Kingston XS1000 External SSD Review
Kingston some time ago introduced an external SSD called the XS1000. This product is a more affordable version of the XS2000 which was introduced in 2021. Both external SSDs are small with identical designs. The main difference lies in the interface used. The Kingston XS2000 has a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) connection, while the XS1000 comes with USB 3.2 2x1 (10 Gbps).
The theoretical maximum speed of the XS1000 is only half that of the XS2000. However, based on our tests, the Kingston XS1000 was able to transfer even large amounts of data quickly and consistently.
Simple packaging, minimalist accessories.
The Kingston XS1000 sales package could be said to be simple and minimalist. The packaging box is basic white and red, with an image of the SSD which is claimed to be the original size.
The review unit we received came with a USB C to USB C cable. However, in the box itself, there was only a USB A to USB C cable with a length of around 30 cm.
Indeed, the cable is relatively short, but it is sufficient for connecting to various devices. Unlike hard disks, external SSDs do not need to be positioned on a flat surface such as a table when used.
Of course, the included cable supports 10 Gbps data transfer (1.25 GB per second). So, users only need to plug the SSD into a USB port that supports it (USB 3.2 2x1 or higher) to get maximum speed.
Apart from the cable, there is only an XS1000 external SSD unit without any other accessories. Unfortunately, the rubber soft case to protect the device, like the one found in the XS2000 box, is absent from the XS1000 box.
Kingston also does not include bonus software or other features such as encryption capabilities. It's really just the SSD unit and cables. The Kingston XS1000 SSD itself is black with a matte finish whose texture feels rough in the hand, not silver like the XS2000.
The materials used are metal and plastic which gives a solid impression. One thing to remember, the XS1000 does not have a water resistance rating. Unlike the XS2000 which is IP55-certified. There is a blue activity indicator light located at the back, along with the USB C connector, so it is a bit difficult to see. Like the XS2000, one unique thing about the Kingston XS1000 is its small body, even when compared to external SSD products from other manufacturers.
With dimensions of 69.54 x 32.58 x 13.5 mm and a weight of 28.7 grams, this external SSD is only slightly larger than a flash disk, and shorter than an external NVMe 2280 SSD enclosure. The Kingston XS1000 is also practical for traveling and can be easily put in your pocket.
Kingston embeds the SM2320 chip from Silicon Motion in the SX1000. This processor combines the functions of an SSD controller and a USB interface in one package. A total of four channels are used for connection with the NAND memory chip.
The type of NAND memory used, according to information on the Kingston website, is "3D" with no description of the type, but it is likely 3D TLC (triple-level cell) with many layers, considering the capacity reaches 2 TB.
Small but Fast
Even though at first glance it may look less convincing because of its small shape and simple design, the Kingston XS1000 can actually be fast when transferring data, including relatively large ones.
The Kingston XS1000 in our hands is a version with a capacity of 2 TB. Testing was carried out with the SSD in factory condition, with an exFAT file system and all storage space still free.
The cable used is USB A to C which comes from the packaging box, connected directly to the USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 connector on the computer motherboard without intermediaries.
Benchmarks using several applications show convincing results. In CrystalDiskMark, the XS1000 recorded sequential read and write speeds in the range of 900 MB per second, for both the Default and Real World profiles. Random read and write speeds are also relatively high.
Similar results were repeated in the AS SSD benchmark. The sequential write speed this time is around 800 MB per second. Read and write scores for small files (4K) remain high. ATTO Disk Benchmark shows that, in addition to being fast, the XS1000 is also consistent. The speed of reading and writing data from 128 KB and above is always at full speed, in the range of 900 MB per second and 800 MB per second.
Finally, to test its consistency with relatively large data, we copied a folder full of high-resolution video files. The size of each file ranges from hundreds of megabytes to tens of gigabytes for a total of 166 GB. Transfer from an internal NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD with read speeds of more than 3 GB per second, to a Kingston XS1000 via a USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 connection. As a result, the Kingston XS1000's (write) speed is always in the range of 690-700 MB per second from start to finish.
We initially thought that the speed of an external SSD that was not equipped with a DRAM buffer would decrease significantly after running out of SLC cache, perhaps in the range of 100-150 GB. But that didn't happen. However, it does not rule out the possibility that speed reduction can still occur when transferring larger data sizes. The SLC cache will also decrease as the drive capacity is filled. The exact speed will also vary depending on several factors such as the size and type of files being transferred, as well as the type of file system.
Temperature turns out not to be an issue for this SSD. Throughout the 160 GB file transfer test, the maximum temperature of the Kingston XS1000 was 56 degrees Celsius. Even though the room temperature at the time of testing was more than 30 degrees.
Practical, fast, and relatively affordable.
Because by default it has an exFAT file system, the Kingston XS1000 can be connected to a mobile gadget via a USB C to USB C cable and used like an OTG flash disk. We tried connecting this external SSD to an Android tablet and smartphone. In both, the XS1000 worked without problems, although the data transfer speed is also determined by the type of USB connector on the gadget.
The Kingston XS1000 should also be able to read and write by computers with the Mac OS operating system. Of course, as long as the file system used is exFAT. If the user reformats the Kingston XS1000 with an NTFS file system to perform the TRIM function, compatibility will certainly be greatly reduced.
