The Best Portable SSDs for Xbox Series X and S

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 Lexar ES3 on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). It also offers 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 GARMESE (1TB) 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.

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 Lexar ES3 and the Ultra 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 also get 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 SanDisk Portable at the time of writing.

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 Lexar ES3 and the Ultra 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. You get a USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the Ultra Touch SSD and its a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection.

It also comes with driver-free USB-C setup. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper GARMESE and the pricier Lexar ES3, at the time of writing.

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 GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the Ultra Touch SSD on capacity (1TB).

It matches the SSK 500GB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). A USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Ultra Touch SSD uses a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection. It also comes with a 42g weight.

Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the SSK 500GB at the time of writing. Its price falls between the SanDisk Portable and the Ultra Touch SSD, based on our last check.

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, the SanDisk Portable and the Lexar ES3 at 1TB. It is the only pick here with a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection; the SanDisk Portable has a USB-C connection instead.

Only the Lexar ES3 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published rated read speed figure, whereas the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.