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Corsair
Model: CSSD-EX100U-2TB
| Capacity | 2TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| Form Factor | External |
| Read Speed | 2,000 MB/s |
| Write Speed | 1,800 MB/s |
| Endurance (TBW) | 1,200 TB |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
A 2TB Gen 2x2 portable SSD in the same aluminum-and-rubber body as the 1TB. Write speed drops slightly to 1800 MB/s on the 2TB variant — a real-world trade-off for the larger NAND die. Still above 2GB/s on long transfers as long as the host is Gen 2x2.
See how it stacks up against competitors in our USB-C External SSDs SSD comparison, or browse related SSD buying guides.
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2.0 GB/s reads, 1.8 GB/s writes, 2TB — the Corsair EX100U 2TB is the sweet spot between speed and value over USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.
The Corsair Corsair EX100U 2TB harnesses USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 to deliver 2.0 GB/s reads and 1.8 GB/s writes — a fraction of the cost of Thunderbolt storage with comparable real-world throughput for most creative workflows.
Unlike Thunderbolt drives, the Corsair EX100U 2TB works with any USB-C or USB-A port, though Gen 2×2 speeds require a compatible host port. Connected to a standard USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, it still delivers up to 10 Gbps — enough for fast backups and everyday transfers.
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 requires a 20 Gbps host port, often labeled 'SSP+' or '20 Gbps'. Most laptops before 2023 lack this — verify compatibility.
The Corsair EX100U 2TB targets users who need maximum throughput from an external drive. If you edit 4K or 6K video, move large project files between workstations, or work directly from external storage, the 2,000 MB/s read speed puts this drive in elite territory for a 2TB portable SSD.
At 2TB, this drive hits the sweet spot for users with substantial storage needs. Photo and video libraries, game collections, and professional project files all benefit from the headroom — you will not be juggling free space or swapping files between drives.
One important note: reaching the full 2,000 MB/s requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) host port. On a standard USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, the drive still works perfectly but negotiates down to 10 Gbps. Most laptops from 2022 onward include a compatible port on premium models, but verify your hardware before expecting peak performance.
On paper, the Corsair EX100U 2TB delivers 2,000 MB/s reads and 1,800 MB/s writes. In practice, a 50GB file — a typical 4K video project, a large game install, or a full photo shoot — transfers in ~28 seconds. A 100GB batch of raw files moves in ~56 seconds. For users who regularly shuttle large files, these transfer times are a meaningful productivity improvement over slower SATA-based externals that take 3-5x longer for the same tasks.
The 2,000 MB/s peak is achievable for burst transfers, but sustained writes of 100GB or more will see speeds settle to approximately 1,530-1,620 MB/s as the controller manages thermals. This is normal for compact NVMe enclosures and does not affect everyday use — only continuous large-file writes are impacted.
Sequential read and write speeds — the numbers manufacturers advertise — matter most when transferring single large files. For everyday tasks like opening documents, browsing photos, running applications from the drive, or loading games, random 4K performance is more relevant. All NVMe-based external SSDs deliver random IOPS in the same general range, so the $Corsair EX100U 2TB feels similarly responsive to other fast portables for daily use. The real differentiator shows up during large file transfers, where the $2,000 MB/s read speed pulls noticeably ahead of slower SATA-based externals.
The $Corsair EX100U 2TB is rated for $1,200 TBW (terabytes written) endurance. To put that in perspective: if you write 50GB per day — an aggressive daily workload for most users — the drive would take approximately $66 years to reach its endurance limit. For typical use patterns involving backups, file transfers, and game storage, the $1,200 TBW rating provides comfortable headroom well beyond the $3-year warranty period.
| Spec | Corsair EX100U 2TB | Samsung T9 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Read Speed | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s |
| Write Speed | 1,800 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s |
| Capacity | 2TB | 2TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| Endurance | 1,200 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Score | 8.5/10 | 9.6/10 |
The Samsung T9 2TB scores higher in our evaluation (9.6 vs 8.5/10). While the Corsair EX100U 2TB has lower scoring, it may offer advantages in other areas like value. Review the full specifications above before deciding.
For a detailed head-to-head comparison, see our full Corsair EX100U 2TB vs Samsung T9 2TB comparison.
| Model | Capacity | Interface | Read | Write | TBW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair EX100U 2TB | 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 | 1,800 | 1,200 |
| Samsung T9 2TB | 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,200 |
| Samsung T9 Portable SSD | 1TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 | 1,950 | 600 |
| Crucial X10 Pro 2TB | 2TB | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,200 |
Specs shown for the closest USB-C External SSDs alternatives. Full comparison table available on the compare page.
The Corsair EX100U comes in multiple capacities. Smaller sizes save money if you do not need the headroom; larger sizes drop the cost-per-TB for media libraries and Time Machine backups.
Corsair
Price as of Jul 3, 2026, 4:46 AM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Price as of Aug 3, 2026, 6:33 PM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Price as of Jul 3, 2026, 4:11 AM. Prices and availability are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.