. These, in combination, give the device an incredibly nice feeling in the hand and make it easy to hold securely. 

Personally, I would prefer for the rubber to have continued around onto the front as well to give a 100% soft touch rugged feel but that's just my opinion.

At 52 grams it's not the lightest SSD but the additional weight is required to keep it robust. Take Western Digital's My Passport SSD as an example. This is nearly 7 grams lighter but the compromise is that the case feels incredibly flimsy and prone to damage. You won't have any such concerns with the Extreme Portable SSD V2.

The supplied cable is annoyingly short, measuring only 6 inches, meaning there is no choice but to locate the SSD right next to your machine. I would also have liked to have seen a power light indicator on it for that extra reassurance that it's actually working.

SanDisk Extreme V2: Performance

The Extreme Portable SSD V2 performs well in almost all meaningful tests. The read/write speeds of 1050 MB/sec and 1000 MB/sec respectively are quick enough for almost all day-to-day tasks. I didn't find myself waiting around for files to transfer very often at all. That being said, if you're working a lot with 4K or even 8K footage then you might find you'd be better off with Sandisk's Extreme Pro SSD V2 instead.

We've already covered the build quality but it bears repeating that this SSD performs incredibly well in terms of keeping your data safe. A drop rating of up to 3m is more than enough for almost all users. The rubber and plastic case is solid enough to be able to withstand knocks from moving the device around from place to place. The rubber extends around all four sides of the SSD meaning that if you drop it on the edge then it'll be absolutely fine.

This device is probably let down only by its operating and non-operating temperatures. For operating it has a range of 0°C to 45°C and for the non-operating temperature its -20°C to 85°C. These performance ranges will be fine in most circumstances but not all. I was impressed by Samsung's T5 Evo which goes right up to 60°C even while in operation.  

SanDisk Extreme V2: Final Verdict

SanDisk's Extreme Portable SSD V2 is an excellent portable SSD in almost all regards. If a read speed of 1050 MB/sec and write speed of 1000 MB/sec is fast enough for you then there's nothing that really lets this device down. The device itself is beautifully designed and engineered to ensure it'll take those knocks without any damage to the data. It's small and light enough to be completely portable with a nice notch in the design for those who want to clip it onto a bag. 

Alternatives

Samsung, Western Digital, and Lexar, amongst others, provide a wide range of alternatives. For comparable specs, there is the Samsung T7, or Western Digital's My Passport SSD. If you want faster transfer speeds then something like the Samsung T9 or the SanDisk Extreme Pro V2.

The Samsung T7 SSD is a super portable, well-built external storage drive with excellent security. The hyper bevelled edges and metallic case makes this device incredibly satisfying to hold and nice to look at. The robust case also suggests it'll stand the test of time. 

The read and write speeds of the T7 are comparable with almost all of its competitors such as the Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and the Western Digital My Passport SSD. 

The T7 is available with three different capacities including 500GB, 1TB and 2TB. These all offer sequential read speeds up to 1050 MB/sec and sequential write speeds up to 1000 MB/sec. These speeds benefit from a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface enabling 10 Gbps. 

As far as security goes the T7 has everything it needs with the ability to utilise an AES 256-bit hardware encrypted password. The robust metal case helps to ensure all that data stays safe inside and is drop resistant up to 2m.

I couldn't find any operating or non-operating temperatures in their specs but thanks to it's Dynamic Thermal Guard it's able to withstand and control heat. This means it'll stay below 48ºc at all times.

Samsung T7: Design & Handling

One of the biggest selling points of the T7 is its design and build. It's hard to find a sleeker looking portable SSD on the market. The smooth metal case is as solid as a rock with absolutely zero give when I applied reasonable force to any side of the case. The curved edges means it feels really nice in the hand and the sharp cut ends give it a solid feel.

This is one of the heaviest external SSDs available, weighing in at 58 grams. It's still more than light enough to be portable and to throw it in your bag. I even think the extra weight makes it feel more substantial and enables it to sit more solidly on the desk.

There is no rubber in sight so if you're after a rugged soft touch case with a similar spec then you'll need to go for something like the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2.

The supply cable is longer than most competitors and measures 18 inches. This is far better than shorter alternatives as the device can be placed further away from your machine. 

Samsung T7: Performance

When thinking about performance of an external SSD you're probably thinking about the read/write speeds. Most portable SSDs will be light enough and small enough to be carried anywhere but you'll want to make sure that when you have it all set up that it's going to move your files around fast enough. 

The listed sequential read speed is 1050 MB/sec and the write speed is 1000 MB/sec. That's puts it squarely up against the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and Western Digital My Passport SSD. Faster read/write speeds are available from the likes of the Samsung X5 Portable SSD and the Kingston XS2000.

Alongside speed it's important to consider how robust the device is. If you're storing your data on an external drive that is being moved around then making sure it stays safe inside is paramount. I had no concerns with the T7. It boasts a drop rating of up to 2m and the metal case keeps it protected from any bumps and knocks. There is nothing flimsy about the engineering either, your data isn't going anywhere.

There are no advertised operating temperatures and non-operating temperatures but that's not to say that they haven't thought about this important performance element. I had no problems with it getting too hot, probably due to the Dynamic Thermal Guard that is supposed to keep it below 48ºc.

Samsung T7: Final Verdict

Samsung's T7 SSD is a credit to Samsung. It has a gorgeous sleek design that will look good on any desk its placed on. The case is solid metal and robust enough to endure all reasonable knocks and drops. It also comes in three different colours which is nice if you want to pick your style. The read/write speeds are comparable with almost all competitors although fast speeds are available elsewhere. The SSD has all the security you need and is light enough and small enough for any professional on the go.

Alternatives

If you're looking for a portable external SSD with a similar spec then options include the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 and Western Digital My Passport SSD. These are also both cheaper than the T7. If you want faster read/write speeds then you could go for the Kingston XS2000.

Kingston offers two models of external Solid State Drive (SSD), the XS2000 and the XS1000. The XS2000 is the better of the two and retails at £52 for 500GB and £272 for 4TB, with options in between. The XS1000, on the other hand, costs £69 for the 1TB capacity and £106 for the 2TB. This is therefore the more affordable of the two Kingston options.

The device is incredibly small and compact with a metal and plastic combination of parts. You’ll want to keep your eye on it as it’s so small that it’ll be very easy to misplace. In terms of build, it lacks any of the additional features that mark out a robust external SSD. There is no rubber sleeve, no soft-touch materials, and no IP rating for foreign objects such as dust and moisture. You might therefore want to consider whether this is truly a portable device.

While we’re on the subject of missing features, there’s also no hardware encryption. This is likely to put off all business users and any security-sensitive consumer. This is the same for the XS2000 so it’s obviously not part of their business plan for this range.

On a better note, the read/write speeds of 1,050MB/s and 1,000MB/s respectively are more than respectable. Of course, the XS2000 is faster but you’ll pay extra for the privilege. 

Kingston XS1000: Key features

The XS1000 comes with two different storage capacities, 1TB and 2TB. If you want a smaller (500GB) or larger (4GB) capacity then you’ll need to opt for the XS2000. The fact that it tops out at 2TB seems a little surprising considering most competitors are now offering up to 4GB or even now 8GB. Maybe it’s to separate out their two models but it seems lacking. 

The XS1000 has 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds. The interface is USB 3.2 Gen 2 which offers a transfer rate of 10 Gbps over the existing USB-A and USB-C connectors. The fact that it offers backwards compatibility to USB 3.2 Gen 1 is a big plus as it enables seamless connectivity with legacy devices.

One area that I think this external SSD is lacking is that there is no hardware encryption. This seems crazy in this day and age where keeping data secure is of paramount importance to most people, especially business users storing sensitive data. Competitors like SanDisk and Samsung have ensured their latest models have included this necessary protection. 

Kingston XS1000: Design & Handling

The XS1000 is small and lightweight, two qualities that make it super portable. The case is only 69.54mm long, 32.58 wide, and 13.5mm thick. This will fit easily into any pocket whether that be your trouser pocket or a pocket in your laptop bag. The weight is less than 30g so there’s no risk of adding any amount of uncomfortable weight to your on-the-go setup.

The case itself is made of metal and plastic with a seriously robust construction. I tried pushing the exterior casing in to damage it but it didn’t budge at all. The contents inside are sure to be safe. I have a personal preference over soft-touch exteriors but this doesn’t have any of that. I think soft-touch makes it feel like it’ll withstand a few drops and knocks but in reality this device will be fine in those circumstances too.

The unit itself has a USB-C port at one end which is recessed slightly giving it a little extra protection over unwanted dust or liquid that might fall on it. The cable included in the box is a USB-C to USB-A type although you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable if you have one.

Kingston XS1000: Performance

One of the most important features that will concern most users is the read/write speeds of an SSD. The XS2000 was released first and boasted 2000MB/s read and 2000MB/s write speed. The XS1000 is half that at 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write. This is far from the quickest on the market but it is faster than the recently released Samsung T5 Evo which we’ve also reviewed. 

This SSD will work on USB 3.2 Gen 1 but the transfer speeds are going to be around half the advertised speeds of the Gen 2 alternative. 

There is no drop rating which suggests Kingston is not too concerned about this drive needing to withstand a drop. The fact that this is a portable drive would surely suggest this is an oversight. It also has no mention of an IP rating which further communicates that this is most certainly a no-thrills SSD.

