Kingston DataTraveler SE9 Review: Durable but Mixed Speeds
Some flash drives die within months — this one has survived years of abuse. Owners of the Kingston DataTraveler SE9 USB Flash Drive regularly praise its “sturdy as crap” build and compact metal shell, with Trustpilot giving it a 9.0/10 and Best Buy customers rating it 4.7/5. But beneath the sleek casing, speed and occasional counterfeit concerns are recurring themes.
Quick Verdict: Conditional — Excellent for durability and portability, but performance varies and buyer caution needed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable all-metal casing, proven long-term use | Write speeds inconsistent, sometimes far below spec |
| Compact, capless design fits keychains easily | Counterfeit/fake units in marketplace |
| Survives drops, water, and rough handling | Small size makes it easy to lose |
| Compatible with wide range of devices/OS | Heating during prolonged transfers |
| Affordable with strong resale interest | Occasional packaging and delivery issues |
Claims vs Reality
Kingston markets the SE9 series with “premium metal casing” and “speeds up to 220 MB/s read / 100 MB/s write” for the USB 3.2 G3 models. While G3 buyers do report fast reads, write speeds are hotly debated. On Yandex Market, one user noted: “da 30 MB/s na zapis', nu byvaet” — receiving just half the claimed write rate on a 64 GB drive.
For earlier USB 2.0 models, official specs list 1.5 MB/s write. Amazon buyers broadly affirm speed is “nothing impressive,” with C. Blake Davis saying his 16 GB unit “tests just under 15 MB/s write and just under 20 MB/s read… not impressive but a lifesaver” thanks to reliability. This divide shows newer G3 drives benefit from speedier read rates, but write performance can lag, varying by capacity and batch.
Another claim is “durable metal casing with sturdy ring” — here marketing aligns perfectly with user experience. Reddit systems admins keep them “on my keychain” for years, Trustpilot reviewers report surviving car run-overs, and Best Buy buyers note “literally indestructible” resilience.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Portability is a major win. A verified Best Buy reviewer wrote: “fits nicely in a front pocket… ring on the end handy for attaching a fob or keyring.” Quora users described the SE9 as “slim and durable and fits inconspicuously on our keychains.” IT workers and travelling photographers alike value its discrete size; one Reddit user summed it up: “sturdy as crap… no complaints.” For everyday carry, the unibody metal frame prevents damage from keys, bags, or drops — even water. Trustpilot reported instances where drives “survived accidental washes” and still performed.
Durability over time is another standout. Amazon reviews going back two years show consistent performance even after “throwing around constantly” on a keyring. Tamara Nizhelskaia on Yandex Market commented: “passed more than a year of use… in such a case even driving over it by car isn’t scary.”
Common Complaints
Speed — particularly writes — frustrates power users. Russian buyers reported film transfers crawling at “14.5–15 MB/s” despite claimed faster rates. Quora respondents lament spending “coffee breaks” waiting for files to copy on older USB 2.0 units. Heating is tied to longer writes; T_i_m_o_h observed the drive “warming not only when working but even when plugged in standby.”
Counterfeit and mislabeling also appear across marketplaces. One Yandex reviewer detailed ordering a G3 USB 3.0 128 GB and receiving “1 TB” marked but “completely non-functional fake.” The same thread documents sellers shipping USB 2.0 drives in 3.0 boxes, forcibly slowing performance. Buyers of large capacities especially need reputable sources.
Divisive Features
Its tiny size divides users — perfect for minimalists, but “very easy to lose,” as one Best Buy review cautions. The lack of a dust cap is seen as both simplicity and vulnerability; some prefer capless to avoid losing covers, others worry about debris clogging the plug. Build minimalist aesthetics earn praise (“sleek,” “stylish”), yet some Quora and Trustpilot users found them “too small to feel comfortable banging around with keys” unless on a lanyard.
Trust & Reliability
Long-term Kingston owners report exceptional survival: Reddit posts cite “never had one… die on me” despite harsh treatment, and Quora testimonials mention multi-year use without failures in FreeNAS setups. Trustpilot shows older SE9 USB 2.0 units functioning past 4 years.
But reliability issues emerge with G3 models from suspect sellers. Drives stuck in “read-only” mode or showing “size 0 bytes” after light use suggest firmware/controller faults. As one Yandex market user warns, “it may again at any moment die… not advised to anyone” if bought from questionable resellers. Kingston’s official 5-year warranty is reassuring, but buyers experiencing fakes often face unsupported claims.
Alternatives
Some Trustpilot users recommended the SanDisk line as faster alternatives when speed is critical. On forums, others noted that for OS installs, higher-end models like Kingston’s own DataTraveler Kyson (with steadier 60 MB/s writes) outperform the SE9. For basic storage or reliable boot media, older Kingston 2.0 designs are preferred by server admins for heat resistance and longevity.
Price & Value
Prices span from $5.99 (16 GB USB 2.0 on B&H) to ~$12 for 128 GB G3 models from authorized shops. eBay listings show a healthy resale market — $19.99 for new 16 GB G2 units — indicating trust in Kingston’s brand. Community buying tips stress purchasing from official Kingston resellers or large trusted marketplaces to avoid counterfeit risk.
FAQ
Q: Is the Kingston DataTraveler SE9 good for everyday carry?
A: Yes — its compact metal design attaches easily to keychains and withstands knocks, drops, and even occasional water exposure, making it a reliable EDC storage tool.
Q: What speeds can I expect?
A: USB 2.0 SE9 drives average under 20 MB/s read and ~15 MB/s write; newer USB 3.2 G3 models can hit 200+ MB/s reads, but writes vary between 30–100 MB/s based on capacity and batch.
Q: Are there counterfeit units?
A: Yes — buyers report fakes with incorrect capacities or older interfaces sold as newer models. Purchase only from trusted sellers to avoid this.
Q: Does it heat up during transfers?
A: Moderate warming is common during prolonged writes, especially on larger files. The metal body helps dissipate heat but doesn’t eliminate it.
Q: Is it suitable for OS installation media?
A: Many users recommend it for bootable OS drives due to reliability and compatibility, though faster models may cut install times.
Final Verdict: Buy if you value durability, portability, and proven long-term survival for everyday file transport or boot media. Avoid if high write speeds or large, frequent transfers are your priority — in that case, look to faster lines. Pro tip from Reddit IT pros: keep one on a keyring, but buy from authorized stores to dodge counterfeits.
