CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review

CalDigit's Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C external HDD deserves your attention for it looks, performance, and durability. It's definitely one to consider.

Published
Updated
Manufacturer: CalDigit
2 minutes & 53 seconds read time
TweakTown's Rating: 93%
TweakTown award

The Bottom Line

CalDigit has a sure winner with the Tuff. This solution is not only IP57 certified for dust and water, but it also carries aesthetics through the use of colored rubber surround and performance I have yet to see from a HDD-based external solution.
CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 99

While there are many 2.5-inch external solutions on the market, not all are created equal. CalDigit, while mostly known for their high-performance desktop solutions, also explores the depths of designing and building some of the toughest drives. The latest incarnation is dubbed the Tuff and is a direct competitor to devices such as the Rugged from LaCie and G-Drive eV ATC from G-Technology.

The Tuff is an IP57 certified solution meaning it is dust protected and can be immersed in water at a depth of 1M for thirty minutes. Additionally, this is only the second device, next to the SanDisk Extreme 900 that has come through with the Gen 2 USB-C connection. This gives this solution and more importantly the SSD model greater throughput for increased productivity. At this time, CalDigit is shipping only 2TB HDD models but does have plans to launch a 1TB SSD solution in the coming month. There are five color choices; Blue, Green, Orange, Grey, and Black.

Compatibility includes Windows 7+ and OS X 10.8.4+ support. The MSRP of the 2TB CalDigit Tuff comes in at $179.99 with a two-year warranty.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 02

Packaging for the Tuff carries an image of the drive in the center with plenty of marketing info below. Capacity is at the top right.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 03

On the edge of the box, we have a quick specification list that gives dimensions along with supported platforms.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 04

As with many CalDigit solutions, the Tuff comes with an archive box.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 05

The scope of delivery includes both a male to male USB-C cable along with a Type-A to Type-C cable.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 06

On the edge of the protective rubber, we find a CalDigit logo while the enclosure itself uses a heat sink fin design.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 07

Pulling the rubber cover off, we can get a better look at the USB C port.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 08

To get an idea of what drive was used inside, I loaded up CDI. As you can see, it's an ST2000LM003 HDD from Seagate.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 09

Moving over to testing, I ran this drive through a number of times and came up with 141.1 MB/s read and 141.5 MB/s write, making it the quickest 2.5-inch external hard drive I have tested.

CalDigit Tuff 2TB USB 3.1 Type-C External HDD Review 10

Price/Performance landed the Tuff right in the middle of the pack at 87.71%.

From the moment you have the CalDigit Tuff in your hands, you can tell it's strong - and with it being IP57 certified, you should have no issues with dirt, dust or water. As a matter of fact, I have a few ideas spinning around in my head as I write this on how I can test the durability of the drive. Many of these ideas go well beyond what a typical user would do to a drive like this through its lifetime, but if I can get everything cleared up, I may be shooting some video soon or perhaps do it live via Facebook.

Performance, as I briefly mentioned above, is the best I have seen for a 2.5-inch external HDD in the four years I have been writing for TweakTown. I reached a stable 141 MB/s read and write in testing and while I didn't make up a chart for it, this drive tested at 134 MB/read and 128 MB/s write on OS X 10.11.5 as well.

Overall, the Tuff is the perfect drive for holding backups or even media you want to take with you on your travels.

Tyler's Test System Specifications

TweakTown award
Performance 92%
Quality including Design and Build 95%
General Features 95%
Bundle and Packaging 92%
Value for Money 90%
Overall 93%

The Bottom Line: CalDigit has a sure winner with the Tuff. This solution is not only IP57 certified for dust and water, but it also carries aesthetics through the use of colored rubber surround and performance I have yet to see from a HDD-based external solution.

PRICING: You can find products similar to this one for sale below.

USUnited States: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon.com

UKUnited Kingdom: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon.co.uk

AUAustralia: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon.com.au

CACanada: Find other tech and computer products like this over at Amazon.ca

DEDeutschland: Finde andere Technik- und Computerprodukte wie dieses auf Amazon.de

Tyler joined the TweakTown team in 2013 and has since reviewed 100s of new techy items. Growing up in a small farm town, tech wasn't around, unless it was in a tractor. At an early age, Tyler's parents brought home their first PC. Tyler was hooked and learned what it meant to format a HDD, spending many nights reinstalling Windows 95. Tyler's love and enthusiast nature always kept his PC nearby. Eager to get deeper into tech, he started reviewing.

Newsletter Subscription
We openly invite the companies who provide us with review samples / who are mentioned or discussed to express their opinion. If any company representative wishes to respond, we will publish the response here. Please contact us if you wish to respond.