Crucial X9 Portable SSD vs Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against External SSDs at a similar price

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB scores 6.1/10 overall, ahead of the Crucial X9 Portable SSD at 5.3/10.

The Crucial X9 Portable SSD leads on compatibility.

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB leads on speed and security.

They score the same on build and ruggedness and warranty.

The biggest difference is security, where the Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB scores 8/10 to the Crucial X9 Portable SSD's 3/10.

Crucial X9 Portable SSD

5.3/10verdict: good, not the best

The Crucial X9 suits buyers who want a small, plain USB-C drive for moving files between PCs, Macs, phones and consoles. It offers 1,050MB/s sequential reads and a 2m drop rating in a 65 x 50mm body. It is less suited to anyone who needs listed hardware encryption, Linux support or a faster interface.

Typically about £219.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB

6.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The Samsung T7 1TB is for people who move large files between machines and want a small, light drive. It suits those who want hardware encryption and an aluminium case on a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. It is a weaker fit for Linux users and for anyone who writes very large batches in one go.

Typically about £164.58 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Crucial X9 Portable SSD	Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB
Speed	30%	5/10	6/10
Build and ruggedness	20%	6/10	6/10
Compatibility	20%	6/10	5/10
Security	15%	3/10	8/10
Warranty	15%	6/10	6/10
Overall		5.3/10	6.1/10

Specifications

Spec	Crucial X9 Portable SSD	Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB
Capacity	1TB, 2TB, 4TB (some capacity used for formatting)	1TB
Interface	USB-C connector; USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) on supported devices	USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), USB-C
Sequential read	Up to 1,050MB/s (CrystalDiskMark 8.0.4, desktop)	Up to 1,050 MB/s
Sequential write	not listed	Up to 1,000 MB/s
Drop and water rating	Drop-proof up to 7.5 ft (2 m) without data impact on carpeted floor; shock, vibration and extreme temperature proof	Drop resistance up to 2 metres (internal free-fall test); no IP rating for dust or water; solid aluminium unibody casing
Encryption	not listed	AES 256-bit hardware encryption with password protection
Warranty	3-year limited, valid until maximum TBW is reached	Limited 3-year warranty

Strengths and weaknesses

Crucial X9 Portable SSD

+ Drop-proof to 2m, plus shock and vibration proofing
+ Small 65 x 50mm body, USB-C cable included
+ Listed for Windows, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation, Android and iPad
− No hardware encryption listed
− Linux not listed; USB-A adapter sold separately
− Capped at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds

Skip it if:

Buyers who need hardware encryption or password protection for sensitive data
Linux users who want the manufacturer to list support
Anyone moving very large files who wants a faster interface than USB 3.2 Gen 2

Read the full Crucial X9 Portable SSD review ›

Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB

+ AES 256-bit hardware encryption with password protection
+ Aluminium unibody with a 2-metre drop resistance figure
+ Owners praise fast large-file transfers and plug-and-play setup
− Sustained writes slow once transfers exceed the TurboWrite cache
− No IP rating for dust or water
− Magician software skips Linux; some systems may need reformatting

Skip it if:

Buyers who want Gen 2x2 or USB4 speeds from an external drive
Linux users who want vendor software support for managing the drive
Anyone working on dusty or wet sites who needs an IP rating

Read the full Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB review ›

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