Best external SSD 2025: Top portable storage drives tested

The Samsung T9 Moveable SSD is the corporate’s present top-tier exterior SSD that packs in peak efficiency of as much as 2,000MB/s – quick sufficient to switch 2GB in a single second. This makes it excellent for anybody needing to sling big recordsdata backwards and forwards to their exterior storage. All that efficiency additionally ensures you possibly can very safely use this drive as an exterior Steam or different recreation library drive.

It is also accessible in capacities or 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB whereas being very small and hard because of a rubberized casing. It additionally affords {hardware} encryption for peace of thoughts.

Its pace is overkill for many patrons wants, with slower drives nonetheless in a position to ship quick recreation load occasions and fairly quick file transfers – and you’re paying a premium for that further pace – however should you completely want the most effective, the T9 delivers.

Get the total image in our Samsung T9 overview.

The Samsung Moveable T7 Protect affords the identical specs because the Samsung T7 in third place in our information however provides the reassurance of a more durable, rubberised exterior and an IP65 water and dirt resistance ranking. For those who’re cautious, it can save you a little bit cash and go for the non-Protect choice however we would select the more durable drive each time.

The T7 Protect makes use of a USB 3.2 connection for sequential switch speeds of as much as 1,000MB/s learn and 1,050MB/s write. That is quick sufficient for very fast file transfers and dependable gaming loading, if you wish to use an exterior SSD to your Steam recreation library.

The additional safety of this drive will not shield it from a full submersion in water however it could face up to jets of water blasting at it and it is totally mud sealed. You’ll have to be sure to clear out the USB port earlier than plugging it in, although, if the drive has gotten mucky.

Regardless of its price range tagline in our checklist right here, the Samsung T7 is definitely a really succesful and quick exterior SSD choice. Its USB-C 3.2 port can ship sequential learn and write speeds of as much as 1,000MB/s and 1,050MB/s respectively, which is quick sufficient to maneuver a 1GB file to or from the drive in only one second. 

In the meantime, the drive can also be quick sufficient to ship dependable recreation loading occasions, should you’re searching for an exterior SSD that can be utilized to retailer your Steam/Epic recreation library, as an illustration. In-built {hardware} encryption additionally ensures your knowledge is secure.

With its moderately compact and pocketable design, this drive can also be very moveable and is available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, so you’ve got loads of choices for an enormous quantity of moveable storage. Regardless of not being pitched as a ruggedized drive, that is nonetheless a tricky little unit that can survive knocking round in a laptop computer bag fairly fortunately.

In order for you a little bit extra peace of thoughts, although, the ruggedized model of this drive – the T7 Protect – is value the additional few {dollars} however in any other case the usual T7 is a good alternative.

For those who’re in want of as a lot storage as potential for as little cash as potential, exterior exhausting drives are nonetheless probably the most value efficient choice. The WD My Passport may be purchased in capacities starting from 1TB all the best way as much as 6TB (most SSDs high out at 4TB), with costs for every capability comfortably decrease than the equal SSD.

As an example, a 2TB WD My Passport prices round $85 whereas most 2TB SSDs are round $120, and the distinction is even greater for bigger drives. A 4TB WD My Passport prices round $125 whereas most 4TB SSDs are round $250.

There are two large caveats with choosing a conveyable exhausting drive, although. For a begin, this WD drive is barely greater and heavier than the likes of the Samsung T9, at 107 x 75 x 19mm and 208g in comparison with 88 x 60 x 14mm and 122g. Plus, it’s miles much less resistant to wreck. It would nonetheless survive falling off most tables however that is concerning the restrict of its toughness.

Lastly, there’s pace to think about. With a most learn/write pace of simply 120MB/s this drive is sort of precisely 10x slower than the Samsung T7, and 20x slower than the Samsung T9. That quantities to file transfers taking lots longer however maybe extra importantly means this drive is not effectively fitted to storing video games. You may discover the sluggish load occasions attempting to run your recreation library from a drive like this. As a substitute, it is best for slow-access bulk storage, although it is nonetheless quick sufficient for watching a 4K video direct from the drive, as an illustration.

We love the Sandisk Excessive Moveable, which is now on V2 because of its continued recognition. Regardless of its small measurement of two.07 x 3.97 inches, the Excessive Moveable nonetheless packs a punch. Because of the NVMe drive underneath the hood, it is able to swift sequential learn and write speeds of 1,050MB/s and 1,000MB/s respectively.

It could actually additionally take a beating with two-meter drop safety, and IP55 water and dirt resistance, making it the right journey companion for the most effective gaming laptop computer – not that we suggest chucking it round. We have used our authentic drive each single day for years, and have by no means as soon as had any points.

It connects by way of USB Sort-C, though there is a Sort-A adaptor included too. You may choose the drive up in capacities starting from 500GB as much as a whopping 4TB, and sizes from 1TB now are available in two funky blue colorways. It actually is moveable and is designed with a gap within the nook in an effort to clip it onto your keys or a bag. 

The Lexar Blaze SL660 is the right alternative for you if you would like a devoted moveable gaming SSD. Suitable with PC, in addition to PS5, PS4, and Xbox, it is a versatile drive that mixes reliability and efficiency with a terrific value. It isn’t the quickest SSD on this information, however the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 assist ensures quick learn and write speeds.

Just like the Asus ROG Strix Arion beneath, the Blaze has a stunning RGB design. At simply 2.5 inches broad, it additionally boasts a very moveable kind issue, comes with a removable stand for added performance, and its aluminum development ensures safety from shock and drops. Safety-wise, it affords 256-bit AES encryption software program answer to guard your knowledge.

The draw back of the Lexar Blaze SL660 gaming SSD is that it wants a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connection to get the most effective efficiency. The capability additionally maxes out at 1TB, which can be too low for some, however if you would like a very moveable SSD to enrich a bigger exhausting drive, this may not be an issue.

The Xbox Sequence X / S will not permit you to set up and play present era video games on any random exterior SSD, as an alternative making use of the growth slot on the rear of the console.

Seagate’s NVMe is at present the one mannequin that matches into Microsoft’s proprietary port and affords learn and write speeds similar to the console’s inside NVMe solid-state drive. There is not any USB connection, nevertheless, so that is solely an exterior SSD for the most recent Xbox consoles reasonably than one to your PC.