The Crucial X9 was the budget portable SSD — compact USB-C external storage for laptops, tablets, and cameras. Affordable, reliable, and simple. But as Micron exits the consumer business by June 2026, finding the X9 is becoming harder. If your X9 is failing or you need an upgrade, here’s what to buy as a replacement — with real speed tests, durability comparisons, and UK affiliate links.
What Was the Crucial X9?
The X9 was Crucial’s entry-level portable SSD — a small USB-C external drive for photographers, videographers, and laptop users needing extra storage. Specs: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), around 450 MB/s read/write, compact credit-card-size design. Price was typically £40-60 for 1TB, making it one of the cheapest portable SSDs on the market.
The X9 was fine for casual backup or external library storage. Not meant for sustained professional video work (that requires faster USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 at 20 Gbps). But for most users, it was solid value.
Direct Replacements for the Crucial X9
Best Direct Replacement: Samsung T7 (5 Gbps)
Samsung T7 is the X9’s spiritual successor. Same form factor (credit-card size), same USB 3.2 Gen 1 speed (450 MB/s), same price range (£45-65 for 1TB), but with Samsung’s superior reliability reputation. Drop-in replacement for the X9.
Specs: USB 3.2 Gen 1, 450 MB/s, compact design, 250GB-2TB capacities, IP68 water resistance, 3-year warranty. Buy Samsung T7 1TB on Amazon UK.
Budget Alternative: WD My Passport SSD
WD My Passport SSD (not the HDD version) is another X9 alternative at similar price (£50-70 for 1TB). USB 3.2 Gen 1, 450-515 MB/s speed, slightly larger form factor than Samsung T7 but still portable. Western Digital’s support in UK is excellent. Good choice if you prefer WD.
Specs: USB 3.2 Gen 1, 515 MB/s, 256GB-2TB, compact, 2-year warranty. Buy WD My Passport SSD on Amazon UK.
Premium Option: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is faster (550 MB/s) and more rugged (IP55 dust/water resistance, drop-tested to 2 meters). Price is slightly higher (£60-80 for 1TB) but the build quality and durability justify it if you’re traveling frequently with the drive.
Specs: USB 3.2 Gen 1, 550 MB/s, compact rugged design, 256GB-2TB, IP55 rated, 5-year warranty. Buy SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Amazon UK.
Crucial X9 Replacement Comparison Table
| Drive | USB Version | Speed | Capacity | Price (1TB) | Durability | Warranty | Best For |
| Crucial X9 | Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | 450 MB/s | 256GB-2TB | Discontinued | Standard | 3 years | Reference only |
| Samsung T7 | Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | 450 MB/s | 250GB-2TB | £45-65 | IP68 water resistant | 3 years | Best replacement |
| WD My Passport SSD | Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | 515 MB/s | 256GB-2TB | £50-70 | Standard | 2 years | WD preference |
| SanDisk Extreme | Gen 1 (5 Gbps) | 550 MB/s | 256GB-2TB | £60-80 | IP55 rugged | 5 years | Travelers |
Critical: Understanding Portable SSD Speed
All these drives use USB 3.2 Gen 1, which has a theoretical maximum of 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). Real-world speeds are 450-550 MB/s because of overhead. This is plenty fast for:
Photo libraries: Transferring 100 photos from camera to external drive takes <5 seconds.
Document backup: Copying 10GB of files takes 20-25 seconds.
Casual video: 4K footage transfers at 450+ MB/s, no problem.
Where it struggles: Sustained 4K video editing to/from the drive. If you’re scrubbing 8K RAW footage directly off the portable SSD, you need USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) minimum. For that, buy Samsung T7 Shield instead.
Should You Upgrade to USB 3.2 Gen 2×2?
No, unless you do professional video work. For most users, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (450 MB/s) is completely sufficient. If you’re editing 4K video, you probably have it stored on an internal fast SSD and use the portable drive only for backup or archiving.
Gen 2×2 drives (Samsung T7 Shield, SanDisk Extreme Pro) cost 2-3x more (£150-200) for a speed increase you won’t notice unless you’re doing sustained professional video work.
Durability: Which Drive Is Most Rugged?
SanDisk Extreme Portable is the most rugged. IP55 rating means it survives splashes and dust. Drop-tested to 2 meters (6.5 feet). If you’re traveling with the drive or using it on location shoots, SanDisk is the safest choice.
Samsung T7 has IP68 water resistance, which is actually slightly better on paper (T7 can survive submersion for 30 minutes, SanDisk Extreme cannot). But in real use, if you’re dunking your portable SSD, something has gone very wrong.
WD My Passport SSD is standard build quality — not rugged, but reliable in normal use.
Capacity: How Much Storage Do You Need?
256GB or 512GB: For documents, photos, and small project files. Adequate for light work.
1TB: Best value. 1TB costs only £20-30 more than 512GB and gives you room for everything. Standard choice.
2TB: For video libraries, extensive photo archives, or if you’re using the drive as your main backup. Price is roughly double 1TB, so cost-per-GB is the same, but capacity is doubled.
Compatibility: Works with Everything
All these drives use standard USB-C and work with:
Laptops: USB-C port (any modern laptop has this)
Tablets: iPad Pro, Android tablets with USB-C
Cameras: Some newer mirrorless cameras support USB-C direct transfer
Desktop computers: Need a USB-C to USB-A adapter if your desktop only has USB-A ports (older desktops)
Formatting is automatic on first connection. No drivers needed.
Warranty and Reliability
Samsung T7: 3-year warranty, excellent reliability record.
WD My Passport SSD: 2-year warranty, reliable but shortest warranty period.
SanDisk Extreme: 5-year warranty, best-in-class reliability.
Portable SSDs fail rarely. Real-world reliability is excellent across all three brands. Choose based on features, not warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Samsung T7 better than Crucial X9?
Yes. Same speed and size, but T7 has IP68 water resistance and Samsung’s proven reliability. Better warranty and easier to find in UK stock.
Do I need USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 for video?
Only for sustained professional 4K RAW editing. For backing up video files or editing 4K off internal storage, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (450 MB/s) is fine. Gen 2×2 is overkill for most people.
Can I use a portable SSD with my iPad?
Yes, if your iPad has USB-C. Plug in Samsung T7, SanDisk Extreme, or WD My Passport SSD and it works instantly. No drivers or apps needed.
Should I buy 1TB or 2TB?
1TB for general backup and file transfer. 2TB if you’re storing video archives or using it as a main backup drive. Cost difference is reasonable for the extra capacity.
Why is Crucial exiting?
Micron announced in December 2025 they’re exiting consumer storage by June 2026. Focus shifting to enterprise/data centre. Consumer drives like X9 and T700 are being discontinued.
Our Recommendation
Best value: Samsung T7 1TB (£45-65). Direct X9 replacement, water-resistant, excellent reliability.
For travelers: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (£60-80). Rugged, drop-tested, 5-year warranty.
If you prefer WD: WD My Passport SSD 1TB (£50-70). Slightly faster, good warranty support.
Next Steps
Order your replacement from the links above. All drives work plug-and-play with USB-C — no installation or drivers needed. Format on first connection and you’re ready to transfer files.
Shop Compatible SSDs at PCHub.UK
Prices updated automatically from PCHub.UK — click to view full specs and buy
Prices from PCHub.UK via ComputersDeal. As an affiliate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices updated 2026-04-10 13:15:58.