The XS1000 and XS2000 are identical in terms of operating and storage temperatures. The operating temperature for this SSD is between 0°C to 40°C and although it’s unlikely to go beyond the 40°C it isn’t as high as the Samsung T5 Evo for example. The storage temperature also only goes down to -20°C rather than -40°C for the T5 Evo.

Kingston XS1000: Final Verdict

The XS1000 is a no-thrills external SSD that tops out at 2TB capacity. The read/write speeds of 1,050MB/s and 1,000MB/s respectively are not too bad but there are faster alternatives. This device is let down by a number of things including the maximum capacity of 2TB, the lack of hardware encryption, and no mention of an IP55 rating. Despite all this, at this price point, it’s difficult to complain. 

Alternatives

Samsung’s T7 Shield is probably the closest competitor at this price. It is larger in size but far more robust, largely due to its drop and IP65 ratings. Another alternative is the Netac ZX20 which although it has a maximum capacity of 1TB does have faster read/write speeds.

The T5 EVO is Samsung’s latest offering which aims to deliver a large amount of storage at a reasonable price. It has certainly managed to do this with the help of enhanced V-NAND technology pushing the storage up to 8GB. This makes it the world’s largest portable SSD to boast 8TB capacity, surpassing the largest capacity HDDs with 2.5” form factors. 

The design is compact, light, and ergonomic making it a pleasant device to look at and hold. At only a couple of grams over 100 the T5 Evo is incredibly easy to move around and does away with the need for much bulkier external hard drives that we’ve become accustomed to in years gone by.

There aren’t a huge number of features to talk about, it is an SSD at the end of the day. It stores and transfers data and it does it pretty well.

It comes in three different sizes, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB so you can pick an option to suit your needs. The read/write speeds are up to 460 MB/sec which is okay but not great - more about that in the performance section below.

The interface is USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) which is pretty standard for this type of device and comparable with competitors. The device has a drop rating of 2m which is fine considering most users won’t be storing an SSD any higher off the ground than that.

Samsung T5 EVO: Design & Handling

The T5 EVO is a really nice feeling device. It is incredibly compact considering it packs in 8TB of storage data. Understandably, it’s not as light as a USB flash drive or even a handful of them but the weight of it makes it much more comfortable to hold in your hand and position reliably on your desk.

The device boasts a metal ring at the opposite end of the connector port. This is supposed to enable it to be attached to bags and luggage but I’m not sure who would want their precious data being attached to something that could easily be lost or stolen. It’s also way too big to carry around on a key ring. 

The main body is covered in a soft-touch grip material which is perfect for a portable device that you don’t want to drop. It feels comfortable in one hand but the downside of the material is that it gathers dust remarkably easily. That wouldn’t be too bad if it would easily wipe off but unfortunately, it doesn’t. Even taking it out of the box seemed to instantly attract a tonne of unwanted dust. This obviously isn’t a problem with the performance of the device but if you want something that will always look beautiful then look elsewhere. 

Samsung T5 EVO: Performance

One of the good things about comparing these types of devices is that there are not a huge number of performance factors to take into consideration.

One of the main performance figures to be concerned about when picking an SSD is the sequential read and write speeds. The T5 Evo manages up to 460 MB/sec for both reading and writing files. The satisfaction of this speed really depends on how large the files are that you’re going to be typically transferring. Moving a few GB around will only take a matter of seconds whereas multiple TB of data will take much longer.

If speed is vital for your workflow then 460 MB/sec falls woefully short to a number of competitors including Kingston who make the XS2000. This alternative includes lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 2,000 MB/sec, over 4 times quicker.

The device has a drop rating up to 2m which is pretty standard and perfectly sufficient for the height that most people will be using it. It wasn’t something that I tested, for obvious reasons, but the robust engineering and premium materials leads me to believe the device would be fine if dropped at this height. 

If temperature is important to you then the T5 Evo actually performs significantly better than the Kingston XS2000. The former can operate between 0°C to 60°C compared to 0°C~40°C for the latter. In terms of storage temperature the T5 Evo has a larger range at -40°C to 85°C compared to -20°C~85°C for the Kingston. 

Samsung T5 EVO: Final Verdict

The T5 Evo is pretty middle of the market when it comes to external portable SSDs. It comes in 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations which is a significant amount of storage in such a small form factor. The drop rating of 2m and operating temperature of 0°C to 60°C make this a well-engineered device. The only area this SSD is let down by is the read/write speeds of 460 MB/sec. This will be fine for a lot of consumers but if speed is paramount to your workflow then you’ll want something like the Kingston XS2000.

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The Kingston XS2000 is one of the T5 Evo’s main competitors. It is at a similar price point but boasts much higher read/write speeds of 2,000 MB/sec, over 4 times the speed. Western Digital offers similar transfer speeds as the XS2000 but comes at a much higher price. 

You’d be forgiven for searching for the PNY EliteX-PRO and being a little confused. PNY’s naming system for its SSDs is slightly hard to follow, with it currently offering the PNY Elite, PNY Pro Elite V2, and this – the PNY EliteX-PRO. 

These similarly named devices are mostly separated by their different specs for their USB connections, however, they are not separated much by their prices, with there only being a $15 difference between the Pro Elite V2 and EliteX-PRO at the time of writing. 

The PNY EliteX-PRO is both the newest and the fastest of the drives, with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection. Coming in four capacities, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, the 500GB model offers max read speeds of 1500MB/s and write speeds of 900MB/s. The 1TB can reach 1500MB/s read and 1400MB/s write, and the 2TB and 4TBtops out at 1600MB/s read and 1500MB/s write.

However, there is a question of whether your machine can take advantage of this, with many laptops and desktops coming with just the standard 3.2 Gen 2, and not the newer 2x2 spec, so many users might not be able to feel the benefits over a slower drive.

But where EliteX-PRO comes up aces is on price. If you have the optimal connection then the PNY EliteX-PRO might well be a very tempting proposition as it undercuts the competition, with other drives from rivals with similar headline speeds mostly much more expensive. But even if you can’t get the top speeds from your USB connection then it is still worth considering the EliteX-PRO as it matches slower drives for price, making this a great value option that might become more useful if you upgrade your other hardware.

PNY EliteX-PRO: Design & Handling

The PNY EliteX-PRO is a very non-descript portable SSD, the small square drive looks very minimal with a gunmetal grey metallic finish and rounded sides, branding is also kept at a minimum with the product name printed on one side, and regulatory information at the base. The EliteX-PRO is not going to stand out, but I don’t mind that, with drives like SanDisk’s Extreme range being very shouty in their design, this drive is sleek and professional looking, and would look good in a studio or directly attached to a camera.

The drive is very light too, when I first picked it up it felt almost hollow, and it sounds a little that way too, like the shell is too big for the components inside. Again, if you want to use this for direct camera recording, having a light and compact drive makes carrying, balancing, or fitting to a rig much easier.

The drive has a USB-C connector and comes with two cables, one for USB-C to USB-C and the other for USB-C to USB-A. These cables are both very short at only 19cm (~7in), and the cables also don’t have a lot of flex in them which meant I couldn’t position the SSD around my laptop and other peripherals very easily. 

PNY EliteX-PRO: Performance

I should start by saying that I do not have a Gen 2 2x2 USB-C connection on my laptop, but I do have an actual laptop many photographers and videographers use in their everyday lives – the MacBook Air (M2). So while the benchmarks might not be as high as they could be, this is realistically what a lot of people can expect from the drive.

I am testing the 500GB version which has a quoted maximum read speed of 1500MB/s, and write speed of 900MB/s. Using the drive straight out of the box, the drive's performance is good, although I could not get near the advertised speeds when transferring files from my MacBook SSD to the EliteX-PRO. Transferring 16.68GB made up of around 775 JPEG and RAW images took 31.36 seconds, which works out as 531.89 MB/s. 

Using benchmarking was kinder. Using BlackMagic’s Disk Speed Test, I got read speeds of 848.1MB/s and a write speed of 772.5MB/s. 

When I reformatted the drive from ExFAT, which is how the drive arrives, to Mac OS Extended, this same transfer as above took only 19.62 seconds for a speed of 850.15MB/s, which is a significant improvement. However, if you use multiple operating systems then this won’t be a viable solution for you.

PNY EliteX-PRO: Final Verdict

The PNY EliteX-PRO SSD stands out as a remarkably compact and lightweight solid-state drive, that would suit direct-from-camera recording, or as a drive to edit directly from. The EliteX-PRO has an unassuming exterior, with a smart minimalistic look. The EliteX-PRO is also priced affordably, this drive manages to undercut a significant portion of the market for USB-C Gen 2 2x2 drives, making it a compelling choice for those looking for high-speed, reliable storage solutions without breaking the bank.

When it comes to performance, the PNY EliteX-PRO SSD offers commendable speeds, especially when used with Gen 2 devices, which many photographers and videographers will be working with day-to-day. While the EliteX-PRO SSD may not always achieve its advertised peak speeds, it consistently delivers performance that is on par with or even surpasses many of its competitors within the same price range.

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Samsung maybe isn't the first name you think of when you think of SSDs and is better known for its Samsung Galaxy phones, as well as a wealth of other personal electronics. But Samsung has been steadily making both portable external and internal SSDs for some time.

