Buying Guide
The Best Portable USB-C SSDs for Gaming
Three external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed, where the T7 2TB has the largest capacity; the SSK 500GB is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
A portable USB-C SSD carries a game library between PCs and consoles. Every pick connects over USB-C, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 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)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
GARMESE 1TB External SSDThe fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Largest Capacity
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TBThe largest capacity here (2TB).
Best for: Buyers who put capacity first.
Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $100. | Check price for SSK Portable SSD 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest capacity here (2TB). | Buyers who put capacity first. | Check price for Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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 T7 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 T7 2TB is rated for 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the T7 2TB at 1,050MB/s. It also comes with an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers. It cost the least of the 3 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
- Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked
Cons
- Capacity trails the T7 2TB (2TB)
The catch
It gives ground on capacity, where the T7 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Fastest Rated Read Speed2 of 3
GARMESE 1TB External SSD
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
- If budget leads, the SSK 500GB was cheaper at our last price check.
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 second of 3 here, behind the T7 2TB (2TB) and ahead of the SSK 500GB (0.5TB). Nothing else here matches its 2,000MB/s rated read speed; the SSK 500GB comes closest at 1,050MB/s.
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 T7 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
Largest Capacity3 of 3
Samsung T7 Portable SSD 2TB
The 2TB T7 keeps the same aluminum body and 1,050MB/s rating as the 1TB model.
Best for
- Buyers who put capacity first.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.
Why we like it
The extra space suits a larger game library. Its 2TB capacity is the largest here; the GARMESE comes next at 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the SSK 500GB at 1,050MB/s.
You also get PCIe NVMe inside and drop protection up to 6ft. Another plus: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection, the only one here. At our last price check it topped the group, with the GARMESE the nearest cheaper option. Rated read speed is its weakest area, and the GARMESE covers it better at 2,000MB/s.
Key specs
- Drive type
- SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- 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
- PCIe NVMe inside
- Drop protection up to 6ft
- Largest capacity of the picks (2TB)
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the GARMESE (2,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Portable USB-C SSDs for Gaming
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection from manufacturer specifications. 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 3, from the SSK 500GB to the T7 2TB, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed and share None stated security.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SSK 500GB gives no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SSK 500GB ($50 to $100) to the T7 2TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Portable USB-C SSD for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity across these picks
The T7 2TB tops capacity at 2TB and the SSK 500GB sits lowest at 0.5TB. The GARMESE comes second at 1TB, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the T7 2TB.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 1,050MB/s on the T7 2TB to 2,000MB/s on the GARMESE, a 90% spread. The GARMESE is the pick for rated read speed.
A small M.2 SSD next to an external drive enclosure Extras that separate them
The SSK 500GB: an activity LED. The GARMESE: 1,800MB/s rated writes. The T7 2TB: PCIe NVMe inside.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the GARMESE; $250 to $500 buys the T7 2TB at our last check.
An M.2 2280 SSD held in a hand Start from what matters most
Keeping the cost under $100: the SSK 500GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the GARMESE. Buyers who put capacity first: the T7 2TB.
How to Choose a Portable USB-C SSD for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $100 | SSK 500GB | Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | GARMESE | The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s) |
| Buyers who put capacity first | T7 2TB | The largest capacity here (2TB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T7 2TB leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the GARMESE at 1TB.
| 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) |
| T7 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
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 T7 2TB 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 | T7 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest capacity: the T7 2TB or the GARMESE?
The T7 2TB tops capacity at 2TB; the GARMESE follows at 1TB, 100% apart. The SSK 500GB closes the ranking at 0.5TB.
Is the GARMESE ahead of the SSK 500GB on rated read speed?
The GARMESE leads at 2,000MB/s, with the SSK 500GB at 1,050MB/s.
What does the T7 2TB add over the SSK 500GB?
The spec sheets show capacity (2TB against 0.5TB) in its favour. On our last price check the SSK 500GB was in the $50 to $100 tier and the T7 2TB in the $250 to $500 tier, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if capacity decides your purchase.
Why is the T7 2TB our Largest Capacity pick?
The label rests on the largest capacity here (2TB). On capacity it leads the GARMESE, 2TB against 1TB, a 100% 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 capacity first.
Do the GARMESE and the T7 2TB differ on durability claim?
The GARMESE uses shock resistant; the T7 2TB uses drops up to 6ft. The SSK 500GB has no durability claim listed, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
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 T7 2TB: an aluminum unibody.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SSK 500GB, chosen for undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked. Look at the GARMESE for the fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s) and the T7 2TB for the largest capacity here (2TB) if those matter more to you.
Format it for the console before storing games.
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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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