Micron Technology has recently unveiled a dynamic duo of high-performance SSDs, namely the Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD and the Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD. These devices are tailor-made for content creators, spanning photographers, videographers, designers, and any discerning consumer seeking top-tier SSD performance.
Micron Technology has recently unveiled a dynamic duo of high-performance SSDs, namely the Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD and the Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD. These devices are tailor-made for content creators, spanning photographers, videographers, designers, and any discerning consumer seeking top-tier SSD performance.
Leveraging Micron’s advanced TLC NAND technology and employing a single-ASIC portable storage architecture, both the Crucial X9 Pro and X10 Pro are engineered to seamlessly store, transport, and safeguard videos, images, files, and more while on the move, all at impressive speeds without reliance on cloud or internet connectivity.
Reflecting on our past experiences with the Crucial X6 and X8 SSDs, it is evident that even in the face of time, these drives have maintained their performance standards remarkably well. For those seeking cost-effective alternatives to the latest Crucial SSD offerings, the X6 and X8 are undoubtedly worth exploring.
Our recent evaluation of the X9 Pro showcased performance similar to its counterparts. Where the X9 Pro truly excels lies in its compact form factor and lightweight construction. Positioned at a more accessible price point than the X10 Pro, yet slightly more expensive than the X6 and X8, the X9 Pro confidently holds its place as a well-balanced option.
Delving into the specifics of the Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD, it becomes apparent that differentiating it from its sibling, the X9 Pro, may not be immediately obvious due to their similar appearances. However, the primary distinction lies in the interface.
The X10 Pro boasts support for the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, a significant leap in performance compared to the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface featured by the X9 Pro. This jump is instrumental in realizing speeds of up to 2GB/s for the X10 Pro, notably surpassing the 1GB/s offered by the X9 Pro.
While the USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface caters effectively to most tasks, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface emerges as the optimal choice for high-resolution video projects. Although video tasks can still be accomplished via the former, the latter’s capability to achieve double the speed presents a compelling advantage.
Crucial boldly asserts that their 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB drives boast read and write speeds of up to 2,100MB/s and 2,000MB/s, respectively, eclipsing the claimed metrics of 1050MB/s for both read and write on the X9 Pro. Both SSDs integrate the Micron TLC NAND alongside the SM 2320 ASIC. The achievement of this level of performance within such a compact form factor is primarily attributed to the heat sync within the X10, which not only supports the advanced interface but also constitutes the second significant upgrade from the X9 to the X10.
Like the X9 Pro, a standout feature of the X10 Pro is its diminutive size, measuring 65 x 50mm and weighing in at just 1.48 ounces. This places it ahead of most of its competitors in terms of size and portability. The weight advantage gradually becomes evident for professionals accustomed to carrying numerous portable drives in their gear bags. The Crucial X10 Pro can be also attached to a keychain without appearing excessively unwieldy.
Durability is another forte of the X10 Pro, capable of withstanding falls from heights up to 7.5 feet. The device boasts IP55 water and dust resistance, along with the ability to endure extreme temperature conditions.
Additionally, X10 Pro buyers are treated to a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud and Mylio Photos, in addition to complimentary access to Acronis True Image.
The Crucial X10 Pro’s price point ranges from $108 to $260 on Amazon and is accompanied by a reassuring 5-year limited warranty.
For our review, we tested the 2TB drive with a Lenovo ThinkStation P520 Workstation, comparing the Crucial X10 Pro to the following SSDs:
The USB 3.2 Gen2x2 SSDs, namely the Lexar SL660 and ADATA SE880, emerge as formidable contenders with performance levels similar to the Crucial X10 Pro. To gauge the performance variance between the Crucial X10 Pro and the X9 Pro the X9 Pro was included in our assessment.
The Blackmagic test is up first. The Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD (2TB) recorded 1564MB/s read and 1723MB/s write. This is under what crucial quoted, which was up to 2100 MB/s read and 2000MB/s write. Do take these results with a grain of salt, though; the Blackmagic test is single-threaded so it won’t push the drives to their full potential. It’s worth noting that Crucial chooses its wording very carefully, stating that the SSDs can reach UP to these speeds. This is standard for the industry, though.