Samsung's latest is the Samsung T9, which is a refinement of the different variations of the T7, T7 Touch, and T7 Shield that came before, taking some of the best bits of that hardware and combining it into this newer model, with new headline top speeds. But does the Samsung T9 have what it takes to keep up with the best from SanDisk and other more established SSDs?

Samsung T9: Specifications

Samsung T9: Key Features

With the rise of 8K resolution video and ever-increasing image sizes, the Samsung T9 is designed to support tasks like shooting, transferring, editing, and backing up videos, making it ideal at each stage of work. The Samsung T9 drive is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes, and offers performance of up to 2,000 MB/s via its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface to speed up workflows. Samsung also claims sustained write performance of the drive is capable of smooth direct recording in 8K or even 12K. 

T9 employs TurboWrite technology, creating a high-performance buffer to maintain write speeds, with ratings of 22GB, 88GB, or 180GB depending on the size of the drive. Samsung claims this buffer size is up to three times larger than its (conveniently unnamed) competitors.

The T9 also has a much lower power consumption than other drives, using just 0.67W while idle and up to 7.3W during peak usage. Thermal materials are employed for heat management and for efficient heat dissipation, maintaining lower component temperatures compared to other drives.

Samsung T9: Build & Handling

The Samsung T9 builds upon the design of the Samsung T7 Shield, which itself was the T7 with a rubberized exterior that added additional drop and moisture protection to make the SSD more rugged to compete with SanDisk’s offerings. However for the T9 Samsung has refined this, instead of looking like something that was made for the outdoors, the T9 looks just at home even on the most minimalist desk with its chunky rubber casing reduced to a more textured and uniform design.

I haven’t thrown my SSD to the floor or jumped up and down on it, (but there is probably a YouTube channel for that), so I can’t attest to how rugged the new design is in practice, but it feels solid in the hand, with thick enough rubber casing to take a battering. It makes my unprotected aluminum Samsung T7 feel precious by comparison. Samsung’s drop testing of the T9 has shown that is able to withstand drops of up to 3m (9.8 feet).

The T9 is still very compact at 88x60x14mm and weighs just 122g, so can easily slip into pockets without bother. The T9 has a USB-C port on the SSD, and comes with a USB-A and USB-C cable. The T9 is also formatted in exFAT, so can connect to most devices via plug-and-play straight out of the box.

Samsung T9: Performance

In speed tests conducted using the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test and a MacBook Air M2 laptop, the Samsung T9 consistently achieved read and write speeds of between 890-920MB/s. This is less than the headline speed advertised, but these are merely the potential for the drive, and those advertised speeds are rarely achievable. The speed achieved by the T9 is a fantastic rate for transferring and editing images and working with video all the way up to 8K (and potentially some 12K).

Using the exact same setup, the T9 scored around 200MB/s a second faster than the T7 (USB 3.2 - 2TB) which has been my regular portable SSD drive for the past year or so. With some rough math, the T9 should transfer an additional 1.5GB per minute, or 90GB per hour, compared to the T7 in this testing environment.

In more practical testing, I managed to transfer 35GB of data, made up of around 500 large RAW and JPEG images from a Fujifilm GFX 100 II, from my internal MacBook SSD to the Samsung T9 SSD in 37 seconds, which actually puts the T9 speed at around 945MB/s, slightly higher than the Blackmagic Disk Test. The transfer was stable throughout with no dips in speed. 

The same files took 50 seconds to transfer on the Samsung T7 (putting it at ~700MB/s). And just for fun, the same files took a whopping 10 minutes and 24 seconds (~55MB/s) to transfer on a Western Digital portable HDD, which was almost 17 times slower than the T9, so anyone still using a hard disk, it is certainly time to upgrade.

Samsung T9: Verdict

The Samsung T9 represents a notable improvement in speed compared to its predecessor, the T7. While it may not deliver the astronomical leap some anticipated (or that marketing might boast about), the increase in performance is substantial enough to make choosing this over the T7 a worthwhile decision. However, there's no need to rush into replacing all your existing SSDs immediately.

The Samsung T9 also looks better than ever, with its rubberized exterior having a textured wavy pattern to it that looks and feels more sophisticated than the rough-and-tumble T7 Shield. Although it still provides drop protection of up to 3m for accidental drops.

Ready to roll straight out of the box, the T9 eliminates any hassle by including both USB-C and USB-A cables, as well as being formatted in exFAT for plug-and-play with both Windows and Mac computers.

Read more: check out our top picks for the best portable SSD.

The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD is a versatile portable storage solution for digital files. It comes in three capacities – 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, and is compatibility with both Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) connections. When used with the supplied USB-C style (Thunderbolt 3) cable its NVMe technology is claimed to deliver data transfer read speeds of up to 3000MB/s and write speeds of up to 2500MB/s.

While the Pro-G40 SSD is supplied formatted for use with Apple Mac computers, it can be reformatted to work with Windows machines.

SanDisk Pro-G40: Specifications

Max read speed: 3000MB/s
Max write speed: 2500MB/s
Available capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

SanDisk Pro-G40: Key Features

On Western Digital's website, the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD is listed as having read speeds of up to 3000MB/s and write speeds of up to 2500MB/s via a Thunderbolt 3 connection. This performance diminishes to a maximum of 1050MB/s (read) and 1000MB/s (write) when a USB-C connection is used. Interestingly, our review unit's packaging suggests slightly slower speeds than the manufacturer’s website; there’s a read speed maximum of 2700MB/s and write speeds of up to 1900MB/s.

Boasting an aluminum core designed for efficient heat dissipation, the Pro-G40 SSD is engineered to deliver consistently fast data transfer speeds. This construction also equips it to cope with drops from heights of up to 3m and resist crushing forces of up to 400 lbs. Furthermore, it has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, enabling it to withstand submersion at depths of 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. This robust engineering is backed by a 5-year warranty.

SanDisk Pro-G40: Build & Handling

The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD has a premium quality feel and its sturdy outer shell withstands flexing during heavy-handling. It also emerges unscathed after multiple drops onto a concrete surface.

While its upper surface feels like hard plastic, the edges and underside of the Pro-G40 SSD feature a soft-touch coating that enhances grip and provides a pleasing tactile sensation. However, that coating comes at the expense of collecting fluff.

One minor issue is the length of the supplied Thunderbolt 3 cable. At approximately 15cm (excluding the connectors) it can prove inconvenient when a computer's ports are on its rear. It can also be problematic when using a laptop on your lap. It means the drive may need to rest on the keyboard to prevent slipping and accidental disconnections. However, the cable fits snugly into the drive's port, reducing the likelihood of inadvertent disconnects. Nonetheless, it’s not advisable to hang the drive by its cable.

SanDisk Pro-G40: Performance

Crucially, the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 mounts promptly, and image thumbnails render very quickly in applications like Adobe Bridge. Impressively, the thumbnails for 200 images (100 JPEGs and 100 raw files) from a 45.7MP Nikon Z7 II were rendered almost instantaneously in Bridge and could be opened in Adobe Camera Raw without delay.

Similarly, the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD is a very capable working drive for 4K video editing. Its swift data transfer capabilities, coupled with a fast computer, deliver fluid editing with no stuttering or dropped frames. Although the drive warms up during extended usage, it’s not excessive. 

When the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD was connected via Thunderbolt 3 to a 2022 MacBook Air with an M2 chip, the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test measured read speeds of approximately 2800MB/s and write speeds of around 2604MB/s. Those values surpass those listed on the packaging.

In addition, I found that the 200 files from the Nikon Z7 II, which take up 9.74GB, transferred from the MacBook Air's desktop to the drive in approximately 5 seconds. Reversing the transfer direction took a similar amount of time. It means you’re not kept waiting around for your images to shift from one place to another.

To test SanDisk’s water resistance claims for the Pro-G40 SSD, I submerged it in a glass of water with the USB/Thunderbolt port facing upwards. After 30 minutes underwater, the drive was retrieved, dried, and allowed to rest for an additional hour to ensure no lingering water within the port. Post-drying, the drive reconnected seamlessly to a computer and functioned without issue.

SanDisk Pro-G40: Verdict

SanDisk is one of the most widely recognized and respected brands in digital storage, and its Professional line of devices is aimed at professional photographers, videographers, and content creators. Putting the relatively minor inconvenience of the cable length to one side, the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD matches the expectations of that audience. It has excellent durability, can withstand submersion, and is capable of very fast data transfer.

While its cost might lean towards the higher end of the spectrum, its 5-year warranty and solid performance where it matters make it a worthwhile investment.

Read more: Find your next storage device with our guides for the best portable SSD. And if you need a computer that can take advantage of this storage then check out our top pick for the best photo-editing laptops.

In recent weeks we've seen multiple accounts of high-profile tech websites experiencing problems with SanDisk portable SSDs. The issue was first widely raised by Ars Technica and The Verge in May, though there are reports of individual users experiencing drive failure earlier in the year. The Verge's supervising producer suddenly lost all data he had stored on a 4TB SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSD, but was assured by SanDisk's parent company, Western Digital (often branded WD on its consumer products), that a firmware fix would resolve the spontaneous data loss fault.

However, the turd really hit the proverbial fan earlier in August when the new, supposedly safe replacement SanDisk drive sent to the same Verge staffer also failed, again wiping a considerable amount of valuable work. What made the issue even more worrying is that the replacement SanDisk drive was a different capacity to the original failed unit, suggesting the problem might not be restricted to only one capacity variant of the Extreme Pro.

