Having already tested the Kingston XS1000 (our test) and XS2000 (our test), two external storage media in the form of SSDs from the manufacturer, we are now testing the IronKey Keypad 200, a USB stick. The USB stick offers transfer rates of up to 145 MB/s when reading and 115 MB/s when writing. However, the special feature of the USB stick is not its speed, but its security functions. It offers operating system-independent hardware-based encryption with PIN release. The USB flash drive is available with a capacity of 16 to 512 GB and with both a type A and a type C USB port. In the following test, we take a closer look at the 64 GB model of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 with a Type-A USB port.
Technical data of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200
| Storage capacity | 64 GB |
| interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A) |
| Max. Read/write speed (MB/s) | 145/115MB |
| Operating temperature | 0 °C – 50 °C |
| Special features | IP68 certification, operating system-independent hardware-based XTS-AES 256-bit encryption, PIN release, FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certification |
| Dimensions | with cap: 80 x 20 x 11 mm without cap: 78 x 18 x 8 mm |
| Weight | with cap: 26 g without cap: 17 g |
| Warranty | 3 year limited warranty |
| Price | € 165.54 * |
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 (link to manufacturer) is based on USB 3.2 Gen 1. The transfer rates are up to 280 MB/s read and 200 MB/s write for the 512 GB model with Type-A and the 64-512 GB models with Type-C. The transfer rates of the other models are up to 145 MB/s read and 115 MB/s write.
As an alternative with higher capacity, Kingston offers the IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD (link to manufacturer). The transfer rates of the IronKey Vault Privacy 80 are up to 250 MB/s read and 250 MB/s write. The external SSD is available with a capacity of 960 GB to 7.68 TB.
The warranty period of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is 3 years. Free technical support is also included.
Scope of delivery
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is supplied in compact, visible packaging. The USB flash drive with its keypad and cap are clearly visible. On the front you will find details of the capacity and information on the security functions. Further information on PIN release can be found on the back.
The transparent packaging only contains the USB flash drive and its cap.
Design and workmanship
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is only available in metallic blue. The housing of the USB flash drive with cap has a base area of 80 x 20 mm and a height of 11 mm. The weight of the USB stick with cap is 26 g.
The housing of the IronKey Keypad 200 and its cap are made of aluminum. The ends of the USB stick and the cap are made of black plastic. The metallic blue sides of the housing and cap are rather smooth and shiny. There is an alphanumeric keypad and three LEDs on the top of the USB flash drive. The keypad is polymer-coated and is required for PIN release; the LEDs signal the encryption status, among other things. The underside of the USB flash drive contains information on the model and capacity. There is also a flexible ring at the end that can be used to attach the USB flash drive to a key ring, for example.
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 offers IP68 protection against dust and submersion in water when capped. This means that the USB flash drive isfully protected against contact and dust ingress as well as permanent submersion in water up to 1 meter deep.
The material and workmanship quality of the IronKey Keypad 200 is very good. The housing and the cap make a very good impression and have no defects. The cap is very firmly attached to the USB flash drive and reliably protects it from water with the help of a rubber seal.
Practical test of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200
In the first part of the practical test, we look at the performance of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200. To determine the performance, we use the benchmarks of the tools AS SSD, CrystalDiskMark, ATTO Disk and HD Tune Pro, as usual from the SSD tests. In the second part, we take a detailed look at the security functions.
Performance test
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 achieves 162.88 MB/s read and 136.80 MB/s write in the AS SSD Benchmark Seq test. The results are therefore 18 MB/s (~12 %) and 22 MB/s (~19 %) above the manufacturer’s specifications. In the 4K test, the USB flash drive achieved 14.64 MB/s read and 14.86 MB/s write. Due to the lack of comparative values for other USB sticks with hardware-based encryption, it is not possible to classify the performance here. In the benchmark score, the IronKey Keypad 200 achieves 120 points, in the copy benchmark the USB stick achieves 131.97 MB/s (ISO), 72.67 MB/s program and 113.10 MB/s (game).
