ADATA SD810 External SSD

Introduction

If you're a mobile content creator hauling gigabytes of 4K footage between shoots, a console gamer tired of deleting titles to make room for new releases, or a professional who needs reliable portable storage that can survive the daily grind, the ADATA SD810 deserves your attention. This external SSD brings modern USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds—delivering up to 2000 MB/s through a 20 Gbps interface—wrapped in a compact aluminum chassis with IP68 water and dust resistance. In a market where 20 Gbps drives typically command premium prices, the SD810 positions itself as the budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice performance where it matters most.

Product Overview

The ADATA SD810 measures a compact 2.86 x 1.73 x 0.48 inches and weighs just 1.47 ounces, making it one of the more pocketable options in the external SSD space. The drive features an aluminum alloy body with sculpted indentations running end to end, giving it a distinctive look that's been part of ADATA's external SSD design language since around 2017. While the design isn't cutting-edge, the single-piece metal construction feels more substantial than many competitors with thinner shells.

A rubber cap covers the USB-C port when not in use, and while it requires a firm push to remove, this design achieves the drive's IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. ADATA includes both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables in the box, ensuring compatibility with older systems that haven't adopted the newer connector standard.

Inside, the SD810 uses a Silicon Motion SM2320 controller paired with 3D NAND flash (likely QLC based on performance characteristics). The drive connects via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which provides a theoretical 20 Gbps transfer rate, backward compatible all the way to USB 2.0. ADATA offers capacities from 500 GB up to 4 TB, though availability varies by region—the 1 TB and 2 TB models are most commonly stocked.

Performance & Real World Speed

ADATA rates the SD810 at up to 2000 MB/s for both sequential reads and writes, and real-world testing confirms the drive delivers on this promise for sustained workloads. Independent reviews measured sequential read speeds slightly exceeding specifications at around 2136 MB/s, while write speeds held steady near the rated 2000 MB/s mark during typical file transfers.

For everyday use, this translates to moving a 50 GB 4K video project in roughly 25 seconds, or transferring an entire 100 GB AAA game installation in under a minute when conditions are ideal. The drive excels at game library storage for consoles—testers reported zero performance difference between playing directly from the SD810 versus internal NVMe drives for compatible titles. Steam game transfers happen nearly instantaneously for smaller indie games, and even multi-gigabyte titles move quickly enough that you'll barely have time to grab a coffee.

The catch, and it's an important one, is the drive's SLC cache behavior. The SD810 employs a pseudo-SLC cache that allows it to maintain peak write speeds for approximately 250-260 GB of continuous data transfer. This is actually quite generous compared to many external drives, giving you roughly two and a half minutes of sustained 1750-1800 MB/s performance. However, once this cache fills, write speeds plummet to around 250 MB/s as the controller shifts to writing directly to the native QLC flash.

For most users, this limitation won't surface in daily use. Transferring your 4K video project, backing up a few folders, or moving game installations all fall well within the cache size. But if you're routinely transferring 400+ GB video libraries or massive photography collections in single operations, expect the second half of those transfers to slow considerably. The drive needs time for the cache to flush before performance recovers.

Random read/write performance for small files is solid, placing the SD810 comfortably in the middle of the 20 Gbps pack. It's not class-leading, but it's more than adequate for accessing documents, loading game assets, or running Time Machine backups.

One particularly impressive characteristic is thermal management. During extended transfers, the SD810 peaked at just 54°C—noticeably cooler than competing drives that often hit 60°C or higher. The aluminum chassis effectively dissipates heat, preventing thermal throttling even during sustained workloads.

Build Quality & Durability

The SD810's single-piece aluminum construction feels genuinely premium in hand, especially considering its budget positioning. The metal body is rigid without any flex, and the brushed finish resists fingerprints reasonably well. While the design aesthetic dates back several years, this actually works in the drive's favor—ADATA has refined the manufacturing process to keep costs down without compromising build quality.

The rubber port cap is the most polarizing design element. It requires deliberate force to remove, which some users find frustrating initially, but this tight seal is essential for maintaining the IP68 rating. The drive can survive submersion in over one meter of water for 60 minutes and complete protection from dust ingress. For field work, outdoor shoots, or simply tossing the drive in a bag without worry, this durability provides genuine peace of mind.

The included cables are standard quality—functional but not exceptional. The USB-C to USB-C cable measures approximately six inches, which is adequate for direct laptop connections but may feel short for desktop setups. Having both C-to-C and C-to-A cables included is thoughtful, eliminating the need to hunt for adapters.

ADATA backs the SD810 with a five-year warranty, which stands out favorably against the typical three-year coverage on competing external drives. This extended warranty suggests confidence in long-term reliability and provides additional value, especially at the SD810's price point.

The drive's compact dimensions make it genuinely pocketable, though the aluminum body conducts heat noticeably during sustained transfers. It's not uncomfortably hot, but you'll definitely feel warmth if you're holding it while moving large files.

Compatibility

The SD810 works with virtually any modern computing device thanks to its standard USB interface. Windows 10 and 11, macOS 13 or later, Linux Kernel 6 or later, and Android 13 or later are all officially supported. The drive ships formatted with exFAT, providing cross-platform compatibility out of the box, though you can reformat to NTFS for Windows-only use or APFS for macOS if preferred.

