Transfer files on the go with the best portable SSD

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In search of the top portable SSD? These solid-state drives are our best recommendations for all users after reviewing the most recent models.

The greatest USB flash drives, external hard drives for Mac, and other storage options have all been put to the test by our knowledgeable review team, which has evaluated hundreds of products. These are the gadgets we suggest if you require portable storage with a large capacity and speed. We believe that for the majority of users, the Samsung T7 is the finest portable SSD. It includes a small chassis, fast read/write speeds, added protection in the form of a fingerprint scanner, and capacities of 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB.

Whether you need a small SSD for school or college or a large SSD for corporate use, we’ve compiled our top picks for SSDs that are purely portable. We test transfer speeds, investigate the design, dimensions, and connectivity, and evaluate additional features and packaged software as part of our thorough assessment process.

Best portable SSD of 2024

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Complete descriptions of each of the top contenders for portable SSDs on our list may be found below. We have thoroughly tested each one, so you can be certain that our suggestions are reliable.

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1. Samsung T7 SSD

A welcome update to a much loved external storage device

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2

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If you want the best portable SSD with loads of features, the Samsung T7 is perfect. With sequential read and write speeds of up to 1,050 and 1,000 MB/s, respectively, this external storage is not only blazingly quick, but it also packs a tonne of amazing features into a little, portable design.

Its integrated security features are the most significant of those aspects. This supports fingerprint sign-in, which you may enable using the device’s administration software. It also employs AES 256-bit encryption.

During the kit’s testing, we discovered that this drive provides the ideal compromise of mobility, speed, security, and cost. Its price point makes it a desirable option even though it does not have IP68 or the security certifications of more costly competitors. Although it may benefit from a sturdy housing, the Samsung T7 SSD is still our choice for the finest portable SSD available and is definitely something you should take into account.

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2. Lexar SL200 2TB external SSD

Cheapest branded portable SSD by capacity

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

Interface: Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1

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I must admit that, in a review I wrote three years ago, I might have been a little too critical. I am posting an exuberant review of a product I awarded just three stars.

As I stated at the time, the Lexar SL200 was a “good product, but that’s about it.” Its premium cost isn’t helping it at all, and it lacks a distinct advantage over nearly anything else on the market.”

After nearly three years, the 2TB version of the SL200 is now far less expensive than when it was first released in June 2021—about a year after I wrote my evaluation. For that reason alone, I should definitely give the drive another go and give it at least one star.

It is now the lowest priced 2TB portable SSD available anywhere, at $89.99. Even while it is still significantly more expensive than a typical portable hard drive with a comparable capacity, an external SSD is ultimately a better option for storing your data, files, and folders.

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3. Samsung T5 SSD

Samsung’s portable SSD is a phenomenal piece of kit

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Interface: USB Type-C

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The outstanding Samsung Portable SSD T5 is the latest model in Samsung’s outstanding lineup of portable SSDs. We referred to this little journey as “a masterclass in portable storage” after our time. This is the first truly portable drive that proves an external drive can be more compact than a credit card stack or a powerful power bank, if that’s what you’re searching for.

The Samsung T5 does improve performance, building upon the outstanding design and functionality of its predecessor, the Samsung T3. The solid-state drive therein is given the last bit of performance boost by a quick USB Type-C connection. With its 10Gbps USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port, it can transfer data at twice the theoretical maximum speed of its predecessors. If your PC lacks USB Type-C, it is also backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.

The Samsung T3 ought to be more than sufficient if you don’t care about those performance improvements, and it’s now cheaper as well. You can probably continue using your T3 for the time being if you already have one. Aside from that, the Samsung T5 is a fantastic all-around SSD with quick transfer speeds for transferring or transporting big volumes of data.

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4. Seagate Fast SSD

The world’s largest hard disk drive maker wants a bigger slice of the SSD pie

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Interface: USB Type-C

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No rewards for figuring out which area the Seagate Fast SSD is focused on. Yes, it does live up to its moniker. That is its name.

According to our assessment, “this drive ranked among the fastest in terms of performance without relying on any sort of magic tricks (RAID-0 for example).” Impressive performance was shown by Seagate’s newest storage device, nearly tying the G-Drive Slim SSD on CrystalDiskMark and Atto. The AS SSD and HD Tune Pro results were also among the best that we have seen.

