10 Best External SSDs 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

With the ever-changing digital age, preserving information has become more important than ever.
Whether it is videos, images or other creative files, it is necessary to store our personal files for posterity or for future use.

Choosing the best external SSD ensures that your data and documents are kept in good hands for as long as you need them.

When it comes to storage devices, external SSDs tend to be more favored than traditional hard drives in the tech market because they run at a much higher speed.

Being of a higher caliber, choosing one to buy is not a problem at all. Here is a list of the best options available.

10 Best External SSDs 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Samsung T5 portable external SSDSamsung T5 portable external SSD – Best Overall

When it comes to choosing external SSDS, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD -; 1TB is, without a doubt, your best choice.

This SSD, compatible with Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), Android 4.4 (KitKat) or higher, has made data management easier than ever.

Its new, intuitive software makes the device compatible with most modern smartphones and laptops, allowing you to easily transfer data and files from your devices.

The Samsung T5 Portable SSD with a rugged, impact-resistant body with no moving parts – that means it can withstand drops of up to 2 meters.

The device also comes with optional password protection coupled with AES 256-bit hardware encryption to protect your personal and private data.

Our guide to the best mini PCs features more portable options like this.

Western Digital My Passport Portable External SSD SSD – Best Compatible

The Western Digital My Passport Portable SSD stands out in the market for a range of reasons.

One of which is its automatic backup feature that you can schedule when you want and how often you want; thus minimizing the loss of important files or documents.

It comes in multiple colors and fits effortlessly in your hand, letting you take your treasure trove of photos, music, and videos wherever you go.

The Western Digital My Passport Portable SSD is an easy-to-use device with massive storage capacity that is well worth the purchase.

For more amazing storage options, check out our guide to the best network storage devices.

SanDisk Extreme External Extreme Portable SSD – Best Designed

The SanDisk Extreme Portable External SSD -; USB-C has become a favorite in the market due to its ability to transfer large size files in a relatively short time.

It is the perfect option for you if you are always on the move and thanks to its compact design you can always have it with you.

Beyond its ability to move files quickly, the SanDisk Extreme Portable External SSD is recognized.

For its resistance to shock, vibration and water, which makes the device extremely durable while protecting your data from loss.

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WD My Passport SSD portable storage – Best Portable

The WD My Passport SSD Portable Storage has been praised for its compact, sleek and attractive design.

Beyond its appearance, it is also recognized for its efficiency and ease of use.

In addition, it is compatible with many smartphones and laptops available in the market.

Like many Western Digital solid-state drives, WD My Passport SSD Portable Storage is of superior quality and enables fast file transfers.

It can also import data from your cloud and social media, a feature not common with storage devices.

For more handy products like this, check out our reviews of the best USB hubs.

G-Technology G-DRIVE Mobile SSD Portable portable external storage – Best Durable

G-Technology’s durable G-DRIVE Mobile SSD external storage is a device you shouldn’t overlook.

First, it comes with an industry-leading 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.

Beyond that, the external SSD is also 1000 lb crush resistant, allowing it to survive even the harshest traumas, keeping your information safe.

Thanks to its transfer speed, you can easily save, edit and archive large media files efficiently.

In internal tests, this device can withstand a 30-minute immersion in water at 1 meter, proving that this SSD is committed to protecting your data at all costs.

You may also be interested in some of the best microSD cards on our list, so take a moment to check them out.

Pioneer 3D NAND External SSD – Solid State Drive

If you’re looking for one of the more affordable options on this list, look no further than the Pioneer 3D NAND External SSD.

While this external SSD is cheaper than most of the aforementioned devices, it still offers a host of features that are worth it.

Not only is the Pioneer 3D NAND External SSD compatible with any system, which is normal, but it is also four times faster than the traditional external hard drive.

It is also easy to use, lightweight and efficient without consuming too much power.

Samsung T3 Portable SSD – Best Form Factor

The Samsung T3 Portable SSD is another impressive contender on this list. An exclusive designed for today’s mobile lifestyle.

Therefore, it is easily accessible anytime and anywhere. It is also capable of transferring important data without leaving any content behind.

Although designed for the mobile lifestyle, the Samsung T3 Portable SSD is also compatible with laptops and PCs.

It also comes with secure encryption and a built-in security feature, ensuring that your files are always protected.

Beyond that, this SSD is quite rugged, impact resistant, and very durable. It is also a perfect electronic gift for tech lovers.

