SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this drive in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of expert benchmarks and reporting on the 2023 SanDisk portable SSD failures, all listed at the end of this article. Detailed reviews of the 1TB model date mostly from its 2020 launch, and we could not find a review of the exact current listing, so we flag that below. Our method.
A fast, tough drive, but only as part of a backup plan
On performance, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a proven design: Tech Advisor measured about 1,027MB/s reads and 958MB/s writes on the 1TB model, close to its 1,050/1,000MB/s rating, and Legit Reviews called it one of the fastest portable SSDs it had tested. It is light, has IP55 and 2-metre drop protection, hardware encryption and a five-year warranty. The shadow is 2023, when Western Digital, then SanDisk's owner, confirmed data-loss failures on 4TB Extreme and Extreme Pro drives, with 1TB and 2TB Extreme Pro units also named in lawsuits. TechRadar found no reported issues with the 1TB Extreme. WD shipped a firmware fix and says it solved the problem, but data recovery firms argue a hardware flaw was involved and that some drives still failed. If you buy it, update the firmware and never keep your only copy of anything on it.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- need a pocketable, fast drive for photos, video or game libraries
- want hardware encryption and a long warranty
- will keep a second backup of anything important
Skip it if you…
- plan to store the only copy of irreplaceable files
- were put off by the 2023 failures and want another brand
- only have older USB ports and want to pay for speed you cannot use
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a compact USB-C external solid-state drive, rated up to 1,050MB/s reads and 1,000MB/s writes over USB 3.2 Gen 2. The 1TB version weighs about 80g with its cable and comes with a USB-A adapter.
We looked at expert benchmarks and the well-documented 2023 data-loss reports to judge whether buyers should trust it again.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Rated speed | Up to 1,050MB/s read, 1,000MB/s write |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gb/s), USB-C, with USB-A adapter |
| Durability | IP55 water and dust, 2-metre drop protection |
| Security | 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password software |
| Size and weight | About 100 x 52 x 9 mm, about 80 g with cable |
| Warranty | 5 years |
The 2023 data-loss problem, explained
In spring 2023, owners began reporting that some SanDisk Extreme portable SSDs suddenly lost data or became unreadable. Western Digital, which owned SanDisk at the time, acknowledged the problem on the 4TB SanDisk Extreme and 4TB Extreme Pro and released a firmware update in May 2023. Lawsuits named the 4TB Extreme, the 1TB, 2TB and 4TB Extreme Pro, and the 4TB WD My Passport.
Was the 1TB Extreme affected? It was not among the models Western Digital or the lawsuits named, and TechRadar said it found no reported issues with 500GB or 1TB models.
Was it fixed? Western Digital says the firmware update resolved the issue and that hardware did not play a role. Data recovery firm Attingo disagreed, pointing to solder and component-fit defects, and Rossmann Group reports that some drives, including replacements and updated ones, still failed. A class action continued into 2024. The independent verification of either side is limited, so the honest summary is: officially fixed, but disputed.
What owners and reviewers love
What owners and reviewers complain about
How it holds up over time
We could not find independent long-term failure data specific to the 1TB Extreme, and we could not confirm which production run the current Amazon listing ships. Treat it as you should treat any portable SSD: run SanDisk's firmware updater after purchase, eject it properly before unplugging, and keep important files backed up elsewhere.
Tips from owners
- Update the firmware using SanDisk's tools as soon as you get it, after backing up.
- Use a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port to get full speed.
- Always eject safely; the 2023 firmware fix reportedly focused on how the drive handles abrupt disconnects.
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule: never keep your only copy on a single portable drive.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Fast, close to rated speeds in tests
- Very small and light
- IP55 and drop protection
- Hardware encryption
- Five-year warranty
What owners complain about
- Brand trust hurt by the 2023 failures
- Disputed whether the fix fully solved the problem
- Sustained writes drop well below peak
- Full speed needs a 10Gb/s USB port
Other options owners compare
These are the portable SSDs most often weighed against the SanDisk Extreme.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (this review) | Compact rugged portable SSD | You want speed, encryption and a 5-year warranty, with backups | See on Amazon |
| Samsung T7 Shield 1TB | Rubberized rugged portable SSD | You want a rugged drive from another brand | See on Amazon |
| Crucial X9 1TB | Compact portable SSD | You want a small alternative from a different maker | See on Amazon |
Need a fast drive that fits in your pocket?
Check the current price and capacities of the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Was the 1TB SanDisk Extreme affected by the 2023 data loss?
It was not among the models Western Digital or the lawsuits named; reports centred on 4TB models and the Extreme Pro line. TechRadar found no reported issues with 1TB models.
Was the problem fixed?
Western Digital released a firmware update in May 2023 and says it resolved the issue. Some data recovery firms dispute that, citing hardware defects and later failures.
How fast is it really?
Tech Advisor measured about 1,027MB/s reads and 958MB/s writes on a 10Gb/s port. Long transfers can be slower.
Is it waterproof?
No. It is rated IP55, which covers dust and water splashes, not submersion.
Should I use it for backups?
Yes, as one copy among several. Do not keep your only copy of important files on any single portable drive.
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Sources we analyzed
- Tech Advisor: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 review — speed tests, IP55, encryption, warranty, size
- Legit Reviews: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 1TB review — sustained transfer and real-world benchmarks
- TechRadar: Western Digital set to patch SanDisk SSDs — WD statement, affected 4TB models, no reports on 1TB
- Blocks and Files: Western Digital denies hardware flaws in SanDisk SSDs — models named in lawsuits, firmware fix, Attingo hardware claims
- Rossmann Group: SanDisk Extreme firmware failure — May 2023 firmware, later failures, class action status
Figures reflect each source as of October 13, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.