For two respected tech publications to both experience these drive failures is worrying, but now PetaPixel has also reported similar reliability issues with SanDisk's Pro-G40 SSD - a super-fast, premium portable SSD from Western Digital's SanDisk Professional sub brand.

What's really needed now is a full, frank and transparent statement from Western Digital addressing these issues head-on, admitting any faults if there indeed are any, and offering suitable resolutions should they be required. We have reached out to Western Digital's PR company about this issue, but have yet to receive a response, and it appears from other reports that WD is remaining silent on the issue worldwide. The only 'action' the company seems to have taken is to slash prices of its SanDisk SSDs: a badly timed price restructuring, or a more sinister attempt to offload stock while it still can? The jury's out on that one.

It's worth noting that no storage media is immune from failure and resultant data loss: naturally any make and model of portable SSD will have a small percentage of drives fail. But, if the recent negative media press is anything to go by, SanDisk drives at least appear to have a greater risk of failure than SSDs from competing brands. This perceived failure rate could in large part be due to SanDisk's huge market penetration, but conversely the simplicity of solid state storage (and its lack of moving parts, as you'd find in a mechanical hard disk drive) would suggest a lower risk of drive failure.

Digital Camera World has long recommended these very SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSDs, as during our time reviewing them we encountered no reliability issues. However as none of our staff members use these drives long-term, we're not in a position to categorically say whether or not SanDisk SSDs are hiding a fundamental hardware flaw. Consequently, until Western Digital breaks its silence on the issue, we will treat the numerous accounts of drive failure from other credible tech journalists as being worthy of concern. Digital Camera World is therefore suspending its recommendations of SanDisk and WD-branded portable SSDs until the matter has been decisively resolved.

Read more:

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• The best portable SSDs
• The best portable hard drives
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• The best memory card readers

Crucial has added two entirely new product lines to its range of portable SSDs. The newly-announced Crucial X10 Pro and X9 Pro will be competing squarely with the likes of the SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 portable SSD and Samsung Portable SSD T7 in the portable SSD market.

The new SSDs will be the flagship and high-end offerings in Crucial's portable SSD range, supplementing the existing budget-orientated X6 SSD, and what was until now the company's fastest portable offering, the X8 SSD, which will now be positioned as a more mid-range choice.

Crucial X10 Pro SSD

Crucial's new flagship portable SSD, the X10 Pro, boasts impressively fast read/write speeds of up to 2100/2000MB/s, making it marginally faster than the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2. Like the SanDisk drive, the X10 Pro is only able to operate this quickly thanks to its use of the 20Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface.

It's worth remembering, however, that very few laptop or desktop computers support this USB revision - you're more likely to find a computer with the latest USB4 connection, which is backward-compatible with Gen 2x2. But in order to get a USB4 port that'll allow the X10 Pro to perform at its fastest, you'll need a new or very recent computer.

This extreme speed comes in a device that's exceptionally compact. The drive measures only 65x50mm and weighs a featherweight 38g. Compare that to the rival SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD - itself hardly a bloated device - which measures 110x57mm and is twice the weight of the X10 Pro. Both the X10 Pro and X9 Pro utilize Micron (Crucial's parent company) TLC NAND flash memory, in conjunction with "a revolutionary single-ASIC portable storage architecture to enable a breakthrough, ultra-compact, lightweight form factor". This, according to Crucial, means the X10 Pro and X9 Pro have the most storage capacity per square millimetre of any SSD in the industry.

Capacities range between 1TB and 4TB, and the drive's metal enclosure is IP55-rated against water, dust and sand ingress. Like all current Crucial portable SSDs, the X10 Pro is also built to survive a drop from up to 2 meters.

Expect to pay $129.99/£119.99 for the 1TB X10 Pro, $209.99/£194.39 for the 2TB capacity, while the range-topping 4TB version is priced at $339.99/£314.39. All are available to buy now.

Crucial X9 Pro SSD

The X9 Pro is the same size as the X10 Pro, and is marginally lighter at 38 grams. It's also slower, with its 1,050MB/s max read/write speed matching the existing X8 Pro. That said, unless you have a computer with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB4 connection to get the most out of the X10 Pro, the X9 Pro is already fast enough to max out the more commonplace USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection, and is therefore a smarter choice for most users. As with the X10 Pro, the X9 Pro is available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, and features the same rugged credentials.

The Crucial X9 Pro is available now, with prices ranging from $89.99/£82.79 to $289.99/£267.59.

Read more:

• The best portable SSDs
• The best desktop external hard drives
• The best portable hard drives
• The best cloud storage for photos
• The best memory card readers

Samsung is best known for its televisions, phones, and home appliances, but it also makes a range of storage devices including a collection of external SSDs (solid state storage drives). The Samsung T series of SSDs are a collection of portable storage devices that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and slip into a bag almost unnoticed. 

The Samsung T7 series is the latest in the range which includes the regular T7, the rugged T7 Shield, and the T7 Touch reviewed here. They each have the same storage technology and are capable of the same transfer speeds, but the T7 Touch adds a fingerprint sensor to the T7’s specification to keep your data safe if you need to.

Samsung T7 Touch: Specifications

Max read speed: 1050MB/s
Max write speed: 1000MB/s
Available capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Samsung T7 Touch: Key Features

Samsung produces the T7 Touch in two colors, silver or black, and three capacities, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB. However, the 500GB version is only available in silver while the 1TB and 2TB versions are only available in black.

Whichever capacity you opt for, the drive uses PCIe NVMe technology to enable read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000MB/s, respectively. That means it's almost twice as fast as its predecessor, the Samsung T5. The drive has a USB-C (3.2 Get 2) port and it comes with USB-C to USB-C and UBC-C to USB-A cables. Consequently, it can be used with new and old computers.

Samsung’s Portable SSD Software for Mac, Windows, or Android devices is supplied on the T7 Touch to enable the security system, set a password, and register fingerprints.

Samsung T7 Touch: Build & Handling

The T7 Touch’s exterior is made from metal, probably aluminum, which means it’s strong but it weighs just 58g. It also measures just 85 x 57 x 8mm, so it’s very slim and neat.

One of the advantages of solid state storage over a hard drive is that there are no moving parts, and this plus the metal casing of the T7 means it can survive drops from up to 2m. Unlike the T7 Shield, the T7 Touch is not sealed against moisture, but there is a 3-year warranty. 

As I mentioned earlier, the SSD is supplied with two cables for connecting it to a computer or other device. These are around 45cm long, which means the drive won’t be hanging from your computer.

Samsung T7 Touch: Performance

Samsung quotes data transfer speeds of 1050MB/s (read) and 1000MB/s (write) for the T7 Touch. However, when I fired up the Blackmagic Disk Speed test software on a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip I measured speeds of around 584MB/s and 385MB/s respectively. As is often the case, that’s slower than the claimed speeds. 

Nevertheless, I was able to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II to the T7 Touch in around 24 seconds. Transferring the same folder of images to the drive from the MacBook Air’s desktop took just 15 seconds. Consequently, the drive performs very well as a temporary storage device, freeing up your memory cards when you’re away from home. It’s a great way of housing your files until you have the opportunity to transfer them to a permanent store, but you could always have a collection of T7s to use for long-term storage. 

The Samsung T7 Touch also performs well as a working drive when editing 4K video, and with a suitable computer. you get a stutter-free experience.

You can just connect the T7 Touch to your computer and use it like any other SSD, but if you want to protect its contents, you need to install the Samsung Portable SSD software. This proved problematic as when attempted to install the version supplied on the drive, I kept getting an error message saying that I needed to uninstall a more recent version from my computer. I was unable to find or uninstall the claimed version, but after a bit of searching on the internet, I found a version on Samsung’s website that would install.

With the software installed on the computer, it’s easy to turn on (and off) the drive’s security mode and set a password and/or register a fingerprint. The fingerprint reader works well, unlocking the drive promptly. 

Samsung T7 Touch: Verdict

Measuring just 85 x 57 x 8mm and weighing only 58g, the Samsung T7 Touch solid state drive (SSD) is perfect for slipping in your bag when you’re going to be away from home or the office and you need some storage space for your images and videos. There are now faster drives available, but it can read data at up to 1,050MB/s and write at up to 1,000MB/s, making it suitable for temporary storage or use as a working drive.

The fingerprint recognition system has a negligible impact on the price of the T7 Touch in comparison with the T7, in fact, you may find the 500GB version is a little cheaper, and it could come in handy occasionally. 

Read more: find the right external storage for your photos or videos with our guide to the best portable SSD or the best hard drives for video editing.

SanDisk and its parent company Western Digital are two of the biggest names in digital storage. SanDisk produces an extensive range of memory cards, flash drives, hard drives, and solid-state storage drives (SSD). 

Read more: Find out about the best hard disk drives for photographers or the best hard drives for video editing in our guides.

The Pro-Blade Station joins the Pro-Blade Transport and Pro-Blade SSD Mag to create a modular SSD system. The Station is an SSD enclosure that is capable of holding up to 4 Pro-Blade SSD Mags. It’s designed for desktop use while the Pro-Blade Transport can only hold one Mag at a time and is more portable.

The idea is that the Station is kept connected to a computer and the Mags are swapped in and out of it and the Transport as required. It’s designed to avoid having to copy files from one place to another when you’re on the go.

