The Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G3 (DTSE9G3/64GB) is a stylish metal-bodied USB flash drive aimed at users who want a balance of durability, aesthetics, and solid performance. The 64 GB version offers a good amount of storage for everyday use – documents, photos, video clips – while keeping things compact and sturdy. In this review I tested the 64 GB model.
Specifications
Here are the main specs of the Kingston SE9 G3 series:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) |
| Read Speed (max) | up to 220 MB/s |
| Write Speed (max) | up to 100 MB/s |
| Warranty | 5 years with free technical support |
High Speed - USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface allows for speeds of up to 220MB/s read and up to 100MB/s write. Metal Body – Adds style and durability. All-metal gold body, portable enough to fit in your pocket, backpack, or keychain. Large Capacity for Large File Storage – Store and share movies, music, RAW photos, and more with the large 64GB capacity.
Package
The blister packaging is standard; inside is the USB stick with a metal housing that feels solid, somewhat weighty for its size but durable. The key-ring loop is handy if you want to carry it on your keychain.
Design & Aesthetics
The gold metal finish of the Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G3 gives it a sleek and professional appearance. The capless design is convenient — no lid to misplace — and the sturdy loop makes it easy to attach to a keychain.
However, on closer inspection, the engraving quality leaves something to be desired. The text on the body looks shallow and not as sharp as expected, which slightly diminishes the premium feel. In addition, the color tone is rather pale, not as deep or vibrant as in promotional images. While these are cosmetic details, they may matter to users who expect flawless aesthetics from a “gold edition” drive.
Performance
I tested the Kingston DataTraveler SE9 G3 (64 GB) on my personal PC equipped with an Asus PRIME A520M-K motherboard. This board supports USB 3.1 Gen 2, which is backwards compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1 devices like the SE9 G3. However, real-world performance can be lower than the maximum values listed in Kingston’s specifications due to controller, NAND, and system differences.
Running CrystalDiskMark 9.0.1 on the freshly unboxed drive produced the following results:
- Sequential Read (Q8T1): ~229 MB/s
- Sequential Write (Q8T1): ~21 MB/s
- Sequential Read (Q1T1): ~225 MB/s
- Sequential Write (Q1T1): ~21 MB/s
- Random 4K Read: ~13 MB/s
- Random 4K Write: ~0.5 MB/s
These numbers show that the drive delivers excellent sequential read performance, very close to the advertised ~220 MB/s. On the other hand, write speeds are noticeably lower than Kingston’s “up to 100 MB/s” claim. In practice, this means the drive is well-suited for quickly reading or backing up large files, but writing many gigabytes of data (especially small files) will be relatively slow.
Verdict
If you’re considering the 64 GB SE9 G3, it’s a solid choice. It offers a strong combination of speed, style, and capacity for everyday use without going overboard on price. Unless you regularly transfer huge files or need top write performance, the 64 GB will likely serve very well.
If you need more storage (say video libraries, high-res photos, etc.) you might step up to the 128 GB or 256 GB models; just be aware you likely won’t see dramatically better speed in all cases (especially writes), because USB 3.2 Gen 1 has inherent limits, and performance depends a lot on the host system and how full the drive is.
