Looking Beyond the Apricorn Aegis Padlock 480GB Encrypted? 6 Alternatives Worth a Look

Comparing the Apricorn Aegis Alternatives

iStorage diskAshur PRO3 1TB Encrypted SSD

The iStorage diskAshur PRO3 increases storage space to 1TB compared to the 480GB provided by the Apricorn drive. Both options maintain rigorous hardware encryption and FIPS validation for regulated workflows. The diskAshur PRO3 features a physical keypad authentication system that delivers platform-independent access without software drivers. However, you give up the extreme portability of the original model. At 1.54 pounds and measuring 5.16 by 3.27 by 0.82 inches, this drive is significantly bulkier and heavier than the compact 1.6-ounce Apricorn unit. Choose the diskAshur PRO3 if you need double the storage capacity and dedicated onboard keypad authentication for strict compliance environments and do not mind carrying extra weight.

Glyph Atom EV 2TB Portable NVMe SSD

The Glyph Atom EV focuses on transfer throughput and volume rather than certified hardware cryptographic controls. It provides a spacious 2TB capacity and reaches transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s over an NVMe interface, far exceeding the 230 MB/s speed and 480GB capacity of the Apricorn Aegis Padlock. You also receive a rugged aluminum enclosure designed for field resilience. What you give up is the specialized FIPS validation and physical keypad authentication found on the Apricorn drive. The Glyph drive is also heavier at 8 ounces compared to the original 1.6 ounces. Select the Glyph Atom EV if you prioritize moving large media files rapidly over hardware-level security validation.

iStorage diskAshur2 1TB Encrypted Portable SSD

The iStorage diskAshur2 offers 1TB of storage, more than double the 480GB capacity of the Apricorn drive. It features an integrated PIN keypad for platform-independent hardware encryption, alongside an IP56-rated build for environmental durability. While the Apricorn Aegis Padlock highlights extreme temperature operation from minus 40 to 158 degrees, the diskAshur2 delivers secure field access in a fiery red shell. In exchange for the higher capacity, you trade off weight and footprint. The diskAshur2 weighs 7.62 ounces and measures 4.72 by 3.15 inches, making it noticeably heavier than the featherweight 1.6-ounce Apricorn. Pick this drive if you require straightforward keypad PIN access with 1TB of space for everyday multi-platform file protection.

Samsung 860 EVO 4TB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD

The Samsung 860 EVO is an internal 2.5-inch SATA III drive that offers a massive 4TB of capacity, vastly outclassing the Apricorn model's 480GB limit. It also delivers significantly faster read speeds of up to 550 MB/s compared to the 230 MB/s rate of the original external unit. The drive includes standard AES 256-bit hardware encryption and comes backed by a 5-year warranty. What you sacrifice is external portability and the physical authentication keypad. The Samsung drive requires internal bay installation or a separate enclosure, whereas the Apricorn connects directly via USB 3.0. Choose the 860 EVO if you need extensive, high-speed internal encrypted storage for a desktop or laptop system.

Western Digital 2TB My Passport Portable SSD

The Western Digital My Passport offers 2TB of storage capacity, providing more than four times the space of the 480GB Apricorn drive. It also more than doubles read performance, reaching up to 540 MB/s compared to the Apricorn drive's 230 MB/s cap. At 1.44 ounces, the My Passport is even lighter than the already portable 1.6-ounce Apricorn, and its 0.39-inch thickness makes it sleeker. However, you give up physical keypad authentication, FIPS validation, and the wide operating temperature resilience rated down to minus 40 degrees. Pick the Western Digital My Passport if you want maximum capacity, faster reads, and ultra-lightweight portability for general encrypted file backups without specialized compliance demands.

HGST 1GB Industrial Vertical Plug-in SSD

The HGST Industrial SSD is designed specifically for niche embedded systems requiring a 40-pin vertical plug-in interface. Like the Apricorn Aegis Padlock, it supports wide-temperature environments to maintain stability under harsh operational conditions. However, the differences make it unusable as a standard computer drive. It provides only 1GB of total storage capacity, compared to the 480GB available on the Apricorn drive. It also lacks a standard USB 3.0 connection and portable enclosure, meaning you cannot use it with standard PCs, laptops, or external ports. You should choose the HGST unit only if you maintain legacy or specialized industrial equipment that requires this exact 40-pin vertical form factor and minimal boot-tier storage.

