[Review] Best External SSDs for Gaming, Editing, and Everyday Use

External SSDs come in different profiles and offer various capabilities, enough to make picking the perfect drive a simple task. But the elements and parameters to consider may seem overwhelming when you get down to the business of choosing the best portable SSD.

This article will solve that issue. I’ve considered all the factors and curated a list of the best external SSDs you can buy, whether you want performance, security, build quality, or a perfect blend of everything. I’ll also show you how to identify the best drive for your specific use cases.

Best External SSDs in 2025

I picked the SSDs with the best cost per gigabyte and price-per-performance values. Security, build quality, and warranty also factored into the SSD rankings.

If you want to learn more about portable SSDs and how to make the best purchase decision, scroll down further than the device comparisons.

First, a quick look at our featured SSDs:

1. Crucial x10 Pro: Best overall

Image credit: Crucial

Specifications:

Price: 

• 4 TB—$261.99 (BestBuy)
• 2 TB—$152.99 (BestBuy)
• 1 TB—$114.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You need a lightweight and fast SSD
• Your PC supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• Your PC lacks Gen 2×2 support
• You want a cheaper SSD

The X10 Pro is designed for professionals working with heavy video files and performing regular backups. However, it is also the right choice for people who don’t want to wait too long for file transfers and have the hardware to match the relatively new USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.

The SSD easily claims the title of fastest external SSD on this list per its 2100/2000 MB/s official read/write specifications. In real-world tests by PCMag, only its sequential write speeds do not measure up to its official claims.

Test credit: PCMag

The IP55 rating is not the best on this list, either, as others offer better ingress protection (up to IP68). That means your drive cannot survive being submerged in water. However, it still offers drop protection, as it can be dropped from 7.5 feet on a carpeted floor without harming your files.

The drive goes on sale occasionally, and you can get it for around $102 at the time of writing. That price is similar to other high-end 10 Gbps SSDs that offer lower speeds.

2. Samsung T7 Shield: Best durable drive

Image credit: Samsung

Specifications:

Price:

• 4 TB—$299.99
• 2 TB—$169.99
• 1 TB—$109.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You need a drive from a reputable manufacturer
• You want a durable SSD with dust, fall, and water protection
• You’re fine with 10 Gbps speeds

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You want stronger security
• You need faster speeds for 4K video files and other large package transfers

The main issue for everyone with the T7 shield is its price. The argument is that you can get similar, or even better, offerings at this price point from other brands (and even Samsung). However, the T7 shield has a reputation for being good at almost everything. It has consistent performance, possesses the kind of ruggedness that makes it durable for long-term use, and its security is no joke.

Test credit: Shuttermuse

The newer T7 shield starts at $109.99 for the 1 TB, with the 2 TB being the better deal at $169.99. For that price, you get a device with an IP65 rating, a relatively better build, and more reliable write speeds. 

You’ll also enjoy the upsides of using a Samsung product, such as the Samsung Magician and Portable SSD Software 1.0 applications for SSD optimization. They are among the best apps for checking SSD health and resolving certain issues. 

Most people who have used the product, as evidenced in this Reddit thread, do not plan to use other products anytime soon. 

However, it’s not the fastest external SSD on this list, and you can get better speeds at cheaper prices if you look elsewhere.

3. Crucial X9 Pro: Best general-purpose SSD

Specifications:

Price:

• 4 TB—$209.99
• 2 TB—$119.99
• 1 TB—$69.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You want a fast SSD but don’t need a 20 Gbps device
• You need something cheaper but as reliable as the T7 Shield

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You need better ingress protection
• You need better software tools for drive maintenance

The X9 Pro is a worthy competitor to the T7 Shield. It has almost everything going for it, from above-average read/write speeds and encryption to the IP55 rating and competitive pricing. It’s just not certified to withstand every dust and water challenge, given its lower rating. 

However, it is drop-proof from 7.5 feet and comes with a 5-year warranty, unlike the T7 Shield’s 3. It also features password protection and 256‐bit AES hardware encryption, which are adequate to keep private data private.

When it comes to speed, it holds its own, even if you don’t want to take Crucial’s word for it. According to real-world tests from PCMag, the drive has read/write speeds of 986/902 MB/s, which is almost on par with the other offerings at its price point.

