Lexar Muse vs ES5: Which Magnetic SSD Should You Buy?

The Lexar ES5 is the magnetic portable SSD to buy now. It is rated for up to twice the Muse's read speed, comes in larger capacities, and uses a standard USB-C port.

The Lexar Muse is the one to wait for only if thinness is the priority. Its 3.8mm body is its defining feature, but that shape requires Lexar's proprietary SnapLink magnetic cable. Pricing is unknown, and the drive is not scheduled to ship until Q4 2026.

Lexar Muse vs ES5 at a glance

• Lexar Muse: 3.8mm at its thickest point, 512GB or 1TB, up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write, proprietary PogoPin connection, Q4 2026 availability.
• Lexar ES5: 85 x 54 x 11mm, 1TB to 4TB, up to 2,000MB/s read and write on a compatible USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host, standard USB-C port, IP65 and three-meter drop ratings.

These are manufacturer maximums, not a prediction that either drive will hold peak speed through a long transfer. We have not tested the Muse, and its sustained performance cannot be judged until production hardware ships.

Muse is much thinner, but the cable is the compromise

Lexar's Muse announcement says the drive measures 3.8mm at its thickest point and tapers to 1mm at the edge. This is dramatically thinner than the 11mm ES5 and should create a flatter phone rig.

Lexar has not published the Muse's full length, width, or weight, so available specifications do not support calling it smaller in every dimension. Thinness is the defensible claim.

SnapLink is the tradeoff. The Muse replaces its drive-side USB-C port with a proprietary spring-loaded PogoPin connector. Its included cable still ends in USB-C at the phone or computer, but losing or damaging it could mean waiting for a Lexar-specific replacement.

The ES5 uses a standard USB-C connection. It is thicker, but replacing its cable is easier, and you can choose a different length for a laptop, tablet, or phone setup.

ES5 is faster and gives you more room to grow

The ES5 product specifications rate it for up to 2,000MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The Muse tops out at 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write.

This does not mean an ES5 will run twice as fast on every device. Host port, cable, workload, and temperature all affect real transfer speeds. Devices without USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 support cannot reach the ES5's advertised ceiling.

Capacity also separates them clearly. The Muse is planned in 512GB and 1TB versions. The ES5 comes in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, making it a better fit for larger video libraries and longer trips away from a main storage setup.

Our Lexar ES5 review covers its phone-first design in more detail. If the ES5 feels too bulky, compare it with the tiny direct-connect option in our Lexar ES5 vs Professional Go guide.

ES5 is also the safer travel choice on paper

The ES5 has an IP65 dust- and water-resistance rating and a three-meter drop rating. Lexar has not announced equivalent protection ratings for the Muse.

This omission does not prove the Muse is fragile. It means there is not enough evidence to recommend the unreleased drive for rougher travel based on its thin metal shell.

Our broader best portable storage for travel and iPhone creators guide is a better place to start if neither magnetic drive is an obvious fit. The Lexar Professional Go review also explains why a direct-connect SSD can be simpler when minimum total kit matters more than keeping a drive magnetically attached to a phone.

The Bottom Line

Buy the Lexar ES5 if you need a creator SSD today or want the faster, higher-capacity, more durable option. Its 11mm body is the compromise, but standard USB-C makes it a more practical long-term tool.

Wait for the Lexar Muse only if a 3.8mm drive would materially improve your mobile setup and you are comfortable depending on its proprietary SnapLink cable. With no price or independent performance results, it is too early to call Muse the better value.