An external SSD can bring best Tesla Dashcam and Sentry Mode experience in 2023

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Even Tesla recommends using an external Solid State Drive or a video grade SD memory card for the dashcam or sentry mode.

One hour of dashcam video recording in any Tesla consumes nearly 8GB of space. That means keeping a Tesla in the Sentry mode for 10 hours will consume 80GB of memory space.

Once the full storage is occupied, the system starts rewriting by removing the old video footage. The more rewrites performed by a memory card, the less efficient it becomes.

Therefore, swapping the stock memory stick of your Tesla with an external SSD will be a great way to speed up the writing process.

Any SSD with a write speed of 90Mbps or above shall bring a better experience while using Tesla dashcam and sentry mode.

If you are here for that particular reason, let us introduce you to some of the best SSDs you can install to have a better experience with Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode.

How much storage is required for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry Mode?

Tesla Evs come with four dashcams. Each camera consumes nearly 32MB for one minute of video recording.

That means four cameras combinedly consume 32x4=128 MB of space.

Recording one hour or 60 minutes will therefore consume around 128x60=7680MB of space.

Including some overheads, I believe, 12GB of space is enough for Tesla Dashcam.

But when it comes to Tesla sentry mode, recording constantly for 10 hours consumes nearly 80GB of space.

Therefore, any external storage device with a space capacity of 120 GB should be the minimum requirement for Tesla Sentry mode.

I would personally recommend using a 500GB SSD for both Tesla Dashcam and SSD.

A 500GB SSD installed for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode will face fewer rewrite issues.

Therefore, getting longer service from the Drive will be easier.

How to choose an SSD for your Tesla dashcam or sentry mode?

Unlike a powerful PC’s SSD, choosing an SSD for your Tesla needs some sort of other considerations. Here are the top five factors that will help you to choose a perfect SSD for your Tesla Model-

Form factor

Unlike an internal computer SSD, the form of your Tesla SSD should always be external. As you will use the SSD for dashcam or sentry mode, having an external portable SSD will bring forth the most convenient support possible. SATA or flash-based SSD might be faster, but they require internal setup, which will be a complicated job to set up in your Tesla computer.

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Overall space

The next factor you will need to check while choosing an SSD for your Tesla electric vehicle is the overall space. Anything nearly 500GB and above should suffice when it comes to using the device for dashcam or sentry mode. Using the SSD only for dashcams may not require too much space. But when it comes to choosing it for recording and saving data in sentry mode, choosing anything more than 500 GB of space should be logical.

Read and write speed

Date transmission and storing information becomes much easier when the read and write speed of the SSD tends to be higher. In any situation, the read and write speed of your external SSD should not go below 400 Mb/s.

We will recommend you to go for an SSD that will have a read and write speed of nearly 500 MB/s to above. Anything more than 1000 Mb/s of read and write speed should introduce you to the fastest transmission possible.

Connectivity

You may not give a good deal of concentration to the connectivity property of your SSD. But the data transfer rate mostly depends on the connectivity as well.

Most modern generation SSD tends to come with a Type C or 3.0 USB port. Most Tesla models should comply with these connecting slots.

Anyway, if you are thinking about multi-tasking with your SSD, it would be an ideal choice to choose an adapter so that you can easily shift from Type C to Type A or other connectivity.

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Security

If not all, you will surely find some SSDs with password protection features. Besides, hardware encrypted SSDs are also becoming common these days. Therefore, we will always recommend you choose a solid drive that comes with exclusive security features. Choosing such devices will help to keep your data safe and secure without facing any sort of inconvenience.

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Best SSD for Tesla

1. Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB

Specifications

Features worth discussing

Even in 2019, Samsung T5 Solid State Drive was the most popular recommendation for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode. But in 2022, it is Samsung T7 that has swapped the position.

Samsung T7 SSD is available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2 TB variations.

Although I am recommending here to choose 1TB of space, anything near and above 500GB should suffice to bring a better Sentry mode and dashcam experience.

With up to 1050 MB/s of reading and 1000 Mb/s of writing speed, the T7 Solid State Drive is the best option until now for the Tesla sentry mode.

The drive indeed generates a little heat when used for a long time, but this never goes beyond the optimal range.

Pros

• Fewer rewrites and more space
• You will require less cleaning of your car's memory card
• The data transfer rate is relatively faster

Cons

Choosing a high-capacity (1TB, 2TB) T7 SSD for your Tesla may require more power.

2. Samsung X5 Portable SSD - 500GB

Specifications

Features worth discussing

The next recommendation on my list also comes from Samsung. The Thunderbolt 3 External SSD is a popular option in recent times because of its lightning-fast read and write capability.

While the previous one can deliver up to 1000 Mb/s of reading and write speed, the Samsung X5 portable SSD remains far ahead with nearly 2800 Mb/s of reading and 2300 Mb/s of writing speed.

However, the Samsung X5 portable SSD is an expensive choice. X5 500GB SSD is available for a price of over $400.

If you are willing to spend that kind of money on a quality product, the Samsung X5 portable SSD is for you.

Pros

• 500GB of space ensures fewer rewrites
• Lightning-fast speed ensures fast transmission.
• The thermal management technology keeps the temperature in control.

Cons

Keep in mind that this Drive only works with a Thunderbolt port. Therefore, you may need to do some additional software installation to make the drive compatible.

3. SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD

Specifications

Features worth discussing

When you are looking for a budget-friendly solution, SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD can be a good choice for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode.

