Buying Guide
The Best Portable SSDs for PCs
From the SSK 500GB to the Rugged SSD4: 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
On a PC, use a rear USB port rated at 10Gbps to reach full speed. Every drive here is a USB SSD, 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
SSK Portable SSD 500GB
Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for SSK Portable SSD 500GB (opens in a new tab)
Shock Resistant Durability Claim
GARMESE 1TB External SSD
A shock resistant durability claim.
Best for: Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim.
Our take Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB
The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for SSK Portable SSD 500GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A shock resistant durability claim. | Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim. | Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the GARMESE 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.
Its 0.5TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the GARMESE leads at 1TB. Its 1,050MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the Rugged SSD4 leads at 4,000MB/s. It also comes with an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers.
It undercut the GARMESE and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is capacity; for more, the GARMESE is rated for 1TB.
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
- Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked
Cons
- Capacity trails the GARMESE (1TB)
- Rated read speed trails the Rugged SSD4 (4,000MB/s)
Shock Resistant Durability Claim2 of 3
GARMESE 1TB External SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GARMESE's SSD offers 2,000MB/s reads in a 33g body with a keychain hole.
Best for
- Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim.
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. On capacity it ties with the Rugged SSD4 at 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,000MB/s: the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s, and the SSK 500GB comes in at 1,050MB/s.
It also offers 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. When we checked, only the SSK 500GB cost less, and the Rugged SSD4 cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
Fastest Rated Read Speed3 of 3
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LaCie's Rugged SSD4 uses a 40Gbps USB connection and offers 4,000MB/s reads and 3,800MB/s writes, the fastest figures here.
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
It is the only 1TB drive in this guide, and it needs a USB4 or Thunderbolt port to reach those speeds. It reads at up to 4,000MB/s over USB 40Gbps and Thunderbolt, and it is IP54-rated with 3-metre drop and 1-ton crush resistance. It suits fieldwork with large video files.
It matches the GARMESE on capacity (1TB). Its 4,000MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the GARMESE comes next at 2,000MB/s. It also offers compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB and a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the GARMESE.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 4,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible)
- Durability claim: IP54, drops up to 3m, 1-ton pressure
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 4,000MB/s
- 3,800MB/s rated writes
- Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
Cons
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Portable SSDs for PCs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up 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 SSK 500GB to the Rugged SSD4, 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 Rugged SSD4 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Portable SSD for PCs
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much capacity you need
Here capacity runs from 0.5TB on the SSK 500GB to 1TB on the GARMESE. The GARMESE is the pick for capacity.
Rated read speed across these picks
Here rated read speed runs from 1,050MB/s on the SSK 500GB to 4,000MB/s on the Rugged SSD4. The GARMESE comes second for less money.
Features beyond the spec table
The SSK 500GB: an activity LED. The GARMESE: 1,800MB/s rated writes. The Rugged SSD4: compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the GARMESE; $250 to $500 buys the Rugged SSD4 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the SSK 500GB. Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim: the GARMESE. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the Rugged SSD4.
How to Choose a Portable SSD for PCs
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | SSK 500GB | Undercutting the GARMESE on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want a shock resistant durability claim | GARMESE | A shock resistant durability claim |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Rugged SSD4 | The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GARMESE leads on capacity at 1TB, ahead of the Rugged SSD4 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) |
| Rugged SSD4 | SSD | 1TB | 4,000MB/s | USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SSK 500GB was the lowest-priced pick and the Rugged SSD4 the highest 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 | Rugged SSD4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rugged SSD4 ahead of the GARMESE on rated read speed?
The Rugged SSD4 leads at 4,000MB/s, with the GARMESE at 2,000MB/s. The SSK 500GB is at the other end of this group with 1,050MB/s.
Is the Rugged SSD4 worth paying more than the SSK 500GB?
On paper it adds capacity (1TB against 0.5TB) and rated read speed (4,000MB/s against 1,050MB/s). The SSK 500GB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the GARMESE the Shock Resistant Durability Claim?
It earns the label for a shock resistant durability claim. It suits anyone who wants a shock resistant durability claim.
Beyond the specs, what sets the SSK 500GB and the GARMESE apart?
The SSK 500GB: both USB-C and USB-A cables. The GARMESE: a 33g body with a keychain hole. The Rugged SSD4: 3,800MB/s rated writes.
Who should choose the Rugged SSD4?
The Rugged SSD4 carries our Fastest Rated Read Speed label for the fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). It ranks third of 3 here.
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 shock resistant durability claim and the Rugged SSD4 for the fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Use the shortest cable that reaches; long cables can drop speed.