Specifications

Max read speed: 3000MB/s
Max write speed: 2600MB/s
Available capacity: 4 slots enabling up to 16TB total capacity

Key Features

Sandisk sells the Pro-Blade Station by itself (with the power and USB-C cables), and the Pro-Blade Mags, which are available with 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacity, are bought separately or with the Pro-Blade Transport.

Thanks to the NVMe technology in the Pro-Blade Mags and the Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) connectivity of the enclosure, the Pro-Blade Station has data read speeds of up to 3000MB/s and write speeds of up to 2600MB/s. 

Although there are four slots that can accommodate a Pro-Blade Mag in the Station, it can be used with just one, two, or three occupied as well as the full four. The Mags can be swapped in and out as required, and you can use more than four, just not all at the same time.

SanDisk supplies the Pro-Blade Station with a hefty power adapter (complete with plugs for several territories), a USB-C power cable, and a USB-C for connecting to a computer.

A flow-through active cooling system is built-in to keep the SSDs cool in use.

Build & Handling

At 180.4 x 133 x 77.6 mm and weighing 1.45 kg, the Pro-Blade Station is a chunky bit of kit, but it’s also very smart-looking. The weight of the Station, combined with the four rubber pads on its base means that it doesn’t move much if you pull out a Mag one-handed.

On the rear of the Station, there are three USB-C ports. One is clearly marked ‘Power In’ while the other two are labeled as USB ports with one for connecting to a computer and the other for connecting another drive or accessory.

In addition to the power and connection ports, the Pro-Blade Station has a Kensington Security Slot that supports a standard Kensington security cable.

The Pro-Blade Mags slide into each of the slots smoothly and meet with more resistance when there’s just about 1cm protruding from the Station. At that point, applying a little more pressure clicks the Mag into place. 

A ridge on the end of the Pro-Blade Mags provides some grip when they are removed from the Station.

Performance

The SanDisk Pro-Blade Station connects to a computer via the supplied USB-C cable. Once it’s connected and a Mag is inserted, the drive is quick to appear on the computer desktop. If more than one Mag is inserted, the Mags show as separate drives on the computer, so if you intend to eject all of the drives, you need to drag them all to the Bin on a Mac.

Each of the drives is listed as ‘PRO-BLADE’ on the computer, which means if you have multiple Mags, you can’t tell which one is inserted unless you change their names on the computer. If you have Mags of the same capacity, you may also want to physically mark them with the names they have on the computer so you know which is which.

The Pro-Blade Station and Mags perform very well when working with still images or editing 4K or 8K video. When it was connected to a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip, I was able to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II from a Pro-Blade SSD Mag inserted in the Pro-Blade Station in less than 5 seconds - a blistering pace!

Transferring the same folder of images from the computer to a Mag in Station took a little under 7 seconds.

However, when I started up the Blackmagic Disk Speed test software to measure the data transfer rates I found I wasn’t quite able to achieve the claimed maximum speeds (read 3000MB/s and write 2600MB/s). At over 2700 MB/s read speed and 2200MB/s write speed, however, they aren’t too shabby!

Verdict

The SanDisk Pro-Blade Station is an interesting proposition that makes the most sense when paired with the SanDisk Pro-Blade Transport and a clutch of Pro-Blade SSD Mags. It enables speedy file transfers as well as trouble-free image processing and smooth video editing. 

Because it allows hot-swapping of the Mags, the Station is effectively a hub for SSD storage and you only have one cable connecting to your computer instead of four. The drives (Mags) are all seen independently on the computer and it would be helpful to have some means of distinguishing the Mags externally when they are in the Station. It’s a problem that is easily resolved with a few colored sticker dots, but it would be nice to have a more sophisticated solution. 

OWC, Other World Computing, was founded in 1988 and is a zero-emissions technology company that produces an extensive range of computer upgrade kits, memory, computer docking stations and storage drives. The Envoy Pro Elektron is the company’s smallest portable SSD but it’s also very tough and its NVMe M.2 2242 technology means it is capable of transfer speeds of up to 1011 MB/s.

Specifications

Max data transfer speed: 1011 MB/s

Available capacities: 240GB, 480GB, 1TB, 2TB

Key features

OWC produces the Envoy Pro Elektron in four capacities, 240GB, 480GB, 1TB, 2TB, majoring on the smaller sizes rather than the larger ones. This means that the SSD is available at very attractive prices, but the 2TB drive has some stiff competition from the likes of the SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD. 

The drive has a USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) port that enables data transfer rates of up to 10Gb/s (1250 MB/s), but OWC claims a maximum data transfer rate of 1011 MB/s. 

Helpfully, OWC supplies a USB-C to USB-C cable with a tethered USB-C to USB-A adapter. This means that the drive can be used with older computers as well as the latest models and you only have one cable to keep to carry.

Build and handling

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron measures just 12 x 76 x 52mm and weighs 85g, which means that you can slip it comfortably into a jeans pocket or in that last little space in your camera bag. It’s also built like a small tank, is crushproof, and looks like a solid block of metal. Its aircraft-grade aluminum feels very reassuring.

According to OWC, the Envoy Pro Elektron has a dust and water resistance rating of IP67. That means that it is dust-tight, completely protected from dust ingress, and it can be survive being submerged to a depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes. Those impressive stats mean it should survive a splash of coffee, or being dropped in a puddle.

Although the drive is very small, OWC supplies it with a USB-C cable that’s not far off 70cm long. That’s great news for anyone reaching around the back of their computer to find the USB port, or when you’re working with your laptop on your knee. It means that the Envoy Pro Elektron is unlikely to be left dangling awkwardly and at risk of accidental disconnection. 

Performance

I kicked off my testing of the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron by connecting it to a 2022 MacBook Air M2 and starting up Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. This registered write speeds of up to around 904MB/s and read speeds of around 663 MB/s. OWC only quotes a single maximum data transfer speed for the Envoy Pro Elektron, it doesn’t break it down into read and write speeds. Clearly, the read speed that I measured is some way short of the claimed maximum transfer rate. 

Nevertheless, the drive performs well in normal use and it took just over 15 seconds to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II from it to the MacBook Air. Transferring the same folder of files from the MacBook Air to the drive took just under 14 seconds. So you’re not left waiting for long periods of time while you copy images across. 

In the time that I’ve had the Envoy Pro Elektron I’ve taken it abroad and carried it around with me without giving it much care, and it’s always worked perfectly well even after falling off my desk or receiving a splash of water. I’ve primarily used it to store images temporarily before I transfer them to a permanent storage drive, but I’ve also found it works as a working drive when editing 4K video. 

The aircraft-grade aluminum outer is designed to help keep the SSD cool, but it heats up quite quickly in use. It doesn’t feel dangerously hot but it will certainly warm your hands on a cold day.

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron: Verdict

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is one of the smallest portable SSDs around. It’s a little thicker than the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, but it’s quite a bit shorter, feels more robust and has a higher dust/water resistant rating. It’s also fast. It doesn’t have the 2000 MB/s transfer speeds of some other SSDs, but it’s still plenty fast enough for image and video storage and functions as a working drive for 4K movies.

It’s good to see a couple of sub-1TB capacity drives available as it brings the price down. The smaller capacity drives makes a good choice for anyone just looking to back-up their camera’s memory card(s) while they are away.

Read more
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UPDATE, August 2023:

Numerous stories are emerging from credible tech websites and individual users that some SanDisk and WD-branded portable SSDs are experiencing sudden and unpredictable drive failure, resulting in data loss. We have contacted parent company Western Digital for a statement on the issue but have yet to receive a response. Consequently we cannot unreservedly recommend the purchase of a SanDisk or WD-branded portable SSD until the matter has been decisively resolved.

Not too long ago this storage drive would’ve been part of the G-Technoloy range but the parent company, Western Digital, has rebranded G-Technology as SanDisk Professional. It makes the intended market a little clearer as G-Technology gear was usually aimed at professional photographers.

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD is a portable drive that fits in the palm of your hand, and features NVMe technology and USB-C connectivity. It comes ready for use with Mac computers but can be reformatted to work with Windows machines. 

Specifications

Max read speed: 1050MB/s

Max write speed: 1000MB/s

Available capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Key features

The G-Drive SSD is available in four capacities, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. That’s likely to be enough for most users, but intensive shooters on long trips may wish for a larger capacity or need to invest in a second drive. 

As I mentioned earlier, it has NVMe technology and this combined with the USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2) connectivity enables read speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s.

While it weighs just 90g, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD is ruggedised to survive being crushed by up to 2000 lbs and dropped from 3m. It’s also vibration resistant and weather/dust resistant to IP67. 

Perhaps as a result of the introduction of devices like the  SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 which offer twice the transfer rate, Western Digital has dropped the price of the G-Drive SSD significantly, making it much more attractive.

The drive also comes with software onboard ready for download and installation on a computer to enable password-enabled 256-bit AES-XTS Hardware encryption. 

Build and handling

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD is only 95 x 50 x 15mm in size, so it fits nicely in your hand and can be slipped easily into a camera or laptop bag. 

SanDisk supplies two USB-C cables with the G-Drive SSD, one USB-C to USB-C and the other USB-C to USB-A. Helpfully, these cables are around 49cm in length, which makes the drive easier to use than one with a short cable when it’s connected to the back of a desktop computer or to a laptop on your knee.

The core of the drive is made from aluminum which acts as a heat sync and there are vents in the plastic shell, all designed to stop the most important area getting too hot.  