SanDisk Portable SSD is available in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB variations. You can purchase the 500GB edition for about $100. The 2TB variation is available for about $230.

If you have a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, this smaller but powerful SanDisk SSD is worth becoming the next good thing for your Tesla.

Although heat production is a common issue with most SSDs, this one is bound to keep it under limitation.

Last but not the least; the password and hardware encryption property of the disk should give you maximum protection in every scenario.

Pros

• SanDisk is always a trusted brand
• This one is potentially two times faster.
• The aluminum framing will bring superior protection.

Cons

It does get a little warmer after a long time of usage.

4. SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 1TB

Specifications

Features worth discussing

From 2019 to 2021, the Samsung T5 SSD was the best choice for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode. Although T7 has swapped the position with this one, T5 is still worthy to remain on this list.

Apart from the heat production issue, the T5 still can bring a better experience with a reading speed of up to 540mb/s.

The password and hardware encrypted feature has even made this one safe for most applications.

If you are asking why you still should go with this one, I have to say that users are still loving it. C'mon! user experiences do matter.

When it comes to pleasing the users, the Samsung T5 is doing everything that a quality Drive should be doing.

Samsung T5 SSD comes with USB A to C and C to C cables. As a result, connecting the SSD to your Tesla will bring no hassle.

Pros

• T5 is a perfect choice for most Tesla Models.
• The heating issue will be nominal with this one.
• The management software will allow you to manage your data with ease.

Cons

Samsung T5 is a bit more expensive than the T7 although the space capacity is the same

5. BUFFALO External SSD 500GB

Specification

Features worth discussing

Most SSDs mentioned above are highly rated and they tend to be expensive. If you are someone who has been looking for an affordable option, the Buffalo 500 GB SSD might be the ideal solution for you.

Why should you purchase this one for your Tesla? Well, the SSD comes with a read speed of up to 430 Mb/s, making it almost similar to a high-rated drive.

The drive is compatible with the USB drive 3.2 ports and also come with an adapter to connect it to any application, giving you the authenticity to get better speed and performance simultaneously.

Nevertheless, the shock-resistant capacity and drop protection rating of Buffalo SSD are also satisfactory enough to secure the drive from any sort of external and internal damage.

Choosing this item should validate your overall spending.

What's the price of Buffalo 500GB SSD? Well, this Buffalo 500GB SSD is available for about $60.

Pros

• The drive is compatible with a large number of applications.
• The SSD comes with a conventional Solid drive design.
• Multi-tasking will be much easier with this Solid Drive.

Cons

Buffalo SSDs are good for storing data rather than doing high-load creative works.

6. Western Digital My Passport Go 1TB Solid State Drive

Specifications

Features worth discussing

This 1TB SSD from Western Digital is one of the fastest and most reliable Solid Drives available on this list. With up to 1TB of storage capacity, this one is better capable of storing your car information.

The reason we have enlisted this item to this list is its high-end SSD performance. According to Western Digital, this one is two times faster than a conventional portable hard drive.

This WD 1TB SSD will ensure relentless footage capturing with its larger storage capacity. A perfect match for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode.

Pros

• The drive comes with dedicated USB cables to ensure optimal connectivity.
• Everyone knows the quality of WD drives.
• The drive also includes the necessary software for essential backup.

Cons

Again, compatibility can be an issue with this drive. Ensure that this drive complies with your Tesla Model.

7. Jeda’s Tesla Sentry storage drive

Specifications

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Features worth discussing

Jeda 256 GB Solid State Drive is a dedicated memory solution for your Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Jeda SSD tends to be far superior to most other flash drives because the manufacturer only delivers this item to make the experience with your Tesla Dashcam much faster and reliable.

From transferring music files to sentry recording, this SSD has every merit to give you the best experience possible.

With a read and write speed of up to 540 MB/s, this one is enough capable to beat other expensive portable solid drives available on the market.

Nonetheless, the magnetic release feature of this SSD will come in handy to ensure optimized connectivity to give you the best experience imaginable.

There is also an alternative if you feel like 256GB is not enough for sentry mode. You can replace Tesla’s EXFAT MSATA SSD if more space is required.

Pros

• This one uses USB 3.0 and type C for the fastest transmission.
• The USB-A to USB-C magnetic plug will make the connectivity much easier.
• This is a quality product on every occasion.

Cons

With nearly $145 in price, this Solid Drive may look like an expensive investment.

FAQ

How much does a Tesla Dashcam/sentry mode SSD cost?

A 500GB SSD for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry costs from $100 to $150.

The price of a 1TB SSD for Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode will be over $200.

How much storage does the Tesla USB drive has?

The Tesla USB drive has a maximum space of up to 132 GB.

Where do you put the USB in Tesla?

There will have two USB ports in the Center console of every Tesla Mode where you will be able to put the USB.

What USB works with Tesla?

Most Tesla Model is compatible with USB 2.0. That means if you are using a USB 3.0, the USB drive must support 2.0.

What is the sentry mode in Tesla?

The sentry mode enables the Tesla user to learn about the surroundings of the vehicle without being physically present near the vehicle.

Which Tesla Model supports sentry mode?

Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X support sentry mode.

Final summary

When the Sentry mode of your Tesla is on, the constant recording may evaporate the internal storage. An external SSD installed on your Tesla can therefore bring a thriving Tesla Dashcam and Sentry mode experience.