Buying Guide
The Best USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSDs
Five external drives ranked on capacity and rated read speed, where the Rugged SSD4 has the fastest rated read speed; the One Touch SSD is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Fast portable SSDs only reach their speed on a 10Gbps or faster USB port. Every drive here reads at 1,000MB/s or more, ordered by read speed.
Rankings weigh drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed as the makers state them; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB
The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 1TB
2,000MB/s rated writes.
Best for: Buyers who want 2,000MB/s rated writes.
Our take Check price for Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD My Passport SSD 2TB
Hardware encryption with a password.
Best for: Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password.
Our take Check price for WD My Passport SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB
Undercutting the X10 Pro on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB
A lightweight textile-covered design.
Best for: Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design.
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| 2,000MB/s rated writes. | Buyers who want 2,000MB/s rated writes. | Check price for Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Hardware encryption with a password. | Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password. | Check price for WD My Passport SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the X10 Pro on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab) |
| A lightweight textile-covered design. | Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design. | Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
LaCie Rugged SSD4 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
LaCie's Rugged SSD4 uses a 40Gbps USB connection and offers 4,000MB/s reads and 3,800MB/s writes, the fastest figures here.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the One Touch SSD was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the only 1TB drive in this guide, and it needs a USB4 or Thunderbolt port to reach those speeds. It reads at up to 4,000MB/s over USB 40Gbps and Thunderbolt, and it is IP54-rated with 3-metre drop and 1-ton crush resistance. It suits fieldwork with large video files.
On capacity it ties with the X10 Pro and the One Touch SSD at 1TB. Its 4,000MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the X10 Pro comes next at 2,100MB/s. It also offers compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB and a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. At our last price check it topped the group, with the My Passport SSD the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 4,000MB/s
- Connection: USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible)
- Durability claim: IP54, drops up to 3m, 1-ton pressure
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 4,000MB/s
- 3,800MB/s rated writes
- Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 as well as 5-20Gbps USB
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
Cons
- Costs more than the One Touch SSD at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Crucial X10 Pro Portable SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Crucial's X10 Pro offers 2,100MB/s reads and 2,000MB/s writes with IP55 protection and a lanyard loop.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2,000MB/s rated writes.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the One Touch SSD, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits creators with a 20Gbps port. It reads at up to 2,100MB/s and writes at 2,000MB/s, and it is rated IP55 with 7.5-foot drop resistance. Full speed needs a 20Gbps USB port.
On capacity it ties with the Rugged SSD4 and the One Touch SSD at 1TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 2,100MB/s: the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s, and the One Touch SSD 2TB comes in at 1,030MB/s. No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) connection; compare the One Touch SSD, which has a USB-C connection.
You also get Acronis True Image and Mylio Photos+ trials. Its top speed needs a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) port; most laptops and all Macs run it at 10Gbps speeds instead.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 2,100MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: IP55, drops up to 7.5ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- rated reads up to 2,100MB/s
- 2,000MB/s rated writes
- Lanyard loop and activity light
- Acronis True Image and Mylio Photos+ trials
Cons
- Costs more than the One Touch SSD at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WD My Passport SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WD's My Passport SSD pairs 1,050MB/s reads with password-protected hardware encryption.
Best for
- Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the One Touch SSD was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is rated for 6.5ft drops. It connects over USB-C and includes a USB-A path for older machines. It uses NVMe inside, which is why it reaches 1,050MB/s over USB.
On capacity it ties with the One Touch SSD 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 1,050MB/s: the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s, and the One Touch SSD 2TB comes in at 1,030MB/s. You also get drop resistance up to 6.5ft and a USB-A adapter for older systems. It was priced above the One Touch SSD 2TB and below the Rugged SSD4 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter)
- Durability claim: Drops up to 6.5ft
- Security: Password, 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Pros
- Hardware encryption with a password
- Drop resistance up to 6.5ft
- USB-A adapter for older systems
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Rugged SSD4
Cons
- Costs more than the One Touch SSD at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
Seagate One Touch SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The One Touch SSD offers 1,030MB/s in a light textile case, with a three-year warranty and Rescue data recovery.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the My Passport SSD offers 2TB.
Why we like it
It is Seagate's fastest drive here. Its textile-covered shell is light enough for a commute, and a Mylio Photos+ subscription is included for organising photos. It connects over USB.
It includes a three-year limited warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services, plus a Dropbox Backup trial. It matches the Rugged SSD4 and the X10 Pro on capacity (1TB). It matches the One Touch SSD 2TB on rated read speed (1,030MB/s).
