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Apricorn Aegis Padlock A25-3PL256-S256 256 GB External Solid State Drive
- USB 3.0
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Overview
Specs
Reviews
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Clocking Speeds of 160 MB/s Apricorn's Next Generation USB 3.0 Encrypted Portable Drive Fuses Hardware Data Protection with a Super Speed USB 3.0 Connection
With a software free design, secure PIN access, real-time 256-bit AES encryption and Super Speed USB 3.0 Connection, the ultra-fast Aegis Padlock 3.0 Solid State is the ideal drive for those that require the ultimate in durability, security and speed.
Need to secure your data on the go? The Aegis Padlock 3.0 fuses hardware data protection with a Super Speed USB 3.0 connection. Featuring an easy-to-use keypad design and software free setup, the Aegis Padlock 3.0 enables you to access the drive with your own unique pin. Your data is protected 24/7 with real-time 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption, keeping your data safe even if the hard drive is removed from its enclosure.
Clocking Speeds of 160 MB/s Apricorn's Next Generation USB 3.0 Encrypted Portable Drive Fuses Hardware Data Protection with a Super Speed USB 3.0 Connection
With a software free design, secure PIN access, real-time 256-bit AES encryption and Super Speed USB 3.0 Connection, the ultra-fast Aegis Padlock 3.0 Solid State is the ideal drive for those that require the ultimate in durability, security and speed.
Need to secure your data on the go? The Aegis Padlock 3.0 fuses hardware data protection with a Super Speed USB 3.0 connection. Featuring an easy-to-use keypad design and software free setup, the Aegis Padlock 3.0 enables you to access the drive with your own unique pin. Your data is protected 24/7 with real-time 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption, keeping your data safe even if the hard drive is removed from its enclosure.
Warranty & Returns
Warranty, Returns, And Additional Information
Warranty
- Limited Warranty period (parts): 3 years
- Limited Warranty period (labor): 3 years
- Read full details
Return Policies
- Return for refund until: January 31, 2027
- Return for replacement until: January 31, 2027
- This item is covered by Newegg.com's Extended Holiday Return Policy.
- Read full return policy for details.
We want to ensure your holiday shopping this year is hassle-free. That’s why we’re automatically extending our return policies on almost every product! For purchases placed between November 1st, 2026 and December 31, 2026 you will have until January 31, 2027 to return your product.
Manufacturer Contact Info
- Manufacturer Product Page
- Manufacturer Website
- Support Phone: 1-800-458-5448
- Support Website
- View other products from Apricorn
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The Apricorn Aegis Padlock A25-3PL256-S256 is a 256GB external SSD with PIN access and a USB 3.0 interface, suited to users who want encrypted portable storage for files and everyday transfers.
Recommended For
- Professionals who regularly carry confidential client, legal, or business files and want PIN access and hardware encryption without installing encryption software on each computer.
- Field or traveling staff who need to move a modest set of sensitive files between computers, including systems where they cannot install software, and can accommodate a PIN-unlock step.
- Users who prioritize protecting data on a portable drive if it is lost or taken over faster transfers, and whose file-moving needs fit within its 256GB capacity.
Real-World Use Scenarios
- A consultant carrying client files between offices can unlock the drive with its keypad and work from a portable copy; if the drive is lost while locked, its hardware encryption helps protect the stored data from casual access.
- Someone moving sensitive documents between computers with different operating systems can enter the PIN on the drive and access files without installing encryption software on each host, provided the computer supports USB storage and the drive’s file system.
- A small team sharing a drive of work files can use separate access PINs rather than relying on one shared computer password; the administrator can manage user access on the drive.
- A worker can keep a secondary, offline copy of selected sensitive files on the drive for travel or field use; it locks when disconnected, but it should not be the only copy because a separate backup is still needed.
- For occasional transfers of documents, photos, or other work files, the drive provides portable storage with PIN access; users prioritizing encryption over maximum transfer speed are a better fit than those moving large files constantly.
