If you’ve been on the lookout for an affordable portable SSD with a good balance of performance and capacity, you might have come across the VanSuny brand. This no-name storage device is packaged in a small, unbranded box, which may raise a few eyebrows, especially if you’re familiar with the usual skepticism surrounding lesser-known brands. But is this portable SSD a hidden gem, or is it too good to be true? Let’s dive into the details of this device and put it to the test.
The Packaging and What’s Inside
Upon opening the box, you’ll find a surprisingly small SSD inside, with a label that claims it’s 1TB of storage. There’s also a sticker with a note about how the storage capacity is calculated. In this case, the manufacturer uses a metric called “Maytes” instead of “megabytes,” which means one GB is equivalent to 1,000 MB instead of the typical 1,024 MB. While this is a bit of a technical distinction, it’s important to note that this is a standard approach for most storage manufacturers today.
At first glance, the VanSuny SSD looks a little suspicious, especially considering how many scams have been tied to these types of products. If you’ve ever purchased a cheap USB drive online labeled as 1TB or more, only to find out that the actual capacity is only a fraction of the advertised size, you may be wary. However, as we’ll see later, the actual performance and capacity seem to be legit.
The Design: Small, Sturdy, and Double-Sided
The VanSuny SSD has physical dimensions that are reminiscent of a standard thumb drive. For comparison, it’s roughly the same size as an 8GB Transcend thumb drive, though much smaller than a full-size 1TB M2 SSD, which requires an external case for use. The device feels solid in hand, with a metal casing—likely aluminum alloy—which adds a premium touch. The SSD is also two-sided: one side features a USB Type-A connector with nine contacts for super-speed transfer, while the other side features a USB Type-C connector.
This dual-sided design is a fantastic feature, as it eliminates the need for an adapter if you’re constantly shifting between devices with USB-A and USB-C ports. That said, the Type-A connector is protected by a removable cap, which isn’t attached to the device, meaning there’s a risk of losing it. On the other hand, the Type-C connector is protected by a retractable hood, which is much more secure. However, the lack of a lanyard loop on the design is a bit of a missed opportunity. It would be great to have a way to attach it to a keyring or strap for convenience.
Performance: Speed and Reliability
Upon connecting the SSD to my computer, it reported itself as a regular drive rather than a thumb drive, which suggests it uses a proper SSD controller rather than a thumb drive controller. This is a good sign, especially given the relatively large storage capacity advertised.
The manufacturer claims that the VanSuny SSD supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds. Since my testing computer only supports USB 3.0, I was initially limited to around 450MB/s, which is the maximum speed for that connection. However, when tested on a newer machine with USB 4.0, speeds came close to 1,000MB/s, as expected from a Gen 2 drive. While I was using the NTFS file system for testing, the device is formatted with exFAT by default. Using exFAT could offer slightly better performance in some cases, though I personally prefer NTFS for storage drives.
Capacity and Testing: Does It Deliver on the Promise?
One of the biggest concerns with budget storage devices is whether the actual storage capacity matches what’s advertised. To test the VanSuny SSD, I used three different utilities to check its true capacity:
Linux Utility: This reported the device capacity as close to 1TB.
H2Test Utility: After filling the drive with test data for four hours, this utility reported no errors, confirming the drive’s full capacity was usable.
ValiDrive: This utility uses a faster approach by writing data randomly across the drive and checking if it remains intact. It also reported no issues with the drive.
These tests confirmed that the SSD’s capacity is legitimate, and there are no signs of manipulation or fraud—something that can be common with cheap, counterfeit USB drives.
However, the longevity and reliability of the storage over time remains a question. While the device performed well in initial testing, we would need several months or even years of use to evaluate its long-term durability. This is true not only for no-name drives like this one but also for branded flash storage, as even the most reputable manufacturers can have defective products.
Temperature and Heat Dissipation
During the four-hour test, I measured the temperature of the VanSuny SSD. Thanks to its metal casing, heat dissipation was efficient, and the device only reached a maximum temperature of 44°C. This is within the optimal range for flash memory (40–50°C), which makes this SSD suitable for prolonged use without concerns about overheating.
Compatibility and Use Cases
One of the standout features of the VanSuny SSD is its compatibility across a variety of devices. With its dual connectors, it can be used with both USB-A and USB-C devices. For Android users, the drive works well with exFAT, as many Android devices cannot write to NTFS drives due to licensing restrictions. However, many Chinese Android phones can read and write to NTFS without issue, so keep that in mind if you’re using this with a phone.
Final Thoughts: A Surprising Bargain
For a no-name brand, the VanSuny 1TB Portable SSD has impressed me with its performance, solid build quality, and actual usable capacity. While the design could be improved with a lanyard loop and a more secure cap, and we’ll need more time to test its longevity, the drive seems like a very capable option for those who need a budget-friendly, high-capacity external storage device.
If you’re in the market for a 1TB portable SSD and don’t mind the lack of a major brand name, the VanSuny SSD offers solid value. It works well across various devices and provides speeds that align with modern USB 3.2 Gen 2 standards, making it a practical choice for those who need a reliable, affordable external storage solution.