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. Its 0.5TB capacity is the smallest in this group; the SanDisk Extreme 2TB leads at 2TB. It matches the T7 Shield, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the T7 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.

On capacity it ties with the T7 Shield at 1TB. On rated read speed it leads this guide at 2,000MB/s, ahead of the SSK 500GB (1,050MB/s). A shock resistant durability claim is unique to it among these picks, while the T7 2TB uses a drops up to 6ft durability claim.

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, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the T7 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 T7 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the SSK 500GB, the T7 Shield and the T7 2TB 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 T7 2TB, at the time of writing.

The extra space suits a larger game library. It matches the SanDisk Extreme 2TB on capacity (2TB). It matches the SSK 500GB, the T7 Shield and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB on rated read speed (1,050MB/s).

No other pick in this guide offers a drops up to 6ft durability claim; compare the GARMESE, which has a shock resistant durability claim. It also offers PCIe NVMe inside and drop protection up to 6ft. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the rest. The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the GARMESE offers 2,000MB/s.