Lexar SL500 2TB Portable SSD Review

Rating: 8.0.

Lexar's latest addition to their range of external SSDs is the SL500 Portable, aimed at mainstream photographers, creators and other professionals. It uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 X2 interface for fast data transfers and retails for under £180 here in the UK.

Small enough to fit comfortably in the hand, Lexar's SL500 Portable comes in just two capacities (at the time of writing); 2TB (the drive we are reviewing here) and a 1TB drive. A flagship 4TB model is due sometime in Q2. It's powered by a Silicon Motion SM2320 controller running at its full USB 3.2 Gen2 x 2 speed, 20Gbps but Lexar hasn't disclosed what NAND is in the drive.

Lexar rates the drive as up to 2,000MB/s for reads and up to 1,800MB/s for writes. The drive supports 256-but AES encryption which Lexar makes use of with their DataShield software that is bundled with the drive.

Lexar backs the drive with a 5-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

• Usable Capacities: 2TB
• NAND Components: n/s.
• NAND Controller: Silicon Motion SM2320.
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2 x 2 speed (20Gbps).
• Form Factor: external.
• Dimensions: 85 x 54 x 7.8mm.
• Drive Weight: 43g.

Firmware Version: 1000

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