TRENDING: Grand Theft Auto 6 release date confirmed by Take-Two

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review

Lexar has revamped their portable lineup starting with the Portable SSD. Let's take a look at it now.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0
Comment IconFacebook IconX IconReddit Icon
In Loving Memory
Published
Updated
Manufactured by Lexar
2 minutes & 45 seconds read time
TweakTown's Rating: 79%

The Bottom Line

Lexar's Portable SSD is by no means a terrible solution, it offers average performance for portable SSDs. For those consumers just getting into the market, this drive would benefit from a more aggressive price.
Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 99

Typically, external SSDs utilize a basic shape or form factor. As of late, with the introduction of the T1 and T3 from Samsung and SanDisk now offering the Extreme 500, we have seen custom form factors being deployed.

Late 2014, Lexar deployed the Workflow lineup of portable solutions. These ranged from 256GB and 512GB flash models to card readers including microSD, SD and Compact Flash. Now nearly a year and a few months later, Lexar has revamped this lineup with higher performance and a new name, the Lexar Portable SSD.

Like the previous Workflow lineup, this new range of products comes in 256GB and 512GB flavors, though performance has been increased and we, of course, have entirely new packaging and marketing. Performance numbers on this solution are allowing 450 MB/s read and 250 MB/s write while being compatible with both OS X 10.6+ and Windows 7+.

MSRP of the Lexar Portable SSD in the 256GB capacity is listed at $129.99 with a two-year warranty.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 02

Packaging for the Lexar includes an image of the drive centered while performance numbers and capacity are listed below.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 03

The back of the box shows requirements in several languages.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 04

The scope of delivery is quite simple with a USB 3.0 cable and the portable SSD.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 05

The front of the device has a set of LEDs that denote the filled capacity of the drive.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 06

The backside of the drive houses just the USB 3.0 connection.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 07

Internally, Lexar has paired the ASMedia 1053 with the SM2246XT. The SM2246XT is a 2-channel DRAM-less variant of their SM2246EN 4-channel mainstream SSD controller. This controller was used in the SanDisk Extreme 500 as well.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 11

The performance of the Lexar Portable SSD was right on par with expectations. I was able to reach 356 MB/s read and 233 MB/s write on our Z97 test system.

Lexar 256GB Portable SSD USB 3.0 Review 12

At the time of writing, the Lexar Portable SSD is hovering around 50 cents per GB. Taking into account the drive's performance, we find it landing behind both of Samsung's offerings at 61%.

With portable SSDs now reaching amazing capacities of 2TB and NAND prices still slowly falling, these drives have become more affordable than ever. The Lexar Portable SSD is on the high-end of these solutions, and while cost is definitely a concern, they have built this solution quite well.

The performance was acceptable but could have been better especially in this tight market segment, though Lexar does have a whole eco-system going with this lineup that includes hubs and readers, so that too is taken into consideration. As seen in my testing, I was able to reach 356 MB/s read and 233 MB/s write - average performance for USB 3.0 SSDs. For those wanting to stick with this lineup, the 512GB model is sure to produce a little more performance in read operations.

Overall, the Lexar Portable SSD is a solid performer if you are already tied into the Workflow eco-system, but if you are just in the market for an SSD to take with you on the go, the SanDisk Extreme 500 is $50 cheaper and offers the same performance.

Tyler's Test System Specifications

Performance77%
Quality including Design and Build85%
General Features85%
Bundle and Packaging80%
Value for Money70%
Overall79%

The Bottom Line: Lexar's Portable SSD is by no means a terrible solution, it offers average performance for portable SSDs. For those consumers just getting into the market, this drive would benefit from a more aggressive price.

Newsletter Subscription

Join the daily TweakTown Newsletter for a special insider look into new content and what is happening behind the scenes.

In Loving Memory

Email IconX IconLinkedIn Icon

Tyler joined the TweakTown team in 2013 and 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. Sadly, Tyler lost his battle with cancer on October 17, 2024.

Right of Reply

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.

Related Topics

Newsletter Subscription