Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Review: Smart, Fast Storage in a Mini Form Factor

Once upon a time, many of us owned countless USB drives. In pockets, scattered across desks, and in nearly every drawer—perhaps even a gigabyte or two hanging from our keychains. The new Seagate Ultra Compact SSD is somewhat of an heir to these drives, but with terabyte rather than gigabyte storage sizes, and significantly faster speeds. It comes in two versions: 1 TB or 2 TB, priced at approximately $134 and $238 respectively.

It’s called an external SSD, but the design is identical to the pocket-sized drives of the past. Just as compact, shaped like a simple cigarette lighter, and featuring a USB connection intended to plug directly into a computer instead of a cable. At the bottom, there’s a mount for attaching a small strap, perfect for securing it to your keychain. Easy to slip into a pocket or pack in your laptop bag for travel, it weighs only 24 grams—barely noticeable.

The wide base of the connector may make it cramped on some laptops where USB-C ports can be quite closely spaced. An extension cable and even an adapter to USB-A would be appreciated.

Not the Fastest in Class

It’s not the fastest external storage I’ve tested, but you can still achieve up to one gigabyte per second in both read and write speeds thanks to USB 3 Gen 2 speeds, allowing for up to 10 gigabits per second. The memory chips are likely faster because I almost reach the theoretical maximum speed for the interface when testing on a fast, new computer. With USB 3 Gen 2×2 or USB 4, several competitors offer higher performance. However, none are as compact as this.

The Ultra Compact SSD is built from a solid aluminum block with right angles. You also receive a rubber case designed for added shock resistance. With this on and a rubber cap over the connector, it should withstand drops from three meters. The construction is also IP54-rated, meaning it can handle rain and splashes, but it’s not guaranteed to survive a drop into a sink or ditch.

Unfortunately, the cap is completely loose. It’s easy to remove and put on, but this also means it can easily separate from the rest of the unit and get lost. Without it, you risk damaging the connector, both from moisture and impacts. If you do, it’s game over.

Plug and Play or Connect to Programs

When I plug the device into a computer, it appears as a standard plug-and-play volume, and it contains a couple of programs you can run. Or not really; it’s just a link to Seagate’s website, where you can download a handful of programs for Windows or MacOS. In addition to their own backup software, which can back up folders to the drive and even sync them continuously, you also get access to half-year trial periods for Dropbox Backup and Mylio Photo, a cloud-based photo organizer.

I don’t think much of those offers, but Seagate’s own backup routines work well and are easy to manage. This can provide extra security if you handle a lot of data daily and want to make sure you have it with you at all times. Finally, Seagate states that they provide a three-year warranty on the hardware and that they have a service called Data Recovery Services. If you register your device, you can receive expert help to recover data if your drive is damaged, including an “in-lab” attempt to rescue data from it. I assume this means they will disassemble the unit and read the memory chips directly, as it’s likely the control circuitry or connector that typically fails first.

Can you benefit from a device like this? Is a couple of terabytes attached to your keychain the right solution for you? It would have been for me if Seagate had only built a slightly more practical solution for it. Now, it feels a bit too expensive for a cap that can be easily lost, a unit that can barely withstand water, and a memory stick that isn’t universally compatible for plugging in everywhere.

Specifications

• Product Name: Seagate Ultra Compact SSD
• Manufacturer: Seagate
• Connection: USB-C 3 Gen 2 (10 Gb/s)
• Storage Size: 1 TB, 2 TB (tested)
• Compatibility (claimed): Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, gaming consoles
• Additional: IP54 splash-resistant, 3-meter drop safety, Data Recovery, backup software
• Size: 7 x 2.04 x 1.25 cm
• Weight: 24 grams
• Warranty: 3 years