You get a USB-C connection here, which sets it apart from the One Touch SSD 2TB and its a USB 3 (as listed) connection. It also comes with a lightweight textile design. It undercut the X10 Pro and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is capacity; for more, the My Passport SSD is rated for 2TB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Max read speed: 1,030MB/s
- Connection: USB-C
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Lightweight textile design
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription
- USB-C connection, the only one here
Cons
- Capacity trails the My Passport SSD (2TB)
Worth a Look5 of 5
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's One Touch SSD wraps a 2TB drive rated to 1,030MB/s in a light textile cover.
Best for
- Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the Rugged SSD4 offers 4,000MB/s.
Why we like it
It was the lowest-priced drive here at the time of writing and carries a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. It matches the My Passport SSD on capacity (2TB). A USB 3 (as listed) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the One Touch SSD uses a USB-C connection.
It also offers a lightweight textile-covered design and a six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial. Its price falls between the X10 Pro and the My Passport SSD, based on our last check. If rated read speed is your priority, the Rugged SSD4 (4,000MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,030MB/s
- Connection: USB 3 (as listed)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Lightweight textile-covered design
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Rugged SSD4
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the Rugged SSD4 (4,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the One Touch SSD at the time of writing
How We Chose These USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five drives on drive type, capacity, rated read speed and connection from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Rugged SSD4 to the One Touch SSD 2TB, state drive type, capacity and rated read speed.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The One Touch SSD and the One Touch SSD 2TB give no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the One Touch SSD ($150 to $250) to the Rugged SSD4 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity across these picks
Here capacity runs from 1TB on the One Touch SSD to 2TB on the My Passport SSD. The One Touch SSD 2TB comes second for less money.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 1,030MB/s on the One Touch SSD 2TB to 4,000MB/s on the Rugged SSD4. For less, the X10 Pro is the runner-up at 2,100MB/s.
Extras that separate them
The X10 Pro: a lanyard loop and activity light. The My Passport SSD: drop resistance up to 6.5ft. The One Touch SSD: a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the One Touch SSD and the X10 Pro; $250 to $500 buys the One Touch SSD 2TB, the My Passport SSD and the Rugged SSD4 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the Rugged SSD4. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build: the One Touch SSD.
How to Choose a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Rugged SSD4 | The fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s) |
| Buyers who want 2,000MB/s rated writes | X10 Pro | 2,000MB/s rated writes |
| Buyers who want hardware encryption with a password | My Passport SSD | Hardware encryption with a password |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | One Touch SSD | Undercutting the X10 Pro on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design | One Touch SSD 2TB | A lightweight textile-covered design |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The My Passport SSD leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the One Touch SSD 2TB at 2TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rugged SSD4 | SSD | 1TB | 4,000MB/s | USB 40Gbps (Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 compatible) |
| X10 Pro | SSD | 1TB | 2,100MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (USB-C) |
| My Passport SSD | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C, USB-A adapter) |
| One Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | 1,030MB/s | USB-C |
| One Touch SSD 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,030MB/s | USB 3 (as listed) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The One Touch SSD was the lowest-priced pick and the Rugged SSD4 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | One Touch SSD, X10 Pro |
| About $250 to $500 | One Touch SSD 2TB, My Passport SSD, Rugged SSD4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the Rugged SSD4 or the X10 Pro?
The Rugged SSD4 leads at 4,000MB/s, with the X10 Pro at 2,100MB/s. The One Touch SSD 2TB is at the other end of this group with 1,030MB/s.
What does the Rugged SSD4 add over the One Touch SSD?
On paper it adds rated read speed (4,000MB/s against 1,030MB/s). The One Touch SSD was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Rugged SSD4 our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
What extras do the Rugged SSD4 and the X10 Pro include?
The Rugged SSD4: 3,800MB/s rated writes. The X10 Pro: 2,000MB/s rated writes. The My Passport SSD: hardware encryption with a password.
Should I pick the Rugged SSD4 or the One Touch SSD 2TB?
The Rugged SSD4 suits buyers who put rated read speed first; the One Touch SSD 2TB suits buyers who want lightweight textile-covered design.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Rugged SSD4, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (4,000MB/s). Look at the X10 Pro for 2,000MB/s rated writes, the My Passport SSD for hardware encryption with a password and the One Touch SSD for undercutting the X10 Pro on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Format the drive in exFAT if you move it between Windows and macOS.