Buying Guide
The Best Portable SSDs for Steam Deck
Five external drives compared, from the SSK 500GB to the One Touch SSD, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Steam Deck's USB-C port accepts a portable SSD for extra game storage. Every drive here is a USB SSD, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed come from each maker's published specs; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 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)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
GARMESE 1TB External SSD
The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB
Drop protection up to 2m.
Best for: Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 1TB
An IP55 rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Our take Check price for Crucial X9 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB
The top of this price range, adding a lightweight textile design.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 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) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for GARMESE 1TB External SSD (opens in a new tab) |
| Drop protection up to 2m. | Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m. | Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| An IP55 rating. | Buyers who want IP55 rating. | Check price for Crucial X9 Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a lightweight textile design. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- 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. It matches the X9 1TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). It also offers 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
- Rated read speed of 1,050MB/s, ahead of the One Touch SSD
Cons
- Capacity trails the GARMESE (1TB)
Fastest Rated Read Speed2 of 5
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 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
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 SanDisk Portable, the X9 1TB and the One Touch SSD at 1TB. Nothing else here matches its 2,000MB/s rated read speed; the SSK 500GB comes closest at 1,050MB/s.
You get a shock resistant durability claim here, which sets it apart from the SanDisk Portable and its a drops up to 2m 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. When we checked, only the SSK 500GB cost less, and the SanDisk Portable 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
Also Consider3 of 5
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SanDisk's plain Portable SSD offers 1,000MB/s reads and 2m drop protection in a slim body.
Best for
- Buyers who want drop protection up to 2m.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.
Why we like it
It is the budget model below the Extreme. It reads at up to 1000MB/s, about five times a portable hard drive. With no moving parts it is drop-rated to 2 meters, and it is slim enough for a pocket.
It matches the GARMESE, the X9 1TB and the One Touch SSD on capacity (1TB). Its 1,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the GARMESE leads at 2,000MB/s. It shares a USB-C connection with the One Touch SSD; the X9 1TB goes with a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection.
It is the only pick here with a drops up to 2m durability claim; the GARMESE has a shock resistant durability claim instead. You also get driver-free USB-C setup. Its price falls between the GARMESE and the X9 1TB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,000MB/s
- Connection: USB-C
- Durability claim: Drops up to 2m
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Drop protection up to 2m
- Driver-free USB-C setup
- Slim pocket body
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the GARMESE (2,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Crucial's X9 offers 1,050MB/s, IP55 dust and water resistance and 7.5ft drop resistance.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SSK 500GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Crucial pitches it for casual gamers and everyday use. It works with consoles, iPad Pro and Android. Registering it adds three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image backup software.
It reads at up to 1050MB/s and carries an IP55 rating with drop resistance to 2 meters. It connects over USB-C or USB-A to PCs, Macs, PS5 and Xbox. On capacity it ties with the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the One Touch SSD at 1TB.
On rated read speed it ties with the SSK 500GB at 1,050MB/s. It is the only pick here with a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection; the SanDisk Portable has a USB-C connection instead. It was priced above the SanDisk Portable and below the One Touch SSD at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB-C (USB 3.2)
- Durability claim: IP55, drops up to 7.5ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- IP55 rating
- Drop resistance up to 7.5ft
- Design aimed at casual gamers and everyday use
- Capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB
Cons
- Costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 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
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SSK 500GB 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. On capacity it ties with the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the X9 1TB at 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 1,030MB/s: the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s, and the SanDisk Portable comes in at 1,000MB/s.
Like the SanDisk Portable, it has a USB-C connection, while the X9 1TB uses a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection. It also comes with a lightweight textile design. Only the X9 1TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
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 SSK 500GB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Portable SSDs for Steam Deck
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the SSK 500GB to the One Touch SSD, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed and share None stated security.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SSK 500GB and the One Touch SSD give no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SSK 500GB ($50 to $100) to the One Touch SSD ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Portable SSD for Steam Deck
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 GARMESE. The GARMESE is the pick for capacity.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 1,000MB/s on the SanDisk Portable to 2,000MB/s on the GARMESE. The SSK 500GB comes second for less money.
Features beyond the spec table
The SanDisk Portable: driver-free USB-C setup. The X9 1TB: drop resistance up to 7.5ft. The One Touch SSD: a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable, the X9 1TB and the One Touch SSD at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Keeping the budget tight: the SSK 500GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the GARMESE. Spending more for the fullest feature set: the One Touch SSD.
How to Choose a Portable SSD for Steam Deck
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 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 want drop protection up to 2m | SanDisk Portable | Drop protection up to 2m |
| Buyers who want IP55 rating | X9 1TB | An IP55 rating |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | One Touch SSD | The top of this price range, adding a lightweight textile design |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GARMESE leads on capacity at 1TB, ahead of the SanDisk Portable 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) |
| SanDisk Portable | SSD | 1TB | 1,000MB/s | USB-C |
| X9 1TB | SSD | 1TB | 1,050MB/s | USB-C (USB 3.2) |
| One Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | 1,030MB/s | USB-C |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SSK 500GB was the lowest-priced pick and the One Touch SSD the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | SSK 500GB |
| About $150 to $250 | GARMESE, SanDisk Portable, X9 1TB, One Touch SSD |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the SSK 500GB compare with the GARMESE on rated read speed?
The GARMESE leads at 2,000MB/s, with the SSK 500GB at 1,050MB/s. The SanDisk Portable is at the other end of this group with 1,000MB/s.
Is the One Touch SSD worth paying more than the SSK 500GB?
On paper it adds capacity (1TB against 0.5TB). It does not win everywhere: the SSK 500GB still leads on rated read speed (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 Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
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 SanDisk Portable: drop protection up to 2m.
Should I pick the SSK 500GB or the One Touch SSD?
The SSK 500GB suits keeping the budget tight; the One Touch SSD suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
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), the SanDisk Portable for drop protection up to 2m and the X9 1TB for an IP55 rating if those matter more to you.
Use the shortest cable that reaches; long cables can drop speed.