Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB) vs SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

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

both judged against External SSDs at a similar price

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD scores 7.3/10 overall, ahead of the Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB) at 7.0/10.

The Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB) leads on build and ruggedness and compatibility.

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD leads on speed, security and warranty.

Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB)

7.0/10verdict: wait for deal

The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB is for people who carry data to places where a plain portable drive might get dropped, rained on or covered in dust. It suits anyone who wants hardware encryption and a 3-year warranty alongside a rugged casing. It is less suited to buyers chasing the highest transfer speeds, as it runs on USB 3.2 Gen 2.

Typically about £215.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

7.3/10verdict: wait for deal

This is a portable USB-C SSD for people who carry large files between machines and want a rugged, password-protected drive. It suits photographers, video editors and travellers who value the listed IP65 and 3 m drop figures on the V3. Buyers must confirm which generation they are getting, because speed, ratings and OS support differ between V2 and V3.

Typically about £149 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB)	SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Speed	30%	6/10	7/10
Build and ruggedness	20%	9/10	8/10
Compatibility	20%	7/10	6/10
Security	15%	7/10	8/10
Warranty	15%	6/10	8/10
Overall		7.0/10	7.3/10

Specifications

Spec	Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB)	SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
Capacity	1TB (1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes)	2TB
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)	USB Type-C (V3); V2 is listed as USB 3.2 Gen 2. The V3 Gen level is not stated in the sources read.
Sequential read	Up to 1,050 MB/s	V3: up to 2000MB/s. V2: up to 1050MB/s.
Sequential write	Up to 1,000 MB/s	V2 2TB: up to 1000MB/s. V3 2TB not confirmed.
Drop and water rating	IP65 dust and water resistance; drop up to 3 m	V3: up to 3 m drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance. V2 conflicting: IP55 and 2 m drop (Micro Center) versus IP65 and 3 m (Best Buy).
Encryption	AES 256-bit hardware encryption	Password protection with built-in 256-bit AES encryption
Warranty	3 years limited	5-year limited warranty

Strengths and weaknesses

Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB)

+ IP65 dust and water resistance with a 3 m drop rating
+ Owners report around 900 MB/s sustained writes
+ AES 256-bit hardware encryption is listed
− Samsung's 1,050 MB/s read is an up-to figure
− Full speed needs a Gen 2 host, compatible cable and UASP
− Warranty is 3 years, not longer

Skip it if:

Buyers who want interface speeds above USB 3.2 Gen 2
People who only use a drive at a desk and don't need rugged protection
Anyone who needs confirmed Linux support before buying

Read the full Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB) review ›

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

+ V3 lists up to 2000MB/s read speed
+ IP65 and 3 m drop protection on V3
+ 256-bit AES password protection and a 5-year warranty
− UK listing model is unconfirmed, so V2 or V3 is unclear
− Owners report warmth during large transfers and some drive failures
− V3 write speed and USB Gen level are not stated

Skip it if:

Buyers who need confirmed Linux or games console support
Anyone who needs a confirmed V3 write speed before buying
Buyers who cannot verify the model and warranty term on the listing

Read the full SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD review ›

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