OWC Envoy Pro Elektron review: A resilient, fast external SSD great for travel and field work

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron Ssd Source: Windows Central

OWC is a major thespian in the PC and Mac accessory earth, and specially then when it comes to external storage solutions. One of its latest additions is the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron, a tiny external solid-state drive (SSD) that connects with USB-C and offers impressive functioning. Not only that, it can too take quite a chirapsia thanks to an IP67 rating that ensures information technology can withstand grit and water. I put this tiny SSD through its paces to see merely how well it actually works and whether or not it's worth the relatively steep price.

Durable USB-C External SSD

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron

Bottom line: Information technology'due south non exactly a value option, simply the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron performs up to expectations and volition be able to withstand a difficult life. Photographers, videographers, travellers, and field workers should continue it on their short listing.

Pros

Available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes
IP67 rating against dust and water
Compact, high-end aluminum build
Fast operation
Removable host cable

What I dear most the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron SSD

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron Ssd Source: Windows Central

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron comes bundled with the bare necessities: the SSD itself and a three-foot USB-C cablevision with attached USB-A adapter. This add-on to the cablevision makes it easy to move between laptops with USB-C and USB-A, though keep in listen you'll only get best performance when using USB-C iii.2. With USB-A, performance is roughly cut in half. The cablevision is thankfully removable so at that place'southward no risk of damaging the cablevision and rendering the drive obsolete. And the cable itself is plenty thick for a resilient experience.

Cheers to an IP67 rating, the Envoy Pro Elektron is a not bad storage selection for travelers and field workers.

The SSD itself is basically just a small rectangle with a wedge base and two rubberized feet to keep it in place on a desk or table. On ane terminate is a blue LED status light that flickers when in use and remains on when powered. On the other end is the USB-C port. The rest of the bulldoze's chassis is sealed tight, which no doubtfulness helps with the IP67 rating. This Ingress Protection arrangement indicates the bulldoze keeps out 100% of grit, sand, and other debris; it as well means the drive tin survive being submerged in up to a meter of h2o for at least 30 minutes. I didn't test the absolute boundaries hither, simply I did concur the SSD nether water for about a minute without ill effect.

OWC too claims the drive is crushproof, though that particular claim isn't covered past the IP67 rating. I didn't attempt to drive over the SSD like OWC makes reference to in documentation, merely I did lace upwards my boots and stand on it. A couple of small jumps, also equally a pick up and a drop seemed to non affect information technology. Overall, the dust, water, and sand protection is platonic for travellers and those who piece of work in the field. And with a size of two.95 inches (7.5cm) by 2.01 inches (v.1cm) and a thickness of 0.47 inches (ane.2cm) — not counting the base's wedge shape — the drive is like shooting fish in a barrel to take wherever you lot go.

It's built potent, merely how does it perform? Connecting to either PC or Mac for the offset fourth dimension brings upwardly the corresponding formatting options. All you need to exercise is double-click the awarding and let information technology do its thing. From there, the drive worked flawlessly with Windows. With the drive connected to a USB-C 3.2 port (the recommended connectedness), the performance claims made by OWC stand. I tested with CrystalDiskMark and ATTO Disk Benchmark to discover read and write speeds.

In a real-world sense, the Envoy Pro Elektron SSD should be a bang-up pick for anyone who often works with large files. It volition, of course, absolutely crush smaller files, simply photographers, designers, and videographers should discover information technology up to the task. It's also bootable, significant you can use it to store apps you don't want on your PC's main hard drive.

All drives come with a iii-year limited warranty that covers whatsoever damage not incurred by improper treatment or acts of God, like flooding, fires, or earthquakes. You can buy the Envoy Pro Elektron SSD in 250GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes, making it easy to become exactly what yous desire.

What I disliked well-nigh the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron SSD

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron Ssd Source: Windows Key

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is a well-made SSD that tops out the abilities of USB-C 3.2 ports for first-class read and write speeds. Withal, at that place are a couple things to go on in mind before you lot buy. First and foremost is the price. These SSDs are not cheap, with the 250GB version going for about $99, and half as much again for the 512GB model. The 1TB selection I tested here goes for about $199, while the 2TB version goes for $369.

Compared to the CalDigit Tuff nano, which retails at about $100 for a 512GB version, the OWC SSD isn't quite equally good of a deal. Specially since the Tuff nano comes with a carrying case and silicone cover for more than protection. Check out my CalDigit Tuff nano review for more than information.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD isn't built quite also, but information technology does have the handy loop built into the corner for easy carrying. Information technology's too no doubt more comfortable in a pants pocket due to the lack of machined aluminum edges. For a 1TB model with similar performance, y'all're looking at nigh $180. And if you don't particularly need extra durability, there'due south always the Samsung T7. Check out our Samsung T7 review for full details.

Should you buy the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron?

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron Ssd Source: Windows Central

Who it's for

Photographers and videographers who want a compact, fast USB-C SSD
Travellers or field workers who want an SSD that stands up to dust and h2o
Those who can spend about $200 for 1TB of storage
Those who want read speeds above 1,000 MB/s

Who information technology isn't for

Those who want Thunderbolt 3 speeds
Those who want to spend less than $200 for 1TB of storage
Those who want an SSD mainly for part use (extra durability non required)

The OWC Envoy Pro Elektron is an ideal external SSD for photographers, videographers, travellers, and field workers who want compact storage that can withstand elements beyond what you'd discover in a regular office. The aluminum construction holds up well to abuse, and operation lives upwardly to claims made by OWC. If you're working with large files, this SSD should satisfy, at least unless you want to get into Thunderbolt 3 speeds.

As long as you don't mind paying tiptop dollar and don't look any extra accessories — similar some sort of cover or carrying case — this SSD should exist on your shortlist. If it's non quite what you lot're looking for, our guide to all-time external solid-land drives has enough more than options.

Durable USB-C External SSD

Owc Envoy Pro Elektron

OWC Envoy Pro Elektron

Information technology's on the expensive side, but OWC's Envoy Pro Elektron is a high-functioning option for those who want to keep their data safe with an aluminum shroud and IP67 protection.

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