CalDigit Tuff nano review: Speedy external SSD ready for everyday life

CalDigit Tuff nano without cover Source: Windows Central

CalDigit, a pop provider of PC accessories including our pick for a Thunderbolt 3 docking station, has released a miniature version of its Tuff solid-state drive (SSD). The Tuff nano is advertised as a modest, durable SSD that brings impressive performance, ideal for popping into a pocket or laptop bag when you hit the road. I gave the Tuff nano a week of employ to see what information technology'due south all about and whether or not it's worth your fourth dimension.

Portable USB-C SSD

CalDigit Tuff nano

Bottom line: CalDigit'due south Tuff nano USB-C SSD combines compact aluminum chassis, lasting immovability, and speedy performance, all for a competitive toll. If you need a new external SSD, this should exist almost the top of your list.

Pros

Small build easy to behave
USB-C 3.two (Gen 2) transfer speeds upward to 10Gbps
Four colors available
Host cable is removable
Tested confronting water, dust, and drops

Cons

Comes formatted for macOS

What you'll dear about the CalDigit Tuff nano SSD

CalDigit Tuff nano with carrying case Source: Windows Central

The CalDigit Tuff nano SSD comes with a plastic carrying case — birthday only about the size of a standard external drive — with the SSD and a couple of host cables inside. 1 runs USB-C to USB-A if you lot have a laptop without USB-C, while the other runs USB-C to USB-C for optimal operation. They're both about a foot long, and, thank you to being removable, you don't have to worry virtually a cable breaking and rendering the unabridged SSD obsolete. The USB-C cablevision volition work with Thunderbolt 3 ports since they use the aforementioned format, though you won't get any extra operation above what you get with standard USB-C. The drive, without embrace, is about ii.99 inches (seven.59cm) by 2.14 inches (5.44cm), with a thickness of only 0.57 inches (1.45cm). It's very portable.

The Tuff nano is easy to recommend if you demand a compact, durable external SSD with superb performance.

You can continue the full carrying case around for traveling, but the Tuff nano is also cut out to become solo. Each unit comes with a removable silicone cover (bachelor in four colors) that protects against shocks and drops. In addition to the cover, the unabridged drive is IP67 certified to guarantee information technology can withstand small-scale particles of dust and upwardly to one meter (three.2 anxiety) of h2o for 30 minutes. It's also been tested for drops upwardly to three meters (nine.8 feet). You lot can go on it in a pocket without worrying about it filling up with dirt and dust, and getting the drive wet shouldn't hurt your data. The USB-C port is waterproof, every bit is the aluminum cover. To back up the claims, CalDigit offers a two-year warranty

Within the solid aluminum chassis is a Toshiba PCIe NVMe SSD that tin handle the USB-C iii.2 (Gen 2) standard. That means it's capable of up to 10Gbps transfer speeds, which translates to about ane,055MB/due south read speeds and 900MB/s write speeds when connected with USB-C. I continued the Tuff nano to my LG gram 15 through the USB-C port and tested with CrystalDiskMark.

CalDigit Tuff nano USB-C speeds Source: Windows Central

With the SSD continued via USB-A, speeds were cutting in half. You lot're still going to become a quality external drive, but if you want to have full advantage, you'll need to utilize information technology in tandem with a PC consummate with USB-C port.

CalDigit Tuff nano USB-A speeds Source: Windows Primal

Under load, the drive warms up, but it doesn't go hot. The aluminum chassis does an splendid job of dissipating heat, even with the silicone cover over the top. Inside the SSD is a heatsink pad betwixt the actual drive and encompass, which no doubt helps. Information technology'south a solid build through and through.

Compared to some popular competition — similar the Samsung T5 Portable — the Tuff nano brings superior speed, better durability certification, and a similar price. The T5 tops out at about 540 MB/s read speeds, it doesn't take IP67 certification, and it doesn't include a case. For a 500GB Samsung T5, y'all'll pay almost $120, whereas every bit 512GB Tuff nano costs near $150. That $30 difference is undoubtedly worth the functioning solitary, particularly if y'all're working with large files. And the immovability bonus on height only sweetens the deal.

What you'll dislike about the CalDigit Tuff nano SSD

CalDigit Tuff nano USB-C port Source: Windows Cardinal

The Tuff nano doesn't put up any empty promises, and I had no issues using it over a week. After unboxing information technology, I did have to reformat the bulldoze to work with Windows x, as it comes standard for macOS compatibility. Not a big deal, and information technology simply took a couple of minutes to get information technology working optimally on Windows 10.

Update: At that place is now a 1TB version available for purchase.

Other than that, I wish there were sizes other than 512GB. CalDigit does claim to accept the larger 1TB size coming sometime in the future, though at that place's not notwithstanding a prepare appointment. One time it's available, consumers will exist able to cull improve size that works for them. Because of the operation capabilities when working with big files, a 1TB version should prove popular.

Should yous buy the CalDigit Tuff nano SSD?

CalDigit Tuff nano with cover Source: Windows Central

If your PC has a USB-C port, the CalDigit Tuff nano is an easy purchase. It performs admirably with read speeds above 1GB/s and write speeds not far behind, it'due south built well to resist grit, water, and drops, and it'southward small enough that y'all can slip it into a pocket or sleeve without much effort. If your PC is stuck with USB-A, the Tuff nano is however a solid buy, though you won't be able to take full advantage of its performance.

Every bit long as you don't currently need a size larger than 1TB and don't want to take advantage of a Thunderbolt 3 SSD for truly insane performance, the Tuff nano should exist most the summit of your list.

Portable USB-C SSD

CalDigit Tuff nano

A great mix of performance and immovability

The Tuff nano is a great USB-C SSD with sizes up to 1TB. Information technology's durable, it's portable, and it'due south fast.

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