Best portable SSDs in 2024

A quality portable solid-state drive (SSD) can provide a speedy and convenient solution to the lack of storage on your favorite devices. At a minimum, you only need to decide on a capacity that will exceed your soon-to-be-stored data volume. Keep in mind that you should not plan to fill a drive to its storage limit, aim instead for an extra 20% or so of padding for best performance. Delving deeper, you’ll also want to focus on the drive’s speed, connection type, durability, and price. We’ve considered all of these factors when paring down the wide range of storage choices, arriving at a tight list of external SSDs that should suit a wide range of users. Great SSDs are generally more expensive than classic spinning hard disk drives, but without moving parts they have a slimmer build and faster data transfer. Here are some of the best portable SSDs on the market to help you buy the right drive.

Our favorite portable SSDs in 2024

Samsung kicked off its current portable SSD reign with the standard T7, but it has since branched out into the T7 Touch and, more recently, the T7 Shield. Now that the price of the Shield has come down to rival that of the standard T7, there’s really no reason not to get the more rugged drive. The rubberized coating on the outside doesn’t really add much bulk, with the drive weighing about 0.21 pounds (98g) and coming in at about the size of a deck of playing cards. The outer coating also adds IP65 water and dust resistance plus three-meter drop protection, making it the most resilient external SSD that Samsung offers.

In my Samsung T7 Shield review, I got back read speeds of about 1,065MB/s and write speeds of about 960MB/s. That’s in line with what Samsung claims, and overall, the performance will be what most people need. I use it for photos, documents, and other projects without an issue. As a bonus, built-in 256-bit AES encryption can help keep your data secure. The drive uses a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) port to connect, and it comes with a USB-C cable.

Related

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD review: A rugged alternative to the T7 and T7 Touch

Samsung’s T7 Shield is made to withstand harsh conditions and to offer the expected T7 lineup’s speedy performance

The T7 Shield is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Whereas prices were once much higher than the T7 and T7 Touch, the 1TB Shield can now be reliably shopped for around $80. Considering the standard T7 costs about as much, we suggest that you get a drive that’s much more durable with the same core features and speed.

Crucial X6 Portable SSD

Best value

Don’t overspend on storage

$100 $75 Save $-25

Need some speedy storage on the cheap? Crucial’s X6 might not be as fast as some of the more expensive options, but it still hits 800MB/s and comes in affordable 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Prices generally run between $40 and $50 for the 500GB model, and the 1TB model is only about $10 more.

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• Three-year warranty
• 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB capacities
• Super compact

Cons

• Speeds top out at 800MB/s

Crucial makes some of the most affordable PC storage out there, and its portable storage is also a good bet if you’re looking to spend less and still get a great product. The Crucial X6 is a compact portable SSD that comes in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, all at a very competitive price. The 500GB model starts at around $40 or $50, while the 2TB version costs about $80 depending on where you shop. Going all-out with capacity, the 4TB model is about $230 at regular price, with frequent price drops at all major retailers.

Despite the value pricing, the Crucial X6 is super compact and lightweight, it can withstand drops up to 6.5 feet (two meters), and it can hit transfer speeds up to 800MB/s (although the 500GB model tops out at 540MB/s). These specs should be enough for a lot of people who don’t want to overspend and just want some reliable storage around for when it’s needed.

The Crucial X6 works across multiple devices (including PC, Mac, Android, and consoles) and has a USB-C 3.1 (Gen 2) connector that’s backward compatible with older versions (as well as USB-A).

WD Black P50 Portable SSD

Premium Pick

A great (if pricey) option for gamers and pros

$176 $250 Save $74

WD’s Black P50 SSD is a great option for gamers and pros with a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) port capable of 2,000MB/s read speeds. It’s backward compatible with USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2), though speeds will be diminished. The drive has a durable aluminum shell and comes with a five-year warranty.

Pros

• Compact and durable design
• Up to 2,000MB/s read speeds (with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2)
• Still fast with standard USB-C
• Long five-year warranty

Cons

• Quite expensive
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports are still rare and might require extra hardware

Western Digital’s Black P50 portable SSD is a great choice for gamers and professionals who need a durable and compact drive. WD is so confident in its product that it offers a five-year warranty, which should help explain its steeper price. Models with 1TB capacity start at about $250 and climb beyond $700 for 4TB. However, frequent sales often knock 40% or more off the price. At the time of writing, the 1TB model is down to $180 at Amazon.

WD boasts read speeds up to 2,000Mb/s, but that’s really only possible if your computer has a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) hookup. This is not to be confused with USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2), which most modern PCs now have. If your PC doesn’t have the right connection, you could always add a PCIe card, assuming there’s space in the tower. If you’re on a laptop, you’ll likely have to stick with standard USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) speeds of about half that rate.