In the CrystalDiskMark, the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 achieves 171.06 MB/s in sequential read and 142.09 MB/s in sequential write. The results are thus 26 MB/s (~18%) and 27 MB/s (~23%) above the manufacturer’s specifications. In the 4K test, the IronKey Keypad 200 achieved 18.44 MB/s for reading and 16.12 MB/s for writing. Due to the lack of comparative values for other USB sticks, it is not possible to classify the performance here either.
In the ATTO benchmark, the USB stick achieves up to ~144 MB/s for reading and 168 MB/s for writing. In the HD Tune benchmark it achieves 137.30 MB/s.
The technical data already indicate that the performance of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is rather low due to the real-time encryption of the data. The results of the performance test confirm this, whereby the manufacturer’s specifications are met or even exceeded. As mentioned at the beginning, however, the special features of this USB stick are not its speed, but its security functions. If you are only looking for a fast external storage device, the Kingston XS1000, XS2000 or the Dual Portable SSD (link to manufacturer) without hardware-based encryption may be a better alternative.
Security functions
As mentioned at the beginning, the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 offers hardware-based encryption independent of the operating system. As no additional software is required, many operating and data systems are supported. Kingston lists Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android 5 and any system that supports a USB mass storage device as compatible. The data is automatically encrypted using XTS-AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption.
The data is unlocked by entering a PIN. The PIN is entered before the device is plugged in and an integrated battery supplies the IronKey Keypad 200 with power. After entering the PIN, the USB stick is unlocked for 30 seconds; if it is not inserted within this time, it is locked again. The keypad is polymer-coated to protect the keys and prevent fingerprints and visible wear on the keys. The pressure point of the keys is very good.
The setup is simple. Before using it for the first time, you have to set a PIN (admin PIN). To do this, you must enter an 8-15 digit PIN twice and confirm this by pressing the key button twice. The IronKey Keypad 200 is then unlocked by pressing the key button once, entering the PIN and pressing the key button again (quick guide, link to the manufacturer).
A total of one admin PIN and up to 10 user PINs can be set. For example, the administrator can restore a user PIN if the user PIN is entered incorrectly ten times in a row and the USB flash drive is subsequently locked. If the admin PIN is entered incorrectly ten times in a row (or the user PIN ten times and then the admin PIN ten times), the USB flash drive is not simply locked, but a brute force attack protection cryptographically destroys the stored data and then resets the USB flash drive to the factory settings. In addition, the IronKey Keypad 200 offers two levels of write protection modes for the admin and the user, which are intended to protect the stored data from malware, for example.
In addition, non-destructive access to the electronic components is prevented by epoxy resin inside the USB stick.
Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 test: Conclusion
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 impresses in the test with its extensive security functions. The USB stick offers hardware-based encryption with PIN release via an alphanumeric keypad. If the admin PIN is entered incorrectly ten times in a row, the stored data is cryptographically destroyed and the USB stick is reset to its factory settings. In addition, non-destructive access to the electronic components is also prevented. The USB flash drive is easy to set up and use. The IronKey Keypad 200’s quality of materials and workmanship are also impressive.
The performance of the IronKey Keypad 200 is rather low due to the real-time encryption of the data. The manufacturer’s specifications are achieved or even exceeded. Due to the lack of comparative values for other USB sticks with hardware-based encryption, it is not possible to classify the performance here.
The 64 GB model of the Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 is currently available with both a Type-A and Type-C USB port for €155 (as of 17.05.2026). The price is very high for a USB stick with a capacity of 64 GB, but is justified by the security functions if you need these high security standards. Other USB sticks with hardware-based encryption such as the Kingston IronKey Locker+ 50 G2 (link to manufacturer) are available for €60 and can be an alternative if lower security standards are sufficient and the PIN release does not have to be carried out directly via the USB stick.
PROS
- OS-independent hardware-based encryption
- PIN authentication via alphanumeric keypad
- easy setup
- excellent build quality and materials
CONS
- very high price
Conclusion
The Kingston IronKey Keypad 200 offers comprehensive security features including hardware-based encryption with PIN authentication. The USB drive's performance is relatively modest due to real-time data encryption, though it meets or even exceeds the manufacturer's specifications. The price is very high, but justified given the security features.
