Review: Sabrent’s Rocket Pro external SSD is perfect for portable use
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
There are plenty of scenarios where an SD card simply won’t do, and that’s where external drives come into play. Larger capacities are often more affordable than SD counterparts, and SSDs are becoming vastly cheaper to own. Sabrent has the Rocket Pro SSD series out that ranges from 256GB up to 2TB, wrapped in an all-aluminum enclosure.
Starting from just $80 for the 256GB variant, how does this drive hold up for the price?
Compact Companion
Sabrent Rocket Pro SSD
Bottom line: The Sabrent Rocket Pro external SSD is an ideal traveling companion thanks to its robust chassis and solid transfer speeds.
Pros
- Uses Sabren’t own speedy NVMe SSD
- Includes USB-A connector
- Aluminum case
- High-quality SSD NAND
- Great value
Cons
- No carry pouch
- No manual
You’ll love taking the Sabrent Rocket Pro with you
The Sabrent Rocket Pro packs an overkill NVMe SSD inside for rapid performance.
For photographers and other creators who work in the field with camera equipment and notebooks, it’s essential to have sturdy storage at hand for transferring content across devices. An SSD bolted to the inside of an aluminum shell just about covers that with some rubber feet on the underbelly for some grip.
It’s a simple but lovely design that fits right in with hardware from Microsoft, Apple, Lenovo, Dell, and other manufacturers. It’s not light either, coming in at 0.425 kg. Sabrent nailed the build quality, design, and measurements, making it ideal for carrying around, but what about specifications of the SSD itself?
Category | Spec |
---|---|
Capacity | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
Interface | USB 3.2 Type-C |
Transfer speed | Up to 1,000 MB/s |
NAND | 3D TLC NAND |
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
Speaking of which, Sabrent promises speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, and upon connecting the drive, we were able to hit just shy of 900MB/s. Not too bad. I’ve seen reports from owners of exceeding 900MB/s, so I’m assuming it’s down to the motherboard I’m using to test. (I, unfortunately, do not have another USB 3.2 port at hand.)
Source: Windows Central
What you might dislike about the Sabrent Rocket Pro
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
I also understand it’s 2020, but a paper manual would have been welcome to showcase some of the features and software one can download to improve the user experience. For instance, there’s a firmware update available online, but there’s no mention inside the packaging as to where one can locate such files. Even a small note would suffice.
Should you buy the Sabrent Rocket Pro?
Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central
The only real drawback here is the lack of any carry case or protective bag. Since there’s no way to attach the SSD to anything, it would have been good to see such an accessory included to keep it secured when not stored away. Still, in terms of raw performance, value, pricing, and design, the Rocket Pro is excellent.
Compact Companion
Sabrent Rocket Pro SSD
Reliable external storage
With speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and support for USB Type-A and Type-C, the Sabrent Rocket Pro is a worthy contender for your notebook backpack.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.