Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series review | TechRadar
30 seconds review
USB 4.0 has been around for a while, but annoyingly, relatively few devices use it
The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO series aims to make up for these missed opportunities by offering an external SSD with better performance than internally mounted M.2 NVMe.
In theory, the device should be compatible with laptops with USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt, offering read speeds of up to 3,900 MB/sec and 3,800 MB/sec write speeds from PCs with these interfaces.
It works with a USB 3.2 port (USB-C), but only offers about a quarter of the speed, as USB 3.2 Gen 2 only offers 10Gbps, while USB 4.0 can achieve 40Gbps.
The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO is larger in shape and size than many lower-speed designs because it needs to dissipate the heat generated by such high-speed transmissions. But it’s still small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or as an accessory on a laptop bag.
The only problem with this drive is that you have to have USB 4.0 for it to be worthwhile, and you need to have access to Device Manager to set enable write caching to get real speeds.
Aside from these exceptions and the need to be more careful when removing the drive due to write caching, it’s the same as using a traditional USB 3.2 Gen 1 or 2 drive, but significantly faster.
I hope that all external USB SSDs will be able to do this in the future and match the internal storage performance more accurately.
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Pricing and Availability
- how much does it cost? Starting at $250 for 1TB model
- When will it be released? On pre-order
- Where can you get it? Sold through online retailers including B&H Photos
The product is available for pre-order at several online retailers, including B&H Photo in the US.
Nextorage comes in three models with capacities of 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. For US customers, these products are priced at $249.99, $349.99, and $599.99. In Europe, these numbers translate to
In the UK it’s €238.52, €333.93 and €572.45, or £197.02, £275.83 and £472.85.
The obvious takeaway from these numbers is that the larger models offer better cost-per-terabyte, with the 1TB model offering the worst value.
There are relatively few alternative options using USB 4.0, having to compare with Thunderbolt external drives, which are never cheap.
For example, the OCW Enoy Pro FX has the same capacity at $279.99, $348, and $549.99, and is cheaper at the 4TB level. To get the most out of the Envoy Pro FX, you’ll need a Thunderbolt 3 port, but it also works with USB 3.2.
An inexpensive alternative is the Ugreen 40Gpbs hard drive enclosure with cooling fan, which I’ll cover soon. It costs just $129.99 and works with any M.2 NVMe storage you have on hand.
4TB M.2 NVMe costs around $210-260, and with the Ugreen enclosure, the 4TB drive should cost under $390.
Understandably, the price premium comes as the Nextorage NX-PS1PRO is so new and has relatively few options for customers to choose from. However, given how cheap USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives are today, these costs should drop by 2025.
Cost is the biggest issue with this product.
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Specifications
| model | Nextorage NX-PS1PRO |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1TB/2TB/4TB |
| Capacity test | 2TB |
| Tested sequential performance (read/write) | 3753/3221 MB/sec |
| connect | USB 4.0 over Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Gen 1 over USB-C |
| encryption | software |
| aspect | 59 x 128 x 15 mm (WxHxD) |
| weight | 190g |
| power supply | USB bus power |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Design
- Designed based on thermodynamics
- Mostly plastic
- USB-C cable
The choice Nextorage designers made with the NX-PS1PRO dictated many of its features, and that was to have it passively cooled.
While PCIe 3.0 NVMe drives don’t get particularly hot, Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives require cooling support to prevent them from overheating under stress. The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO contains 4th generation drives in an enclosure designed to provide maximum cooling without the need for a fan.
As a result, almost the entire side has a slotted vent that lets hot air escape from the SSD sandwiched between the heatsinks.
Somewhat disturbingly, the casing is made entirely of plastic, probably of the reinforced variety. However, Nextorage claims it’s been tested to a 4.2-foot drop and is shock and vibration resistant, and complies with IEC 60068-2-27 and IEC 60068-2-6 standards respectively.
I’m not sure if I can survive a 4.2 foot drop onto an undefined surface. Despite all these durability marks, the manufacturer only offers a one-year warranty. Considering that Crucial offers a three-year warranty on its X10 Pro series, the one-year warranty on the NX-PS1PRO seems not enough.
