--- description: The Corsair EX100U Portable SSD is their newest SSD, providing very good performance with USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 connectivity. title: Corsair EX100U Portable SSD Review image: https://www.storagereview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/StorageReview-Corsair-EX100U-3.jpg --- [![Storage Review]()](https://storagereview.com/) --- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/@storagereview) [X (Twitter)](https://twitter.com/storagereview) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/storagereview/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storagereview-com) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/storagereview?sub_confirmation=1) [Email](mailto:info@storagereview.com) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1y6VnznABhHeOSMOmbDTz0) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/StorageReview/) [Discord](https://discord.gg/TwMHb4azdC) [RSS Feed](https://www.storagereview.com/rss.xml) [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@storagereview) [![StorageReview.com]()](https://www.storagereview.com) ≡ Menu - [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) - [Storage Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/review) - [Consumer Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer) - [Enterprise Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/enterprise) - [Ubiquiti Reviews](https://www.storagereview.com/best/ubiquiti-reviews) - [SR Merch](https://store.storagereview.com) - [Leaderboards](https://www.storagereview.com/best) - [Best Storage Arrays](https://www.storagereview.com/best/storage-arrays) - [Best Enterprise SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/enterprise-ssds) - [Best Servers](https://www.storagereview.com/best/servers) - [Best Desktops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktops-local-ai) - [Best Laptops for Local AI](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptops-local-ai) - [Best Local LLM Tools](https://www.storagereview.com/best/local-llm-tools) - [Agentic AI Hardware](https://www.storagereview.com/best/agentic-ai-hardware) - [Best SSDs & Hard Drives](https://www.storagereview.com/best_drives) - [Best Portable SSDs](https://www.storagereview.com/best/portable-ssds) - [Best Business Laptops](https://www.storagereview.com/best/business-laptops) - [Best Mobile Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/mobile-workstations) - [Best Desktop Workstations](https://www.storagereview.com/best/desktop-workstations) - [Best Laptop Battery Life](https://www.storagereview.com/best/laptop-battery-life) - [Storage Reference Guide](https://www.storagereview.com/storage-reference-guide) - [About SR](https://www.storagereview.com/about-storagereview) - [StorageReview.com Sweepstakes Rules and Regulations](https://www.storagereview.com/storagereview-com-sweepstakes-rules-and-regulations) Search [Home](https://www.storagereview.com/) » [Review](https://www.storagereview.com/review) » Corsair EX100U Portable SSD Review # Corsair EX100U Portable SSD Review by StorageReview Enterprise Lab on November 3, 2022 [Consumer](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer)  ◇  [Portable Storage](https://www.storagereview.com/consumer/portable-storage) The new Corsair EX100U portable SSD series comes in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities with a USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 interface for high bandwidth transfers. Its small size, 3.12in x 1.44in x .43in makes it extremely portable. Corsair quotes read and write speeds up to 1,600MB/s and 1,500MB/s respectively. ![Corsair EX100U]() This device comes with both USB Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A cables for wide compatibility with a multitude of devices. ![Corsair EX100U back]() The connection port has a protective cap that can help prevent getting anything in that port while on the go. ![Corsair EX100U port]() The Corsair EX100U comes in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities with street pricing of $108, $190, and $484 at [Amazon](https://amzn.to/3WsSaAo). ## Corsair EX100U Portable SSD Model Specifications | CAPACITY | 1000GB | 2000GB | 4000GB | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Part Number | CSSD-EX100U1TB | CSSD-EX100U2TB | CSSD-EX100U4TB | | Form Factor | Portable storage | Portable storage | Portable storage | | Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | | Controller | Phison PS2251-18 | Phison PS2251-18 | Phison PS2251-18 | | NAND | 3D NAND | 3D NAND | 3D NAND | | DRAM Cache | No DRAM cache | No DRAM cache | No DRAM cache | | NAND Cache | Static pSLC | Static pSLC | Static pSLC | | Encryption | Not supported | Not supported | Not supported | | Trim Support | Not Supported | Not Supported | Not Supported | | S.M.A.R.T Support | Supported | Supported | Supported | | Garbage Collection | Supported | Supported | Supported | | TBW Rating | 250TBW | 500TBW | 1000TBW | | MTBF | 1 | | | | idle power | < 12.5mW | < 12.5mW | < 12.5mW | | Average Active Read | 3.5W | 3.5W | 3.5W | | Average Active Write | 3.5W | 3.5W | 3.5W | | Operating Temperature | 0° C\~70° C | 0° C\~70° C | 0° C\~70° C | | Storage Temperature | -40° C\~85° C | -40° C\~85° C | -40° C\~85° C | | Operating Humidity | 90% RH (40° C) | 90% RH (40° C) | 90% RH (40° C) | | Storage Humidity | 93% RH (40° C) | 93% RH (40° C) | 93% RH (40° C) | | Shock | 500 G | 500 G | 500 G | | 20Hz\~80Hz/1.52mm, | 20Hz\~80Hz/1.52mm | | | | Vibration | 80Hz\~2000Hz/20Gp-p | 80Hz\~2000Hz/2 | 80Hz\~2000Hz/2 | | Dimensions | 79.37  X 36.65 X 11 mm | 79.37  X 36.65 X 11 mm | 79.37  X 36.65 X 11 mm | | Sequential Read (CDM) (2) (4) | Up to 1600 MB/s | Up to 1600 MB/s | Up to 1600 MB/s | | Sequential Write (CDM) (2) (4) | Up to 1500 MB/s | Up to 1500 MB/s | Up to 1500 MB/s | ## Corsair EX100U SSD Performance For our tests, we used a [Lenovo ThinkStation P520 Workstation](https://www.storagereview.com/review/lenovo-thinkstation-p520-review), previously reviewed here at StorageReview.com. First up, is the Blackmagic test, where the EX100U recorded 1,241.3MB/s read and 1,331.4MB/s write, not the fastest portable SSD we’ve tested in the USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 category. ![]() The next test is IOMeter. Here, we looked at 2MB sequential read/write, 2MB random read/write, and 4K random read/write. In our first test, the EX100U yielded lower speeds than the quoted peak claims from Corsair. For 2MB sequential speeds, the EX100U recorded 1,268MB/s write and 1,026MB/s read, while 2MB random showed 1,257MB/s write and 1,015MB/s read. In our 4K tests, the EX100U reached 24,665 IOPS write and 4,493 IOPS read: | **IOMeter (1 Thread)** | | | --- | --- | | Seq 2MB Write | 1,268MB/s | | Seq 2MB Read | 1,026MB/s | | Random 2MB Write | 1,257MB/s | | Random 2MB Read | 1,015MB/s | | Random 4K Write | 24,665 IOPS | | Random 4K Read | 4,493 IOPS | When upped to 4-threads (which puts a heavy workload on the device), the EX100U showed stronger results that more than met the Corsair advertised figures. For 2MB sequential speeds, the EX100U recorded 1,635MB/s write and 1,713MB/s read, while 2MB random showed 1,634MB/s write and 1,701MB/s read. In our 4K tests, the EX100U reached 72,431 IOPS write and 7,180 IOPS read: | **IOMeter (4 Threads)** | | | --- | --- | | Seq 2MB Write | 1,635MB/s | | Seq 2MB Read | 1,713MB/s | | Random 2MB Write | 1,634MB/s | | Random 2MB Read | 1,701MB/s | | Random 4K Write | 72,431 IOPS | | Random 4K Read | 7,180 IOPS | ## Conclusion The Corsair EX100U targets the high-compatibility USB-connected device space while retaining speeds over 1GB/s using its USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 interface. Traditionally to get into the 1GB/s performance range and above, manufacturers would need to hop on the Thunderbolt interface which limits compatibility to many smaller devices. At the time of this writing, on [Amazon](https://amzn.to/3WsSaAo), they are pricing the 1TB version for $108 (USD), the 2TB version for $190 (USD), and the 4TB version for $484 (USD), making these drives very cost competitive. From a performance angle, the Corsair EX100U met its performance claims of up to 1,600MB/s read and 1,500MB/s write. We measured 1,241MB/s read and 1,331MB/s write in BlackMagic, although IOMeter had speeds more in line with the advertised numbers. Here we measured 1,026MB/s read and 1,268MB/s with a single-threaded 2MB sequential workload, although as the workload was scaled up to 4-threads the EX100U offered more at peak saturation. Here we measured 1,713MB/s read and 1,635MB/s write in our 2MB sequential workload, besting its spec sheet. Overall the Corsair EX100U is cost-effective and performs well, a nice combo for the portable SSD space. Better yet, devices like this routinely go on sale, so if you need a nice portable drive and it’s priced well, the EX100U is a very good option. Additionally, for those who need a large-capacity portable, this is also one of the very few that reaches to 4TB. 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