Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB, Pocket-Sized Performance [Review]

Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB, Pocket-Sized Performance [Review]

November 7, 2024 14:20 EST • Alexandre Vallières-Lagacé • 4 minute read

Remember when having a 1GB USB drive felt like carrying an enormous amount of storage in your pocket? Today, Kingston pushes the boundaries with the DataTraveler Max, offering not just massive capacity but performance that rivals external SSDs. Let’s see how this pocket powerhouse performs in real-world use.

Design

The DataTraveler Max breaks from traditional USB stick design with a wider but still pocket-friendly form factor. The matte black housing features a sliding mechanism that protects the USB-C connector when not in use, eliminating the common problem of lost caps. An LED indicator cleverly integrated into the slider shows drive activity without being overly bright.

Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB

The wider design serves a practical purpose, housing the advanced controller and NAND flash needed for its impressive performance. Despite being larger than typical USB drives, it’s still more compact than portable SSDs offering similar speeds. The textured surface provides good grip, and the sliding mechanism operates smoothly with a satisfying click when fully extended or retracted.

Features

  • USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface
  • Up to 1000MB/s read speeds
  • Up to 900MB/s write speeds
  • 1TB capacity
  • Sliding connector protection
  • Activity LED indicator
  • Backward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0
  • Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS
  • 5-year warranty with free technical support

Performance

The DataTraveler Max isn’t just another USB stick - it’s essentially an NVMe SSD in a thumb drive format. In testing with large files, it consistently achieves read speeds around 950MB/s and write speeds of 850MB/s, very close to Kingston’s advertised specifications. These speeds make it practical for tasks traditionally reserved for external SSDs, like editing video directly from the drive.

Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB

Real-World Testing

To put these numbers in perspective, transferring a 30GB video file takes about 32 seconds, compared to several minutes with traditional USB 3.0 flash drives. For photographers and videographers, this means quickly offloading memory cards without compromising transfer speeds.

The drive handles small files efficiently as well, though like all storage devices, performance with numerous tiny files doesn’t match the peak speeds seen with large files. Still, it significantly outperforms traditional USB drives in these scenarios.

When running the drive through different benchmark softwares, we are getting real-life speeds of 953 MB/s (write) and 993 MB/s (read).

Under heavy load, the drive does warm up noticeably, though not uncomfortably so. Kingston’s design appears to use the metal housing as a heat sink, helping maintain performance during extended transfers. In several hours of continuous testing, we noticed no thermal throttling or performance degradation.

The combination of high capacity and performance opens up interesting use cases beyond simple file storage. The drive is fast enough to run portable applications or even operate as a boot drive if needed. Video editors can use it as a scratch disk in a pinch, and photographers can rely on it for on-location backup without the bulk of a portable SSD.

Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB

While Kingston doesn’t publish specific durability ratings for write endurance, the 5-year warranty suggests confidence in the drive’s longevity. The sliding mechanism shows no signs of wear after extensive use, and the housing feels sturdy enough for daily carry.

The drive works well with mobile devices, though its power requirements mean it may not achieve full performance with all USB-C smartphones or tablets. Desktop and laptop connections provide full power, allowing the drive to operate at maximum speed.

Conclusion

The Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB represents a significant evolution in portable storage, effectively bridging the gap between traditional USB drives and external SSDs. While the price ($119 US, $149 CA) positions it at the premium end of the market, the combination of performance and portability justifies the investment for professionals who value both speed and convenience.

For users who frequently transfer large files or need high-performance portable storage without the bulk of an external SSD, the DataTraveler Max is an excellent choice. It’s not just about the capacity - it’s about having essentially portable SSD performance in a form factor that fits in your coin pocket.

The drive’s only real compromises are its price and slightly larger size compared to traditional USB sticks. However, given its performance and capability, these seem like reasonable tradeoffs. For professionals who rely on fast, portable storage, the DataTraveler Max could be the perfect solution - assuming the premium price fits your budget.

Review Summary

DataTraveler MaxKingston Technology
DataTraveler Max

A high-performance USB-C flash drive offering 1TB capacity with transfer speeds rivaling external SSDs.

Kingston DataTraveler Max 1TB

The Good Stuff
  • Exceptional read/write speeds
  • Compact and portable design
  • LED activity indicator
  • Sliding connector protection
  • No separate cap to lose
The Bad Stuff
  • Premium price point
  • Can get warm under heavy use
  • Wider than typical USB drives
The Ratings
Design
90%
Performance
100%
Features
80%
Value
80%
Overall: 88%
Disclaimers: This product or service was provided by the company or partner for the purpose of this review.
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