The drive is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, compatible with PCs or modern consoles. It has a rugged aluminum cover that keeps your data safe, and it’s small enough that you can slip it into a pocket when you leave home.

SanDisk Professional PRO-G40

Best rugged Thunderbolt

Extreme transfer speeds

$175 $300 Save $125

SanDisk’s Pro-G40 SSD boasts Thunderbolt 3 speeds up to 3,000MB/s while also safeguarding your data with IP68 water and dust resistance, extreme crush resistance, and drop protection. It’s available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities.

Pros

• Thunderbolt speeds up to 3,000MB/s
• IP68 dust and water protection
• Five-year warranty

Cons

• Overkill for casual users

SanDisk’s Professional class of rugged external SSDs includes the Pro-G40. It’s a slim drive that weighs only about 0.27lb and measures just 12mm thin despite its rugged design.

SanDisk has buffed the drive with IP68 water and dust resistance, which means the drive should be able to sit in water for half an hour without causing any damage. It’s also sealed off from dust to prevent internal damage. SanDisk doesn’t stop there, however, with an incredible 4000 pounds of crush resistance and three-meter drop protection.

The Thunderbolt 3 connection allows the drive to hit up to 3,000MB/s read and 2,500MB/s write speeds, but it can also operate at standard USB 3.2 (Gen 2) speeds of about 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write. The drive is compatible with Windows and macOS. The best part: this fairly priced drive comes with a five-year warranty to help protect your purchase.

Kingston XS2000

Most portable

Tiny but certainly mighty

$110 $138 Save $28

Kingston XS2000 is another SSD riding the USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) 2,000MB/s speed train, and it does so in about the slimmest manner possible. The drive also has IP55 water and dust resistance, and it comes with a rubber sleeve. Get it in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities.

Pros

• USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) speeds up to 2,000MB/s
• Durable design with IP55 water and dust resistance
• Comes with a rubber sleeve for extra protection
• Super slim

Cons

• A USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) port is required to maximize performance

The Kingston XS2000 is another external SSD with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 compatibility for read speeds up to 2,000MB/s. If you’re using regular USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, you’ll see speeds closer to 1,000 MB/s. That’s still impressive for a drive that measures just 13.5mm thin and weighs only 1oz. The case is a blend of plastic and aluminum, and it comes with IP55 water and dust resistance. It’s also shock-resistant to help keep it safe should it be dropped. Kingston also throws in a rubber sleeve to wrap around the drive when you leave home.

The drive is available in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, with prices starting at about $75 when not on sale. That’s very affordable for a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 drive, and even those looking for the maximum 4TB size can often find it on sale for $300 or less. If you love traveling light and need a durable SSD that you’ll hardly notice is there, the Kingston XS2000 should be a top pick.

ADATA Elite SE880

Best for USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2)

Performance beyond 2,000MB/s

$90 $95 Save $5

The ADATA Elite SE880 is a tiny SSD available in 500GB and 1TB capacities. It works with any USB-C port, but it can effectively double its performance (up to 2,000MB/s read and write) when connected to a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) port.

Pros

• Can go beyond 2,000MB/s read speeds with USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2)
• Lightweight and compact design
• Five-year warranty
• Host cable is removable

Cons

• Only 500GB and 1TB options
• Speeds top out around 1,000MB/s without USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2)

The ADATA Elite SE880 is a bit of a niche product, and, like the WD Black P50, is geared towards PC users with access to USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2). This goes beyond the common USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×1) standard by offering read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.

When I tested this SSD, I had to pick up an extra PCIe expansion card for my PC just for the faster standard. However, very likely professionals, designers, and creators with workstations might already have this capability available. If not, it could be worth the PCIe cost for that sweet transfer speed. And if your PC doesn’t have the faster standard (or if it’s using Thunderbolt 3 or 4) the drive will just default back to the USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×1) standard of 1,000MB/s.

The SSD is very small, measuring just 2.55 x 1.38 x 0.48 inches, and it weighs just 1.1 ounces. It’s available in 500GB and 1TB capacities, and it has a five-year warranty to help protect your purchase.

Sabrent Rocket Nano XTRM

Portable Thunderbolt

Extreme speeds in a small package

Need a tiny drive that can handle Thunderbolt 3 speeds for quick transfers of large files? Sabrent’s Rocket Nano XTRM looks like a stick of gum but has some impressive specs. It’s made out of aluminum for extra durability, and Sabrent throws in a silicon sleeve for added protection.

