Kingston XS1000 (SXS1000/1000G) External SSD Review: Speed Demon with a Premium Feel

The Kingston XS1000 is a high-performance external SSD designed for users who demand speed and reliability. With its impressive read and write speeds, compact size, and rugged design, this drive is a strong contender in the crowded external storage market. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its performance, features, and overall usability to see if it lives up to the hype.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Features
• Performance
• Pros & Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The Kingston XS1000 is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD that boasts impressive read and write speeds. Available in capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB, it’s a versatile storage solution for photographers, videographers, gamers, and anyone who needs to quickly transfer large files. The drive’s compact design and durable build make it ideal for both home and on-the-go use.

Features

The Kingston XS1000 comes packed with features that enhance its performance and usability:

• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Interface: The drive utilizes the latest USB interface, delivering significantly faster data transfer rates compared to previous generations. This ensures lightning-fast file transfers, making it perfect for handling large multimedia files.
• Durable Design: The XS1000 features a rugged metal and plastic casing, providing excellent shock and vibration resistance. This makes it suitable for travel and handling in demanding environments.
• Compact Size: The drive’s compact design makes it highly portable, easily fitting in your pocket or bag. It doesn’t take up much space on your desk or in your backpack.
• USB-C to USB-A Cable: The drive comes with a USB-C to USB-A cable, offering compatibility with a wide range of devices, including laptops, desktops, and smartphones.
• Kingston SSD Manager: Kingston’s SSD Manager software is available for download, allowing you to monitor the drive’s health, perform firmware updates, and optimize its performance.

Performance

The XS1000 lives up to its promise of blazing-fast speeds. In our tests, the drive achieved an average read speed of 1050MB/s and a write speed of 1000MB/s. These speeds are incredibly impressive and make the drive a dream for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.

We also tested the drive with various file sizes, from small images to large video files. The results were consistently impressive, with minimal latency and fast transfer times. The XS1000 effortlessly handled even the most demanding workloads, showcasing its powerful performance capabilities.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional read and write speeds.
• Durable and compact design.
• Compatible with a wide range of devices.
• Kingston SSD Manager software for monitoring and optimization.
• Available in various storage capacities.

Cons:

• Can get slightly warm during extended use.
• The drive lacks a built-in password protection feature.

Final Verdict

The Kingston XS1000 is a top-tier external SSD that delivers exceptional performance, durability, and a user-friendly design. Its blazing-fast transfer speeds, rugged build, and compatibility with various devices make it a great choice for anyone who needs a reliable and efficient storage solution. While the drive does get slightly warm during heavy use, and lacks built-in password protection, its overall performance and versatility make it an excellent choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

If you’re looking for a fast, reliable, and portable external SSD, the Kingston XS1000 is definitely worth considering. Its impressive speed, ruggedness, and user-friendliness make it a top contender in the external storage market.