It’s easy to set up a password to protect the drive if you are storing sensitive information but it’s important to keep in mind that this cannot be recovered or reset by SanDisk if you forget the password. 

Performance

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD works well in day-to-day use when storing stills and editing 4K video, but to test its data transfer speed I connected it to a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip. I then dragged a folder with 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II from the desktop to the drive and it took just under 15 seconds for them to write to the SSD. It took around 12 seconds for the same batch of files to transfer from the G-Drive SSD to the computer. That’s an impressively short time to wait to move files around.

Next, I fired up Blackmagic Disk Speed Test to take a look at the measured transfer rates. While this didn’t show figures quite as high as the 1,050/1000MB/s read/write times claimed by Sandisk, they are still very respectable. I measured read speeds of around 720MB/s and write speed of around 840MB/s. Furthermore, the software confirms that the drive is suitable for use when working with 4K raw video at frame rates up to 60p and even 8K at up to 60p in Blackmagic Raw, but ProRes 422 HQ is a step too far at that resolution and frame rate. 

The drive also survived falling on a hard floor from my desk and its weather resistance ensures it copes with a splash or two of water - although it’s more likely to encounter tea. 

Verdict

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD looks smart and feels tough. It also transfers files from a computer and back quickly, if not at the same speed as a 2000MB/s drive such as the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2. However, it’s also more affordable and if you’re not planning on using it as a working drive while you edit 6K or 8K 60p ProRes 422 HQ footage, it makes a great choice. It’s fine for most 4K applications and perfect for storing stills.

Read more
Best portable hard drives
Best SSDs
Best hard drives for video editing

SanDisk is one of the most widely-known names in digital storage. It offers a wide range of memory cards, flash drives, hard drives and solid state storage drives (SSD) with options to suit consumers, enthusiast photographers and professional content creators, photographers and videographers.

The Pro-Blade Transport and Pro-Blade SSD Mag were announced in May 2022, along with the Pro-Blade Station, as a modular SSD system. While the Pro-Blade Transport can hold a single Pro-Blade SSD Mag and is intended for use on the go, the Pro-Blade Station can hold up to four Mags and is designed for desktop use.

The Pro-Blade Transport and Pro-Blade Mag are now on sale and the Pro-Blade Station is set to join them soon.

Specifications

Max read speed: 2000MB/s

Max write speed: 2000MB/s

Available capacities: 0TB (Transport only), 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Key features

The SanDisk Professional Pro-Blade Transport is actually an enclosure that can house a Pro-Blade SSD Mag and while it is sold by itself, it can also be bought bundled with a Pro-Blade SSD Mag with a capacity of 1TB, 2TB or 4TB. The Pro-Blade SSD Mags can be swapped in and out of the Pro-Blade Transport, so you may only need one Transport for several Mags, but the mags are of no use by themselves.

There’s a USB-C port in the Pro-Blade Transport and this plus the NVMe technology in the Mag enables data transfer speeds of up to 2000MB/s in either direction. 

SanDisk supplies a USB-C to USB-C and a UBC-C to USB-A cable with the Pro-Blade Transport which means it can be connected to modern and older computers and laptops.

Build and handling

A quick glance at the Pro-Blade Transport might lead you to think that it’s regular SSD, but upon closer inspection you’ll spot that it’s fitted with a Pro-Blade SSD Mag. This is removed by pressing to release the catch and then withdrawing it from the enclosure. It slides back in smoothly and slots into place reassuringly.

At 130.4 x 71.5 x 16mm, the Pro-Blade Transport is larger than SSD’s like the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, but the Mags only measure 129 x 103.6 x 14.4mm and you can use several of them, one at a time, in a Transport.

The Pro-Blade Transport has an aluminum heat sink to keep the Pro-Blade SSD Mags cool during use, and it works well as the unit only gets a little warm.

While the Pro-Blade Transport isn’t weatherproof, the Mag is designed to survive a drop from 3m and has 4,000 lbs crush resistance. It should ensure that the unit survives being knocked off a desk or carried in a bag with a lot of heavy camera gear.

It’s good to see that SanDisk has included decent-length (44cm) USB-C cables with the Transport. It means that you can connect the drive to a laptop while it’s on your lap without fear of it slipping and disconnecting. 

Performance

When the drive was connected to a 2019 iMac via one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports I was able to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II to it in a little under 19 seconds. Transferring the same folder of images back to the computer took almost a minute.

Performing the same tasks with a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip saw the transfer times drop to under 11 seconds in either direction.

After timing the file transfers, I started up the Blackmagic Disk Speed test software to measure the data transfer rates. When running the check on the iMac I recorded write speeds of around 948MB/s and read speed of about 945MB/s. Using the same software on the 2022 MacBook Air saw write speeds of just under 3000MB/s and read speeds a little over 3260MB/s, showing better performance than is claimed by SanDisk.

As well as storing still images, the SanDisk Pro-Blade Transport can accommodate video either as a store or as a working drive while editing 4K video. The fast data transfer speed of the drive ensures that the editing experience is smooth and without stutters.

Verdict

The SanDisk Pro-Blade Transport is a well-made, fast storage drive that is ideal for storing images or video on the go. It also offers something we don’t usually see in a portable drive, but that hikes up the price in comparison with a drive that has a fixed SSD. Also, the real strength of the interchangeable SanDisk Pro-Blade SSD Mags, only really becomes apparent when the Transport is paired with a SanDisk Pro-Blade Station as it allows up to four storage devices to be connected to a computer via a single USB-C cable.

Read more
Best portable hard drives
Best SSDs
Best hard drives for video editing

UPDATE, August 2023:

Numerous stories are emerging from credible tech websites and individual users that some SanDisk and WD-branded portable SSDs are experiencing sudden and unpredictable drive failure, resulting in data loss. We have contacted parent company Western Digital for a statement on the issue but have yet to receive a response. Consequently we cannot unreservedly recommend the purchase of a SanDisk or WD-branded portable SSD until the matter has been decisively resolved.

SanDisk and its parent company, Western Digital, are one of the best-known names in digital storage. It offers an extensive range of memory cards, flash drives, hard drives and solid-state storage drives. The Extreme Pro Portable SSD (solid state drive) has been around for quite a while but the most recent incarnation (V2) is capable of read and write speeds that are twice those of its predecessor, making it a contender for one of the best portable SSDs around..

Although SanDisk refers to V2 on its website, that isn’t included in the product name on the drive itself or its packaging. However, the data transfer markings on the packing make it clear which version of the drive you are looking at.

Specifications

Max read speed: 2000MB/s

Max write speed: 2000MB/s

Available capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Key features

SanDisk offers the Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 in three capacities, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. Whichever capacity you opt for, the drive uses NVMe technology to deliver sustained read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s. 

It has a USB-C port and comes supplied with a USB-C to USB-C and a UBC-C to USB-A cable so you can use the drive with old and new computers. It’s also compatible with a range of USB-C smartphones.

The drive is supplied with Security for Mac and Windows onboard and ready to download to a computer to enable it to be password protected.

Build and handling

The chassis of the Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is made from forged aluminium to make it very strong but lightweight. And at just 10.22x57.34x110.26mm, it’s small enough to slip into a camera bag unnoticed. 

SanDisk also covers the aluminium chassis in a silicon shell to make the drive nice and rugged, and it feels like a high-quality item but the coating seems to collect a bit of fluff. 

The Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is claimed to be capable of surviving a drop from 2m and it’s IP55 water and dust resistant, which is great news if you spill a mug of tea on your desk or you’re working in a harsh environment. I found no reason to doubt the claims. Further reassurance comes from the 5-year warranty. 

Like the original drive, the Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 has a hole through one corner which can be used to clip it onto your bag using a karabiner or something similar to keep it safe. 

As I mentioned, SanDisk supplies the drive with two USB cables, but they are only around 25cm long (not including the connectors). If you’re working with a laptop on a desk or table, that’s likely to be fine, but you have a desktop machine, or you work with your laptop on your lap, you’re likely to need to invest in longer cables. 

Performance

The data transfer speeds quoted by SanDisk give an indication of the potential of the Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, but the actual performance that you get depends upon your computer and the connection that you use. For example, when the drive was connected to a 2019 iMac via one of the USB-C/Thunderbolt ports I was able to transfer 9.74GB of images comprising 100 Jpegs and 100 raw files from the 45.7Mp Nikon Z7 II to it in around 1 minute 40 seconds. That same folder of images transferred from the drive to the desktop of the iMac in just over a minute. Switch to using a 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip and the transfer times drop to 11 seconds and 13 seconds respectively.

As well as offering a mobile store for images or video, the Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 can be used as a working drive while editing video and, with the right computer, you can expect stutter-free editing and viewing.

Checking the data transfer speeds using Blackmagic Disk Speed test software proves enlightening. When running the check on the iMac, I recorded write speeds of around 789MB/s and read speed of about 805MB/s. Using the same software on the 2022 MacBook Air saw write speeds of just under 3000MB/s and read speeds a little over 3000MB/s. I had to double-check the number of digits! That’s faster than SanDisk claims.

The drive heats up while it’s connected to a computer but it doesn’t get dangerously hot.

I’ve split tea on the drive, dunked it in water and knocked it off my desk on several occasions and it’s performed as expected afterward. 

