Buying Guide
The Best Portable SSDs Under $200
We weighed three external drives on capacity and rated read speed; the GARMESE has the fastest rated read speed, and the SSK 500GB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $200, the trade-offs are sharper, so it helps to know which spec you can give up. Every drive here cost $200 or less when we checked and is a USB SSD, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these external drives on drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these external drives ourselves, 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)
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)
Premium Pick
SanDisk Portable SSD 1TB
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with drop protection up to 2m.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Portable 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) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with drop protection up to 2m. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for SanDisk Portable SSD 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.
On capacity it trails the group at 0.5TB, while the GARMESE is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 1,050MB/s: the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s, and the SanDisk Portable comes in at 1,000MB/s. It also offers an activity LED and an SLC cache for steady transfers.
It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the GARMESE the next step up. It gives ground on capacity, where 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 SanDisk Portable
Cons
- Capacity trails the GARMESE (1TB)
Fastest Rated Read Speed2 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 put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SSK 500GB, which 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. It matches the SanDisk Portable on capacity (1TB). Its 2,000MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the SSK 500GB comes next at 1,050MB/s.
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. Its price falls between the SSK 500GB and the SanDisk Portable, based on our last check.
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
Premium Pick3 of 3
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 the most complete package.
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.
On capacity it ties with the GARMESE at 1TB. On rated read speed it trails the group at 1,000MB/s, while the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s. You also get driver-free USB-C setup.
It also brings capacity of 1TB, ahead of the SSK 500GB. Worth noting too: USB-C connection, the only one here. At our last price check it topped the group, with the GARMESE the nearest cheaper option.
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
How We Chose These Portable SSDs Under $200
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the SSK 500GB to the SanDisk Portable, 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 SanDisk Portable ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Portable SSD Under $200
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. Start with the GARMESE if capacity decides it.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 1,000MB/s on the SanDisk Portable to 2,000MB/s on the GARMESE. For less, the SSK 500GB is the runner-up at 1,050MB/s.
Extras that separate them
The SSK 500GB: an activity LED. The GARMESE: 1,800MB/s rated writes. The SanDisk Portable: driver-free USB-C setup.
Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the SSK 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the GARMESE and the SanDisk Portable at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the SSK 500GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the GARMESE. Buyers who want the most complete package: the SanDisk Portable.
How to Choose a Portable SSD Under $200
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 the most complete package | SanDisk Portable | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with drop protection up to 2m |
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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The SSK 500GB was the lowest-priced pick and the SanDisk Portable 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 |
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.
What does the SanDisk Portable add over 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.
Why is the GARMESE our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (2,000MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Do the GARMESE and the SanDisk Portable differ on durability claim?
The GARMESE uses shock resistant; the SanDisk Portable uses drops up to 2m. The maker of the SSK 500GB doesn't say.
What extras do the SSK 500GB and the GARMESE include?
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.
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) and the SanDisk Portable for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with drop protection up to 2m if those matter more to you.
Format the drive in exFAT if you move it between Windows and macOS.