The Crucial X10 Pro beats the Crucial X9 Pro quite significantly. This is expected, considering the X9 Pro is in a different performance category entirely, but it’s still interesting to see the difference so users can decide which one to buy. On a lower note, the X10 Pro loses against the other Gen2x2 SSDs in both the read and write metrics. It doesn’t lose by a lot, but it’s still a difference worth mentioning.
| Disk Speed Test | Crucial X10 Pro | Lexar SL660 Blaze | ADATA SE880 | Crucial X9 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write | 1,564.0MB/s | 1,611.1MB/s | 1,597.5MB/s | 901.7MB/s |
| Read | 1,723.1MB/s | 1,758.6MB/s | 1,753.4MB/s | 957.9MB/s |
Next up are the IOMeter tests. Like the Blackmagic test, this next test is also one thread. Sequential and random reads and writes have a similar story to our Blackmagic testing, with the Crucial X10 Pro topping the Crucial X9 Pro substantially but losing against the Gen2x2 SSDs in the first four metrics. The X10 Pro fairs a little better in IOPS, though, beating the Lexar SL660 Blaze in the random 4K read and write categories.
| IOMeter (1 Thread) | Crucial X10 Pro | Lexar SL660 Blaze | ADATA SE880 | Crucial X9 Pro |
| Seq 2MB Write | 1,273.3MB/s | 1,298.2MB/s | 1,285MB/s | 803.3MB/s |
| Seq 2MB Read | 1,591.5MB/s | 1,598.0MB/s | 1,590MB/s | 873.5MB/s |
| Random 2MB Write | 1,104.1MB/s | 1,204.2MB/s | 1,135MB/s | 729.1MB/s |
| Random 2MB Read | 1,242.8MB/s | 1,310.0MB/s | 1,344MB/s | 876.38MB/s |
| Random 4K Write | 19,988 IOPS | 19,590 IOPS | 19,916 IOPS | 18,102 IOPS |
| Random 4K Read | 4,609 IOPS | 4,314 IOPS | 5,045 IOPS | 4,507 IOPS |
When upped to 4-threads (which puts a heavy workload on the SSDs), the results were closer to what Crucial quoted. The X10 Pro did better than its rivals in 4-thread testing but fell behind in most metrics. The SSD came out on top in random 4K write and second in random 4K read and 2MB read. It placed last in both sequential metrics and random 2MB write.
| IOMeter (4 Thread) | Crucial X10 Pro | Lexar SL660 Blaze | ADATA SE880 | Crucial X9 Pro |
| Seq 2MB Write | 1,736.2MB/s | 1,790.1MB/s | 1,765MB/s | 975.5MB/s |
| Seq 2MB Read | 1,966.9MB/s | 1,979.8MB/s | 1,978MB/s | 1,039.2MB/s |
| Random 2MB Write | 1,447.9MB/s | 1,618.7MB/s | 1,472MB/s | 871.2MB/s |
| Random 2MB Read | 1,863.8MB/s | 1,835.2MB/s | 1,872MB/s | 1,039.2MB/s |
| Random 4K Write | 67,206 IOPS | 64,146 IOPS | 60,815 IOPS | 65,700 IOPS |
| Random 4K Read | 15,333 IOPS | 14,330 IOPS | 17,656 IOPS | 15,278 IOPS |
The Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD does about what is expected of it. Its performance held up well compared to the other Gen2x2 drives, and the performance bump over the X9 Pro is clear.
The more noticeable differences between these SSDs are size, price, and capacity. The Lexar SL660 Blaze is by far the largest, measuring 57.4 x 112.6 mm and weighing 2.82 oz. Size comparison gets a lot closer when comparing the Crucial and ADATA drives. Both Crucial drives are 56 x 50 mm but differ slightly in weight, with the X9 Pro and X10 Pro weighing 1.34 oz and 1.48oz, respectively. The ADATA SE880 is 64.8 x 35mm with a weight of 1.1oz. The Adata is a bit longer but skinnier than the Crucial set of drives.
The decision on the best portable SSD to buy ultimately comes down to personal preference in this category. The X10 Pro performs well and is very small, which may lean the scales in its favor for many. It’s also very well built, though that’s less obvious visually if you’re not a long-time user of devices like this. In the end we’re big fans of what Crucial has done with the X10 Pro and give it our recommendation.
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