Apricorn

Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES XTS Hardware Encrypted Portable External Hard Drive (A25-3PL256-500)

Name: Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES XTS Hardware Encrypted Portable External Hard Drive (A25-3PL256-500)
Brand: Apricorn
SKU: B007JGB0BQ

Status: Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES… (500GB hard drive): Unavailable on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 16:27 UTC. Closest in-stock match (same 500GB hard drive): Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard…, $37.39 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 02:15 UTC (price may vary). eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.

View Current Price — $37.39 🛒 Search eBay for this model

Bottom line: The Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES XTS Hardware: 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption runs in real time on every file written; main trade-off: 500GB capacity is modest for full system backups or large media libraries.

Unavailable on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 16:27 UTC

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Currently unavailable on Amazon. Not the same product — 3 in-stock alternatives with matching specs:

Same 500GB hard drive: Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard… — $37.39 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 02:15 UTC (price may vary).

View Current Price — $37.39

Same 500GB hard drive: Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock Fortress FIPS 140-2… — $204.65 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 04:21 UTC (price may vary).

View Current Price — $204.65

Same 500GB hard drive: Avolusion M2 500GB USB 3.0 Portable External… — $29.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:21 UTC (price may vary).

View Current Price — $29.99

Original listing (currently unavailable) → Compare to similar external storage

By Mike Perry, Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated 2026-10-20

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. About the author →

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓ 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption runs in real time on every file written
✓ No software install or admin rights needed; PIN is entered on the drive's keypad
✓ Brute force self-destruct feature defends against repeated PIN-guessing attacks
✓ Epoxy-sealed internals resist physical tampering with the drive components
✓ USB 3.0 up to 10X faster than USB 2.0, still works on USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports

Cons

✗ 500GB capacity is modest for full system backups or large media libraries
✗ Spinning hard drive, slower and less shock-tolerant than SSD-based drives
✗ A forgotten PIN can mean permanent data loss once self-destruct triggers
✗ Older USB 3.0 interface trails current USB 3.2 and USB-C portable drives

Manufacturer description

The Apricorn Aegis Padlock 3.0 is a 500GB portable external hard drive that puts 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption behind a built-in keypad. It encrypts every file in real time as it is written, and your data stays protected even if someone pulls the hard drive out of its enclosure. You unlock the drive on the drive itself, so there is no software to install and you need no admin rights on the host computer. That makes it a good fit when you move files between locked-down work laptops, client machines and your own desktop. The encryption algorithm is FIPS PUB 197 validated, and a brute…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES XTS Hardware… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Apricorn's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install software to use the Apricorn Aegis Padlock?

No. The Aegis Padlock is software-free. You enter your PIN on the built-in keypad, and no admin rights are needed on the computer you plug it into.

What kind of encryption does the Aegis Padlock 500GB use?

This model (A25-3PL256-500) uses 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption. Apricorn states that the encryption algorithm is FIPS PUB 197 validated. All data is encrypted in real time as it is written to the drive.

Is my data safe if someone removes the hard drive from the enclosure?

Yes. Encryption happens in hardware on every file, so the data stays protected even if the hard drive is taken out of its enclosure. A tough epoxy coating also seals the internal components against physical attacks.

What happens if someone keeps guessing the wrong PIN?

The drive has a brute force self-destruct feature that guards against repeated PIN-guessing attempts. Check the product listing or Apricorn's user manual for the exact number of attempts allowed before it triggers.

Will the Aegis Padlock work with older USB 2.0 ports?

Yes. The drive uses a USB 3.0 interface with transfer speeds up to 10X faster than USB 2.0. It also works with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 ports, at those ports' slower speeds.

Key Features

Utilizes Military Grade FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption Algorithm
Super fast USB 3.0 Connection - Data transfer speeds up to 10X faster than USB 2.0
Software Free Design - With no admin rights needed
Sealed from Physical Attacks by Tough Epoxy Coating
Brute Force Self Destruct Feature
Wear Resistant Key Pad

Full Specifications

Brand	Apricorn
Color	Black
Model Name	Padlock
Read Speed	600 megabytes_per_second
Unit Count	1 Count
Form Factor	2.5-inch
Media Speed	600 MB/s
Connectivity	USB
Model Number	A25-3PL256-500
Built-In Media	unit
Hard-Drive Size	500 GB
Mfr Part Number	A25-3PL256-500
Number of Items	1
Special Feature	Portable
Installation Type	External Hard Drive
Compatible Devices	Desktop
Data Transfer Rate	5000 megabits_per_second
Enclosure Material	Metal
Additional Features	Portable
Hard Disk Interface	USB 3.0

Ready to buy?

Amazon shows no buyable offer for Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit AES… at the last check. The closest in-stock match with the same 500GB hard drive is Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard…. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

View Current Price — $37.39