It’s not as small as the WD My Passport SSD, but it’s still one of the best portable SSDs for a thin, light disc. With a weight of 82g, a thickness of only 9mm, and a dimension of 94 x 79mm, it can be conveniently carried in your pocket.

The best part is that it’s typically reasonably priced. Paying more or less for a device that doesn’t match the high performance in such a sleek appearance is definitely an option.

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5. Samsung X5 Portable SSD

Thunderbolt 3 and NVMe come together to deliver top notch performance

SPECIFICATIONS

Capacity: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB

Interface: Thunderbolt 3

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If you are willing to pay practically anything, and your top priority is faster speeds, the Samsung X5 is the best portable SSD.

It utilises a Thunderbolt 3 connection to fully utilise the blazingly fast speeds of the Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD that is installed. We did test and evaluate the gadget, nevertheless, and found that the transfer speeds were not as impressive as one may have anticipated. With the correct connector, however, this drive remains incredibly fast.

That unwavering commitment to speed, though, comes at a cost. Let’s start with the premium pricing. And then there’s the layout. Due to the fact that this drive is neither a Samsung T3 or T5. With a footprint of 116 x 60 x 18 mm and a weight of 150g, which is thrice that of the T5, it is bigger and bulkier than either.

So, not one for people who value portability. Still, the Samsung X5 is among the finest for the money when it comes to speed alone.

Best portable SSDs: FAQs

What is the best portable SSD for laptops?

When portability is a priority, all of the portable drives we tested work well with laptops. The connectivity of your laptop is the primary factor to take into account; USB and USB Type-C are the most popular. But if speed is important to you and your device supports Thunderbolt 3 PCIe, go for a disc that has this connectivity. The Samsung X5 Portable SSD is among the top portable SSDs with this connector. See our guide, “Getting the most out of Thunderbolt 3,” for additional information about the connection.

Are the best portable SSDs good for gaming?

Yes, a lot of the best portable drives are excellent for playing games. For instance, the Adata SE770G, with its captivating RGB design, strongly draws in the gamer aesthetic and connects to gaming consoles if you require additional storage. But be sure your SSD can connect quickly; Thunderbolt or Type-C connections are ideal. Additionally, you should select a device with a sizable amount of storage; 1TB or more is a decent starting point, particularly if you have a sizable library full of recent games because they take up a lot of room.

What is NAND flash?

Anthony Spence responds to this query on behalf of SSD and memory expert Silicon Power.

One kind of non-volatile storage technology is NAND Flash. Simply said, non-volatile refers to NAND’s ability to store data without the need for power, in contrast to DRAM (or system memory). NAND is a fantastic choice for external on-the-go storage devices since it can hold data even after the power is turned off.

Unlike hard disc drives (HDD), NAND Flash technology uses many memory cells and electric circuits to store data instead of relying on magnetic technology.

Compared to HDD, NAND has a number of advantages. For example, since it doesn’t have any moving parts, data should be safe from drops and falls. In contrast to HDD devices, NAND Flash devices are often lighter and smaller, but more significantly, their performance is far higher than that of HDD devices.

The main disadvantage of NAND is that, especially when compared to more conventional hard drives, it can be costly per gigabyte. The two most popular solutions to this issue are to increase the number of bits in each cell or switch from 2D planar to 3D NAND technology and beyond.”

What is 3D NAND flash?

NAND cells can be stacked thanks to 3D NAND, sometimes referred to as V-NAND technology. One way to get around planar NAND capacity restrictions is to layer NAND. Because NAND cells are stacked vertically rather than horizontally, data integrity is maintained at higher densities.

In addition to having a larger memory density than 2D NAND, 3D NAND also has better endurance, less power consumption, faster read and write speeds, and a cheaper total cost per gigabyte.

Can an internal SSD be used as a portable SSD drive?

Of course the answer is in the affirmative. You see, an internal SSD is just a collection of parts housed in a metal or plastic container that serves as real protection for the electronics within. Therefore, unless you wish to physically hide the drive for whatever reason or want it to be more aesthetically pleasing, protecting it with an exterior cover is unnecessary.

