The awesome Kingston XS1000 (check my previous review here at Craving Tech) now comes in striking, Red colour. The Red looks good and professional, far from cheap-looking, bright, Red. The drive still has all the things we love before, like the compact dimensions, weighs less than 29 grams, and an awesome read speed.
This time, it also comes with USB-C to USB-A cable and a USB-A to USB-C adapter – making the drive more compatible than ever with all kinds of systems.
The XS1000’s most striking feature is undoubtedly its size. Weighing a mere 29g and small enough to fit comfortably in your palm, the external SSD redefines portable storage. Thanks to the new colour, it has also become a stylish accessory that seamlessly integrates into your daily life. The compact form factor makes it an ideal companion for professionals, students, or anyone who needs to carry their digital life with them.
Don’t let its tiny size fool you – the XS1000 packs a serious punch when it comes to performance. With read/write speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, this SSD ensures swift data transfers. Whether you’re backing up large photo collections, transferring 4K videos, or accessing important documents, the XS1000 handles it all with impressive speed.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C or 3.2 Gen 2 USB-A slot, the performance is the same as recorded by my tests using CrystalDiskMark here (Left – USB-C, Right – USB-A):
If you only have the older USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, you’ll get about half the speed (around 450MB/s read and 405MB/s write speed) but at least it’s backward compatible with older devices.
And thanks to the USB-C to USB-C connectivity right out of the box, you can now plug the drive directly to a USB-C phone (iPhone and Android phones). I plugged the drive to my iPhone 15 Pro and it worked really well. There was no app needed to install and I can see the drive directly inside the iOS Files. Very useful as you can easily expand your digital library or have access to more data and backup.
With options up to 2TB, this generous space allows users to carry vast libraries of files without compromise. It’s particularly beneficial for creative professionals who work with large media files or anyone looking to keep a comprehensive backup of their digital life.
The XS1000’s excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed in the tech world. Its innovative design earned it a prestigious Red Dot Design Award in 2024, a testament to Kingston’s commitment to combining form and function in their products.
Final Thoughts
The Kingston XS1000 external SSD is a remarkable piece of technology that addresses the modern need for fast, spacious, and portable storage. Its compact design smartly hides its powerful capabilities, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users. Whether you’re a professional needing reliable on-the-go storage or simply someone looking to keep their digital life organised and secure, the XS1000 offers an impressive solution.
For a more comprehensive review on the XS1000, make sure to check my original review on the device.
Disclosure: Kingston XS1000 (Red) review sample was supplied for reviewing
