Kingston XS1000 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD – vroom, vroom (storage review)

The Kingston XS1000 is a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 x 1 external SSD that maxes out the interface at gigabit speeds. It comes in Black or Red and has 1TB and 2TB capacities in a minuscule 69.5 x 32.6 x 13.5 mm 29g size.

It is backward compatible with earlier USB standards—it just is a little slower as you go from a 3.2 Gen 2 x 1 interface (10Gbps) to 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) to USB-A 2.0 (480Mbps).

Not to get too techy, but you also have USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 (20Gbps), and Kingston has an XS2000 USB-C Gen 2 x 2 that reaches 2000MBps. Later, we will see USB-C 4.0 at 40Gbps. To be clear, the drive will only be as fast as your PC/smartphone interface is.

Australian Review: Kingston XS1000 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD

Website	Product Page
Price	1/2TB Approx $119/199
From	Established in 1987 by two engineers and friends, John Tu and David Sun, who saw an opportunity in storage technology.
For	Windows 11, 10, macOS (v.10.15.x +), Linux (v. 4.4.x +), Chrome OS
Warranty	5 Years Limited Warranty (based on Percentage Used *)
	Est 1987 by two engineers and friends, John Tu and David Sun, saw an opportunity in storage technology.
More	CyberShack storage news and reviews

New ratings in 2024

We use Fail (below expectations), Pass (meets expectations), and Exceed (surpasses expectations or is the class leader) against many of the items below. We occasionally give a Pass(able) rating that is not as good as it should be and a Pass ‘+’ rating to show it is good but does not quite make it to Exceed. You can click on most images for an enlargement.

We are also tightening up on grading. From now on, Pass, for example, means meeting expectations for the price bracket. We consider a Pass mark to be 70+/100 with extra points added for class-leading and excellence.t.

First impression – small, fast and well-priced – Exceed

It is not the first USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 we have reviewed. However, I am used to seeing larger format external SSDs like the Samsung T7, WD Black, Sandisk Extreme Pro, WD My Passport and OWC Envoy Pro. This is tiny in comparison.

So, its USP is that it offers similar performance in a very pocketable package. In fact, the USB-C-USB-A cable and USB-A to USB-C adapter probably take up more space.

Specs – Exceed

• Silicon Motion SM2320 UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) is a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 capable controller with a USB bridge to connect directly to the serial bus.
• 96-layer 3D TLC (Triple-Level Cell, 3-bit)
• LED activity light

Tests – Pass+

It meets or exceeds all USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 x 1 theoretical speeds. It gets a Pass+ as the SLC  cache fills at about 150GB, and speeds drop off.

Crystal Disk Mark read/write 1065.4/1006.74

CPDT sustained read/write 910.85/518.14 MBps

The interesting spec here is that maximum speeds are 977.88/692.64MBps.

AS SSD – sustained read/write 951.85/677.40MBps

ATTO Disk Mark

15GB file copy <1m Typical write speed 545MBps

Being USB-C, there is no DRAM buffer, just a 1024MB SLC cache, so it will eventually need to take a breath. We expect around 100-150GB files, but CPDT is pretty indicative.

If you need more speed, look at Kingston’s XS2000 (2,000MBps), which can hold up to 4TB and has a rugged IP55 rating.

CyberShack’s view – Kingston XS1000 delivers speed and value

It is compact, reaches 1000MBps sequential read/write, is reasonably priced, and has a 5-year warranty.

Won me!

Rating

• Features: 80 – Small, light, and fast.
• Value: 90 – excellent cost per GB
• Performance: 80 – meets or exceeds specs
• Ease of Use: 90 – Plug and go and 5-year warranty
• Design: 90 – small, light and aluminium case