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Compact & Powerful
Review Summary
The Netac ZX20L 2TB Portable SSD is a great option for people who need fast, portable storage and like bold, eye-catching designs. It offers impressive speeds, with up to 2000MB/s for reading and 1700MB/s for writing, and even outperformed its rated write speed during tests. Its compact size and lightweight build make it perfect for traveling, while the red and gray aluminum design stands out from the usual plain black SSDs. However, it doesn’t have waterproofing or rugged features, so it’s not ideal for rough handling. If you have a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port to use its full speed and want something fast and stylish, this SSD is a great pick.
Hours Tested: 4
Overall
-
Performance - 8.5/10
8.5/10
-
Design - 8/10
8/10
-
Features - 7.5/10
7.5/10
-
Value - 8/10
8/10
Pros
- Up to 2,000MB/s Read Speeds
- Lightweight at around 50g
- Compact design
- Aggressive looks
- Good thermals
- Wide compatibility
- 5-year warranty
- Available in multiple capacities
Cons
- No waterproof or shock resistance certification
In this review, I will be taking a look at the Netac ZX20L Portable SSD. It is a lightweight external drive aimed at video editors, photographers, and anyone who travels around and is after high-speed portable storage. This SSD is available in four capacities: 256GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB. The one I will be testing today is the 2 TB variant.
The SSD uses the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which means it is capable of achieving some very high speeds, up to 2000MB/s (Read) and 1700MB/s (Write), to be exact. In this review, I will go over the design and features of the Netac ZX20L, along with its test results in our benchmarks.
Key Takeaways
- The Netac ZX20L 2TB is an excellent external SSD that offers both solid performance and aggressive looks.
- You should buy the Netac ZX20L 2TB if you are a frequent traveller who wants to level up the storage without compromising on performance.
- You should not buy the Netac ZX20L 2TB if you’re looking for an external SSD with a rugged design and waterproof certification.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Part Number | NT01ZX20L-002T-32BK |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C |
| Capacity | 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB |
| Transmission Speed | Up to 2000 MB/s |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C~85°C |
| Operation Temperature | 0°C~70°C |
| Color | Black + Silver + Red |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Weight | About 50g |
| Dimension (L x W x H) | 102 x 30 x 9.2 mm |
What Makes The Netac ZX20L 2TB Portable SSD Different?
What sets the Netac ZX20L 2TB Portable SSD apart is its gamer-style design. The red and gray engraving on the aluminum frame gives it a bold and unique look that stands out from the usual plain black boxes most external SSDs resemble. Of course, looks are subjective, so the design that makes it different from other portable SSDs can very well be the reason you don’t like it.
Unboxing And Accessories
The SSD comes in a black box with red accents, highlighting the design language Netac has gone with this drive.
Accessories include a user manual and Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A cables packed in a small pouch.
Design
The SSD is packed in an aluminum chassis, which is also good for heat dissipation. The main highlight here is the red and gray design engraving over the frame, which gives the SSD a very aggressive and gamer-ish aesthetic. While the style may not be for everyone, it is definitely different from most external SSDs that often look like a small black box.
As for practicality, the SSD weighs just about 50g and measures 102 x 30 x 9.2 mm, making it a great choice for traveling. It can easily fit in your pocket, and the Type-C interface makes it compatible with iPhone 15/16 as well, so you can shoot with ProRes and not worry about running out of storage.
One thing that I should mention here is that while the SSD looks great and has all the performance-packed features, it misses any waterproof certification, and the exterior is not exactly meant to handle rough and tough usage.
Unlike the front, the black has a simple and clean black design with some information about the SSD’s variant.
Testing
I tested the drive using 3DMARK’s Storage Benchmark and CrystalDiskMark. I have also included screenshots of CrystalDiskInfo and Disk Management. Here’s the test setup:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- CPU Cooler: DeepCool Mystique 360
- Motherboard: MSI MEG X870E GODLIKE
- Memory: 32 GB (2×16) XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 @ 6000
- Storage 1: Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus 1TB NVMe SSD
- Storage 2: Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB NVMe SSD
- Power Supply: Fractal Design ION+ 2P 860W Platinum
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Build 22H2, Build 22621
Here is its 3DMARK Storage Benchmark test result:
The drive achieved a 1,346 score with an average bandwidth of 216.05 MB/s and an average access time of 125 µ. This isn’t the highest we’ve seen, but it is more than enough for gaming as well.
CrystalDiskMark shows a very interesting output. To recap, the drive is rated for write speeds of up to 1,700 MB/s and read speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. However, during our CrystalDiskMark testing, its write performance exceeded the rated speeds and scored almost 2,000 MB/s, while the read performance fell short by around 100 MB/s. In any case, this is still a great performance.
Should You Buy It?
Buy It If
✅You’re after a lightweight portable SSD: If you travel around a lot and are on the lookout for a portable SSD that can easily be connected to your phone, laptop, or camera, the Netac ZX20L is a good choice.
✅You want high-speed performance: As seen in our tests, the Netac ZX20L performed quite well and lived up to its rated speeds, making it a very good option for both gaming and video editing. Just make sure you’re using it with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port, otherwise, the speeds will decrease to 1,000 MB/s.
✅You are into flashy designs: There are other SSDs in the market that offer similar performance at the same price point, but the Netax ZX20L’s aesthetics and design are very different from what we usually see among external SSDs.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You’re after a durable SSD: While the aluminum exterior should hold up against casual bumps and drops, the lack of any durability or waterproof certification raises the question if the SSD can handle rough usage or not. If you have a reputation for spilling drinks or dropping your stuff, I would suggest you go with a more rugged SSD.
My Thoughts
The Netac ZX20L Portable SSD is available from 256 GB to 2 TB capacities, and our 2 TB variant showed solid performance, living up to its promise of high-speed storage. In our CrystalDiskMark tests, it exceeded its rated write speed of 1,700 MB/s, hitting nearly 2,000 MB/s, while the read speed came close at around 1,900 MB/s. This makes it a great option for tasks like transferring large video files or gaming. The 3DMARK benchmark also showed respectable results, with a good balance of speed and responsiveness. However, to get the best performance, you’ll need to use it with a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port; otherwise, speeds drop to 1,000 MB/s.
The design is another highlight, with its red and gray engraved frame giving it a bold, standout look. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to carry, making it ideal for traveling. Netac also provides a limited 5-year warranty with it. Overall, if you’re looking for a fast, portable SSD with a unique design and you have the right hardware to use it, the Netac ZX20L is a great pick.
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[Hardware Reviewer & Editor]
Meet Nauman Siddique, a highly experienced computer science graduate with more than 15 years of knowledge in technology. Nauman is an expert in the field known for his deep understanding of computer hardware.
As a tech tester, insightful reviewer, and skilled hardware editor, Nauman carefully breaks down important parts like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, CPU coolers, and more.
- 15+ years of PC Building Experience
- 10+ years of first-hand knowledge of technology
- 7+ years of doing in-depth testing of PC Hardware
- A motivated individual with a keen interest in tech testing from multiple angles.
- I majored in Computer Science with a Masters in Marketing
- Previously worked at eXputer, EnosTech, and Appuals.
- Completed Course in Computer Systems Specialization From Illinois Tech
Get In Touch: nauman@tech4gamers.com
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