Performance: 36 out of 40.
The Crucial X8 Portable SSD is about as fast as you can expect from USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices. The only scenarios where people will be disappointed with the X8 is when transferring massive amounts of data. As long as you do not exhaust the pseudo-SLC buffer its performance is sure to satisfy.
Technological Innovation: 18 out of 20
Crucial may not be the ‘elder statesman’ in this corner of the market but that does not mean they are novices either. Their outside the box thinking may cause a few people to stay away but for the most part this highly innovative design proves that sometimes a fresh perspective is exactly what a marketplace needs.
Build Quality & Warranty: 19 out of 20
While a few people will find the over-sized dimensions a little disappointing, we believe most will feel the Crucial X8 Portable SSD is rightsized. This is especially true given how good a performer this QLC NAND based portable SSD is.
Value: 18 out of 20
With its combination of excellent performance, good warranty, and attractive design the Crucial X8 Portable SSD series certainly has a lot going for it. Unfortunately, the overall value will be a touch variable. Consumers wanting even more portability or even more performance consistency may find the asking price a touch too high. For most though, it is a good value. Its good enough capacity, good enough durability, and great performance at a fairly decent price is hard to ignore. Just understand what you want from it, what it can offer… and you will be able to accurately judge its ‘value’ for yourself.
Final Score: 91 out of 100
The Crucial X8 Portable SSD series may not be a perfect fit for everyone and every scenario, but it does come closer than nearly any other device in recent memory. So much so that while it may be Crucial’s first entry into high performance external SSD based devices, you would never tell it from the X8 Portable SSD series abilities.
