The Best Portable External SSD

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. Its 0.5TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the X9 2TB leads at 2TB. It matches the T7 1TB and the X9 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s).

You also get an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GARMESE was the next step up. If capacity is your priority, the X9 2TB (2TB) is the stronger choice.

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.

On capacity it ties with the Ultra Touch SSD and the T7 1TB at 1TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 2,000MB/s, ahead of the SSK 500GB (1,050MB/s). A shock resistant durability claim is unique to it among these picks, while the T7 1TB uses a drops up to 6ft durability claim.

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. It was priced above the SSK 500GB and below the Ultra Touch SSD at the time of writing.

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. On capacity it ties with the GARMESE and the T7 1TB at 1TB. It is the only pick here with a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection; the T7 1TB has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection instead.

It was priced above the GARMESE and below the T7 1TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated read speed figure, whereas the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.

It is small enough for a pocket. On capacity it ties with the GARMESE and the Ultra Touch SSD at 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the SSK 500GB and the X9 2TB at 1,050MB/s.

It is the only pick here with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection; the Ultra Touch SSD has a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection instead. A drops up to 6ft durability claim is unique to it among these picks, while the GARMESE uses a shock resistant durability claim. It also offers direct 4K60 video recording from supported cameras and phones and drop protection up to 6ft. It was priced above the Ultra Touch SSD and below the X9 2TB at the time of writing.

It has room for a larger game library. It is rated IP55 for water and dust and survives drops of up to 7.5 feet, so it can travel in a camera bag. It works with consoles as well as Windows, Mac and iPad Pro.

Nothing else here matches its 2TB capacity; the GARMESE comes closest at 1TB. It matches the SSK 500GB and the T7 1TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). A USB-C (USB 3.2) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the T7 1TB uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection.

You also get drop resistance up to 7.5ft. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the T7 1TB. If rated read speed is your priority, the GARMESE (2,000MB/s) is the stronger choice.