Six Battery-Powered Wireless Storage Devices, Reviewed

Features
By ,
Published

Would you like a device capable of functioning as USB-based storage, a Wi-Fi hotspot, an archive for your media, a streaming server, and a rechargeable battery? The six devices in this round-up are versatile, including a combination of those features.

Specifications and Test Configuration

Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Make Corsair Kingston
Model Voyager Air MobileLite Wireless
Model Designation CMFAIR-RED-1000-NA MLW221
Internal Storage Capacity 1 TB -
Storage Type 2.5" hard disk -
Connectors USB 3.0 Card reader (SD), USB 2.0
Ethernet 1000 Mb No
Wireless 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n
Internet Pass-Through Yes Yes
Battery Capacity 6200 mAh 1800 mAh; 6500 mWh
Battery Charging USB, Car adapter USB
Included Accessories microUSB cable, USB-to-DC cable, modular power supply, carrying bag, car adapter (2 A), quick start guide microUSB cable, quick start guide, microSD adapter
Firmware Version 1.27 1.1.2.1
Warranty Three years One year
Make PQI PQI
Model Air Bank Air Drive
Model Designation 6W31-500GR2001 6W11-0000R2002
Internal Storage Capacity 500 GB -
Storage Type 2.5" hard disk -
Connectors USB 3.0 Card reader (SD)
Ethernet 100 Mb No
Wireless 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n
Internet Pass-Through Yes No
Battery Charging USB USB
Battery Capacity Not specified Not specified
Included Accessories Integrated USB cable microUSB cable, carrying bag
Firmware Version 1.03 Not specified
Warranty One year One year
Make SanDisk Seagate
Model Connect Wireless Flash Drive Wireless Plus
Model Designation SDWS2-032G-E57 STCK1000200
Internal Storage Capacity 32 GB (microSD) 1 TB
Storage Type Flash 2.5" hard disk
Connectors Card reader (microSD) USB 3.0 adapter (GoFlex)
Ethernet No No
Wireless 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n
Internet Pass-Through No Yes
Battery Charging USB USB
Battery Capacity Not specified Not specified
Included Accessories Integrated USB cable microUSB cable, USB-to-DC cable
Firmware Version Not specified Not specified
Warranty One year Three years

Test Configuration

Swipe to scroll horizontally
System Hardware
Hardware Details
CPU Intel Core i5-2400 (32 nm, Sandy Bridge, D2), 4C/4T, 3.2 GHz, 4 x 256 KB L2 Cache, 6 MB L3 Cache, w/ HD Graphics 3000, 95 W TDP, 3.6 GHz max. Turbo
Motherboard (LGA 1155) Gigabyte G1.Sniper M3, Revision: 1.0, Chipset: Intel Z77 Express, BIOS: F10c
RAM 4 x 2 GB DDR3-1333, OCZ OCZ3G2000LV4GK
SSD Samsung 470 64 GB, Firmware 0901, SATA 3Gb/s
Controller Intel PCH Z68 SATA 6Gb/s
Power Supply Seasonic X-760 760 W, SS-760KM Active PFC F3
Benchmarks
Performance Measurements CrystalDiskMark 3.0.2 x64 AS SSD 1.7.4739.38088 Xcopy Benchmarks
System Software & Drivers
Drivers Details
Operating System Windows 8 x64 Pro
9 Comments Comment from the forums
  • blackmagnum
    All these devices are undeniably beneficial but their functions already built into modern smart phones and tablets so they are somewhat redundant.
    Reply
  • Snipergod87
    I have never seen the point of these devices.
    Reply
  • wffurr
    I don't get the point of using them as a wifi hotspot when connected to wired ethernet. I haven't had access to a wired network without a wifi access point at any point in the last ten years.

    I can see the utility of the wifi hardware for peer-to-peer connections ala AirDrop, but I didn't see that mentioned as a feature on these.
    Reply
  • Bernie Fresh
    As an owner of a non-reviewed Adata Dashdrive Air ae800, and avid adult film collector. I think of this these products as the modern version of the closet "shoebox". Have something to hide, but still want to use? company computer? wife's laptop? Just a quick flick of the wrist...and youve got access to all those warm fuzzy ish feelings.
    Buy the 500gb models and wash your hands.
    Reply
  • Traciatim
    Where's the iUSBPort and iUSBport Mini in this test?

    http://www.hypershop.com/HyperDrive/iUSBport/
    Reply
  • PEJUman
    i have the kingston mobilelite, and it's nice device for portable movie hub, with 2 toddlers: 2 ipads, 1 iphone and 2 androids, it simplify my uploading/downloading requirements. Instead of uploading the same file to 5 devices, and wasting 5x the storage by storing the file in each device, I simply upload it to the 64GB SD card.

    very useful for in the car/when traveling, each devices connects automatically, the kids even learned how to find & navigate the apps on their own.

    Then I simply take the device with me when get to the destination (i.e. mall/park/etc), and they can resume watching while eating lunch, resting, etc.

    I think these are aimed at multi-user families.
    Reply
  • Pyree
    13161818 said:
    I have never seen the point of these devices.

    I have a NextAV D100 wifi drive (not reviewed here). I can tell you it is quite handy when you travel. 1. The battery can charge your phone. 2. You can carry a lot of movies and music so you can watch and listen for long trip. 3. Backup photos and videos. The drive I have has a SD card slot and a USB port. The storage of the drive is provided by the SD card you slot into the wifi device. The USB port is where you plug in to charge your phone and where you can plug a HDD so you can backup things from the SD card from your camera or camcorder into a HDD.
    Reply
  • rwinches
    These devices are good if you have a phone or tablet or MS surface that has no SD slot.
    Reply
  • rbagany
    @ Bernie Fresh: dude, TMI... "avid adult film collector", "flick of the wrist", "wash your hands"
    Reply