Test credit: PCMag

While its speed doesn’t match that of the faster Crucial X10 Pro, the X9 Pro is still an incredibly popular all-rounder. It’s compatible with almost every backup software and file utility application.

4. Crucial X9: Best budget option

Image credit: BestBuy

Specifications:

Price: Crucial Deal (January 2025)

• 4 TB—$249.99
• 2 TB—$134.99
• 1 TB—$76.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You need a cheap SSD with above-average speeds
• You don’t mind an IP55 rating
• The small price difference with the X9 Pro matters

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You need a faster SSD
• You want better build quality and ingress protection
• You want stronger security

1 TB SSDs are hard to find below $80. When you consider that the Crucial X9 has read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, the deal looks even better. It is incredibly portable (almost the dimensions of a credit card) and provides great speeds for a regular SSD. 

Besides the SSD’s 7.5-foot drop protection, Crucial isn’t letting out more specifications about the product. There are no official sequential write figures and IP ratings, which count as negatives. However, its speed, reliability, and hardware encryption make it the best solid state external hard drive for people with tight budgets.

Test credit: Creative Bloq

Since you’ll be going for the SSD because of its aggressive pricing, it’s worth noting that the prices are incredibly dynamic, as they often go in and out of discount seasons. For example, the 1 TB option fell as low as $64 before creeping back up. Chances are, you’ll see similar deals in the future.

5. Silicon Power PX10: Best alternative budget option

Image credit: Silicon Power

Specifications:

Price: 

• 4 TB—$228.99 
• 2 TB—$119.99
• 1 TB—$69.99
• 500 GB—$49.99
• 256 GB—$39.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You want a cheap SSD
• You need a small and lightweight product
• You don’t mind the lack of encryption

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You want a more secure SSD
• You want a faster drive
• You need consistent performance

As of the time of writing, the 1 TB Silicon Power PX10 was listed on B&H Photo Video for $64.99.

While deals elsewhere may not be as cheap, they’ll come cheaper than the competition. It is another low-cost SSD that offers fast enough speeds for snappy transfers and backups.

Tests from Tom’s Hardware show that it goes toe-to-toe with the likes of the Crucial X9 Pro and Samsung T7 Shield.

Test credit: Tom’s Hardware

It has a great aluminum build quality, is only 10.33mm thick, and supports just about any device and OS, from Windows and Mac to PlayStation and Xbox. While the crown for the best portable SSD goes to a different drive on this list, the PX10 feels like an M.2 SSD with a USB shell. 

That said, you won’t get the best-sustained performance, the aluminum chassis can get warm, and it lacks hardware-based encryption.

6. Apricorn Aegis NVX: Best for security

Image credit: Amazon

Specifications:

Price: 

• 1 TB—$539 (MSRP)
• 500 GB—$339 (MSRP)

👍Why you should get it:

• You need robust security
• You want a secure drive that does not sacrifice performance

👎Why you should look elsewhere:

• You have a smaller budget
• You need a faster drive
• You need IP68 protection

The Aegis NVX is the most security-focused hard drive on this list. It has hardware encryption, a 12-key keypad for restricted access, and an admin-user configuration. It is built so that remote access to the drive is essentially useless since physical decryption is required to manipulate or even view files.

Owners can create separate levels of access: administrator and user permissions. Providing the admin password allows higher access levels, while user passwords provide limited access. For example, users can only view and read files, while admins can copy, move, delete, and rename files and folders.

The Apricorn Aegis NVX’s speed is another upside. Unlike other speed-addled security drives, this one is fast and can be used as an everyday work drive, ramping up to 1,000 MB/s read/write speeds.

Test credit: PCMag

Still, you have to manage the downsides of its high price and lack of water resistance.

7. SK Hynix Beetle X31: Best mini SSD

Image credit: SK Hynix

Specifications:

Price: 

• 1 TB—$134.99 (launch price)
• 512GB—$99.99 (launch price)

👍 Why you should get it:

• You want a tiny drive that can easily fit into your pocket
• You want a 10 Gbps drive

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You can’t afford it
• You want more storage 
• You want a more rugged drive with an IP rating

The SK Hynix Beetle X31 is not just little and functional; it qualifies as show-off material. But what good would a chic SSD do if it doesn’t perform? That’s where the Beetle X31 earns its badge as the best portable SSD on this list.

