Prepare to be amazed by the Corsair EX400U, a revolutionary pocket-sized external SSD that's set to transform your digital experience! Starting at just $119.99 for 1TB and $189.99 for the 2TB model we tested, this sleek and lightweight drive offers a powerful combination of USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. But here's where it gets truly exciting: the EX400U comes equipped with a MagSafe connector, allowing you to attach it to the back of your smartphone, like a handy sidekick, for seamless file transfers and even real-time video saving! It's a game-changer for content creators and smartphone users alike.
Design-wise, the EX400U boasts a simple yet dense square chassis with rounded corners, finished in a sleek matte silver-gray. It measures a mere 0.5 by 2.5 by 2.5 inches (HWD) and weighs just 3.2 ounces, making it incredibly portable. The Corsair logo adds a subtle touch of branding to the top of the drive.
The standout feature, however, is the MagSafe connector on the bottom. This innovative addition, the first of its kind on an SSD, allows you to securely attach the drive to compatible devices like the Apple iPhone 15 or later models. When connected via the USB cable, you can effortlessly transfer content or record video directly to the drive, freeing up valuable storage space on your phone. It's a brilliant solution for those who want to capture high-quality video without worrying about running out of storage.
While the EX400U shares some similarities with the PCMag Editors' Choice Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD With Hub, it offers several advantages. For instance, it provides faster speeds than the Lexar Go's USB 3.2 Gen 2, with capacities up to an impressive 4TB. And the best part? The EX400U's MagSafe connector simplifies your videography setup, all while offering a much better cost per gigabyte.
The EX400U's USB Type-C port supports both USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, ensuring lightning-fast data transfer speeds. It comes with a 40Gbps USB-C cable, a foot in length, for convenient connectivity. A small status light next to the port provides visual feedback on the drive's status.
You can choose from 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacities, with the 4TB version offering excellent value for money compared to other USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 SSDs. Corsair backs the EX400U with a three-year warranty, a standard protection period for external SSDs. The drive also includes the Corsair SSD Toolbox software, providing essential drive-control options like secure erase and firmware updates.
In terms of performance, the EX400U excels. Our benchmark tests, including Crystal DiskMark 6.0, PCMark 10 Overall Storage Test, 3DMark Storage Test, Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test, and our custom folder-transfer test, revealed impressive results. The EX400U's sequential read and write speeds were on par with the LaCie Rugged SSD4, another USB4 SSD in our comparison group. It also outperformed all USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 units in our tests, showcasing its superior performance.
And for Mac users, the EX400U delivers equally impressive speeds when connected to a Thunderbolt 4 MacBook Pro. Its Blackmagic speed test results matched the LaCie Rugged SSD4's scores, ensuring seamless performance on Apple devices.
The Corsair EX400U is a true Editors' Choice, offering a cost-effective and versatile solution for smartphone users and PC/Mac owners alike. Its unique design, high-performance capabilities, and innovative MagSafe connector make it a standout choice in the world of external SSDs.
So, are you ready to upgrade your digital storage game? The EX400U is here to revolutionize the way you work and create. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the specs, it's about the experience and the freedom it brings. What do you think? Is the EX400U's unique design and functionality worth the investment? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
