Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Review: A lightning-fast, keychain-sized SSD with 1,000MB/s speeds, durable design, and USB-C connectivity.
Seagate sent us the new Ultra Compact SSD, nicknamed “The lightning-fast SSD that fits on your key ring.” This tiny yet powerful storage solution is designed for business professionals, travelers, gamers, and content creators. With its sleek, cable-free design and impressive durability, it provides seamless file transfers and reliable data storage on the go. But does it live up to its promises? At launch, it will be available in 1TB and 2TB models, priced at $99.99 for the 1TB model and $179.99 for the 2TB model.
Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Build & Design
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen2x1 Type C |
| Sequential Read | Up to 1,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 1,000MB/s |
| Weight | 24.04g |
| Dimensions | 70(L) x 20.4(W) x 12.5(H) mm |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
| Product Number | 1 TB: STMX1000400 2 TB: STMX2000400 |
Seagate has crafted the Ultra Compact SSD with a minimalist approach, making it roughly the size of a USB flash drive. The lightweight design includes a rubber sleeve for additional grip and a built-in keyring attachment for convenience. Despite its small size, this drive is built to endure rough conditions with 3-meter drop protection and an IP54 dust and water resistance rating—ensuring it can withstand light splashes and dusty environments. It is also constructed with an aluminum body, enhancing durability while maintaining a sleek and premium feel. The drive features a USB-C interface, providing fast and versatile connectivity for most modern devices.
Performance & Speed
Performance is a key highlight of the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD. With USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) connectivity, it has a rated transfer speed of up to 1,000MB/s, significantly faster than typical USB thumb drives, which often reach speeds of less than 150MB/s. This speed advantage makes it ideal for quickly moving large files such as high-resolution photos, 4K videos, and game installations. However, users must connect the drive to a USB 10Gbps port to achieve optimal performance.
Compatibility & Ease of Use
One of the standout features of this SSD is its broad compatibility. It works effortlessly with:
- Windows & macOS (may require reformatting for (macOS) Time Machine compatibility)
- Android & iOS devices with USB-C
- Gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, and more)
- Laptops and PCs with USB-C ports
The direct USB-C port connectivity eliminates the need for cables, making it a truly plug-and-play device. However, users with older USB-A ports may need a separate adapter.
Seagate incorporates 35% recycled materials into the Ultra Compact SSD, supporting sustainability efforts. Its aluminum, plastic, and silicone construction ensures durability while minimizing environmental impact.
Security & Backup Features
Seagate has included some valuable software perks to enhance data protection and storage management:
- Seagate Toolkit for easy backup and file synchronization.
- 6-month Dropbox Backup Plan for cloud storage solutions.
- 6-month Mylio Photos subscription for media organization.
- Rescue Data Recovery Service provides peace of mind in case of unexpected data loss.
Seagate Ultra Compact SSD Benchmarking
To begin our benchmarking of the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD, we received the 2TB capacity model for review. For tests, we will compare the Seagate Game Drive (2TB), Sk Hynix Tube T31 (1TB), and Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO (8TB). The Seagate Ultra Compact, Seagate Game Drive, and SK Hynix Tube T31 use a USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 (10Gbps) interface, while the Samsung T5 EVO uses a USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface.
BlackMagic Speed Test
First, we run the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test to measure the real-world performance of the Seagate Ultra-Compact SSD.
| BlackMagic (Higher is better) | Seagate Ultra Compact (2TB) | Seagate Game Drive (2TB) | Sk Hynix Tube T31 (1TB) | Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO (8TB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Write MB/s | 927.3 MB/s | 979.6MB/s | 949.0MB/s | 369.2 MB/s |
| Read MB/s | 893.9 MB/s | 924.5MB/s | 925.4MB/s | 419.6 MB/s |
In the BlackMagic test, the Seagate Ultra Compact 2TB performs well with 927.3MB/s write, and 893.9MB/s read, offering solid speeds for media tasks. It lags slightly behind the Seagate Game Drive in write performance (979.6MB/s), but it’s faster than the Samsung T5 EVO (369.2MB/s write, 419.6MB/s read). The SK Hynix Tube T31 is very competitive, with 949MB/s write and 925.4MB/s read, outpacing the Seagate Ultra Compact in both read and write speeds. The Seagate Ultra Compact holds its own, but the SK Hynix Tube T31 slightly edges it out in this test.
