Lexar Armor 700 is a waterproof, up to 4TB external SSD – Review

The SSD market continues to heat up worldwide, and manufacturer Lexar continues to introduce new products that are expected to arrive in Brazil in the near future. One of the company’s new products is Armor 700an external storage device that stands out with its storage capacity and durability.

The biggest difference of the product is its IP66 certification.This makes the SSD, which has up to 4TB of storage, dust and water resistant, as well as resistant to drops of up to three meters.

But does it ultimately go beyond product certification? It’s worth taking a look at the Armor 700. I tested Lexar’s new SSD and brought my impressions of the device here in this TecMundo review!

Unboxing and specifications

While the Armor 700’s body is designed to be durable, the product’s case doesn’t make much of a difference compared to other SSDs. The paper packaging is simple, but the product comes with a harder coating and is wrapped in plastic that protects the rubber surface.

Speaking of construction, the model has a compact design, fits in your pocket and the palm of your hand. The rubberized appearance immediately exudes an air of “resistance”, which is emphasized by the metal structure on the top and bottom and a USB-C port for connectivity.

In addition to the manual and the product, only one cable is included in the box, but it is multipurposeIt includes a USB-C connector and a supplied USB-A adapter. Using the USB 3.2 Gen 2.2 standard, the model promises to deliver read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s.

The version available for review at TecMundo has 2TB of storage. You can check out the Armor 700’s full specs below:

• Name: Lexar Armor 700
• Interface: UASP – USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB and 4TB
• Performance: up to 2000 MB/S read and write
• Operating temperature: 0 to 50 °C
• Storage temperature: -40°C to 85°C
• Dimensions: 86.2mm x 54.4mm x 13.2mm
• Warranty: 5 years
• Extra: IP66 water and dust certified, 3 meter drop resistant
• Compatibility:PC, Mac, tablets, iPad, Android, iPhone 15, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5.

Tests and user experience

The 2TB Lexar SSD comes with W1015B firmware out of the box and is ready to be used on different devices. With the multi-purpose cable, it is possible to transfer instantly from PC, mobile phones and also consoles.

However, in some cases, the product may need to be formatted. The product comes from the factory repository with only the Lexar user manuals and security software, which we detail below.

When it comes to performance, the product delivers the speeds expected from an SSD in its category, but varies depending on the device usedDuring numerous tests on Crystal Dysk Mark, the model achieved read and write speeds of over 1000 MB/s.

However, both in the peak performance test and in daily performance on the PC, the product could not approach the maximum 2000 MB/s read and write speed. So it is worth remembering that the speed of the product is variable but still gives good results.

During our routine tests, for example, a 750MB MP4 media file was transferred from the product in less than a second. A 175GB folder and more than 2,000 files were transferred from the SSD to another drive in about two and a half minutes.

Good gaming experience

The speed is also fast enough to run games directly on the device without throttling. During our tests, we ran the Kingdom Hearts compilation, the multiplayer The First Descendant, and the open-world game Horizon Forbidden West on the device without any storage interference.

Finally, it is also worth mentioning that the product works quite well on consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series S and X. The product is also compatible with devices such as the Steam Deck thanks to the included USB-C and USB-A cable.

However, for next-gen consoles, the device can only be used as external storage, allowing you to play PS4 and Xbox One games directly on the storage. However, with speeds of over 1000MB/s, transferring large titles between consoles via the Armor 700 shouldn’t be a time-consuming process.

Advanced encryption via software

Like other Lexar SSDs, the Armor 700 includes encryption software. The program, called Lexar DataShield, is located on the drive’s internal storage and can be installed on both Windows and Mac.

The use of Lexar DataShield is described by the company as a simple solution for creating secure folders on SSDs and provides support for 256-bit encryption. When opening the software, the user sets a password to access the program and protect the files.

It is now possible to create folders that will be password protected with the password programmed later. DataShield allows you to manage directories and easily add files to locations by copy and paste or using the “drag and drop” method.

The solution offered may be interesting for those looking for extra security, but it is completely optional for users who want more storage and speed.

Worth it?

The biggest differentiator of the Lexar Armor 700 is its compact and durable build, which makes it a good choice for an external SSD. After all, if you travel a lot and want to protect your data from “external threats,” its IP66 certification and drop-resistant casing will definitely make a difference.

The model with 2 TB of storage provided different speeds in our tests, but the storage worked quickly in all cases and on different devices. It is also worth noting that the cable included in the product is prepared for both USB-C standard and USB-A format connection, facilitating use on PCs, consoles and mobile phones.

Currently the Lexar Armor 700 can be found on AliExpress for around R$ 1400 including taxes, a very high price compared to more “fragile” external SSDs. So the tip is to keep an eye on the product and wait for its launch in Brazil or wait for a good launch if you really need a device with a compact and reinforced appearance.