Before we start, these review is based on our personal experience. We have never had any problems with our units but many sites and users have reported defective ones. We always recommend double backup the most sensitive data. Happy reading!
External SSDs are practically a must-have for anyone menaging large files, remote workers or creators and SanDisk’s Extreme PRO Portable SSD aims to be your go-to storage solution. It ticks most of the right boxes, speed, durability, and portability but not without a few quirks.
Let’s start with the good stuff: this drive is fast. SanDisk promises 1050MB/s sequential read speeds, and it delivers. Transferring a multi-gigabyte folder of RAW photos or 4K videos is a breeze, thanks to the USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface. It’s plug-and-play with both Mac and PC, so you’re covered no matter what ecosystem you live in.
The rugged design is also a win. The forged aluminum body and silicone rubber exterior give it an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance. It feels sturdy enough to handle most fieldwork, but there’s an oversight here—no cover for the USB-C port. For a drive built to be tossed in a bag, that’s a miss. I would consider buying a cover depending on the cases.
SanDisk bundles also an encryption software for password-protected folders, which is nice, but it’s nothing groundbreaking.
For professionals and creators, the Extreme PRO gets the essentials right: fast, reliable storage in a tough shell. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough to make it a strong recommendation.
| Pros | Cons |
| Really fast! | No cover for the USB C port |
| IP55 water- and dust-resistance rating | Dongle-style adapter for USB Type-A ports |
