
The Extreme V2's pricing is competitive among PCI Express-based external SSDs in its class, and cheaper than its previous iteration. As mentioned, the company offers a generous five-year warranty. Included on the Extreme V2 is SanDisk's SecureAccess software, which lets you create a password-protected vault of files on the drive backed by 256-bit AES hardware encryption. The Extreme V2 lacks a port cover, as do most other external SSDs. It has been shown to be impermeable to dust and can survive a dunk in water, with the help of a rubberized port cover that's attached to the drive so it can't get lost. If you're looking for a more rugged option, the ADATA SE800 takes durability up a few notches with an IP68 rating, the best of any consumer-grade external SSD we've tested. It's still potentially vulnerable to fine dust, and you wouldn't want to leave it immersed in water for long. Its ingress protection (IP) rating of IP55 means it provides some protection against sand and water. The Extreme V2 has some ruggedness cred, being rated to survive a drop from up to 6.5 feet thanks to a forged-aluminum frame protected by a silicone rubber skin. On one of the short edges, a USB Type-C port is offset toward the side. It looks exactly the same as the previous-generation SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD-a tiny black slab with rounded corners and beveled sides, plus an orange-rimmed carabiner loop in one corner.

The Extreme V2 weighs just 1.8 ounces and measures 0.4 by 2.1 by 4 inches, a bit smaller than its Extreme Pro V2 sibling but very similar in form and color scheme. Whether you're a photographer, a frequent traveler, a video editor, or just someone who needs to store or access large files in a hurry, the SanDisk Extreme V2 is a reliable digital companion and a new PCMag Editors' Choice winner for ruggedized SSDs. This tiny drive can be fastened to your belt or backpack through its carabiner loop. The Extreme V2 is reasonably rugged, supports password protection and 256-bit AES hardware-based security, and is backed by a five-year warranty.

Unlike SanDisk's also-new Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, which supports the seldom-seen USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface, this drive doesn't require replacing or upgrading your computer to avail yourself of its maximum speeds. The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 (starts at $119.99 for 500GB $199.99 for 1TB as tested), the latest iteration in the company's line of durable external SSDs, is faster and more economical than the original version (the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD). Best Malware Removal and Protection Software.