Just keep in mind that they can’t compete with the most tough or secure drives because they don’t have additional security measures to strengthen their resistance to harsh environments or to stop third parties from accessing the NAND chips themselves.

Since SATA SSDs are the least expensive solid state drives, all you have to do to get the least expensive external SSD is take an internal SATA SSD and attach it to an external connector, such as the Sabrent EC-SSHD, and you’re good to go! As of the writing of this, you’re looking at savings of about 20%, even after deducting the cost of the latter, which is approximately $12. Every bit counts.

The difference gets larger the larger the drive; an 8TB SSD (Samsung 870 QVO at Amazon) costs roughly $430, whereas a similar portable variant costs roughly $200 more (VectoTech Rapid).

Because its components are truly exposed, a PCIe NVMe internal SSD cannot be used for this. Before using the module, it must be placed inside an external enclosure. They have the advantage of using USB 3.2 Gen 2, which gives rates of up to 10Gbps, enough for PCIe SSDs, which are often faster than SATA SSDs, and they are not that expensive (about twice the price of the EC-SSHD).

Is a portable HDD slower than an external SSD?

Indeed. I cannot imagine a situation in which this would not be the case. To be clear, we are referring to portable hard drives, which are smaller versions of external or desktop hard drives that are meant to be taken around. Because hard drives are mechanical, they operate more slowly. Data is kept on platters and accessed by a head that is mounted on an arm, much like a turntable reading records.

An external HDD with an average throughput of 140MBps, or the ability to transmit data at that speed, is the Seagate Backup Plus. The SL200 is the slowest external SSD we’ve tested, reaching 450MBps, or almost three times the speed.

Therefore, on all but the slowest portable SSD, a folder that takes roughly three minutes to transfer will take less than a minute.

How to choose the best portable SSD for you

The primary considerations for selecting the best portable SSD are typically storage capacity, transfer speeds, weight and size, and durability.

The finest portable SSDs come in a variety of capacities. 50GB is perfect for occasional use or large amounts of smaller files, such as Word documents, while 2TB is a better option if you want to store media assets like movies, photos, and other types of files. Keep in mind that prices increase with storage capacity if you’re on a tight budget.

Even when sharing or transferring large files, certain SSDs can achieve incredibly fast rates. However, not all of them are capable, and workflows are greatly impacted by an annoyingly slow disc. Throughout our evaluations, we benchmarked every top portable SSD choice so you could compare actual and simulated transfer speeds to what the manufacturers had promised. The quickest communication over USB is provided by a Thunderbolt 3 PCIe interface; however, not all PCs and laptops can handle this connection, so make sure before making a purchase, especially if you plan to connect it to a lot of different devices.

Compact portable drives are available in a variety of sizes and designs. For those who are sick of carrying around bulky external drives, slim and light designs are essential. Some are so little that they fit in your pocket similar to a cell phone. Many drives feature shock resistance if you’re concerned about harming it while travelling (and unlike HDDs, there are no moving parts to damage). However, ensure that the portable SSD is IP68-rated for true ruggedness. It is therefore waterproof and dust-proof.

How we test the best portable SSDs

The fastest SSDs, the fastest external SSDs, and the best robust hard drives are just a few of the solid-state drives and HDDs that we have evaluated extensively.

We benchmark performance in a simulated environment and record real-world results when really transferring files across devices and drives in order to test, review, and rate the finest portable SSD devices. This allows you to assess how closely actual performance matches product claims. We also examined interface and connection as part of this benchmarking, with choices ranging from Thunderbolt 3 to USB Type-C.

When comparing the best portable SSD, storage space is an important factor. For a wide spectrum of users, this is what we would prefer to see. Nowadays, a number of models can store up to 2TB of data, but not everyone needs that much space, so choosing a device with smaller capacity could be one approach to save some cash.

Finally, we’ve thought about design. The ideal portable SSDs should be lightweight and portable, fitting easily into a pocket or bag. Devices described as rugged or robust should, at the at least, be shock-resistant, but they should also be water- and dust-proof.