ADATA SE880 Review: Tiny External SSD with Fast Speeds

I found many aspects of the ADATA SE880 external solid-state drive (SSD) to be appealing, from its tiny size to its fast transfer speeds. This portable SSD is really a must-have for users who frequently back up files. Like me, I always save my favorite songs on a portable drive so that I can transfer them easily whenever I change my smartphone. However, my old portable hard disk drive (HDD) is sometimes unstable, so there are times when the transferring process is aborted. Compared with the ADATA SE880 External SSD (1TB), I've not experienced any problems or errors. It's all smooth and very fast. Besides PC and Android support, it is also compatible with other devices like PlayStation, Xbox, MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. For more about ADATA Elite SE880 External SSD, check out its specifications and my full review below.

ADATA SE880 External SSD - Specs

• Capacity: 500GB / 1TB / 2TB / 4TB
• Color: Titanium Gray
• Dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 64.8 x 35 x 12.25 mm / 2.55 x 1.38 x 0.48 inch
• Weight: 31 grams / 1.1 ounce
• Operating Temperature: 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Operating Voltage: DC 5V, 900mA
• Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C (USB 20Gbps) (backward compatible with USB 2.0)
• Sequential Read (Maximum): Up to 2000 MB/s
• Sequential Write (Maximum): Up to 2000 MB/s
• Warranty: Limited 5-year
• System Requirements: Windows 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11, Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, Linux Kernel 2.6 or higher, Android 5.0 or later with no device driver needed
• Accessories: USB 3.2 Type-C to C cable, USB 3.2 Type-C to A cable, Quick Installation Guide

Design and Build

The compact size of the ADATA SE880 External SSD is smaller than an Airpods case. Due to its portability, I can easily hold it in the palm of my hand or place it in my bags or pockets. Further, its design is lightweight, slim, and pretty minimalistic. Its gray-colored frame is made of metal, while both black-colored ends are made of plastic with a glossy finish.

A USB Type-C port is located in the middle of one end and supports USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 transmission speeds of up to 2,000MBps (both read and write). There are USB-C-to-USB-A and USB-C-to-USB-C cables included with the drive.

The issue with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is that it is an almost nonexistent specification, appearing as standard equipment on a small number of desktop computers. It is typically supported through the installation of an expansion card or motherboard upgrade that includes one or more Gen 2x2 interfaces.

Another feature worth mentioning is its compatibility. The ADATA SE880 is not only backwards compatible with older USB ports but also works seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and even Android devices (via USB OTG).

Speed and Performance

I tested the ADATA SE880 External SSD (1TB) using my PC with the following specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i3 10105F 4-Core Processor with Stock Cooler
• Motherboard: MSI B460M-A Pro
• RAM Memory: 16GB DDR4
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro

I used my PC's native USB 3.0 port to test the ADATA SE880 External SSD (File system: exFAT). To measure its speed and performance, I utilized various SSD benchmark software, including AS SSD Benchmark 2, ATTO Disk Benchmark 4, CrystalDiskMark 8, and CrystalDiskInfo 9.

AS SSD Benchmark

In the AS SSD Benchmark, the ADATA SE880 External SSD recorded exceptional sequential read and write speeds of 42.06 MB/s and 41.57 MB/s. The portable SSD showed strong performance in the 4K random tests: single-thread (11.44 MB/s read and 19.55 MB/s write) and multiple threads (13.72 MB/s read and 17.35 MB/s write). It received an overall score of 91.

ATTO Disk Benchmark

The ATTO Disk benchmark revealed that the ADATA SE880 External SSD maintains high read and write speeds of over 41 MB/s across a range of data block sizes, starting from 64KB. The consistent performance of this device suggests that it is capable of efficiently processing a diverse array of file formats and sizes.

Crystal Disk Mark

In the Crystal Disk Mark benchmark, the ADATA SE880 External SSD recorded noteworthy sequential read and write speeds of 43.95 MB/s and 43.73 MB/s. For the 4K test, it reaches 15.04 MB/s and 20.64 MB/s.

Crystal Disk Info

Following all the tests I conducted, I checked its temperature on Crystal Disk Info. The ADATA SE880 External SSD recorded a temperature of 34°C, which is still within the operational temperature limit specified by the manufacturer. This indicates that the portable SSD can withstand demanding workloads without overheating and maintain its performance.

Final Thoughts

The ADATA SE880 is an ideal portable SSD for those who are looking for these features: a featherweight, compact form factor and lightning-fast sequential write and read speeds.

Further, it possesses an almost twofold increase in performance when operated via a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port. Additionally, it comes with a longer warranty period.