It posts above-average and consistent results in tests run by PCMag and PCWorld. While it may not beat the competition convincingly, it proves to be a reliable drive in terms of transfer speed and storage performance.

Test credit: PCWorld

The downsides you have to worry about, which are understandable deal breakers for many, are the 1 TB cap and high price. That said, it’s an easy pick for people who can overlook those shortcomings.

8. Lexar SL660 Blaze Gaming: Best external SSD for gaming

Image credit: B&H

Specifications:

Price: 

• 1 TB—$129.99
• 512 GB—$89.99

👍Why you should get it:

• You want an RGB gaming SSD 
• You need a 1 TB drive
• Your PC has USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support

👎Why you should look elsewhere:

• Your storage needs exceed 1 TB
• Your PC lacks USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 support

The best gaming SSDs require blazing speeds to run and back up games, which typically come in large file packages. The Lexar SL660 Blaze checks every box and then some in the external SSD department. Its RGB lighting, protective pouch, and removable stand make it a complete product for any gamer looking for performance, style, and function.

It could have been the best external SSD on this list, but it’s hard to overlook its 1 TB max capacity and software-based encryption.

The drive passed PCMag’s speed tests with flying colors. We can’t deny that other options, like the Seagate Firecuda Gaming and ADATA SE900G, perform better per the tests. Still, the speed differences are too negligible to pass up on the other upsides of the Lexar.

Test credit: PCMag

The last I checked, you could get the 1 TB version for about $89 on B&H, which is a great deal for a 20 Gbps drive.

Image credit: B&H

You can also check alternatives like the ADATA, as mentioned earlier, to compare prices and go for the better deal if you want more than 1 TB of storage space.

That said, your PC still needs to support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 to fully utilize the Lexar’s speed.

9. Adata SD810: Best value 20 Gbps drive

Image credit: Adata

Specifications:

Price:

• 4 TB—$289 (Amazon)
• 2 TB—$124.99
• 1 TB—$72.99
• 500 GB—$70.99 (Amazon)

👍Why you should get it:

• You need a durable SSD with military-grade shock, dust, and water resistance
• You want a budget-friendly SSD with high-speed NVMe performance
• Your PC can take advantage of the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds

👎Why you should look elsewhere:

• You don’t have a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port
• You want a better-looking portable SSD

The Adata SD810 is one of the fastest budget-friendly 20 Gbps SSDs you can buy, making it one of the best values on this list. When you consider that it costs less than the 10 Gbps T7 Shield or T7 Touch, you can overlook some of the corners that had to be cut to achieve that price point.

The 1 TB version costs a little over $70, while the 2 TB drive demands only $125. The downsides about the product are its dated design and somewhat inconsistent performance. However, it still sports an IP68 rating and MIL-STD-810G 516.6 certification. That means it can survive up to 60 minutes when submerged in over 1 meter of water and handle accidental jams and drops.

Test credit: PCWorld

On top of that, the drive is compatible with smartphones, tablets, computers, and consoles. It also has a 5-year limited warranty, better than the 3-year offerings for most products.

10. Samsung T9: Best solid state external drive for professionals

Image credit: Samsung

Specifications:

Price: 

• 4 TB—$349.99
• 2 TB—$229.99
• 1 TB—$129.99

👍 Why you should get it:

• You need a reliable 20 Gbps external drive
• Your SSD will be exposed to physical impacts
• Hardware encryption is important

👎 Why you should look elsewhere:

• You have a tight budget
• Your PC lacks a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port

Some of the SSDs already featured on this list, like the Crucial X10 Pro, are great for professionals who work with large files. However, the Samsung T9 is better suited to people looking for consistency, speed, and durability without other bells and whistles.

Test credit: PC Gamer

The SSD doesn’t come cheap, and you also need the right rig to utilize its blazing speeds. Still, it is good enough to demand its price. You’ll get 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption, Samsung’s suite of hard drive software support, and drop-proof certification to rest easy about accidental hits.

What Is a Good Read Speed for an External SSD?

