Buying Guide
The Best Budget External SSDs
We weighed five external drives on capacity and rated read speed; the X10 2TB has the fastest rated read speed, and the SSK 500GB costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Budget external SSDs still beat hard drives for speed and toughness. Every pick is an SSD, ordered from the lowest listed price.
Rankings weigh drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed as the makers state them; we did not test these external drives ourselves, and any figure a maker omits is noted as missing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
SSK Portable SSD 500GBUndercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $100.
Check price for SSK Portable SSD 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GARMESE 1TB External SSDA 33g body with a keychain hole.
Best for: Buyers who want 33g body with a keychain hole.
Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TBA lightweight textile-covered design.
Best for: Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design.
Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TBThe fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
WD My Passport SSD 2TBHardware encryption with a password at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SSK 500GB costs less.
Check price for WD My Passport SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
SSK Portable SSD 500GB
SSK's 500GB SSD ships with both USB-C and USB-A cables and offers 1,050MB/s reads.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $100.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the One Touch SSD 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest SSD here. It reads at up to 1,050MB/s over a 10Gbps USB-C link, fast enough for moving large project folders. Expect about 465GB to show in Windows, which is normal for a 500GB drive.
SLC caching keeps large transfers fast, and S.M.A.R.T. and TRIM support help it last. It reads at up to 1050MB/s and writes at up to 1000MB/s over 10Gbps USB. S.M.A.R.T. health reporting and TRIM help keep write speeds consistent over time.
On capacity it trails the group at 0.5TB, while the One Touch SSD 2TB is rated for 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the My Passport SSD at 1,050MB/s. You also get an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the GARMESE the next step up.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 0.5TB
- Max read speed
- 1,050MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C and USB-A cables)
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- Both USB-C and USB-A cables
- Activity LED
- SLC cache for steady transfers
- Rated read speed of 1,050MB/s, ahead of the One Touch SSD 2TB
Cons
- Capacity trails the One Touch SSD 2TB (2TB)
The catch
It gives ground on capacity, where the One Touch SSD 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Also Consider2 of 5
GARMESE 1TB External SSD
GARMESE's SSD offers 2,000MB/s reads in a 33g body with a keychain hole.
Best for
- Buyers who want 33g body with a keychain hole.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SSK 500GB, which cost less when we checked.
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 1TB capacity ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the One Touch SSD 2TB (2TB) and ahead of the SSK 500GB (0.5TB). It is the only pick here with a shock resistant durability claim; the My Passport SSD has a drops up to 6.5ft durability claim instead.
It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the SSK 500GB and the One Touch SSD 2TB, based on our last check.
Key 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
Cons
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB
Seagate's One Touch SSD wraps a 2TB drive rated to 1,030MB/s in a light textile cover.
Best for
- Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the X10 2TB offers 2,100MB/s.
Why we like it
It was the lowest-priced drive here at the time of writing and carries a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. It matches the X10 2TB and the My Passport SSD on capacity (2TB). Its 1,030MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the X10 2TB leads at 2,100MB/s.
A USB 3 (as listed) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the X10 2TB uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection. You also get a lightweight textile-covered design and a six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial. Its price falls between the GARMESE and the X10 2TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 1,030MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3 (as listed)
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- Lightweight textile-covered design
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the GARMESE
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the X10 2TB (2,100MB/s)
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed4 of 5
Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB
The X10 offers 2,100MB/s reads with an IP65 rating and 9.8ft drop resistance.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the SSK 500GB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Crucial names PS4, PS5 and Xbox support. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port. Registering it adds three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image backup software.
Its matte blue shell is compact enough for a pocket. On capacity it ties with the One Touch SSD 2TB and the My Passport SSD at 2TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 2,100MB/s, ahead of the GARMESE (2,000MB/s).
No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection; compare the One Touch SSD 2TB, which has a USB 3 (as listed) connection. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. When we checked, only the One Touch SSD 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the My Passport SSD cost more.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 2,100MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim
- IP65, drops up to 9.8ft
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,100MB/s
- IP65 rating
- Drop resistance up to 9.8ft
- PS4, PS5 and Xbox compatibility in the listing
Cons
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
WD My Passport SSD 2TB
WD's My Passport SSD pairs 1,050MB/s reads with password-protected hardware encryption.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SSK 500GB costs less.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SSK 500GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is rated for 6.5ft drops. It connects over USB-C and includes a USB-A path for older machines. It uses NVMe inside, which is why it reaches 1,050MB/s over USB.
