Kingston XS2000
Exact average 83.7 · 1 printed, 6 estimated
Image: Kingston7 professional reviewers tested the Kingston XS2000, and 7 recommend it. Most praised: speed and portability. Most common complaint: software and app.
Reviewed by PCMag UK, Club386, The Independent and 4 more
The catch: Full speed needs a rare Gen 2x2 port, and it lacks hardware encryption.
6 of these 7 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text, then adjusted the estimates against the ratings outlets actually print (ours ran slightly low). An estimate is never higher than 92.
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What 7 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 80PCMag UK
A tiny, semi-rugged and very fast portable SSD that earned an Editors' Choice award, held back by the need for a rare Gen 2x2 port and the lack of hardware encryption.
Read PCMag UK review - 89est.Club386
A tiny, very fast and fairly priced portable SSD that topped the reviewer's charts after a firmware fix.
Read Club386 review - 85est.The Independent
Named best overall in a tested USB drive guide, praised for fast 2,000MB/s transfers in a pocketable body with a rugged sleeve.
Read The Independent review - 83est.TechRadar
A fast, rugged and well-priced drive that is a no-brainer if you own a Gen 2x2 port.
Read TechRadar review - 83est.Tom's Hardware
A well-priced, light and fast drive that excels at reads and small datasets and is a good buy for gamers.
Read Tom's Hardware review - 83est.Tech Advisor
A fast, pocketable and fairly priced drive that hits headline speeds only on rare Gen 2x2 ports.
Read Tech Advisor review - 83est.CNET
In a best-drives roundup the XS2000 gets a short section as a well-priced, fast and compact SSD with a protective sleeve.
Read CNET review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other portable SSDs critics rate highly
Common questions
Is the Kingston XS2000 worth it?
Most critics think so: 7 of 7 recommend it. Full speed needs a rare Gen 2x2 port, and it lacks hardware encryption.
Do critics agree about the Kingston XS2000?
Critics agree: scores range from 80 (PCMag UK) to 89 (Club386), a spread of 9 points across 7 reviews. Reviewers broadly agree.
What do critics dislike about the Kingston XS2000?
Software and app (2 of 7 reviews), Price (2 of 7 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Kingston XS2000?
The Crucial X9 Pro (critic score 88), best overall.



