Lexar Air vs Corsair EX300U SSD: If you’ve been hunting for a lightweight yet powerful portable SSD, Lexar’s new Air pSSD might grab your attention. This slim drive takes portability to the next level, but it’s already facing heat from rivals like Corsair’s EX300U. Both aim to deliver speed and convenience for on-the-go users, but which one truly deserves your money? Let’s find out.
Lexar Air SSD Design and Portability
Lexar’s Air SSD is all about compactness: 6mm at its thinnest point and weighing a mere 19 grams make it one of the slimmest SSDs in the market. Though compact, it’s solid enough to withstand drops from as high as two meters. The palm-sized design and lanyard hole make it easy to tote around, while color options like Lime Green and Black make it stylish.
Corsair EX300U Design and Durability
Corsair’s EX300U, however, is not just slim, it’s crafted for performance and endurance. It’s a bit thicker, but with a more premium feel due to its aluminum build. It’s designed for the heavy users who need more than just portability, offering features like MagSafe compatibility and improved heat management during long transfers.
Performance and Speed Comparison
The Lexar Air SSD uses USB 3.2 Gen 1 at a native USB-C port, supporting up to 390MB/s read and 400MB/s write speeds. These numbers are good for everyday use, but Corsair’s EX300U easily outrun it with 1100MB/s transfer speeds. For large file transfers or 4K content editing, Corsair has the upper hand. But if you want a quick plug-and-play drive for everyday backups, Lexar Air works just fine.
Storage and Compatibility
Lexar Air comes in 512GB and 1TB options, priced at 459 yuan (around $64) for the 1TB version. Corsair EX300U, meanwhile, offers more storage flexibility up to 4TB. Both support a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, but Lexar gets a bonus with its mobile backup app. It automatically backs up photos and videos, syncs data in real-time, and even restores full-resolution images.
Software and Extras
Lexar adds more value with a single-chip controller that helps it keep cool during longer sessions. It keeps temperatures down by consuming less power and running consistently without the need for a cooling fan. The brand also includes a lifetime data recovery service for one incident during its three-year warranty, which is quite surprising for a budget SSD.
Price and Value for Money
Lexar is targeting the budget-conscious audience, no doubt. Besides, for a price as low as 459 yuan for a 1TB model, it places it among the cheapest portable SSDs in its class. The significantly more expensive EX300U from Corsair has a justified reason: speed and capacity for those who do professional work.
Conclusion
The Lexar Air SSD is ideal for anyone looking for a slim, stylish, and reliable drive, either for swift backups or on-the-go use. It’s not quite as fast as Corsair’s EX300U, but an exceptionally compact build, app support, and a low price make it a compelling everyday companion. Power users should still look to Corsair, but when it comes to portability and price, Lexar wins.