Samsung T5 EVO 4TB Portable USB 3.2 Gen 1
The 4TB capacity in a compact, shock-resistant body with fall protection up to 6 feet makes this USB 3.2 Gen 1 drive a practical choice for large file transfers at 460 MB/s read and write. Hardware encryption and a 3-year warranty add security and peace of mind, while its compatibility with desktops, cameras, and gaming consoles broadens its use. Best for gamers and content creators who need to carry and back up large project files on the go without sacrificing durability.
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Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Slow but lovable. The T5 EVO is a rugged 4TB portable SSD that people adore, even if it won't win any speed contests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 4TB of storage in a tiny, portable package 100th
- Shock resistant with 6-foot drop protection 93rd
- Hardware encryption included 79th
- Insane customer satisfaction, 4.9 stars from 100 reviews
Cons
- 460 MB/s is slow for an SSD in 2024
- Random performance is near the bottom of the barrel
- Pricey for the speed you get
- Console support is weak
What owners think
The Word on the Street
The proof
Performance
The headline numbers are 460 MB/s read and 460 MB/s write, which puts it in the 13th percentile for speed. That's rough. But here's the thing: for a portable drive, that's often enough. Moving large video files or game libraries? It'll do it, just not quickly. The random performance is even worse, 3rd percentile, so don't expect snappy small-file operations. The shock resistance and 6-foot drop protection are nice touches, and the hardware encryption is a real feature. But if you're expecting NVMe-like speeds, you'll be disappointed.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Drive
| Capacity | 4000 |
| Form Factor | External |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| External | Yes |
Performance
| Sequential Read (MB/s) | 460 |
| Sequential Write (MB/s) | 460 |
Hardware
| NAND | TLC |
Reliability
| Warranty (years) | 3 |
Features
| Hardware Encryption | Yes |
vs Competition
The T5 EVO isn't really competing with the Western Digital Black SN850X or the Kingston FURY Renegade G5. Those are internal NVMe drives that absolutely crush this thing in speed. The SN850X hits speeds that make 460 MB/s look like a dial-up modem. But those drives need a motherboard slot or a separate enclosure. The T5 EVO is ready to go out of the box. If you want raw speed, get the SN850X or the Crucial T500. If you want a portable, durable, plug-and-play drive with 4TB of space, the T5 EVO is a different beast entirely.
| Spec | Samsung T5 EVO | Western Digital Black SN850X | Kingston FURY Renegade SFYRDK/4000G | SanDisk WD_BLACK WDS800T1X0M | Crucial T710 | Lexar NM1090 PRO LNM109P004T-RNNNU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4TB | 4TB | 4TB | 8TB | 4TB | 4TB |
| Form Factor | External | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Seq Read | 460 MB/s | 7,300 MB/s | 7,300 MB/s | 14,900 MB/s | 14,500 MB/s | 14,000 MB/s |
| Nand Type | TLC | TLC | TLC | TLC | TLC | SLC |
| Dram Cache | - | true | true | true | false | true |
| Endurance | - | 2400 TBW | 4000 TBW | 4800 TBW | 2400 TBW | 2800 TBW |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Speed | Random | Feature | Capacity | Endurance | Social Proof | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung T5 EVO | 13.2 | 3.5 | 78.5 | 92.5 | 42.2 | 99.6 | 14.3 |
| Western Digital Black SN850X Compare | 88.9 | 95.7 | 89.3 | 92.5 | 88.1 | 95.3 | 9.7 |
| Kingston FURY Renegade SFYRDK/4000G Compare | 93.3 | 94.3 | 93.9 | 92.5 | 94.1 | 95.3 | 9.2 |
| SanDisk WD_BLACK WDS800T1X0M Compare | 99.1 | 99.3 | 97.5 | 98.1 | 80.7 | 45 | 3.1 |
| Crucial T710 Compare | 99.1 | 99.1 | 85.6 | 92.5 | 85.9 | 77.5 | 10.7 |
| Lexar NM1090 PRO LNM109P004T-RNNNU Compare | 98.1 | 98.5 | 97.5 | 92.5 | 74.9 | 57 | 8.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At USD 569 in the US, this is not a budget drive. The affordability percentile is 14th, which means you're paying a premium for the Samsung name and the rugged design. In Canada, prices range from CAD 711 to CAD 790 across three listings, so shop around. The best deal we're seeing is CAD 711. For that money, you could get a much faster internal NVMe drive and a cheap enclosure. But you wouldn't get the same drop protection or the same peace of mind.
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Overview
The Samsung T5 EVO is a weird one. It's a portable SSD that's slower than most internal drives from five years ago, but it's also one of the most loved external drives in our database. The social proof is off the charts, 100th percentile, and the 4TB capacity is a standout. But the speed? 460 MB/s read and write over USB 3.2 Gen 1. That's not going to win any races. This is a drive for people who want a ton of storage in a tiny, durable package, not for people chasing benchmark glory.
Common Questions
Q: Is the T5 EVO good for gaming?
For PC gaming, it'll work but load times will be slower than an internal NVMe. For consoles, skip it. The console score is 24/100, which is terrible. Get a WD Black or a dedicated console drive instead.
Q: Can I use this with my phone or tablet?
Yes, it's USB 3.2 Gen 1 and works with most devices that support external storage. The hardware encryption is a nice bonus if you're storing sensitive files on the go.
Q: Is the T5 EVO worth the price?
Only if you value durability and portability over speed. At USD 569, you're paying a premium for the rugged design and Samsung reliability. If you just need fast storage, buy an internal NVMe and an enclosure for less money.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for blazing fast transfer speeds or a console storage upgrade, this isn't it. Go get a Western Digital Black SN850X or a Crucial T500 instead. The T5 EVO is for people who need a tough, portable drive and don't mind waiting a bit longer for file transfers.
Verdict
The Samsung T5 EVO is a niche product that nails its niche. It's not fast, it's not cheap, but it's durable, portable, and people love it. If you're a content creator who needs to move large files between locations and doesn't want to worry about dropping your drive, this is a solid choice. If you're a gamer looking to expand your console storage, look elsewhere. The console score of 24/100 tells you everything you need to know.
Usage Scores
- Overall52.3
- Budget67.3
- Gaming36.4
- Laptop27.1
- Console23.9
- Portable79.3
- Workstation48.9