Quick picks

Our 7 picks

1 Best overall

Apricorn Aegis Padlock 480GB Encrypted SSD

Best for: secure, temperature-resilient portable data storage

Storage Capacity

480 GB

Interface

USB 3.0

Form Factor

External Portable

Max Read Speed

up to 230 MBs

Max Write Speed

up to 230 MBs

Security

FIPS Validated

View on Amazon: Apricorn Aegis Padlock 480GB Encrypted SSD Affiliate link

The Apricorn Aegis Padlock 480GB is an external encrypted solid-state drive built for secure portable storage. It provides hardware-based 256-bit encryption with FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validation to safeguard your data. Operating over a USB 3.0 interface, it reaches read and write speeds up to 230 MBs. Weighing 1.6 ounces and engineered to operate from -40 to 158 degrees, this drive suits you if you need rugged, authenticated offline data security.

Pros

• FIPS 140-2 Level 2 validated with 256-bit encryption
• Operating temperature tolerance from -40 to 158 degrees
• Lightweight build weighing 1.6 ounces
• Shock, vibration, and humidity resistant with silent operation

Cons

• Read and write speeds reach a maximum of 230 MBs
• Uses USB 3.0 rather than newer, faster USB interfaces
• Storage capacity is limited to 480 GB on this configuration

Good fit if

• You need certified FIPS 140-2 Level 2 hardware encryption for sensitive files.
• You travel through harsh environments with extreme temperatures between -40 and 158 degrees.
• You want a lightweight 1.6-ounce external drive with silent solid-state operation.

Skip if

• You require transfer speeds faster than the 230 MBs limit of USB 3.0.
• You need more than 480 GB of storage capacity on a single drive.

Verdict: Apricorn Aegis Padlock 480GB Encrypted SSD delivers certified FIPS 140-2 Level 2 hardware security inside a rugged, 1.6-ounce shell. While its 230 MBs transfer speed is modest, it reliably protects data across extreme operating conditions.

2 Also great

iStorage diskAshur PRO3 1TB Encrypted SSD

Best for: regulated environments requiring physical keypad authentication

Storage Capacity

1TB

Max Read Speed

Up to 448 MB/s

Max Write Speed

Up to 444 MB/s

Security

Hardware Encryption, Password Protection, FIPS Validated

Dimensions

5.16 × 3.27 × 0.82 inches

Weight

1.54 pounds

View on Amazon: iStorage diskAshur PRO3 1TB Encrypted SSD Affiliate link

The iStorage diskAshur PRO3 1TB Encrypted SSD is an external solid-state drive built for hardware-level security. It uses real-time AES-XTS 256-bit encryption with an onboard 8-to-64-digit alphanumeric PIN keypad. You get read speeds up to 448 MB/s and write speeds up to 444 MB/s over USB. It suits you if you need independent, software-free data protection for regulated compliance across multiple operating platforms.

Pros

• Hardware-based real-time AES-XTS 256-bit encryption
• Onboard PIN access via backlit, wear-resistant alphanumeric keypad
• FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified (pending)
• Software-free operation across any USB host system

Cons

• Transfer speeds cap at 448 MB/s read and 444 MB/s write
• Weighs 1.54 pounds with a 0.82-inch thickness

Good fit if

• You need hardware-based AES-XTS 256-bit encryption with physical keypad entry.
• You require platform-independent, software-free operation on embedded or non-standard systems.
• You must meet compliance standards such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, or TAA.

Skip if

• You need transfer speeds exceeding 448 MB/s read or 444 MB/s write.
• You want a lightweight, pocket-sized drive weighing less than 1.54 pounds.

Verdict: iStorage diskAshur PRO3 1TB Encrypted SSD delivers robust physical keypad security and hardware encryption for regulated environments. Its 1.54-pound weight and SATA-tier transfer rates trade high throughput for maximum platform-independent protection.