Overall, with its small form factor and consistently high speed, the Kingston XS1000 is an attractive choice for users who need high-speed storage media with high portability. Moreover, the price is also affordable for the size of an external SSD. The Kingston XS1000 is priced at 65.99 USD for the 1 TB version and 108.99 USD for the 2 TB version.
Kingston XS1000 external SSD
Pros:
+ Compact shape, easy to carry.
+ High and consistent speed.
+ Prices are relatively affordable.
Cons:
- Minimal accessories and bonus software.
- No IP rating.
The theoretical maximum speed of the XS1000 is only half that of the XS2000. However, based on our tests, the Kingston XS1000 was able to transfer even large amounts of data quickly and consistently.
Simple packaging, minimalist accessories.
The Kingston XS1000 sales package could be said to be simple and minimalist. The packaging box is basic white and red, with an image of the SSD which is claimed to be the original size.
The review unit we received came with a USB C to USB C cable. However, in the box itself, there was only a USB A to USB C cable with a length of around 30 cm.
Indeed, the cable is relatively short, but it is sufficient for connecting to various devices. Unlike hard disks, external SSDs do not need to be positioned on a flat surface such as a table when used.
Of course, the included cable supports 10 Gbps data transfer (1.25 GB per second). So, users only need to plug the SSD into a USB port that supports it (USB 3.2 2x1 or higher) to get maximum speed.
Apart from the cable, there is only an XS1000 external SSD unit without any other accessories. Unfortunately, the rubber soft case to protect the device, like the one found in the XS2000 box, is absent from the XS1000 box.
Kingston also does not include bonus software or other features such as encryption capabilities. It's really just the SSD unit and cables. The Kingston XS1000 SSD itself is black with a matte finish whose texture feels rough in the hand, not silver like the XS2000.
The materials used are metal and plastic which gives a solid impression. One thing to remember, the XS1000 does not have a water resistance rating. Unlike the XS2000 which is IP55-certified. There is a blue activity indicator light located at the back, along with the USB C connector, so it is a bit difficult to see. Like the XS2000, one unique thing about the Kingston XS1000 is its small body, even when compared to external SSD products from other manufacturers.
With dimensions of 69.54 x 32.58 x 13.5 mm and a weight of 28.7 grams, this external SSD is only slightly larger than a flash disk, and shorter than an external NVMe 2280 SSD enclosure. The Kingston XS1000 is also practical for traveling and can be easily put in your pocket.
Kingston embeds the SM2320 chip from Silicon Motion in the SX1000. This processor combines the functions of an SSD controller and a USB interface in one package. A total of four channels are used for connection with the NAND memory chip.
The type of NAND memory used, according to information on the Kingston website, is "3D" with no description of the type, but it is likely 3D TLC (triple-level cell) with many layers, considering the capacity reaches 2 TB.
Small but Fast
The Kingston XS1000 in our hands is a version with a capacity of 2 TB. Testing was carried out with the SSD in factory condition, with an exFAT file system and all storage space still free.
The cable used is USB A to C which comes from the packaging box, connected directly to the USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 connector on the computer motherboard without intermediaries.
Benchmarks using several applications show convincing results. In CrystalDiskMark, the XS1000 recorded sequential read and write speeds in the range of 900 MB per second, for both the Default and Real World profiles. Random read and write speeds are also relatively high.
We initially thought that the speed of an external SSD that was not equipped with a DRAM buffer would decrease significantly after running out of SLC cache, perhaps in the range of 100-150 GB. But that didn't happen. However, it does not rule out the possibility that speed reduction can still occur when transferring larger data sizes. The SLC cache will also decrease as the drive capacity is filled. The exact speed will also vary depending on several factors such as the size and type of files being transferred, as well as the type of file system.
Temperature turns out not to be an issue for this SSD. Throughout the 160 GB file transfer test, the maximum temperature of the Kingston XS1000 was 56 degrees Celsius. Even though the room temperature at the time of testing was more than 30 degrees.
Practical, fast, and relatively affordable.
Because by default it has an exFAT file system, the Kingston XS1000 can be connected to a mobile gadget via a USB C to USB C cable and used like an OTG flash disk. We tried connecting this external SSD to an Android tablet and smartphone. In both, the XS1000 worked without problems, although the data transfer speed is also determined by the type of USB connector on the gadget.
The Kingston XS1000 should also be able to read and write by computers with the Mac OS operating system. Of course, as long as the file system used is exFAT. If the user reformats the Kingston XS1000 with an NTFS file system to perform the TRIM function, compatibility will certainly be greatly reduced.
Overall, with its small form factor and consistently high speed, the Kingston XS1000 is an attractive choice for users who need high-speed storage media with high portability. Moreover, the price is also affordable for the size of an external SSD. The Kingston XS1000 is priced at 65.99 USD for the 1 TB version and 108.99 USD for the 2 TB version.
Kingston XS1000 external SSD
Pros:
+ Compact shape, easy to carry.
+ High and consistent speed.
+ Prices are relatively affordable.
Cons:
- Minimal accessories and bonus software.
- No IP rating.
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