TIME named the BIWIN Mini SSD a Best Invention of 2025 on October 9, 2025. The compact NVMe drive measures 15 × 17 × 1.4 mm, comes in capacities up to 2TB, and has manufacturer-rated sequential speeds of up to 3,700 MB/s read and 3,400 MB/s write. The recognition is an editorial honor—not proof that the drive works in every handheld, mini PC, or other device.
What TIME recognized
TIME’s October 9, 2025 profile describes BIWIN’s Mini SSD as an NVMe drive about the size of a micro-SIM card, with up to 2TB of storage and a published read speed of 3,700 MB/s. It reports that GPD has publicly said it already uses the format. TIME’s profile is an editorial account of the product, not an independent performance test.
TIME’s 2025 Best Inventions list includes 300 inventions. In its methodology explanation, TIME says editors and correspondents assessed entries for originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact. The honor therefore signals editorial recognition against those criteria; it does not certify compatibility or establish how the drive performs in every device.
What the BIWIN Mini SSD is
BIWIN positions the Mini SSD as a very small removable NVMe drive intended to bring SSD-class storage to devices where a conventional M.2 module may be too large. BIWIN describes applications including handheld gaming consoles, ultrabooks, tablets, smart cameras, edge-AI devices, AI PCs, and mini PCs. Its announcement frames the format as an option between slower embedded storage and larger standard M.2 SSDs. BIWIN’s announcement followed TIME’s recognition on October 10, 2025.
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- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
BIWIN Storage Technology USA Director Will Lin summarized the goal as: “We brought ‘SSD speed and performance down to the size of a coin.” The defining feature is the physical footprint: BIWIN’s 2025 specification sheet gives maximum dimensions of 15.00 × 17.00 × 1.40 mm. BIWIN’s CL100 product information identifies the consumer Mini SSD family.
Specifications: what BIWIN publishes
The figures below are manufacturer specifications, not independently verified results. “Up to” ratings describe peak specifications; they do not establish sustained performance in a particular device.
Rank #2
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
| Specification | BIWIN-published value |
|---|---|
| Interface and protocol | PCIe Gen4x2; NVMe 1.4 |
| Flash and architecture | 3D TLC flash; DRAM-less |
| Capacities | 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB |
| Sequential read | Up to 3,700 MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 3,400 MB/s |
| Random read | Up to 550K IOPS |
| Random write | Up to 650K IOPS |
| Maximum dimensions | 15.00 × 17.00 × 1.40 mm |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to +70°C |
| Storage temperature | −40°C to +85°C |
| Idle power | Up to 60 mW |
| Low-power PS4 consumption | 6 mW |
| MTBF | 1,500,000 hours |
These are values listed in BIWIN’s 2025 CL100 specification information. The MTBF figure is a reliability metric, not a promise that an individual drive will last for that many hours.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will it fit your handheld or mini PC?
Only if the device has a Mini SSD slot designed for this format and supports its electrical interface. A similar-looking slot, adequate storage capacity, or a mention of NVMe alone is not enough to establish compatibility. The sources cited here do not provide a complete device-by-device compatibility matrix.
Rank #3
- Check the exact device model and revision. Look in the manufacturer’s specifications or service documentation for explicit support for BIWIN Mini SSD or the Mini SSD format.
- Confirm the slot and interface. Verify that the device has the correct physical connector and supports PCIe Gen4x2/NVMe 1.4; do not assume a microSD slot or an M.2 slot accepts this drive.
- Check physical and thermal constraints. Confirm the bay accommodates the 15.00 × 17.00 × 1.40 mm maximum dimensions and that the device’s operating conditions suit the drive.
- Verify capacity support and installation requirements. Confirm the device supports your chosen 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB capacity, and check whether opening the device or replacing storage affects its warranty or serviceability.
- Confirm the exact product and return terms before purchase. BIWIN identifies the CL100 as a consumer Mini SSD, but a product-family listing alone does not establish that a particular device supports it.
What the award does—and does not—tell buyers
The award gives buyers a clear signal that TIME’s editors considered the product notable under their stated criteria. It does not substitute for device-maker compatibility documentation or independent testing. The manufacturer’s speed ratings are peak specifications; the cited material does not establish sustained-write performance, endurance results, or how the drive behaves under a specific handheld’s thermal and power limits.
BIWIN’s published figures also do not, by themselves, show how the Mini SSD compares in real use with microSD Express, M.2 2230 drives, or soldered storage. A useful comparison would need to account for the device’s slot, real-world speed, capacity, power and heat limits, upgradeability, price, and ecosystem support—not just maximum sequential read speed.
What is known about the CL100 and buying availability
BIWIN identifies the CL100 as its consumer Mini SSD and lists the 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacity family. The official product information supports the product identity and specifications, but the cited sources do not establish a current street price, regional stock, authorized marketplace sellers, or a universal list of compatible devices. Check the seller, exact capacity, return policy, and your device maker’s compatibility information before spending money.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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