Verdict

Minor niggles aside about the length of the supplied cables, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is an excellent portable drive. It can transfer files between it and computer with impressive speed so you’re not sat around waiting. It can also be used as a working drive when you’re editing video so that your computer doesn’t grind to a halt or get clogged up. In addition, it’s well-made and durable, which gives you confidence that your files will be kept safe.  

SanDisk only makes the drive in one color and short of putting a sticker on the back or using different colored karabiners or tags in the loop, there’s no way to distinguish one drive from another if you have several.

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Sony Alpha Rumors has leaked details of a new and rather innovative attachment for Sony A7-series cameras. A joint collaboration by Chinese brands TILTA and Zhiyong Technology Co. Ltd, the device resembles a conventional L-bracket, albeit one with an ergonomic grip on the vertical section. But this isn't just a simple grip, as it houses a 512GB M.2 SSD. The idea is that the SSD connects to the camera via a cable that terminates in a plug that inserts into the camera's CFexpress Type A connector. The camera therefore thinks it's recording to a regular Type A card, yet the data gets sent to the SSD.

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It's an interesting concept, as while the host camera's CFexpres Type A PCIe 3.0 bus speed will limit data write rates to 700MB/s (meaning the SSD will be no faster than a Type A memory card), you get significantly greater storage capacity. Currently the highest capacity Type A card is Exascend's 240GB Essential card, while Sony, Delkin, Lexar and Prograde Digital's offerings all top out at 160GB.

Judging by the leaked product details, pricing of the TILTA bracket may be 4,500.00 Chinese Yuan, which equates to $638USD at the time of writing. Considering that the aforementioned 240GB Type A card will set you back $400, to get an SSD with over double that capacity, along with the benefit of having a grip and L-bracket for an additional $238 seems like good value.

According to the leaked details, the L-bracket incorporates an Arca-swiss style QR tripod mounting system and doesn't restrict access to the camera's battery. The grip section features an integrated USB Type-C socket, running at USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 GBps) speed.

The function of this isn't clear from the marketing slides, but given that the two status LEDs, each labelled 'SSD' and 'USB', we could speculate that the USB connection might let you connect additional storage for the camera to record onto? Other details include a non-slip silicone covering for the grip, a pull-resistant cable connecting the Type-A plug to the SSD, and an attachment point for a wrist strap.

The device is said to be compatible with all Sony cameras with CFexpress Type-A slots, which means the a1, a7S III, a7 IV, and FX3. More information looks likely to drop on September 30th.

Story credit: Sony Alpha Rumors

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Piet Mondrian, was a Dutch painter and art theoretician who, according to Wikipedia, is thought of as one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Even if you don't know the name, you'll likely recognize his iconic, abstract paintings made up of lines and colorful squares.

It's no secret that photography accessories can sometimes look a bit bland and black, so if you've ever thought that the best Portable SSDs could do with a more exciting design, the new ORICO Montage series certainly livens things up.

Inspired by Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow by Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, the new ORICO Montage series of portable hard drives has three capacity options; of 256GB, 512GB and 2TB.

ORICO are a brand that specialize in high speed data transmission and the ORICO 256GB Portable SSD Montage 40Gbps series is an external solid state drive that's got a quoted speed of up to 3,126MB/s.

The drive uses a 2-in-1 data cable for USB type A and type C connections, and it's compatible with Mac OS, Windows, Android, and Linux. 

There are a lot of high-speed SSDs on the market, but the design of this drive is what's more interesting to us! With a bold and bright aesthetic and impressive specs, the Montage 40Gbps series could be a helpful tool to your photography kit if you're looking for an eye-catching alternative to product already on the market.

The ORICO Montage series is available now in the US and the UK, starting at $41.99/£58.49 for the 5Gbps 256GB version.

Samsung has released a new addition to its popular T-series range of portable SSDs (the existing T5 SSD still earns itself a place on our list of the best portable SSDs). The new T7 Shield stands out from the rest of the T7 SSD range thanks to its drop, water and dust-resistant design. Not only is the T7 Shield IP65-rated against dust and water ingress, it can also withstand a drop of up to 3 meters, all while maintaining an effortlessly portable 88.0 x 59.0 x 13.0mm size and weighing just 98 grams.

In-keeping with other T7 SSDs, the T7 Shield boasts super-fast data transfer speeds thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connection. Read/write speeds are rated at 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s respectively, making it theoretically slower than a SSD such as the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, but still very fast. The Samsung's speed should also be more attainable due to the T7's relatively commonplace USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, compared to the much more obscure Gen 2x2 connection required to unleash the full speed of the rival Sandisk SSD.

The T7 Shield has been designed with demanding content creators in mind, who are likely to frequently transfer large files. Consequently, to avoid performance reductions due to heat build-up, Samsung has designed the T7 Shield to incorporate "innovations to the surface material and enhancements to software". The end result is a portable SSD which should be able to transfer files as large as 2TB with no performance degradation and minimal heat build-up - ideal for users who regularly work with large, high resolution image or video files.

The T7 Shield is compatible with PC, Mac, Android smartphones and game consoles. It also features 256-bit AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with hardware encryption so data can be safely protected even if the SSD is lost.

Two capacity options are available: 1TB and 2TB, each supplied with a USB Type-C-to-C cable and a USB Type-C-to-A cable. Suggested retail pricing is $159.99 for the 1TB and $289.99 for the 2TB, though at the time of writing B&H is already offering substantial discounts on the T7 Shield:

Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD

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WD (Western Digital) has announced the launch of Elements SE SSD: a new range of portable SSDs designed to offer SSD speed at a more accessible price.

Traditionally if you've been looking for the best portable hard drive, you've has the choice between exactly that: a portable hard drive, or alternatively, a portable SSD. The decision usually depends on how much money you have to spend, as SSDs cost significantly more per gigabyte of storage than slower mechanical hard drives, especially if you’re after a capacity larger than 1 terabyte.

WD is trying to change this with the release of its WD Elements SE SSD range. Aimed at photographers, videographers and creatives who want fast portable storage without spending a fortune, the Elements SE starts offers a respectable 400MB/s max read speed and capacities up to 2TB, while being priced lower than any previous WD portable SSD of equivalent capacity.

The tiny 64.5mm x 64.5mm x 8.72mm form factor ensures go-anywhere portability, and the Elements SE is even rated to withstand a drop from up to 2 meters, adding extra peace of mind that quality hasn't been cut to save money.

Choose from 480GB, 1TB or 2TB capacities, priced at £74.99, £106.99 and £207.99 respectively. US pricing and availability is yet to be announced, but judging by the UK pricing, you can expect the Elements SE SSD to me marginally cheaper than WD's existing My Passport SSDs of equivalent capacity.

And this is a problem for the Elements SE SSD. With the My Passport SSD now readily available at similar prices to the Elements SE SSD range, while also offering noticeably faster transfer speeds of up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write, as well as capacities up to 4TB, the Elements SE SSD range will have to get even cheaper to really justify its existence in this crowded market.

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Western Digital, parent company of the SanDisk brand, has launched a new line called SanDisk Professional, delivering pro-grade performance to "professionals whose livelihood depends on mission-critical needs".

Debuting with the new line are three new products: the Pro-Cinema CFexpress VPG400 memory card, a Pro-Reader series of card readers and the Pro-Dock 4 docking station (which works in conjunction with the readers). 

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While the SanDisk brand had previously occupied the consumer and prosumer space, SanDisk Professional distinctly targets the independent pro, SMB and studio end users. This was an area previously fulfilled by Western Digital's G-Technology brand, which will gradually be phased out and folded into the SanDisk Professional product line-up. 

Pro-Cinema CFexpress VPG400
Launching with a 256GB capacity, This card comes with a "video performance guarantee" of keeping a sustained 400MB/s write speed for the entire capacity of the card, and will not drop the write speed below that from the first to the last gigabyte – making it ideal for the demands of 4K, 6K and 8K RAW. 

Pro-Reader series
These high performance card readers feature a USB-CTM interface for SuperSpeed USB support up to 10Gbs – and answer the longstanding criticism of the manufacturer not having better readers. They will be available for CFast, CFexpress, CF, SD, microSD and Red Mini-Mag. These stackable, modular readers are also able to be used with… 

Pro-Dock 4
A remarkable four-bay reader that scales according to your needs, using the modular Pro-Readers. It makes use of Thunderbolt 3 for remarkable connectivity and speed, enabling to read four bays simultaneously at around 2,800Mb/s!

In addition, a number of G-Technology drives that mostly feature cosmetic changes – including a 4TB G-Drive ArmorLock Encrypted NVMe SSD, enterprise-grade Ultrastar drives and G-RAID solutions – will roll out as part of the SanDisk Professional line.

Most SanDisk Professional products will start shipping in June, with others following in July, prices to be confirmed.

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When you get a laptop, always get one with an SSD and not an internal hard drive – that would be our advice. Laptops with SSDs run a lot faster, handle virtual memory much better and use less power.

But this has two downsides. SSDs are much more expensive than hard drives, so to keep the cost manageable you usually have to compromise on a smaller capacity.

And while a 256GB internal SSD (512GB if you splash out) will be enough for your laptop’s OS and applications, you’ll run out of space almost immediately the moment you start doing any kind of serious photography or video work.

Extra laptop storage: what are the options?

There are three main ways to add storage capacity to your laptop. We’ll leave out internal drive upgrades as these can prove expensive and difficult for most users. We’ll stick to plug-in storage devices.

