SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Review: Compact, Rugged USB-C External Storage

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD we'll be showing you here today is the follow-up to the SanDisk Extreme 510 Portable SSD. This new drive fully embraces USB-C while retaining USB Type-A compatibility for older Macs and PCs. It promises speedy storage (up to 550 MB/s claimed), a wide range of capacities (250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB), and an IP55 rating against dust and water intrusion.

The drive’s slim body looks more like a portable charger for your cell phone than the bulky external hard drives of old, and it fits in a shirt pocket easily. It feels rugged, with black soft-touch material covering its back, textured hard plastic on the front panel (also black), and an orange-accented carabiner loop in one corner. Its single USB-C port is water resistant, eschewing the need for a folding protective door, like the previous-gen SanDisk Extreme 510 SSD. The drive is rated for 2-meter drop durability and has a 3-year warranty, so it should survive journeys to photography assignments in the field.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Specifications & Features

Available capacities	250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Avg. Read Max	550 MB/s
Water/Dust Resistance	IP55
Dimensions	3.79 x 1.95 x 0.35 in. (96.2 mm x 49.5 mm x 8.85 mm)
Weight	0.09 lbs (38.9g)
Connector	USB-C
Interface	USB 3.1 (Gen2)
Operating Temperature	32ºF to 113ºF (0ºC to 45ºC)
Storage Temperature	-4ºF to 158ºF (-20ºC to 70ºC)
Shock	Resistant up to 1500 G @ 0.5 m/sec
Vibration	5.35 gRMS, 20-2000 HZ
Compatible with	PC & Mac computers — no driver needed, Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows® 7, Windows Vista and Mac OS 10.4+
Pricing	~$90 - $530 (Street Prices, depending on capacity)

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The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD comes with a 6-inch USB-C-to-USB-C cable and a removable USB-C-to-USB-Type-A adapter. The adapter may be easy to lose in a travel bag, but it ensures compatibility with older PCs and Macs. 

Let's get a closer look at the product, next...