Buying Guide
The Best Portable USB-C SSDs for Gaming
Five external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed; the YOTUO 1TB is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 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; a missing max read speed is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
Undercutting the SSK 500GB on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SSK Portable SSD 500GB
Both USB-C and USB-A cables.
Best for: Buyers who want both USB-C and USB-A cables.
Our take Check price for SSK Portable SSD 500GB (opens in a new tab)
Shock Resistant Durability Claim
Buffalo External SSD 1TB
A shock resistant durability claim.
Best for: Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim.
Our take Check price for Buffalo External SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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
Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB
A fabric-covered palm-sized design at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
YOTUO's 1TB drive ships with both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections and a silicone sleeve.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It weighs 0.16kg. It stores and plays PS4 and Xbox One games directly, and a silicone sleeve cushions drops. It works with Windows, Mac and Linux.
It matches the Buffalo SSD, the One Touch SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD on capacity (1TB). You get a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the Ultra Touch SSD and its a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running.
It undercut the SSK 500GB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the SSK 500GB offers 1,050MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Connection: USB 3.0 and USB-C
- Durability claim: Silicone sleeve
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections
- Silicone sleeve
- 0.16kg weight
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Also Consider2 of 5
SSK Portable SSD 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SSK's 500GB SSD ships with both USB-C and USB-A cables and offers 1,050MB/s reads.
Best for
- Buyers who want both USB-C and USB-A cables.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the YOTUO 1TB offers 1TB.
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 YOTUO 1TB is rated for 1TB. It also comes with an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers. It was priced above the YOTUO 1TB and below the Buffalo SSD at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (1,050MB/s)
Cons
- Capacity trails the YOTUO 1TB (1TB)
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Shock Resistant Durability Claim3 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 a shock resistant durability claim.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the YOTUO 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
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.
On capacity it ties with the YOTUO 1TB, the One Touch SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD at 1TB. No other pick in this guide offers a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection; compare the YOTUO 1TB, which has a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection. When we checked, only the SSK 500GB and cheaper picks cost less, and the One Touch SSD cost more. If you want a confirmed rated read speed, look to the SSK 500GB instead: it offers 1,050MB/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
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 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
- If budget leads, the YOTUO 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
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. It matches the YOTUO 1TB, the Buffalo SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD on capacity (1TB). You get a USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the YOTUO 1TB and its a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection.
It also offers a lightweight textile design. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Buffalo SSD and the pricier Ultra Touch SSD, 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
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's Ultra Touch SSD is a palm-sized fabric-covered SSD with a USB-A adapter in the box.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the YOTUO 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
An Android app manages phone backups. Its fabric-covered shell is palm-sized, and it ships with a USB-A adapter and an Android app for phone backups. Some Macs need it reformatted first.
It includes a year of Mylio Create and two months of Adobe CC Photography. It matches the YOTUO 1TB, the Buffalo SSD and the One Touch SSD on capacity (1TB). A USB-C with USB-A adapter connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Buffalo SSD uses a USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) connection.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the One Touch SSD. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the SSK 500GB, which offers 1,050MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Connection: USB-C with USB-A adapter
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Fabric-covered palm-sized design
- Included USB-A adapter
- Android app for phone content
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Portable USB-C SSDs for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the YOTUO 1TB to the Ultra Touch SSD, state drive type, capacity and connection and share None stated security.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The YOTUO 1TB, the Buffalo SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD give no rated read speed; the SSK 500GB, the One Touch SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD give no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the YOTUO 1TB ($50 to $100) to the Ultra Touch SSD ($150 to $250).
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
Here capacity runs from 0.5TB on the SSK 500GB to 1TB on the YOTUO 1TB. Start with the YOTUO 1TB if capacity decides it.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 1,030MB/s on the One Touch SSD to 1,050MB/s on the SSK 500GB. The SSK 500GB is the pick for rated read speed. No figure for the YOTUO 1TB, the Buffalo SSD and the Ultra Touch 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 Ultra Touch SSD: an included USB-A adapter.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the YOTUO 1TB and the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the Buffalo SSD, the One Touch SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the YOTUO 1TB. Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim: the Buffalo SSD. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the Ultra Touch SSD.
Mac and Windows formatting
Many drives ship formatted for Windows. On a Mac, reformat to APFS for Time Machine, or exFAT to share the drive with a Windows PC.
How to Choose a Portable USB-C SSD for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | YOTUO 1TB | Undercutting the SSK 500GB on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want both USB-C and USB-A cables | SSK 500GB | Both USB-C and USB-A cables |
| Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim | Buffalo SSD | A shock resistant durability claim |
| Buyers who want lightweight textile design | One Touch SSD | A lightweight textile design |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Ultra Touch SSD | A fabric-covered palm-sized design at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The YOTUO 1TB leads on capacity at 1TB, ahead of the Buffalo SSD at 1TB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOTUO 1TB | HDD | 1TB | Not listed | USB 3.0 and USB-C |
| SSK 500GB | SSD | 0.5TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C and USB-A cables) |
| Buffalo SSD | SSD | 1TB | Not listed | USB-C and USB-A (USB 3.2) |
| One Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | 1,030MB/s | USB-C |
| Ultra Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | Not listed | USB-C with USB-A adapter |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The YOTUO 1TB was the lowest-priced pick and the Ultra Touch SSD the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | YOTUO 1TB, SSK 500GB |
| About $150 to $250 | Buffalo SSD, One Touch SSD, Ultra Touch SSD |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the SSK 500GB or the One Touch SSD?
The SSK 500GB leads at 1,050MB/s, with the One Touch SSD at 1,030MB/s. The YOTUO 1TB, the Buffalo SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the Buffalo SSD our Shock Resistant Durability Claim pick?
It earns the label for a shock resistant durability claim. It suits anyone who wants a shock resistant durability claim.
Do the YOTUO 1TB and the Buffalo SSD differ on durability claim?
The YOTUO 1TB uses silicone sleeve; the Buffalo SSD uses shock resistant. The makers of the SSK 500GB, the One Touch SSD and the Ultra Touch SSD don't say.
Will the YOTUO 1TB work with my setup?
As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the YOTUO 1TB and the SSK 500GB include?
The YOTUO 1TB: both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections. The SSK 500GB: both USB-C and USB-A cables. The Buffalo SSD: PS4 and PS5 compatibility in the listing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the YOTUO 1TB, chosen for undercutting the SSK 500GB on price when we checked. Look at the SSK 500GB for both USB-C and USB-A cables, the Buffalo SSD for a shock resistant durability claim and the One Touch SSD for a lightweight textile design if those matter more to you.
Format it for the console before storing games.