Seagate Fast SSD 500 GB SSD 500 GB SSD – 2 Months Adobe CC

While the Seagate Fast SSD 500GB External 500GB Solid State Drive SSD has a lot to offer.

Its most exciting feature is that it comes with a free two-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

Which grants access to an amazing video and photo editing app. As such, that unique external SSD that every creative person must have.

The fact that the Seagate Fast SSD 500GB Solid State Drive comes from a trusted brand in the data storage industry is another reason why it’s a must have.

An underrated feature that should be appreciated is that this gadget comes with folder sync capabilities which helps in organizing files between devices.

ADATA SE730H USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type 2 Type-C Portable Solid State External Hard Drive – Best Waterproof

One of the more affordable options on this list, the ADATA SE730H Solid State Drive is a lightweight and powerful storage device.

It comes with military grade waterproof and shockproof construction that reduces data loss to accidental drops.

ADATA SE730H Solid State Drive is also made with high quality NANS CHIPS which ensure durability and quality performance.

This underrated device, available in gold and titanium colors, certainly has a lot to offer.

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Buying Guide

If you plan to use your external SSD to store memories like photos and videos for the next few years, we recommend that you buy one with a large space (ex. – 5TB) as it will be used for several years.

However, if you are looking to transfer relatively large files from one system to another easily and efficiently.

You do not need an SSD with huge space but less (eg – 500 GB) since you Carry items and do not store them on the device.

How we chose our selection of external SSDs

Reviews – When choosing our selection of external DSSs, it was important for us to consider the reviews available.

We have compiled our list from the best reviewed and highest rated items on the market.

We’ve also selected posts with in-depth reviews that gave us an overview of how the item works and what to expect when making a purchase.

Price – When compiling our list of external SSDs, “price” was one of the most important factors taken into account.

We chose options that offered a variety of services and features without charging much in terms of cost.

Although external hard drives are a bit more expensive than traditional hard drives, there is a noticeable difference in the services they offer which makes solid state drives more cost effective.

The options listed above are the most user-friendly and offer a variety of functions.

Features to look for in external SSDs

Transfer Speed ​​- When purchasing an SSD, you should first consider how often you plan to use it.

If you transfer files inside and outside your SSD very often, you should prioritize one of them with impressive transfer speed so that you don’t have to spend obscene time on your computer move your files back and forth.

When you check the transfer speed, you need to take a closer look at the storage technology and the connector it uses to influence your choice.

Connectivity – Connectivity is an important factor to consider when choosing an external solid state drive.

Connectivity, which is decisive for the operating speed of the drive, can be verified by the type of interface the SSD has.

Most solid-state hard drives have a USB interface, the most common being USB 3.1 Gen 2 which offers transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.

Durability – It goes without saying that purchasing an external solid state hard drive should be considered for a long life.

Recent iterations of SSDs come with a rugged enclosure to protect them from damage when dropped.

Consider external SSDs with rugged enclosures when making your purchase.

Because an SSD has no moving parts, it becomes a more durable option compared to a conventional hard drive.

Storage Size – The storage size of an external solid state hard drive is, without a doubt, the most important factor to consider before making a purchase.

The size you need will vary depending on how you plan to use the Solid State Drive.

Classic Hard Drive Vs. SSD Hard Drive

The first thing to consider when deciding to buy a data storage drive is whether you need a hard drive (SSD).

While SSDs perform the same general function as traditional hard drives, they do have a few pros and cons.

An SSD is a type of data drive that uses flash memory instead of the spinning metal drives found in traditional hard drives.

Think of an SSD as a massive USB drive or SD card.

But how important is this distinction?
Here are briefly the different options to consider when purchasing your hard drive :

SSDs read and write data faster.

SSDs consume less power, which helps conserve power and extend laptop battery life.

SSDs have no moving parts, so they don’t make noise and have a longer lifespan.

SSDs are more expensive per gigabyte, which means they have smaller data capacities than hard drives, regardless of the price.
If money is a limiting factor and you need maximum storage space, go for a traditional hard drive.

If you buy the drive primarily for data backups and long-term data storage, then go for a traditional hard drive.

If, on the other hand, the drive needs to work with an operating system or contain a large number of frequently used files and programs, opt for an SSD hard drive instead.

Speed ​​and performance are the main advantages of an SSD over a hard drive.