3 Also great

Glyph Atom EV 2TB Portable NVMe SSD

Best for: fast media transfers in a rugged chassis

Storage Capacity

2TB

Interface

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 3

Cooling

Rugged aluminum chassis

Dimensions

5.6 × 2.9 × 1.8 inches

Weight

8 ounces

View on Amazon: Glyph Atom EV 2TB Portable NVMe SSD Affiliate link

The Glyph Atom EV is an external NVMe solid state drive offering 2TB of storage capacity. You get transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s across a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 interface, housed in an aluminum chassis weighing 8 ounces. It includes both USB-C and USB-A cables. This drive suits you if you need fast portable storage instead of built-in keypad security.

Pros

• Sustained transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s via USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Rugged aluminum chassis provides passive cooling
• Includes both USB-C and USB-A connection cables
• Compatible with USB-C, USB 3.x, and Thunderbolt 3

Cons

• Requires reformatting before use with Windows
• Lacks integrated keypad or onboard hardware PIN security

Good fit if

• You need sustained transfer speeds up to 1,050 MB/s for large files.
• You want an aluminum enclosure with passive heat dissipation.
• You require connectivity for both USB-C and USB-A ports.

Skip if

• You require a physical onboard keypad for device authentication.
• You want immediate plug-and-play functionality on Windows without reformatting.

Verdict: Glyph Atom EV 2TB Portable NVMe SSD delivers 1,050 MB/s transfer speeds inside a rugged aluminum enclosure. It provides fast external NVMe performance when you prioritize transfer bandwidth over physical keypad security.

4 Also great

iStorage diskAshur2 1TB Encrypted Portable SSD

Best for: platform-independent, keypad-authenticated data security

Storage Capacity

1TB

Interface

USB 3.2

Form Factor

Portable

Max Read Speed

Up to 361MB/s

Max Write Speed

Up to 358MB/s

Security

Hardware Encryption, Password Protection

View on Amazon: iStorage diskAshur2 1TB Encrypted Portable SSD Affiliate link

The iStorage diskAshur2 is a hardware-encrypted portable SSD featuring 1TB of storage and a physical PIN keypad. It uses AES-XTS 256-bit encryption with an integrated Common Criteria EAL 5+ microprocessor, requiring no software installation. Read speeds reach up to 361 MB/s, and write speeds reach up to 358 MB/s over USB 3.2. It suits you if you need cross-platform data security with IP56-rated dust and water protection.

Pros

• AES-XTS 256-bit real-time hardware encryption
• Onboard PIN keypad requires 7 to 15 digits with no software needed
• IP56 certified for dust and water resistance
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, and Android

Cons

• Maximum transfer speed capped at 361 MB/s read and 358 MB/s write
• Weighs 7.62 ounces

Good fit if

• You need authenticated PIN protection without installing software on the host system.
• You work across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• You require IP56-rated dust and splash protection for mobile use.

Skip if

• You require drive speeds faster than 361 MB/s.
• You want an ultra-light drive weighing less than 7 ounces.

Verdict: iStorage diskAshur2 1TB Encrypted Portable SSD delivers reliable hardware-based encryption with PIN access across diverse operating systems. Its transfer rates max out below modern NVMe limits, but the integrated keypad and IP56 build ensure solid field security.

5 Best premium

Samsung 860 EVO 4TB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD

Best for: high-capacity encrypted internal SATA storage

Storage Capacity

4TB

Interface

SATA III

Form Factor

2.5 Inch

Max Read Speed

550MB/s

Max Write Speed

520MB/s

Dimensions

3.94 × 2.76 × 0.27 inches

View on Amazon: Samsung 860 EVO 4TB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD Affiliate link

If you need high-capacity internal storage instead of a portable drive, the Samsung 860 EVO provides 4TB of space on a standard 2.5-inch SATA III interface. You get sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 520MB/s, and built-in AES 256-bit hardware encryption. It suits you if you want to upgrade a PC or laptop drive bay with dependable hardware-level data protection.