IOMeter 1 Thread
Next, we run the Single-Threaded IOMeter test to evaluate sequential and random read/write performance under a lighter load. The speeds should be similar to the BlackMagic test in the Sequential 2MB read and write sections, though differences may appear in the 4-threaded portion.
| IOMeter 1 Thread (Higher is better) | Seagate Ultra Compact (2TB) | Seagate Game Drive (2TB) | Sk Hynix Tube T31 (1TB) | Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO (8TB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seq 2MB Write | 853.03MB/s | 871.71MB | 982.08MB/s | 445.83MB/s |
| Seq 2MB Read | 822.70MB/s | 850.50MB/s | 1,005.19MB/s | 384.38MB/s |
| Random 2MB Read | 850.70MB/s | 869.63MB/s | 983.00MB/s | 380.80MB/s |
| Random 2MB Write | 782.14MB/s | 848.52MB/s | 983.00MB/s | 392.93MB/s |
| Random 4K Write | 28,646 IOPS | 18,762 IOPS | 14,018 IOPS | 12,898 IOPS |
| Random 4K Read | 4,971 IOPS | 7,964 IOPS | 11,1543 IOPS | 4,781 IOPS |
In the IOMeter 1 Thread test, the Seagate Ultra Compact 2TB delivers solid performance with 853MB/s sequential write and 822MB/s sequential read, though slightly behind the Seagate Game Drive and SK Hynix Tube T31. Its random 2MB read/write speeds are 850MB/s and 782MB/s, respectively, still competitive but trailing the SK Hynix Tube T31. The 4K random write performance stands out with 28,646 IOPS, outpacing the others, while its 4K read IOPS of 4,971 is lower. It excels in write-heavy tasks but falls short in random read performance compared to other drives.
IOMeter 4 Thread
We use the 4-thread IOMeter test for our final performance test to replicate multitasking and demanding workloads.
| IOMeter 4 Thread (Higher is better) | Seagate Ultra Compact (2TB) | Seagate Game Drive (2TB) | Sk Hynix Tube T31 (1TB) | Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO USB (8TB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seq 2MB Write | 981.09MB/s | 1,042.49MB/s | 1,086.35MB/s | 445.83MB/s |
| Seq 2MB Read | 1016.40MB/s | 974.60MB/s | 1,089.62MB/s | 446.96MB/s |
| Random 2MB Read | 976.70MB/s | 1,042.08MB/s | 1,086.09MB/s | 417.70MB/s |
| Random 2MB Write | 993.52MB/s | 964.82MB/s | 1,087.70MB/s | 446.97MB/s |
| Random 4K Write | 89,159 IOPS | 79,461 IOPS | 44,672 IOPS | 37,380 IOPS |
| Random 4K Read | 24,371 IOPS | 35,649 IOPS | 39,263 IOPS | 20,240 IOPS |
The Seagate Ultra Compact 2TB delivers 981MB/s write, and 1,016MB/s read, keeping pace with competitors. It shines in random 4K writes (89,159 IOPS), making small file operations snappy. While 4K read speeds (24,371 IOPS) trail some rivals, it’s still a solid performer for fast transfers and everyday use.
Conclusion
The Seagate Ultra Compact SSD delivers USB-sized portability with SSD-sized performance. Its sleek design offers transfer speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, making it perfect for quickly moving large files like 4K videos and game installations. The durable aluminum body, rubber sleeve, and IP54 dust and water resistance rating ensure it can withstand drops and rough conditions.
With broad compatibility across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and gaming consoles, it provides a seamless plug-and-play experience. Whether you’re a professional, gamer, or traveler, the Seagate Ultra Compact SSD combines speed, reliability, and convenience in a compact, easy-to-carry design.
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