Buying Guide
The Best 1TB Portable SSDs
Five external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed, where the GARMESE has the fastest rated read speed, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
1TB is the capacity that decides how many games or projects travel with you. Every drive here holds 1TB, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed as the makers state them; if a maker skips max read speed, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
GARMESE 1TB External SSD
The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB
Drop protection up to 2m.
Best for: Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Buffalo External SSD 1TB
PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing.
Best for: Buyers who want PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing.
Our take Check price for Buffalo External SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB
A lightweight textile design.
Best for: Buyers who want lightweight textile design.
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB
An aluminum unibody at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab) |
| Drop protection up to 2m. | Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m. | Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing. | Buyers who want PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing. | Check price for Buffalo External SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| A lightweight textile design. | Buyers who want lightweight textile design. | Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| An aluminum unibody at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
GARMESE 1TB External SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GARMESE's SSD offers 2,000MB/s reads in a 33g body with a keychain hole.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
A USB-A adapter is included. It reads at up to 2,000MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is twice a standard 10Gbps drive. Full speed needs a 20Gbps port.
It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for reads up to 2000MB/s and writes up to 1800MB/s, which needs a 20Gbps port. Its 2,000MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the T7 1TB comes next at 1,050MB/s. Like the Buffalo SSD, it has a shock resistant durability claim, while the SanDisk Portable uses a drops up to 2m durability claim.
It also offers 1,800MB/s rated writes. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the SanDisk Portable was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 2,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter)
- Durability claim: Shock resistant
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,000MB/s
- 33g body with a keychain hole
- 1,800MB/s rated writes
- Included USB-A adapter
Also Consider2 of 5
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SanDisk's plain Portable SSD offers 1,000MB/s reads and 2m drop protection in a slim body.
Best for
- Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.
Why we like it
It is the budget model below the Extreme. It reads at up to 1000MB/s, about five times a portable hard drive. With no moving parts it is drop-rated to 2 meters, and it is slim enough for a pocket.
On rated read speed it trails the group at 1,000MB/s, while the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s. Like the One Touch SSD, it has a USB-C connection, while the Buffalo SSD uses a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection. You get a drops up to 2m durability claim here, which sets it apart from the Buffalo SSD and its a shock resistant durability claim.
It also offers driver-free USB-C setup. When we checked, only the GARMESE cost less, and the Buffalo SSD cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,000MB/s
- Connection: USB-C
- Durability claim: Drops up to 2m
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Drop protection up to 2m
- Driver-free USB-C setup
- Slim pocket body
- Drops up to 2m durability claim, the only one here
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the GARMESE (2,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the GARMESE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Buffalo External SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Buffalo's SSD lists PS4 and PS5 compatibility alongside PC and Mac, with USB-C and USB-A support.
Best for
- Buyers who want PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its rated read speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
The warranty is three years when registered. It works with PS4 and PS5 as well as Mac and PC, and its compact shell suits backup on the go. It is a low-cost way to add console storage.
No other pick in this guide offers a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection; compare the T7 1TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. It shares a shock resistant durability claim with the GARMESE; the T7 1TB goes with a drops up to 6ft durability claim. If you want a confirmed rated read speed, look to the GARMESE instead: it offers 2,000MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Connection: USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2)
- Durability claim: Shock resistant
- Security: None stated
Pros
- PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing
- Three-year warranty when registered
- USB-C and USB-A support
- USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the GARMESE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The One Touch SSD offers 1,030MB/s in a light textile case, with a three-year warranty and Rescue data recovery.
Best for
- Buyers who want lightweight textile design.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the GARMESE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is Seagate's fastest drive here. Its textile-covered shell is light enough for a commute, and a Mylio Photos+ subscription is included for organising photos. It connects over USB.
It includes a three-year limited warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services, plus a Dropbox Backup trial. Its 1,030MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 4 here, behind the GARMESE (2,000MB/s) and ahead of the SanDisk Portable (1,000MB/s). It shares a USB-C connection with the SanDisk Portable; the T7 1TB goes with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection.
