Skip to main content
SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25

SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25

Bottom line: The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25: Up to 440MB/s sequential transfers at the 1TB capacity; main trade-off: 440MB/s is SATA-class, well short of modern NVMe externals.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Check price on Amazon → Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Up to 440MB/s sequential transfers at the 1TB capacity
  • ✓ Less than half the size of a smartphone, fits a camera bag pocket
  • ✓ No moving parts and a shock-resistant shell for field use
  • ✓ Driverless on PC and Mac, mounts with no install step
  • ✓ SanDisk SecureAccess encrypts private files on the same drive

Cons

  • ✗ 440MB/s is SATA-class, well short of modern NVMe externals
  • ✗ Listed OS support tops out at Windows 8.1 and Mac OS 10.4+
  • ✗ Catalog listing shows no brand field, so packaging may vary by seller
  • ✗ Encryption depends on SanDisk's bundled software, not hardware AES

Manufacturer description

The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD packs 1TB of solid state storage into a body less than half the size of a smartphone, which is the whole argument for it. SanDisk rates sequential transfers at up to 440MB/s at the 1TB capacity, so a full card of 4K clips or a bulging Lightroom catalog moves in minutes rather than an afternoon. There are no moving parts inside, and the shock-resistant enclosure is built for the kind of handling a drive gets when it lives in a camera bag instead of on a desk. Setup is genuinely driverless: plug it into a PC or Mac and it mounts, with support reaching back…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25 using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Compare with similarly-priced alternatives in the external storage category before committing. 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

How fast is the SanDisk Extreme 500 1TB?

SanDisk rates the 1TB model at up to 440MB/s sequential transfer. The smaller capacities are slower: up to 415MB/s for 240GB and 250GB, and up to 430MB/s for 480GB and 500GB.

Does it work with both Windows and Mac without drivers?

Yes. No driver install is needed. SanDisk lists compatibility with Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1, and Mac OS 10.4 or later. For newer operating systems, check the current product listing.

Is it durable enough to carry in a camera bag?

It is built as a compact, shock-resistant solid state drive with no moving parts to break, which is why SanDisk targets photographers and videographers who carry large media files on location.

Can I password protect files on this drive?

Yes. SanDisk SecureAccess software is included and encrypts private files you place in its protected vault, so you can keep sensitive work on the same 1TB volume you use for general transfers.

Is the SanDisk Extreme 500 worth it at 1TB?

The draw is portability plus 440MB/s over bulk, so it suits offloading shoots on the road more than it suits desktop archive duty.

Key Features

  • High-speed storage for high res photos, videos and files
  • Transfers files at blazingly fast speeds;Compatible with PC & Mac computers — no driver needed; Windows Vista, Windows7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Mac OS 10.4+
  • Compact and shock-resistant
  • SanDisk Secure Access software encrypts private files
  • Storage Capacity: 1TB Solid State Drive.

Full Specifications

BrandSandisk
ColorBlack
Model NameExtreme 500
Read Speed440 megabytes_per_second
Form FactorPortable
Media Speed440 megabits_per_second
Model NumberSDSSDEXT-1T00-G25
CompatibilityPC, Mac
Built-In MediaExternal SSD
Item Type NameSanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25
Hard-Drive Size1 TB
Mfr Part NumberSDSSDEXT-1T00-G25
Number of Items1
Special FeatureHot change^Self-powered
Storage Capacity1TB Solid State Drive.
Hardware PlatformMac, PC
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Transfer Rate440 megabytes_per_second
Enclosure MaterialMetal

Ready to buy?

SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25 is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Check price on Amazon →

Related External Storage

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 1TB SDSSDEXT-1T00-G25
View on Amazon →