Performance: 36 out of 40.
On the one hand, the X6 is not going to win synthetic benchmark horse races against the Crucial X8 2TB. SATA vs NVMe means that for short bursts SATA will lose and lose every time. On the other, the combination of TLC and not QLC NAND with a good SATA controller means that it offers what QLC NAND based NVMe drives cannot: consistency. If you push this drive hard, it can, will and does outperform its bigger sibling the X8. More importantly, compared against other SATA based models the X6 2TB can hold its own and for the typical home user minor differences are going to be all but unnoticeable. So while not the fastest… it is a rather decent drive.
Technological Innovation: 12 out of 20
Making a decent SATA based external storage solution is not rocket science. Making one that offers reliable performance, good capacity, and good portability… well that is a bit tougher. Few get this balancing act right. Crucial is one of those few. So, while the X6 is not unique it is pretty darn good for its class.
Build Quality & Warranty: 16 out of 20
When you pair a decent controller with good NAND and then add in a decent, if plastic, chassis… well few will really have cause for concern. Yes, we would have loved to have seen it come clad in metal like the X8. That would have made it a real competitor for the LaCie’s of the market. This change however would <i>also</i> have made this a much more expensive model. A pricier and heavier model. That is two things that are the kiss of death in this corner of the market. Most buyers of external SATA storage do so for portability and price reasons. As such the lightweight plastic chassis is ‘good enough’ and even a tiny bit above average. The same is true of the three-year warranty. It is good… but five years would have been much better. Thus, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Value: 16 out of 20
For the typical home user, the Crucial X6 2TB is a really decent bordering on greatness deal. Arguably one that is an even better deal than its bigger brother the X8 2TB. In return for a plastic case and giving up a bit of short-term performance, buyers will get consistency and portability. So while we would not expect to see many enthusiasts opting for it over the X8 2TB we can see a lot of average jane and joes doing just that. People who do not need uber-performance but do need a low drama, low hassle device that they can carry around in a pocket without even noticing they are doing just that.
Final Score: 80 out of 100
Much like the X8 before it, the Crucial X6 does make a good, multi-pronged argument for why you should choose it over its competition. Depending on what you care about most, it could be the fact that while it may only be slightly cheaper than the X8, it does cost less than its direct competition. For others it will be the reliability and consistency of performance it has to offer that sways them. Others still will love the portability it has to offer. So while it may not win any synthetic benchmark junkies hearts or minds, the X6 is an excellent addition to Crucial’s X lineup. One that gives Crucial a rather one-two punch combination that is sure to take market share from rival makers. Color us impressed.