It also comes with a lightweight textile design. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Buffalo SSD and the pricier T7 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,030MB/s
- Connection: USB-C
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Lightweight textile design
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription
- Rated read speed of 1,030MB/s, ahead of the SanDisk Portable
Cons
- Costs more than the GARMESE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's T7 puts a PCIe NVMe SSD in an aluminum shell rated for 6ft drops, with 1,050MB/s reads.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the GARMESE was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is small enough for a pocket. Its 1,050MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 4 here, behind the GARMESE (2,000MB/s) and ahead of the SanDisk Portable (1,000MB/s). A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Buffalo SSD uses a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection.
It is the only pick here with a drops up to 6ft durability claim; the SanDisk Portable has a drops up to 2m durability claim instead. It also offers direct 4K60 video recording from supported cameras and phones and drop protection up to 6ft. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the One Touch SSD. If capacity is your priority, the GARMESE (1TB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: Drops up to 6ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Aluminum unibody
- Direct 4K60 video recording from supported cameras and phones
- Drop protection up to 6ft
- Rated read speed of 1,050MB/s, ahead of the One Touch SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the GARMESE at the time of writing
How We Chose These 1TB Portable SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the GARMESE to the T7 1TB, state drive type, capacity and connection and share None stated security.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Buffalo SSD gives no rated read speed; the One Touch SSD gives no durability claim.
- Price range
- From the GARMESE to the T7 1TB, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 1TB Portable SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Here rated read speed runs from 1,000MB/s on the SanDisk Portable to 2,000MB/s on the GARMESE. Start with the GARMESE if rated read speed decides it. No figure for the Buffalo SSD.
Extras that separate them
The Buffalo SSD: a three-year warranty when registered. The One Touch SSD: a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. The T7 1TB: direct 4K60 video recording from supported cameras and phones.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the GARMESE at the low end to the T7 1TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the GARMESE. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the T7 1TB.
Password and encryption
Hardware encryption with a password protects a drive that could be lost. Software-only encryption depends on an app being available on each computer.
How to Choose a 1TB Portable SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | GARMESE | The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s) |
| Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m | SanDisk Portable | Drop protection up to 2m |
| Buyers who want PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing | Buffalo SSD | PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing |
| Buyers who want lightweight textile design | One Touch SSD | A lightweight textile design |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | T7 1TB | An aluminum unibody at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GARMESE leads on rated read speed at 2,000MB/s, ahead of the T7 1TB at 1,050MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GARMESE | SSD | 1TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter) |
| SanDisk Portable | SSD | 1TB | 1,000MB/s | USB-C |
| Buffalo SSD | SSD | 1TB | Not listed | USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) |
| One Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | 1,030MB/s | USB-C |
| T7 1TB | SSD | 1TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the T7 1TB compare with the GARMESE on rated read speed?
The GARMESE leads at 2,000MB/s, with the T7 1TB at 1,050MB/s. The SanDisk Portable is at the other end of this group with 1,000MB/s. The Buffalo SSD doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the T7 1TB add over the GARMESE?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the GARMESE still leads on rated read speed (2,000MB/s). The GARMESE was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
Why is the GARMESE our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Do the GARMESE and the SanDisk Portable differ on durability claim?
The GARMESE and the Buffalo SSD use shock resistant; the SanDisk Portable uses drops up to 2m; the T7 1TB uses drops up to 6ft. The maker of the One Touch SSD doesn't say.
What extras do the GARMESE and the SanDisk Portable include?
The GARMESE: a 33g body with a keychain hole. The SanDisk Portable: drop protection up to 2m. The Buffalo SSD: PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GARMESE, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). Look at the SanDisk Portable for drop protection up to 2m, the Buffalo SSD for PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing and the One Touch SSD for a lightweight textile design if those matter more to you.
Format the drive in exFAT if you move it between Windows and macOS.