Buying Guide
The Best Password-Protected Portable SSDs
From the Lexar ES3 to the T9 2TB: three external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Hardware encryption protects files if the drive is lost. Every drive here has password protection or encryption, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Lexar ES3 Portable SSD 1TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the T9.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Lexar ES3 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB
Sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s.
Our take Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Largest Capacity
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB
The largest capacity here (2TB).
Best for: Buyers who put capacity first.
Our take Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the T9. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Lexar ES3 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s. | Buyers who want sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s. | Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest capacity here (2TB). | Buyers who put capacity first. | Check price for Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Lexar ES3 Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lexar's ES3 weighs 42g and is 10.5mm thin, with 1,050MB/s reads.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the T9 offers 2,000MB/s.
Why we like it
DataShield software adds 256-bit AES encryption. It weighs 42g and is 10.5mm thick, and it works with iPhone 17, Android, cameras and consoles. It matches the T9 on capacity (1TB).
Its 1,050MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the T9 leads at 2,000MB/s. A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the T9 2TB uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection. It also offers a 42g weight.
It makes the most sense for spending as little as possible, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the T9. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the T9 was the next step up.
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: Not stated
- Security: 256-bit AES software encryption
Pros
- 42g weight
- 10.5mm-thin body
- DataShield encryption software
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection, the only one here
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the T9 (2,000MB/s)
Also Consider2 of 3
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's T9 rates sustained reads and writes up to 2,000MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.
Best for
- Buyers who want sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the T9 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It includes a thermal design for long transfers. It matches the Lexar ES3 on capacity (1TB). It also offers a Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution and Magician software for firmware and health checks.
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 Lexar ES3 and the T9 2TB, based on our last check. If capacity is your priority, the T9 2TB (2TB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 2,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Encryption via Magician software
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,000MB/s
- Sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s
- Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution
- Magician software for firmware and health checks
Cons
- Capacity trails the T9 2TB (2TB)
- Costs more than the Lexar ES3 at the time of writing
Largest Capacity3 of 3
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Samsung's T9 lists sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s, and Samsung's Dynamic Thermal Guard is meant to hold that pace through long copies.
Best for
- Buyers who put capacity first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Lexar ES3 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Magician software handles firmware updates, health monitoring and optional encryption. Its 2TB capacity is the largest here; the Lexar ES3 comes next at 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the T9 at 2,000MB/s.
No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection; compare the Lexar ES3, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. You also get support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead. At our last price check it topped the group, with the T9 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 2,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Encryption via Magician software
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,000MB/s
- Sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s
- Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution for long transfers
- Support for iPhone 15 Pro ProRes 4K60 recording
Cons
- Costs more than the Lexar ES3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Password-Protected Portable SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side three drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the Lexar ES3 to the T9 2TB, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed.
- Who each pick suits
- The Lexar ES3 for the cheapest way into this group, below the T9; the T9 for sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s; the T9 2TB for the largest capacity here (2TB).
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Lexar ES3 ($150 to $250) to the T9 2TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Password-Protected Portable SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity across these picks
Here capacity runs from 1TB on the T9 to 2TB on the T9 2TB. The T9 2TB is the pick for capacity.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 1,050MB/s on the Lexar ES3 to 2,000MB/s on the T9. Start with the T9 if rated read speed decides it.
Features beyond the spec table
The Lexar ES3: a 10.5mm-thin body. The T9: a Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution. The T9 2TB: a Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution for long transfers.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Lexar ES3 and the T9; $250 to $500 buys the T9 2TB at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Spending as little as possible: the Lexar ES3. Buyers who put capacity first: the T9 2TB.
How to Choose a Password-Protected Portable SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | Lexar ES3 | The cheapest way into this group, below the T9 |
| Buyers who want sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s | T9 | Sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s |
| Buyers who put capacity first | T9 2TB | The largest capacity here (2TB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T9 2TB leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the Lexar ES3 at 1TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexar ES3 | SSD | 1TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
| T9 | SSD | 1TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) |
| T9 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 2,000MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Lexar ES3 was the lowest-priced pick and the T9 2TB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Lexar ES3, T9 |
| About $250 to $500 | T9 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T9 2TB ahead of the Lexar ES3 on capacity?
The T9 2TB leads at 2TB, with the Lexar ES3 at 1TB.
Is the T9 2TB worth paying more than the Lexar ES3?
On paper it adds capacity (2TB against 1TB) and rated read speed (2,000MB/s against 1,050MB/s). The Lexar ES3 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Lexar ES3 the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the T9. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the Lexar ES3 and the T9 differ on connection?
The Lexar ES3 uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C); the T9 uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C); the T9 2TB uses USB 3.2 Gen 2x2.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Lexar ES3 and the T9 apart?
The Lexar ES3: a 42g weight. The T9: sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s. The T9 2TB: sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Lexar ES3, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the T9. Look at the T9 for sustained read and write up to 2,000MB/s and the T9 2TB for the largest capacity here (2TB) if those matter more to you.
Use the shortest cable that reaches; long cables can drop speed.