These boil down to external hard drives (cheap but not fast), external SSDs (fast, but not cheap), or – and this is the point of our question – plug-in ‘thumbsticks’, or USB sticks.

We have buying guides for all three here:

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What’s the appeal of USB sticks?

There are two things that make USB sticks appealing as storage devices:

1. They are small and simple.

2. You don’t have a cable dangling from your laptop.

We would offer one word of caution, though. External drives and cables might be annoying, but the connection is flexible and resilient. USB sticks are small but it’s a rigid connection and they stick out – and you can do some damage if you snap one off, not just to the USB stick but to the port on your laptop too.

The other unknown with USB sticks is whether they are designed for continuous read/write operation over long periods. We imagine the cheapest might not be, but we would hope that higher capacity, faster flash drives are made with the expectation they might be used this way.

Can you get USB sticks with enough capacity and speed?

Yes and no – this depends entirely on what you need. You can get USB sticks right up to 256GB or larger capacities – a lot more than you might expect for such a small device – and if this is enough then already this is looking like a good solution. They do not, however, offer the capacity of portable hard drives or portable SSDs, which typically start at 500GB and go up to 2TB or more.

The speed issue is even more important. If all you need is supplementary storage or backup, a USB stick could do a good job. The fastest offer read/write speeds fast enough for files you need all the time, so you could use one as a photo archive, for example, or for work in progress. The load and save times won’t be as fast as an SSD but will be faster than a portable hard drive.

USB sticks are unlikely to be fast enough, however, for video editing and playback, especially 4K. A portable SSD drive is the only sensible choice here, as these offer higher capacities and read/write speeds twice as fast as the fastest USB sticks and often many times faster than lower-capacity models.

Here is a table showing some comparative speeds and capacities:

So what’s the answer?

Yes, a USB stick can replace an SSD drive, but while the fastest and best are starting to approach the speed and capacity of an external drive, they are not there yet. The danger is that you can end up with a storage device that’s almost but not quite big enough and almost but not quite fast enough – you have to be realistic about your needs.

Three things USB sticks are good for

• Swapping files with friends or colleagues. Speed and capacity aren’t important so just get a cheap one – and they can be really, really cheap.
• Emergency storage. You’re away from home, your laptop’s run out of space and you need to store some extra stuff quick. Having a good-sized USB stick in your bag can be a real life-saver.
• File transfer. You can use a decent, fast USB stick for image or video transfer when you’re out in the field with your laptop, then plug it into your desktop machine when you get back. It’s just about the quickest and simplest way to swap files between computers.

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The best portable SSDs are great for adding extra storage to a laptop for photo editing, as well as keeping your photos and videos accessible when you're on the go. Trouble is, capacities can often be restrictive compared to some of the best portable hard drives, with 2TB (terabytes) being the upper limit, until now.

WD has just announced four of its current portable SSDs will soon be available in a 4TB capacity option (in addition to existing smaller capacities). To put this in perspective, that's enough space for around 33,000 uncompressed Sony a7R IV raw files, or over seven hours of high bit rate 4K/30p video.

The four WD portable SSDs receiving the 4TB capacity increase are:

SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

One of the fastest portable SSDs on the market, the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD is uses the very latest NVMe technology to enable up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds (if you find a computer with a USB/Thunderbolt connection fast enough!). Now with 4TB of storage on offer, you can get the ultimate in speed without sacrificing storage space. It'll cost you though: $749.99/£857.99 to be exact.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

Although the non-Pro SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD can 'only' manage up to 1050MB/S read and up to 1000MB/s write speeds, that's plenty fast enough for most computers to handle, and for shifting data in minimal time. Factor its two-meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance and it's a great option for active users. Expect to pay $699.99/£745.99 for the 4TB version.

WD My Passport SSD

WD's MyPassport SSD range almost defines the portable SSD sector, it's that popular. The sleek metal casing can withstand a drop from up to 6.5 feet, and like the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, it can read files at up to 1050MB/s, and write them at up to 1000MB/s. It'll set you back $679.99/£745.99 for a 4TB drive.

WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive SSD

The fourth and final drive to receive a 4TB capacity update is the gamer-focused WD_BLACK P50. Compatible with PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, it's designed to extend a console's built-in storage capacity without compromising game loading times. The 4TB option will set you back $749.99/£750.99

All four drives are expected to go on sale by the end of March.

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SanDisk has announced two new SanDisk portable SSDs – the SanDisk Extreme and the SanDisk Extreme PRO. These two new SSDs offer nearly 2x the speed over previous generations, a powerful NVMe solid state performance, a forged aluminum chassis to help keep the drive cool, an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance and 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

With everyone from professional videographers to everyday smartphone users dealing with high-density and high resolution files, a hard drive that can keep up with your demands is a necessity. Luckily, the SanDisk Extreme and the SanDisk Extreme PRO are designed to keep up with today's high quality content demands.

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The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD will have an impressive read speed of up to 2,000MB/s and a write speed of up to 2000MB/s. SanDisk is making the Extreme PRO available now in 2TB for a MSRP of $418.99 and is expecting to ship a 1TB version later this year (although there isn't a specific date as of yet). 

Meanwhile, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD will feature a read speed of up to 1,050MBs and a write speed of up to 1,000MB/s. The SanDisk Extreme is available now in a 500GB version for an MSRP of $133.99 and a 1TB version for an MSRP of $216.99.

Tyler Stableford, a SanDisk Extreme Team member, says, "When every second counts, I need fast and powerful solutions that work as quickly as I do. I rely on SanDisk SSDs to keep up with my creativity. As an artist, speed is one of my greatest strengths, and I know with the SanDisk Extreme line of SSDs, I can get the job done with greater efficiency and capacity, and I never have to worry about running out of memory wherever the job takes me."

Both SanDisk Extreme portable SSDs will be backed by a five-year limited warranty and are available at the Western Digital Store and selected retailers worldwide. Both new SanDisk Extreme SSDs will eventually replace the previous generations of the same name that are still currently being sold. 

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Western Digital has unveiled the latest version of it WD My Passport SSD portable hard drive – and it boasts ludicrously fast read and write speeds of 1,050MB/s reading and 1,000MB/s.

The new WD My Passport SSD doubles the speed of its predecessor, which we already rank as one of the best portable SSDs – and the non-SSD version of the WD My Passport is one of our top picks for best portable hard drives, so the product family enjoys a very good lineage. 

Where the latest edition takes a huge lead on the rest of its siblings, however, is in the lightning-quick read and write speeds. This is made possible due to the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol, which employs parallel, low latency data paths to offer markedly higher performance than SAS and SATA protocols (using high speed PCIe lanes, it can double the transfer speed of a SATA interface). 

On top of those 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speeds, the new My Passport SSD also features 256-bit AES encryption, along with shock and vibration resistance – and it is also drop resistant up to 6.5 feet (1.98m), so it won't smash to smithereens if you knock it off the table while backing up your files at Starbucks.

That kind of 'coffee shop workflow' increasingly used by photographers and content creators is definitely something that WD is targeting with the new drive. These increased transfer speeds will be a boon to those working with hi-res images and 4K video – and for those oversized files, it comes bundled with software for easy backups to your drive or cloud storage service. 

WD My Passport SSD is initially available in grey, in 500GB and 1TB capacities for $119.99 / £136.99 and $189.99 / £221.99 respectively. Blue, gold and red versions will be available later this year, along with a 2TB version for $359.99 / £ 372.99. 

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No matter whether you shoot weddings, portraits, landscapes or macro, robust and reliable file storage is essential for any photographer. Luckily, this SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable External SSD is almost half price in this fantastic B&H deal. This rugged SSD is perfect for photographers who need to take their files on the move and don't want to worry that an errant knock might render their hard drive unusable.

The SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable External SSD has 2TB of storage capacity and up to 550MB read speeds for speedy access to your images. It has a USB 3.1 Type-C interface and features resistance against water, dust and shock. It can withstand drops of up to 6.5' on a concrete floor and temperature extremes ranging from -4º to 158º when in storage.

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No matter whether you work on a Windows or a Mac computer, the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable External SSD is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1 and 7, as well as macOS High Sierra, Sierra and El Capitan. 

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If you're in the market for a new hard drive, then you're in luck. The Digital Camera World forums are running a competition where you could win a 500GB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD hard drive and a branded protective case. 

The 500GB SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD hard drive features high-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds. It's both water- and dust-resistant and compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Mac OS 10.4+. It has a shock-resistant solid state core for greater durability and is compact and pocket-sized. It also comes with a fantastic case specifically designed for the hard drive's unique shape.

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To enter the competition, all you need to do is tick off three simple steps. First, head to this forum thread and leave a comment sharing your favorite image that you've taken. 

Next, click here for the contest widget (also linked on the forum thread). Then, your final step is adding your Digital Camera World forum username! Complete all three simple steps before 11:59 on March 27th 2020 and you could be in with a chance of winning the SanDisk hard drive!

Remember that you can only enter this competition once and that the giveaway is only open to users in the US and UK only. If you're a winner then we'll reach out to you via email for your shipping information. If you don't reply to our message with your shipping address within five business days then we'll move onto the next winner, so keep a keen eye on your inbox! You can find the full terms and conditions on the forum thread under the 'Spoiler' link. 

Make sure to head over to the forum thread to be in with a chance to win – good luck!

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