SK Hynix Beetle X31 1TB Portable SSD Looks Like a Golden Beetle, Offers Blazing Fast Storage for $62.99

SK Hynix, a name synonymous with memory chips tucked inside your devices, has stepped into the portable SSD game with the Beetle X31. This 1TB drive is now $62.99 (down from $84.91) and is a great option for anyone who needs fast, reliable storage that fits in a pocket.

With sequential read speeds of 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, this drive is faster than most in its class. To put that in perspective, a 3.5GB video file takes about 5 seconds to transfer when connected via USB-C. That’s the kind of performance that makes backing up photos, editing videos or installing games feel effortless. CrystalDiskMark tests show it exceeding its rated speeds by a small margin, sometimes hitting 1,047 MB/s read and 1,048 MB/s write. For gamers, loading Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered from the drive took 6 seconds to get into the game world, even on max settings.

It’s 74 x 46 x 14.8mm and 53g, smaller than a deck of cards and lighter than your phone. The aluminum body is champagne gold and feels premium and durable. Drop it from 6 feet and it’s built to shrug it off, protecting your data from life’s fumbles. The included silicone bumper adds extra cushioning, but some users note it can make the USB-C port hard to access. Throw it in a backpack, slip it in a jeans pocket or let it rattle around your desk drawer – it’s designed to handle the chaos of daily life without breaking a sweat.

It comes with both USB-C and USB-A cables so it works with everything from your laptop to your gaming console or even your smartphone. Whether you’re transferring files between an older PC and a modern MacBook or moving game saves to a PS5, this drive adapts without fuss. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface ensures you’re getting the most out of modern ports, but USB-A connections top out at slower speeds – around 500 MB/s in real world tests. For most users that’s still fast enough, but the USB-C option unlocks the drive’s full potential.

Looks matter and the Beetle X31 delivers. The gold finish and rounded edges are way more polished than the black plastic bricks that litter the SSD market. Some might wish it went all in on the beetle theme from the box art—a scarab design would’ve been bold—but the sleek minimalism still turns heads. It’s a device you don’t mind leaving on your desk or pulling out at a coffee shop. The clear plastic case in the box isn’t flashy but it keeps scratches at bay and lets the drive’s design do the talking.

At $62.99 it’s a tough value to pass up. Many portable SSDs in this price range are slower or less durable. The Crucial X9 Pro and Samsung T7 Shield are strong competitors but often cost $10-$20 more for similar performance. But SK Hynix’s reputation for reliable memory tech counts and the drive’s thermal design with heat shields and pads inside keeps it cool under heavy loads and reduces the risk of performance dips or early failure.