X9 Pro Review: Fast, Compact, and Practical — But Not the Toughest
Near‑NVMe 1TB portable SSD with sustained ~975MB/s writes — ideal for mobile editing; skip if you need IP65+ ruggedness.
Shortlistd Editorial
Editor
X9 Pro Review: Fast, Compact, and Practical — But Not the Toughest
By Tech Editorial | April 2026
Intro: The X9 Pro is our pick for creators who need a pocket SSD that actually keeps up while travelling. It wins because sustained write speed (~975MB/s) and near‑NVMe peak throughput make editing and large transfers feel like working from internal storage, not a slow external drive.
Our pick: X9 Pro
X9 Pro — £144.99
This is the drive to grab if you regularly move multi‑gigabyte photo or video files between camera, laptop and console and want reliable, near‑NVMe performance in your pocket. The X9 Pro (score: 8.1) sustains very high write throughput, has broad cross‑platform support and a compact aluminium body that’s easy to carry without feeling fragile.
Why it works:
- Sustained writes ≈975 MB/s — copy long shoots or edit directly from the drive with far less stutter than SATA‑based externals.
- Peak read/write up to 1,050 MB/s over USB‑C Gen2 — launches projects and thumbnails much faster, so you spend less time waiting and more time editing.
- Small aluminium case with soft‑touch base and IP55 drop/water resistance — durable enough for travel and daily knocks without being bulky.
The honest trade-off: It’s not the most rugged choice — IP55 and 2m drop protection are fine for commuting and airline travel but fall short of IP65‑rated rivals if you work in muddy, wet, or abrasive environments.
You can buy the X9 Pro here if this matches your workflow.
Best upgrade: SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2
SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 — £179.99
Spend the extra for noticeably higher peak performance and a tougher shell. The Extreme PRO V2 pushes read/write performance well beyond 1,000MB/s on Gen2x2 configurations (manufacturer claims up to 2,000MB/s on supported hosts) and carries an IP65 rating that survives wet or dusty shoots better than the X9 Pro.
Worth it if: you frequently work outdoors, need faster burst copies on an advanced host, or want higher ingress protection without moving to a full ruggedised solution.
Best budget pick: WD My Passport SSD
WD My Passport SSD — £119.99
You lose some sustained write headroom, but WD’s My Passport SSD delivers solid NVMe‑level peak speeds (up to ~1,050MB/s advertised) and often undercuts competitors on price. It’s a practical way to get fast transfers and compact portability when budget matters more than the last 100MB/s of sustained write speed.
Worth it if: you need a fast portable drive for backups and occasional editing but don’t want to stretch to mid‑range premium prices.
How we chose
We focused on what actually matters to creators on the move: sustained write speeds for long video copies and editing, real‑world peak throughput over USB‑C Gen2, footprint/build for pocket carry, cross‑platform compatibility, and ingress/drop protection. Our picks were cross‑checked against manufacturer claims and current UK retail pricing to match likely buyer budgets and use cases.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a USB‑C Gen2 port to hit the X9 Pro’s speeds? Yes. The X9 Pro’s quoted up to ~1,050MB/s requires a USB 3.2 Gen2 port (or equivalent). On older USB‑A or Gen1 ports you’ll see much lower throughput.
Is £144.99 a fair price for a 1TB portable NVMe SSD? Yes — that price sits in the sensible middle: faster and better built than low‑cost SATA externals, but under the premium rugged and 2,000MB/s class drives. You’re paying for high sustained writes and convenience, not extreme ingress protection.
How durable is the drive — can I edit in the field? The X9 Pro has IP55 water/dust resistance and 2m drop protection, which protects against spills and knocks during travel; if your work involves wet, muddy, or highly abrasive conditions, choose an IP65+ model or add a protective pouch.
Verdict: If your priority is editing and moving large files on the go without upgrading your laptop or buying a dock, the X9 Pro is the practical, pocketable choice. If you need extra ruggedness or the absolute top transfer numbers, consider the SanDisk Extreme PRO V2 (upgrade) or a higher‑ingress alternative.