A good read speed depends on your use case and the type of hardware you run. Speeds of 500 to 1,000 MB/s are generally okay for file transfers and running most applications as long as the SSD can maintain that performance under sustained use. Realistically, you’ll find 10 Gbps SSDs running at 900 to 990 MB/s.

Here’s a breakdown:

Use case	Ideal read speed (MB/s)	Required interface	Summary
Casual everyday use, light work, file transfers, and backups	From 300	From USB 3.0	300 MB/s and above is sufficient for storing and working on documents, photos, and other small files. It is also ideal for backing up your system and loading portable, lightweight applications.
Gaming	1,000 to 2,000	USB 3.1 or 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps)	Faster read speeds are required to reduce game load times if you want to run your games from the drive. You also need faster read speeds to move and back up large game installation (and ISO) files.
Professional creative work	From 2,000	USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps) USB 4 Thunderbolt 3/4/5	You need faster read speeds to prevent lags when working with high-resolution images, 4K/8K video files, and large datasets.

Your computer must support the external SSD’s interface to achieve its speeds. Your internal SSD should also support high speeds (an NVMe drive is required). You can check your SSD type to know whether you have the right drive.

How to Choose the Best External Solid-State Drive

You need to consider many factors to pick the right external SSD. As mentioned, your SSD has to match your budget, use case, PC hardware, and other personal preferences.

Cost per gigabyte

Cost per gigabyte is an effective way to measure your SSD’s value. The higher the cost per GB, the more expensive the drive. Here’s how to calculate it:

SSD price/Storage capacity (in GB) = Cost per gigabyte

For example, if a 2 TB SSD costs $150, its cost per GB will be:

150/2,000 = $0.075

While the cost per GB can make you feel good about your purchase, you still have to consider your budget and total spend. For example, a 2 TB drive may cost more than its 1 TB version but has a lower cost per GB.

Storage capacity

Storage capacity is one of the most important factors to consider because it determines whether your external drive can hold your files. A 500 GB or 1 TB SSD is sufficient for storing documents, photos, or small backups.

However, if you work with larger files, such as high-resolution images, videos, or game installations, you need at least 2 TB of storage. 

Creative professionals dealing with 4K or 8K video editing, 3D modeling, or extensive data analysis should consider 4 TB or higher to avoid storage limitations.

It is also a good idea to buy more storage than you currently need to future-proof your buy.

Transfer speeds

Speed is another crucial factor, especially if you regularly move large files, edit videos directly from the SSD, or need fast access for gaming. Every SSD has sequential read-and-write specifications that you should review before deciding.

You should also check third-party tests from respectable online reviewers to ensure the SSD matches official specifications in real-world use.

Interface

An external SSD’s interface determines its speed. Here’s an overview of different interface standards and their expected speeds.

Security

AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption is considered the gold standard for external SSD security. The security standard generally protects sensitive data against brute-force attacks. However, SSDs with hardware-based encryption store cryptographic keys on dedicated chips, while drives with software encryption depend on computers for their security.

Some drives lack encryption, and it’s up to you to use a third-party program for security.

Build quality (ruggedness)

Certifications like IP ratings or military standards such as MIL-STD-810G indicate that your SSD is built to withstand certain impacts. These include drops from specific heights, submergence in water, and dust exposure. While some device manufacturers do not go far enough to get IP ratings or military testing, they often indicate whether their products are drop-proof and up to how many feet.

Look out for these metrics to determine the ruggedness of the SSD you want to purchase.

Terabytes written (TBW)

Terabytes written figures indicate how much data can be written to an SSD before it starts wearing out. The higher the TBW, the longer the drive will last. 

TBW is an important metric for external SSDs that manufacturers don’t usually provide. You can find it in product datasheets from the drive’s website, but there are no guarantees. However, you can check using the program provided by manufacturers in most cases.

Price vs. performance

Evaluate the SSD’s overall performance, from security and speed to real-world test results and build quality, to determine whether you’re getting your money’s worth.

Ready to Buy the Best External Solid-State Drive?

Identifying the best SSD for your use case should now be easy since you know what to look out for. The information may seem overwhelming at first, but it gets easier when you focus. Just think about price, storage, speed, security, compatibility, and build before checking other minor preferences like warranty and software support.

FAQ