The Best Portable SSDs Under $300

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 T7 1TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). It also comes with 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 T7 1TB and the T9 at 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the T9 at 2,000MB/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 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 T7 1TB and the T9 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 T9 and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection.

No other pick in this guide offers a drops up to 2m durability claim; compare the GARMESE, which has a shock resistant durability claim. It also offers driver-free USB-C setup. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper GARMESE and the pricier T7 1TB, at the time of writing.

It is small enough for a pocket. On capacity it ties with the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the T9 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 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection; the SanDisk Portable has a USB-C connection instead. A drops up to 6ft durability claim is unique to it among these picks, while the SanDisk Portable uses a drops up to 2m 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 SanDisk Portable and below the T9 at the time of writing.

It includes a thermal design for long transfers. It matches the GARMESE, the SanDisk Portable and the T7 1TB on capacity (1TB). It matches the GARMESE on rated read speed (2,000MB/s).

A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the T7 1TB uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. It also comes with a Dynamic Thermal Guard heat solution and Magician software for firmware and health checks. 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 the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the T7 1TB.