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Best External SSDs (2026)

Portable SSDs for backups, video and moving data between machines. Ranked on sustained speed, toughness, encryption and warranty. Compare all External SSDs side by side

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

updated 24 Oct 2026 · ranked by score, value and age
New to External SSDs? What they are and what to look for

An external SSD is a pocket-sized drive that plugs into a USB port. It's much faster and tougher than a USB stick or an old external hard drive.

Do you need an external SSD? Good for backing up a laptop, carrying big files between computers, or editing video and photos from a fast drive.

What to look for

  • A USB-C cable in the box, plus USB-A if your computers are older
  • Speed: 1,000MB/s is plenty for most; faster needs a matching port
  • Rugged or water-resistant designs if it travels with you

Unsure about a word? Jargon explained

Our picks

Best for most peopleSanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 1TB7.8/10verdict: buy~£155.99The highest-ranked one we'd buy.Best on a budgetSanDisk Extreme Portable SSD7.3/10verdict: buy~£149The cheapest one we'd recommend.
  1. #1

    SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 1TB

    7.8/10verdict: buy

    The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 1TB is for people who carry large files between machines and want a durable, fast bus-powered drive. It suits those who value hardware encryption and a long warranty. Buyers who mainly want the lowest cost per terabyte will find owners calling it a premium purchase.

    1TB (1000GB user storage; 1024GB raw)USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, USB-C connector2000MB/s2000MB/s
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    SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 1TB
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  2. #2

    SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

    7.3/10verdict: buy

    This is a portable USB-C SSD for people who carry large files between machines and want a rugged, password-protected drive. It suits photographers, video editors and travellers who value the listed IP65 and 3 m drop figures on the V3. Buyers must confirm which generation they are getting, because speed, ratings and OS support differ between V2 and V3.

    2TBUSB Type-C (V3); V2 is listed as USB 3.2 Gen 2. The V3 Gen level is not stated in the sources read.V3: up to 2000MB/s. V2: up to 1050MB/s.V2 2TB: up to 1000MB/s. V3 2TB not confirmed.
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    SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
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  3. #3

    Crucial X10 Pro 4TB Portable SSD

    6.7/10verdict: buy

    The Crucial X10 Pro 4TB is for people who move large files regularly and have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port to use it with. It suits buyers who want a small drive with hardware encryption and IP55 protection. Buyers without a matching port, or who put data integrity first, should weigh the owner reports before buying.

    4TBUSB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) over USB-C2,100MB/s2,000MB/s
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  4. #4

    Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield 1TB

    7.0/10verdict: buy

    The Samsung T7 Shield 1TB is for people who carry data to places where a plain portable drive might get dropped, rained on or covered in dust. It suits anyone who wants hardware encryption and a 3-year warranty alongside a rugged casing. It is less suited to buyers chasing the highest transfer speeds, as it runs on USB 3.2 Gen 2.

    1TB (1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes)USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)Up to 1,050 MB/sUp to 1,000 MB/s
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    Portable SSD T7 Shield (USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB)
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  5. #5

    Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB

    6.1/10verdict: wait for deal

    The Samsung T7 1TB is for people who move large files between machines and want a small, light drive. It suits those who want hardware encryption and an aluminium case on a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface. It is a weaker fit for Linux users and for anyone who writes very large batches in one go.

    1TBUSB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), USB-CUp to 1,050 MB/sUp to 1,000 MB/s
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    Portable SSD T7 USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1TB
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  6. #6

    Samsung Portable SSD T9

    6.7/10verdict: buy

    The Samsung Portable SSD T9 is a 2TB external drive for people who move large files often and have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port. It suits those who want hardware encryption and a five-year warranty alongside fast transfers. It is less convincing for buyers who need a water-resistant drive or confirmed support beyond iPhone 15.

    2TBUSB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps)Up to 2,000 MB/secUp to 1,950 MB/sec
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    Samsung Portable SSD T9
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  7. #7

    Crucial X10 Portable SSD

    5.9/10verdict: wait for deal

    The Crucial X10 Portable SSD 2TB is for people who want fast external storage and own a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host. It suits those who value read speed, a compact body and a rugged rating over built-in drive security. Buyers who need hardware encryption or full speed on Mac and consoles should look closely at the limits first.

    2TBUSB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gb/s), USB-CUp to 2,100MB/s
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  8. #8

    Lexar ES3 Portable SSD

    5.5/10verdict: wait for deal

    The Lexar ES3 is a small USB 3.2 Gen 2 portable SSD for people who move files between a laptop and a phone. It suits everyday backups, photo libraries and project folders rather than workloads that need the fastest transfers. Linux users, console owners and anyone who wants hardware encryption should check the limits first.

    512GBUSB 3.2 Gen 2up to 1,050MB/sup to 1,000MB/s
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    Lexar ES3 Portable SSD
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  9. #9

    Crucial X9 Portable SSD

    5.3/10verdict: wait for deal

    The Crucial X9 suits buyers who want a small, plain USB-C drive for moving files between PCs, Macs, phones and consoles. It offers 1,050MB/s sequential reads and a 2m drop rating in a 65 x 50mm body. It is less suited to anyone who needs listed hardware encryption, Linux support or a faster interface.

    1TB, 2TB, 4TB (some capacity used for formatting)USB-C connector; USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) on supported devicesUp to 1,050MB/s (CrystalDiskMark 8.0.4, desktop)
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  10. #10

    Netac Z Slim USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD 500GB

    4.8/10verdict: skip

    The Netac Z Slim 500GB is for people who want a very small, light external drive for everyday file carrying and backups. It suits buyers who value the aluminium casing and the two included cables over top transfer speed. It is a poor fit if you need encryption, a rugged rating or the fastest sustained transfers.

    500GBUSB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (backwards compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0); ssd-tester.com lists USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 Gbit/s)up to 550MB/s (manufacturer); ssd-tester.com measured 511.94MB/s
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Questions

Will I get the advertised speed?

Only if your port matches. A USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 drive runs at half speed or less on a plain USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, which most Macs have.