The drive comes with a 50cm USB 4.0 specification cable, which is much longer than the cables offered by many external drive manufacturers. The cable is USB-C on both ends, and Nextorage recommends users only use it with drives.
The cable is detachable so it can be replaced, which those who have damaged or misplaced cables will be happy to see.
A well-positioned activity LED on one edge provides feedback that the drive is powered and working.
For those who are curious, there is no USB-A adapter included, although USB 4.0 does not support that port standard (only USB-C). The drive works with USB 3.2 ports over USB-C and should be used with a USB-A adapter, but will only operate at the maximum speed of USB 3.2 Gen 2.
It’s also worth pointing out that the connections that can be successfully established among devices labeled as having USB 4.0 ports are variable. Nextorage has a guide detailing some requirements to help you determine if your laptop will work with this device. Might be worth reading before submitting your order.
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Software
Sometimes, USB SSD manufacturers only provide basic software tools that you must download from the company website. But Nextorage doesn’t yet include any firmware updates, and at the time of writing, we haven’t seen any publicly available.
On the Nextorage website, the manufacturer offers a version of Acronis that may be compatible with the product, but it is not listed in the application product selection.
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Performance
- Requires USB 4.0
- No hardware encryption
| bench | test | Nextorage NX-PS1PRO 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Disk Marker 8.04 | Default read | 3753MB/sec |
| Row 1 – Cell 0 | Default write | 3220MB/sec |
| Row 2 – Cell 0 | real world reading | 2923MB/sec |
| Row 3 – Cell 0 | real world writing | 2391MB/sec |
| AJA system test 1GB | read | 3126MB/sec |
| Row 5 – Cell 0 | Write | 2708MB/sec |
| solid state drive | read | 2242MB/sec |
| Row 7 – Cell 0 | Write | 1908MB/sec |
| Behavior | read | 3540MB/sec |
| Row 9 – Cell 0 | Write | 3010MB/sec |
| PCMark Data Drive Benchmark | Fraction | 2136 |
The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO is the first USB 4.0 external hard drive I’ve tested, so there’s nothing to compare it to.
That said, this performance is significantly better than a typical USB 3.2 Gen 2 drive, and even better than Gen 2×2 drives and the few Thunderbolt-compatible external drives I’ve seen.
The only caveat to this performance is that to use it at these speeds, you need to use Device Manager to select “Better Performance” in the Policies tab and then select “Enable write caching on this device.” Without this setting, the drive’s write performance can crash to an unsettling 300MB/s.
This setting isn’t a problem if you’re technically able to change it, but it could be a bigger issue if you’re transferring data to customers who are blocked from accessing Device Manager.
My only other sticking point is that the NVMe drives used by Nextorage don’t support hardware encryption, but at this price it should. If Crucial can include a hardware-encryptable SSD in its X10 Pro for about half the price, Nextorage should be able to use it in that product.
The Nextorage NX-PS1PRO is incredibly fast compared to almost anything else, making it perfect for cloning an internal laptop or desktop SSD before switching to a better or faster NVMe.
Nextorage NX-PS1PRO Series: Conclusion
Slightly more troublesome, it requires configuring write caching, and the Nextorage NX-PS1PRO delivers most of what the manufacturer claims (assuming you have a USB 4.0 port).
At this price, some software may be required, but many drive manufacturers have decided they no longer have the responsibility to provide these tools.
As a device, my only concern is how useful passive cooling will be if you initiate 4TB file transfers, as the internal drives hit thermal thresholds and decide to throttle.
Interestingly, the designers of the Ugreen 40Gbps external drive enclosure included active cooling from the start.
That aside, my main issue is the asking price, which reflects its novelty and limited alternatives. Hopefully next year the Nextorage NX-PS1PRO will be cheaper and an 8TB model will be added to the lineup.
Should I buy the Nextorage NX-PS1PRO series?
| value | Pricing matches other drive manufacturers. | 3/5 |
| design | Its design is attractive, but it’s not dustproof or waterproof, and Orrico says don’t let it drop. | 3/5 |
| software | No | 1/5 |
| Performance | If you have the right USB port, it’s just as good as the Crucial X10 Pro, Kingston XS2000, and ADATA Elite SE880. | 4/5 |
| Comprehensive | It looks appropriate but doesn’t quite match the look. | 3/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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