The Best SSD for Mac

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 SanDisk Extreme 2TB leads at 2TB. It matches the T7 Shield and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB 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.

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 T7 Shield at 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,000MB/s: the X10 Pro 2TB offers 2,100MB/s, and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB 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. It was priced above the SSK 500GB and below the T7 Shield at the time of writing.

Speed stays at 1,050MB/s. Its rubber shell is rated for water, dust and drops, and it transfers over USB 3.2 Gen 2. It works with PC, Mac and consoles.

It reads at up to 1,050MB/s over PCIe NVMe, and it is rated IP65 for water and dust. Samsung makes its own controller, DRAM and NAND for the T7 Shield, and it is sold in 1TB to 4TB capacities. It matches the GARMESE on capacity (1TB).

It matches the SSK 500GB and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s). On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper GARMESE and the pricier SanDisk Extreme 2TB, at the time of writing.

The 2TB size suits games and video. SanDisk rates it for 3-metre drops and IP65 water and dust resistance, up from the earlier 2-metre and IP55 ratings. A carabiner loop lets you clip it to a bag.

Password protection uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and the Memory Zone app helps manage files. It matches the X10 Pro 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the SSK 500GB and the T7 Shield on rated read speed (1,050MB/s).

You also get NVMe performance in a small body. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper T7 Shield and the pricier X10 Pro 2TB, at the time of writing. The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the X10 Pro 2TB offers 2,100MB/s.

It adds IP55 water and dust resistance, a 7.5ft drop rating and password protection built into the drive. It reads at up to 2,100MB/s and is rated IP55 with 7.5-foot drop resistance. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port.

On capacity it ties with the SanDisk Extreme 2TB at 2TB. Nothing else here matches its 2,100MB/s rated read speed; the GARMESE comes closest at 2,000MB/s. An SSD password protection security is unique to it among these picks, while the GARMESE uses a none stated security.

It also comes with a lanyard loop and activity light and three months of Mylio Photos+ and Acronis True Image. Only the SanDisk Extreme 2TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.