For console gamers, the SD810 provides valuable storage expansion for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S systems. On PlayStation consoles, you can store and play PS4 games directly from the external drive, while PS5 games can be stored (but not played) on external storage and must be transferred back to internal storage to run. Xbox consoles follow similar rules—Xbox One games run directly from the SD810, while Xbox Series X/S optimized titles must reside on internal storage or the proprietary Seagate expansion cards.

There's an important compatibility caveat for Mac users. While current Macs support USB4 at 40 Gbps, they don't support the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 standard. This means the SD810 will fall back to 10 Gbps operation on Mac systems, cutting theoretical performance in half. You'll still get respectable speeds, but not the full 2000 MB/s the drive is capable of. If you primarily use Mac hardware, this significantly impacts the value proposition.

Mobile device compatibility is excellent for tablets and phones with USB-C ports and OTG support. The drive works seamlessly with iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPhone 15 series devices, making it ideal for content creators who shoot on mobile and need immediate access to footage.

The drive requires no drivers or software installation—it's genuinely plug and play. This simplicity extends compatibility to virtually anything with a USB port, from smart TVs to Android phones to game consoles to Linux workstations.

Strengths & Weaknesses

The SD810's most compelling strength is value. At typical street prices of around $80-90 for 1 TB and $140-160 for 2 TB, it undercuts most 20 Gbps competition while delivering comparable real-world performance. The 4 TB model represents particularly strong value when on sale, occasionally dropping to $300—a genuine bargain in this capacity class. This pricing makes 20 Gbps speeds accessible to users who might have otherwise settled for slower 10 Gbps alternatives.

Performance consistency during cache operation is another highlight. The 250-260 GB SLC cache is substantially larger than what many competing external drives offer, allowing the SD810 to maintain peak speeds longer during sustained writes. For the vast majority of use cases—game installations, video project transfers, routine backups—you'll experience those full 2000 MB/s speeds without hitting cache limitations.

The IP68 durability rating provides practical protection that actually matters. This isn't marketing fluff—the drive genuinely withstands water exposure and dust intrusion, making it suitable for field work that would make other external drives nervous. Combined with the solid aluminum construction and five-year warranty, the SD810 inspires confidence for daily portable use.

Thermal performance deserves recognition. While many external SSDs throttle under sustained workloads, the SD810's aluminum chassis effectively dissipates heat, keeping temperatures well below concerning levels. This prevents the performance degradation that plagues some competitors during long transfers.

However, the cache cliff is real and represents the drive's most significant weakness. Once you exceed that 250-260 GB continuous write threshold, performance drops to roughly 250 MB/s and stays there. For video editors routinely moving 400+ GB project folders or photographers transferring massive RAW libraries in single operations, this slowdown becomes a frequent frustration. The drive isn't poorly suited for these workflows—many external SSDs share similar behavior—but professional users handling truly massive datasets should understand this limitation.

The dated design aesthetic won't appeal to everyone. While the sculpted aluminum body feels premium, the styling is distinctly 2017-vintage, lacking the sleek minimalism of newer competitors like Samsung's T7 Shield or the Crucial X-series. If visual appeal matters to your purchasing decision, the SD810 won't win awards.

The rubber port cap, while necessary for IP68 protection, requires considerable force to remove initially. First-time users often struggle with it, and there's a learning curve to finding the right grip and pressure point. Once familiar with the mechanism it becomes second nature, but it's less convenient than drives with permanently exposed ports.

For Mac users specifically, the lack of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support severely diminishes the SD810's value proposition. You're paying for 20 Gbps performance but only getting 10 Gbps operation, making it difficult to justify over cheaper alternatives that deliver similar speeds on macOS.

Compared to leading competitors, the SD810 trades blows effectively. Samsung's T7 Shield offers similar rugged protection and slightly better industrial design but costs more and doesn't achieve higher real-world speeds. Crucial's X10 Pro delivers comparable performance at similar pricing but lacks the IP68 rating. SanDisk's Extreme Pro offers similar durability but commands a price premium. The SD810's five-year warranty outpaces most competitors' three-year coverage, adding value over the ownership period.

Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Buy this if:

• You need affordable 20 Gbps performance and work primarily with Windows or Linux systems

• You're expanding game storage for PlayStation or Xbox consoles and want faster load times than traditional external hard drives

• Field work or outdoor shooting exposes your gear to water, dust, and rough handling

• You regularly transfer files in the 50-250 GB range where the SLC cache keeps performance high

• You want a reliable backup solution that balances speed with portability and durability

• Budget constraints make premium alternatives like the Samsung T7 Shield or Crucial X10 Pro difficult to justify

Skip this if:

• You primarily use Mac systems where USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support limitations cut performance in half

• Professional video workflows routinely involve continuous transfers exceeding 300+ GB where cache limitations become frustrating

• Design aesthetics matter and the dated styling doesn't appeal to your sensibilities

• You need Thunderbolt performance and are willing to pay significantly more for it

• A 10 Gbps drive would meet your needs and you can save money with slower alternatives

• You work exclusively at a desktop and an internal SSD upgrade would deliver better value