Pros

• Awesome Thunderbolt speeds
• Small enough to easily carry in a pocket
• Durable aluminum build with included protective sleeve

Cons

• No IP rating
• Relatively expensive

Sabrent’s Rocket Nano XTRM boasts Thunderbolt 3 transfer speeds up to 2,700MB/s, but it can also operate on standard USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) with speeds up to 900MB/s. It works well with Windows and macOS.

The tiny drive measures just 2.7 inches long, 1.1 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thin. It makes me think of a stick of gum anytime I see it, albeit with a much more durable aluminum build which helps dissipate heat, and also protects the more fragile internal components. Sabrent also tosses in a silicon sleeve to wrap around the drive for added protection.

This little drive is ideal for traveling, especially if you often deal with large files. The warranty is set at one year, but you can extend it by three years by simply registering the drive with Sabrent.

Lexar SL660 Blaze

Great for gaming

RGB lighting

$60 $90 Save $30

The Lexar SL660 Blaze portable SSD has an aluminum build with an RGB clip loop to better match your gaming gear. It backs up its snazzy appearance with up to 2,000MB/s read and 1,900MB/s write speeds via the USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) interface, making it great for gaming.

Pros

• RGB loop adds some flair
• Durable aluminum chassis
• Speeds up to 2,000MB/s
• 256-bit AES encryption

Cons

• Tops out at 1TB capacity
• Requires USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) standard for full speeds

Gamers who would like to maximize RGB on their desk should check out the Lexar SL660 Blaze. It’s designed from the start with durability and style in mind. The aluminum shell puts up with daily wear and tear, the clip makes for easy safekeeping, and it’s slim enough to slide into a pocket when you’re on the move. It even comes with a stand that you can use at your desktop.

The USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2×2) interface allows for read speeds up to about 2,000MB/s, with write speeds not far behind at a blistering 1,900MB/s. Of course, your PC needs to be able to support this standard to hit the drive’s full potential. In my case, I use a PCIe expansion card as most PCs these days are still shipping with regular USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) at about 10Gbps. You’ll still get speeds to rival other USB-C drives without the Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) standard.

As an added bonus, the drive has 256-bit AES hardware encryption to keep your data safe. You’ll be able to fit up to 1TB of data on these drives (which is the capacity we recommend for modern gaming) but you can save some money by opting for the 512GB version. Be sure to take a look at more great gaming laptop accessories if you’re getting started on a new setup.

Buying the best portable SSD

There are plenty of portable SSDs on the market, and many of them aren’t nearly as good as the ones we’ve rounded up here. To get the perfect portable SSD for your needs, be sure to consider the following features:

• Drive speed: SSDs are inherently faster than hard disk drives, but not all SSDs offer the same speeds. You should pick the ones with higher sequential speeds for transferring and backing up large blocks of data.
• Connection type: We recommend picking up portable SSDs with USB Type-C connectors that are now replacing older USB Type-A ones. However, we’ve also added a few drives that don’t offer Type-C connectors for now. They are more affordable, and you can use them with adapters or a different cable.
• Capacity: To get the best value for your money, it’s recommended that you pick up an SSD with at least 1TB of capacity. Lower-capacity drives are typically more expensive per gigabyte. You’ll spend more on a larger capacity but save money in the long run.
• Price: Expensive drives on the market may offer faster speeds and all the latest features, but you don’t necessarily need everything being offered. The Samsung T7 drive, for instance, isn’t the fastest drive on the market, but it’s still our best overall pick simply because it offers the best value, with a good mix of useful features and reliable transfer speeds.
• Durability: SSDs are less susceptible to failures than mechanical drives since they lack moving parts, but it’s still important to consider the most durable options if you’re always on the move. If you need extra protection, you can also opt for a drive that comes with a silicone cover/case.

There’s no shortage of portable SSDs on the market, but the Samsung T7 Shield is an ideal mix of portability, durability, speed, and competitive price. It has now dropped to about the same cost as the standard T7 version, so adding the extra durability is always recommended. You get the same performance, support, and 256-bit AES encryption as the other T7 drives, but it will withstand water, dust, and drops much better.

Something like the Crucial X6 Portable SSD is great if you want to spend less and still get a solid portable SSD. Speeds have an 800MB/s ceiling, so you get what you pay for here, but a 500GB model costs only about $40. It’s also available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. It has a three-year warranty and is tiny enough that you can slip it into a pocket when on the move.

We also suggest you check out our list of the best SSDs if you want more options. We also have other useful collections like the best M.2 SSDs and best CPUs that might interest you if you plan on building or upgrading a PC.

Related

How does an SSD store data?

SSDs offer fast, durable, energy-efficient storage via NAND flash, advanced controllers, and DRAM caches. Here’s how they work.