Spec Summary
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Best For | Portable personal file storage for PC, Mac, UNIX, and desktop use, with PIN-access encryption |
| Capacity | 256 GB |
| Interface And Performance | USB 3.0 connectivity, with maximum read speeds up to 160 MB/s and write speeds up to 145 MB/s |
| Security And Included Accessories | Encrypted solid-state drive with PIN access; includes a Y-auxiliary power cable, travel pouch, and quick start guide |
| Form Factor And Portability | Portable external drive with a 2.5-inch form factor; 3.3 in wide × 4.7 in deep × 0.7 in high and weighs 6.20 oz |
| Model Identifiers | Apricorn Aegis Padlock, model A25-3PL256-S256 |
Reference Q&A
Q: Apricorn Aegis Padlock 256GB or Samsung T7: which should I choose?
A: Choose the Apricorn Aegis Padlock 256GB if you want to unlock the drive using its built-in keypad and PIN, with hardware encryption that works without setup software. Choose the Samsung T7 if transfer speed and a compact design matter more: Samsung rates it for up to 1,050 MB/s read, compared with the Apricorn’s listed maximum of 160 MB/s read and 145 MB/s write. The T7 also offers optional password protection through Samsung Portable SSD Software.
Q: Should I get the 256GB or 512GB Aegis Padlock 3.0?
A: Choose the 256GB model if it fits the files you plan to carry and you prefer not to pay for unused capacity. Choose the 512GB model if you need more room for large files or want more headroom; Apricorn lists both capacities in the Aegis Padlock 3.0 SSD range. The supplied specifications list the 256GB model at up to 160 MB/s read and 145 MB/s write, so base this capacity choice on storage needs rather than an assumed speed increase.
Q: Is the Apricorn Aegis Padlock 3.0 worth choosing over a newer, faster Aegis Padlock SSD?
A: Choose this 256GB Aegis Padlock 3.0 if its listed capacity and transfer rates suit your needs and you specifically want its keypad-based PIN access. Consider the separately reviewed Aegis Padlock SSD if you want higher measured throughput: StorageReview recorded about 338 MB/s read and 314 MB/s write in its Blackmagic test. Those results are for that reviewed model, not the A25-3PL256-S256, so do not treat them as performance figures for this product.
Q: Is this drive suitable for carrying sensitive work files while traveling?
A: It is designed for portable, PIN-access storage: the drive has 256GB capacity, weighs 6.2 oz, and includes a travel pouch. Its USB 3.0 interface and listed maximum speeds of 160 MB/s read and 145 MB/s write are trade-offs for users who prioritize secure access over very fast transfers or large storage capacity.
Q: Does the drive require a PIN to access files?
A: Yes. The product is listed as an encrypted external SSD with PIN access. This makes it suitable for users who want access protection on the drive itself; the listing describes PIN access but does not provide enough detail to confirm specific recovery options if the PIN is forgotten.
Q: Will it work with a USB 3.0 port?
A: Yes. USB 3.0 is the drive’s listed interface. The product information does not establish compatibility with every computer or other host device, so check that the device supports USB storage and has a suitable connection; the package also includes a Y-auxiliary power cable.
Q: Is it fast enough for everyday file storage and transfers?
A: It can suit routine file storage and transfers if 256GB is enough for your files. Its listed maximum speeds are 160 MB/s read and 145 MB/s write, so it is less suited to buyers who need very high transfer speeds or frequently move large files.
Q: Is the Aegis Padlock a good fit for carrying sensitive work files?
A: It may suit people who prioritize PIN-protected, hardware-encrypted storage for portable work or forensic files. This SKU has 256GB capacity and USB 3.0, with stated maximum read and write rates of 160 MB/s and 145 MB/s. Reddit discussions mention the Aegis Padlock family for secure data handling, but do not establish performance or suitability for this exact 256GB SKU.
Q: What are the main trade-offs compared with a standard external SSD?
A: The decision is between added hardware-PIN security and ordinary-drive priorities such as capacity, speed, and cost. This model is 256GB and specifies up to 160 MB/s read and 145 MB/s write; Reddit commenters discussing hardware-encrypted drives also describe security as a trade-off against speed and money. Those comments concern the Aegis Padlock family or hardware-encrypted drives generally, not verified tests of this SKU.
Q: Is its reliability a safe bet for regular work use?
A: Reddit feedback is mixed: commenters report long-running Apricorn drives, while another reports USB-cable failures. These are individual experiences, not a reliability test of the A25-3PL256-S256 specifically. Consider keeping a separate backup, especially if the drive will hold important work files.