Sandisk Extreme Pro with USB4 in the test: Does the external SSD keep what it promises?

Sandisk Extreme Pro with USB4 2 TB

March 28, 2025 at 9:22 a.m.

The Extreme Pro with USB4 from Sandisk promises high transmission rates in a robust silicone cover. But how does the external SSD take care of it and who is it worth it for?

External hard drives are hardly an integral part of everyday life because they offer a practical solution to save large amount of data safely and quickly. Especially in the professional field, be it for video editing, gaming or as a backup solution, powerful models are required.

With the Extreme Pro with USB4, Sandisk would like to meet these requirements because it was designed for quick and efficient data transmission. It should not only offer a powerful storage option, but also protect the data through a robust silicone cover and the aluminum housing on various terrain. In our test we reveal whether you get the promised quality of the manufacturer.

Picture series for the SanDisk ExtremePro with USB4

This is what the SanDisk ExtremePro with USB4 looks like in the testing day.

Processing and design

The Extreme Pro is characterized by its robust and compact design. The aluminum housing is covered with a stable and shockproof silicone cover, which is ideal for use on the go. In addition, the memory according to the IP65 is water -resistant and also withstand a spilled glass of water in our test. The 2-terabyte version weighs 172 grams and has a dimensions of 140 x 68.7 x 11.9 millimeters, making it particularly portable.

The compact size enables easy handling, while silicone coating offers additional protection against bumps. The design is also thought out for outdoor activities, since the SSD has a small eyelet where, for example, a carabin hook can be attached. An additional bag is not required by the resistant housing.

User -friendliness and versatile compatibility

No additional software installation is required for the use of the SSD, since it is immediately ready for storage or transferring data. The hard drive also works perfectly on older devices with USB 2.0 in USB-C format. The Thunderbolt 4 hard drive also supports, which makes it compatible, for example, with the MacBook Pro (16 inches) from 2021 or the Mac Mini from 2023.

Due to the formatting in the EXFAT file system, the SSD works with Windows and MacOS. In our test, the use was carried out with an iPhone 15 Pro Max without any problems. In the iOS file system, the hard drive is recognized immediately after connecting, which makes it flexible expansion of the internal memory. The supplied USB-C cable is a bit short at 30 centimeters.

Storage solution for on the go

External storage options are now in all sorts of designs, which makes it particularly interesting for private use. The Exteme Pro USB4 is characterized primarily by the fact that its size can easily be transported into bags or backpacks. The silicone coating proved itself in our test and withstanded falls on asphalt from about 2 meters without visible damage.

The water resistance is also positive on the go, since the functionality is not restricted by splashes and rain. For example, if you have the SSD next to the hob when traveling in the camping car, you don't have to worry about liquids in pots or when roasting.

The extreme Pro USB4 is also suitable for use in the office, such as in the home office. The hard drive can be used for system protection in Windows backup or on the Mac via Time Machine.

Speed ​​and performance

Due to the USB4 technology, the speed of the SSD lies over many other modern models. Sandisk promises readers of up to 3,800 MB/s and writing speeds of up to 3,700 MB/s.

We can only partially confirm this information, since the maximum writing rate with us on an iMac with M4 chip was about 600 MB/s slower. However, the results can vary depending on the software measurement and are higher with another benchmark under Windows. For optimal performance, a device with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 such as the ASUS ZenBook A14 or a MacBook with M4 chip is required.

In our test, the SSD only needed 12 seconds to transfer a ten gigabyte file. A mechanical hard drive, such as the Toshiba Canvio Flex, has completed the transmission of the same file size after about 1 minute and 20 seconds. With these results, the Extreme Pro USB4 is also suitable for professional use with 4K video editing or high-resolution photo editing.

Results on an iMac (2020) with Thunderbolt 3 (Crystaldiskmark 8):

• Reading speed: 1,055 MB/s
• Writing speed: 1,036 MB/s

Results on an iMac (2024) with Thunderbolt 4 (Blackmagic Test):

• Reading speed: 3,864 MB/s
• Writing speed: 3,087 MB/s

Security and data management

If you want to protect your data on the SSD, you can store a password with the SanDisk security application. This is equipped with a 256-bit aes hardware encryption, which ensures that the data is particularly securely protected against unauthorized access. This technology is often used in modern SSDs and can be set up for the hard drive both under Windows and under MacOS.

Sandisk states that the files on the SSD can be managed via the in-house memory zone app for iOS and Android. In our test, we checked the compatibility on an iPhone 15 Pro Max and found that the app only works with a few USB-C and Lightning sticks from the manufacturer. The file management must therefore be carried out directly via the operating system of your device.

Electricity consumption and noise development

The extreme Pro USB4 is supplied with electricity via the USB-C connection and therefore does not require any further power source. Their energy consumption depends on the use and increases under high load, such as when writing large amounts of data. Thanks to the USB4 technology, energy efficiency is improved compared to older standards, which leads to an optimized power consumption.

Since the SSD is based on flash memory and has no moving parts, it works completely silently. In contrast to conventional hard drives, there is no operating noise or vibrations. Even with intensive use, the noise development remains zero, which makes it ideal for noise -sensitive work environments.

In these cases, the SSD is worthwhile

If you rely on high speeds for data transfers, you will receive a recommended SSD with the Extreme Pro USB4. Photographers, videoographers and content creators, which regularly transmit and edit large files to 4K or 8K size, can do this directly from the SSD without major delays. To this end, Sandisk offers a five -year guarantee, while many competitors only provide a guarantee of three years.

The SSD can also be worthwhile for gamers because it is suitable as an external storage solution for games. PCs, Macs and modern consoles such as PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series S and Series X benefit from the high compatibility of the hard drive. However, if you only secure data occasionally or do not need an extremely fast transmission rates, you can also use the cheaper USB 3.2 SSDs.

Alternatives

At the time of the test, the Extreme Pro with two terabytes costs around 300 dollars, while the variant with four terabytes is available for just under 470 dollars. If you want to spend less money and still look for a USB4 SSD, you will receive the Corsair EX400U A worthwhile alternative. However, the hard drive is less robust and does not have hardware encryption.

If you do not have a device with a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 connection and do not use the maximum speed of the extreme Pro, you can also consider an SSD with USB 3.2. Here is the Samsung Portable SSD T7 to which data rates of around 1,000 MB/s can be achieved. For almost 100 dollars you get a terabyte storage space, the double size is available for around 150 dollars.

Conclusion

The SanDisk Extreme Pro USB4 convinces at high speed, robust construction and versatile compatibility. Your aluminum housing with silicone cover reliably protects against bumps and liquid, which makes it an ideal choice for mobile inserts. The USB4 technology is particularly suitable for professional applications in which work with large files.

There are cheaper alternatives for those who only secure data or create simple backups. However, if you are looking for a reliable storage option for high requirements with a long manufacturer's guarantee, the SSD will make an excellent choice.