Pros

• Up to 550MB/s sequential read and 520MB/s sequential write speeds
• AES 256-bit hardware encryption compliant with TCG Opal and IEEE 1670
• Spacious 4TB capacity using V-NAND technology
• 5-year limited warranty with 1.5 million hours MTBF

Cons

• Internal 2.5-inch form factor requires installation instead of plug-and-play USB use
• Mounting screws, brackets, and connection cables are not included
• SATA III interface caps speeds well below NVMe alternatives

Good fit if

• You need 4TB of internal 2.5-inch storage with hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption.
• You want sequential read and write speeds up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s.
• You have an existing SATA III drive bay in your PC, laptop, or workstation.

Skip if

• You want an external portable drive with a built-in hardware keypad.
• You need included SATA cables, screws, or mounting brackets in the box.

Verdict: Samsung 860 EVO 4TB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD delivers massive internal capacity alongside standard AES 256-bit hardware encryption. It maximizes SATA III throughput with read speeds up to 550MB/s and includes a 5-year warranty.

6

Western Digital 2TB My Passport Portable SSD

Best for: compact, hardware-encrypted portable file storage

Storage Capacity

2 TB

Interface

USB 3.1 Gen 2

Form Factor

External Portable

Max Read Speed

540 MB/s

Dimensions

3.5 × 1.8 × 0.39 inches

Weight

1.44 ounces

View on Amazon: Western Digital 2TB My Passport Portable SSD Affiliate link

The Western Digital 2TB My Passport Portable SSD is an external solid-state drive built for secure, everyday file transfers. It provides 2 TB of storage, read speeds reaching up to 540 MB/s, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface with USB Type-C and Type-A compatibility. Built-in password protection with hardware encryption safeguards stored files. This drive suits you if you need compact, pocket-sized high-capacity storage for backups and regular file transfers.

Pros

• Read speeds up to 540 MB/s via USB 3.1 Gen 2
• Password protection with hardware encryption
• Compact footprint at 1.44 ounces and 0.39 inches thick
• Compatible with USB Type-C, USB-A, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0

Cons

• No integrated physical keypad for PIN entry
• No maximum write speed specified in product specifications

Good fit if

• You need 2 TB of storage in a pocket-sized, 1.44-ounce drive.
• You want password protection backed by hardware encryption.
• You connect across both USB Type-C and standard USB-A ports.

Skip if

• You require an onboard physical PIN keypad for authentication.
• You need transfer speeds faster than 540 MB/s.

Verdict: Western Digital 2TB My Passport Portable SSD delivers 540 MB/s read performance and hardware encryption in a lightweight form factor. It provides spacious, secure storage for regular backups and portable file transfers.

7 Best budget

HGST 1GB Industrial Vertical Plug-in SSD

Best for: industrial systems needing 40-pin vertical storage

Storage Capacity

1GB

View on Amazon: HGST 1GB Industrial Vertical Plug-in SSD Affiliate link

The HGST 1GB Low Profile Vertical Plug-in SSD provides dedicated embedded storage for legacy or specialized industrial setups. Unlike standard external drives, this unit features a 40-pin vertical plug-in layout and a compact low-profile form factor. It delivers 1GB of storage capacity and operates across an industrial wide-temp range rated from -40 to +8. If you need low-capacity internal flash storage for industrial equipment, this specialized module fits those physical constraints.

Pros

• 1GB storage capacity
• 40-pin low-profile vertical plug-in design
• Industrial wide-temp tolerance rated from -40 to +8

Cons

• Extremely limited 1GB capacity compared to standard modern drives
• Requires a specialized 40-pin motherboard header instead of USB or SATA

Good fit if

• You need a low-profile 1GB flash module with a 40-pin vertical connector.
• You require industrial-grade hardware rated for temperatures from -40 to +8.

Skip if

• You need a portable external drive with standard USB connectivity.
• You need more than 1GB of total storage capacity.

Verdict: HGST 1GB Low Profile Vertical Plug-in SSD serves niche industrial systems that require a 40-pin vertical interface and wide-temp operation. Its small 1GB capacity and specialized connector make it unsuitable for typical PC backup tasks.

Specifications side by side

Frequently asked questions

See also

• amazon kindle 16 gb alternatives
• gb pockit all terrain alternatives