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ADATA SD810: 30-second review
Considering the small size, the Adata SD810 offers more than most storage solutions, especially for professionals working out in the field and looking for a small portable SSD that delivers both capacity and speed.
One standout feature, compared to many other portable SSDs, is the IP68 rating. This means that out of the box, without additional casing, it’s fully water- and dust-resistant, capable of being submerged in up to one metre of water for up to 30 minutes.
The size and design of this compact drive really stand out. While rugged enough for life on the road, its design isn’t over the top with an overly rubberised or futuristic look; rather, it’s sleek and minimalistic.
The drive is small enough to slip into a backpack or jacket pocket, though the USB cable required to link it to a computer, mobile device, or games console does need to be considered.
The drive is simple to use, arriving pre-formatted in the exFAT file format. It’s worth noting that it uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which offers up to 20Gbps transfer speed. However, if you’re using a Mac with a Thunderbolt 4/5 or even USB4 connection, this will be downgraded to just 10Gbps.
Testing on both Mac and PC systems showed the best performance on a PC utilising the standard USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which came close to maximum transfer rates.
A key point of the design is the IP68 rating: the drive uses a sturdy rubber bung that fits tightly into one end of the SSD, completely encasing the USB port. While the USB port and drive become watertight, you still have to contend with the USB-C cable.
At the end of testing, I was impressed not only by the capacity, but by the speed, design and build. This truly is a rugged drive, and its compact size means it can fit into a backpack or jacket pocket without adding much weight. The additional cable is standard for this type of device, but by no means ideal.
If you’re in the market for an ultra-fast SSD for field use on a PC, then the Adata SD810 is a superb option. If you’re on a Mac, it’s still a good choice, although you won’t reach the maximum transfer speeds. While slightly on the expensive side, it ultimately offers good value for money.
Adata SD810: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? From £149 / $199
- When is it out? Available now
- Where can you get it? Directly from Adata
The Adata SD810 is available in three capacities: the 512GB version retails for £79.99 / $79.99, the 1TB version at £109.99 / $109.99, and the 2TB version (reviewed here) at £149.99 / $199.99. The drive can be purchased directly from the official Adata web store and many major online retailers.
ADATA SD810: Specs
Storage: 500GB / 1TB / 2TB / 4TB
Connectivity: USB-C (10Gbps or 20Gbps depending on system compatibility)
Size: 72.7 x 44 x 12.24mm
Weight: 41.7 g
Accessories: USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables
ADATA SC735: Design
The Adata SD810 portable SSD has been designed for life on the road. With its aluminium alloy casing and rubberised plastic ends, it’s built to withstand far more than most, despite its stylish aesthetics, with its target audience being photographers, videographers and professionals working in the field.
Compared with many other portable SSDs, it is compact, very much in line with other premium models, measuring 72.7 x 44 x 12.24 mm and weighing 41.7g.
The main body of the drive is made from high-quality aluminium alloy, which helps with heat dissipation, making it suitable for sustained use, not just archiving. The material also adds robust structural integrity, meaning that even in rough terrain, it’s likely to withstand more than most drives of its kind.
The design includes features to meet the IP68 standard for water and dust resistance. As long as the top cap covering the USB-C port is inserted, no dust or water can enter. This rating means it can be submerged in one metre of water for up to 30 minutes. I tested this by dropping it into about 6 inches of water for around that time before drying and retesting it; it continued to function perfectly.
This water sealing also protects against dust and other elements, adding to its durability for field use.
In addition to the IP rating, it has MIL-STD-810G 516.6 impact resistance, a military standard. I dropped it from a height of 1.22m (its tested limit), and possibly even higher, and it survived. However, dropping the drive on purpose is not recommended.
One final note on the build: this small portable SSD includes a bright blue status light that indicates connection and data transfer. It’s a small but useful feature.
Adata SD810: Features
The small size and weight make this portable SSD highly desirable, and its data transfer speeds, up to 2000MB/s, make it ideal for photographers and videographers.