On capacity it ties with the One Touch SSD 2TB and the X10 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the SSK 500GB at 1,050MB/s. A drops up to 6.5ft durability claim is unique to it among these picks, while the GARMESE uses a shock resistant durability claim.
It also offers drop resistance up to 6.5ft and a USB-A adapter for older systems. Only the X10 2TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Max read speed
- 1,050MB/s
- Connection
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter)
- Durability claim
- Drops up to 6.5ft
- Security
- Password, 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Pros
- Hardware encryption with a password
- Drop resistance up to 6.5ft
- USB-A adapter for older systems
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the GARMESE
Cons
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Budget External SSDs
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while durability claim has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the SSK 500GB to the My Passport SSD, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SSK 500GB and the One Touch SSD 2TB give no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SSK 500GB ($50 to $100) to the My Passport SSD ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Budget External SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity across these picks
Across these 5 picks capacity spans 0.5TB (the SSK 500GB) to 2TB (the One Touch SSD 2TB). If capacity is your first filter, the One Touch SSD 2TB sets the ceiling at 2TB.
How much rated read speed you need
The X10 2TB tops rated read speed at 2,100MB/s and the One Touch SSD 2TB sits lowest at 1,030MB/s. For less, the GARMESE is the runner-up at 2,000MB/s ($150 to $250 tier).
An M.2 SSD inside a clear external enclosure Extras that separate them
The One Touch SSD 2TB: a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. The X10 2TB: drop resistance up to 9.8ft. The My Passport SSD: drop resistance up to 6.5ft.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the GARMESE; $250 to $500 buys the One Touch SSD 2TB, the X10 2TB and the My Passport SSD at our last check.
A small M.2 SSD next to an external drive enclosure Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $100: the SSK 500GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the X10 2TB. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SSK 500GB costs less: the My Passport SSD.
How to Choose a Budget External SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | SSK 500GB | Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 33g body with a keychain hole | GARMESE | A 33g body with a keychain hole |
| Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design | One Touch SSD 2TB | A lightweight textile-covered design |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | X10 2TB | The fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SSK 500GB costs less | My Passport SSD | Hardware encryption with a password at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The One Touch SSD 2TB leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the X10 2TB at 2TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSK 500GB | SSD | 0.5TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C and USB-A cables) |
| GARMESE | SSD | 1TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter) |
| One Touch SSD 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,030MB/s | USB 3 (as listed) |
| X10 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,100MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) |
| My Passport SSD | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SSK 500GB was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the My Passport SSD the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | SSK 500GB |
| About $150 to $250 | GARMESE |
| About $250 to $500 | One Touch SSD 2TB, X10 2TB, My Passport SSD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the X10 2TB ahead of the GARMESE on rated read speed?
The X10 2TB tops rated read speed at 2,100MB/s; the GARMESE follows at 2,000MB/s, 5% apart. The spread runs down to the One Touch SSD 2TB at 1,030MB/s.
What does the My Passport SSD add over the SSK 500GB?
What it brings is capacity (2TB against 0.5TB). On our last price check the SSK 500GB was in the $50 to $100 tier and the My Passport SSD in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if capacity decides your purchase.
Why is the X10 2TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
The label rests on the fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the GARMESE, 2,100MB/s against 2,000MB/s, a 5% margin. The SSK 500GB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts rated read speed first.
What extras do the SSK 500GB and the GARMESE include?
The SSK 500GB: both USB-C and USB-A cables. The GARMESE: a 33g body with a keychain hole. The One Touch SSD 2TB: a lightweight textile-covered design.
Should I pick the SSK 500GB or the My Passport SSD?
The SSK 500GB suits keeping the cost under $100; the My Passport SSD suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SSK 500GB costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SSK 500GB, chosen for undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked. Look at the GARMESE for a 33g body with a keychain hole, the One Touch SSD 2TB for a lightweight textile-covered design and the X10 2TB for the fastest rated read speed here (2,100MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Check whether the price is for 1TB or 2TB before comparing.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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