The Extreme Pro with USB4 is SanDisk’s first major portable SSD since the split-off from Western Digital. It’s a clear upgrade from the previous 2020 Extreme Pro.
As the name suggests, the new drive is one of a few portable SSDs that feature USB4. It is the second I’ve tested besides the ORICO R3700 and is slated to be extremely fast, which proved to be the case in my testing. The new SSD is, up to now, the fastest in specific tests.
Here’s the bottom line: If you have a computer that features USB4 (or Thunderbolt 4) or newer, the SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 is a worthy purchase at the current street prices of $280 (2TB) or $430 (4TB). However, for most existing computers with previous USB or Thunderbolt ports, older versions will work out just fine, at a lower cost.
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4: The fastest USB portable SSD to date
Out of the box, the SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 looks almost identical to previous models. It’s a flat rectangular box with rounded corners and an opening for a user to hook it to a keyfob or a backpack. However, it’s much larger, about the same size as the iPhone 15.
The drive has a non-slip, matted silicone shell that’s easy to hold. However, this chassis is a bit of a dust magnet. Its top also has many little grooves, which make it hard to clean.
The new USB4 portable SSD is also rugged, with an IP65 rating, which generally means it can withstand splashes, rain, and spills and survive drops from up to a 2-meter (6.5-ft) height.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 has no LED indicator. On the one side, it has a USB-C port, and that’s where it differs from the rest. It’s the first in the family to feature USB4 Gen 3×2 (40Gbps), making it the rival of the ORICO R3700 among those I’ve tested.
The table below shows the hardware specs of the two. Performance-wise, though, you can fairly compare it to Thunderbolt drives, such as the Samsung X5 or OWC Envoy Pro SX.
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 vs. ORICO R3700: Hardware specifications
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 | ORICO R3700 RGB Portable SSD | |
| Capacity | 2TB, 4TB | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Internal Storage | PCIe Gen 4 4×4 NVMe SSD | |
| Dimensions | 5.51 x 2.7 x 0.47 in (14 x 6.86 x 1.19 cm) |
5.51 x 1.81 x .79 in (14 x 4.6 x 2 cm) |
| Weight | 6.08 oz (172.37 g) |
4.02 oz (114 g) |
| Copy Speed (estimated) |
Up to 3700 MB/s | |
| Interface | USB4 Gen 3×2 (40Gbps) Type-C |
|
| Backward Compatibility (supported peripheral standards) |
Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 2.0 and newer |
|
| Design | Rectangle with rounded corners | Full aluminum body, with a large RGB color-changing light |
| Security | None | |
| Power | USB bus-powered via a USB-C port |
|
| Package Content | Portable Drive USB-C cable |
R3700 Portable SSD USB-C Cable with built-in USB-A adapter |
| Warranty | 5-year | |
| US Launch Price (Current street prices) |
$279.99 (2TB) 429.99 (4TB) |
$169.99 (1TB) $249.99 (2TB) $399.99 (4TB) |
A fril-free portable SSD
While looking similar, the SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 is quite different from the previous model on the inside. It now has no extra features such as encryption or security.
Specifically, I tried the SanDisk Security app made for other SanDisk Extreme drives, and it didn’t recognize the new drive. That said, you can use it as extra storage space and not much else, such as keeping your data safe from prying eyes in case of a thief or loss.
The SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 is preformatted in the exFAT file system and will work right away with any computer with a USB-C port. It can also be used with game consoles and tablets, and you can use it with the legacy USB-A port via an adapter or a USB-C to USB-A cable—neither is included.
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4: Top performance
I tested the 2TB version of the SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 for a couple of days and was quite impressed with its performance.
In read speed, with sustained rates of over 3100MB/s, it’s currently the fastest on the market when used with a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 port, significantly faster than the ORICO drive.
When tested with other USB standards, the drive was also fast, though it wasn’t constantly the fastest.
Unlike many other NVMe-based portable SSDs, the SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 ran pretty cool in my testing. In fact, the drive barely became warm at all, which is always a good thing.
Pros
USB4 (Thunderbolt 4) support with top real-world performance
Rugged and convenient design
Cons
No security or user-accessible features
Conclusion
The SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 is an excellent portable SSD, no matter which USB standard your computer has. However, if you have a computer with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4, it is definitely a satisfying mobile storage solution. Check it out today!