However, due to macOS compatibility limitations, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface will be limited to 1000MB/s. Even at that speed, it’s sufficient for most HD and some 4K video editing.
As mentioned in the build section, the drive carries IP68 water and dust resistance and MIL-STD-810G certification, meaning it competes well with other rugged SSDs in the premium bracket.
The SD810 comes pre-formatted in the exFAT file format, making it compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and many game consoles. Again, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface may not deliver full speed on all systems.
As a straightforward portable SSD, the Adata SD810 is well-featured. I would have liked to see some integrated security or maintenance software, as many other manufacturers include, but this is purely a high-capacity portable SSD.
ADATA SD810: Performance
Benchmark scores
AJA System Test Lite Read: 1827 MB/s
AJA System Test Lite Write: 1673 MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Read: 2045.89 MB/s
Crystal Disk Mark Write: 1854.09 MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark Read: 1920 MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark Write: 1730 MB/s
AS SSD Read: 1872.67 MB/s
AS SSD Write: 1693.27 MB/s
First impressions of this drive are good with build quality feeling solid and a tough aluminium casing that not only looks good but also has a nice tactile finish. There’s a slight concave curve on either side, leaving room to add Velcro if you want to attach it to a camera or laptop.
To access the USB port, you need to remove the end cap, and there’s a small tab of plastic which just juts out that enables you to hook a finger nail under to remove. This cover isn’t just a small bung or cover, it effectively covers the entire end of the drive. There’s a small push tab to release it. Thankfully, the end cap is tethered, so you won’t lose it. The cap is well-made, using tough plastic with a thin rubber seal that ensures an airtight fit.
The design of the drive itself is nice and slim, and while there’s no additional rubber or silicone casing, the build feels solid. After running performance tests, I dropped the drive and placed it at the bottom of a bag under the rest of my kit. It continued working fine, and the casing still looked good, surprisingly free of scratches.
Transfer speeds were impressive when using an Asus Pro laptop. In testing, benchmark speeds came close to the advertised 2000MB/s.
In one test, I edited a short 4K video, about 25 minutes of footage, cut down to three minutes. The drive handled the task easily, getting warm but not overly hot.
I also stored images from rugged smartphones under review. After a walk, I transferred files from the SD card via a Lexar Workflow Go directly to the SSD. File transfer speed was excellent, and I was able to edit in Lightroom on an iPad.
I compared speed on both Mac and PC systems. As expected, the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface showed a significant performance drop on Mac. If you’re doing video editing on a Mac, a USB4 or Thunderbolt 5 option may be better. But for PC users, this compact SSD is a great high-capacity storage solution.
ADATA SD810: Final verdict
At the end of testing, I was genuinely impressed with the Adata SD810. It offers photographers, videographers, and other professionals a solid, fast storage option for field use.
Its waterproofing is a major benefit. As with nearly all portable SSDs of this type, while the drive itself is waterproof, the USB cable is not, so it’s best to carry it in a waterproof bag when outdoors.
In use, it was especially fast on PC systems, coming close to its maximum transfer rate. While there’s a drop in speed on macOS, performance was still good and consistent.
I also like the small, slightly convex body shape, which allows you to attach Velcro or zip-tie it to a rig or other kit.
As an ultra-fast portable SSD built for the field, with more durability than most, the Adata SD810 is a superb option for professionals. That said, Mac users may want to explore other SSDs with better compatibility. For PC users, however, this is an excellent high-capacity portable storage solution.
Should I buy the Adata SD810?
|
Value |
Durable, stylish design that offers balanced value for money |
4 |
|
Design |
Surprisingly robust for a minimalistic design |
4 |
|
Features |
Fast PC connection speeds and rugged credentials |
4 |
|
Performance |
Exceptionally fast on PC with decent speeds on Mac |
4.5 |
|
Overall |
Good all-around performance, especially for PC users |
4 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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