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10 Best External SSDs 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
The Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD is a strong contender for gamers seeking a portable external SSD. With impressive read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface, it ensures quick loading times for your games, which can enhance your gaming experience significantly. This drive’s compatibility with popular gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S makes it a versatile choice, allowing users to store and manage their games seamlessly.
Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,228
Storage Capacity
Read and Write Speeds
Durability and Build Quality
Most important from
1336 reviews
#2
ADATA Elite UE800 2TB USB Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2 Flash Drive Portable SSD Up to 1000MB/s Read/Write (AELI-UE800-2T-CSG), Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Series/Android/Playstation 5
The ADATA Elite UE800 is a 2TB portable SSD that offers a substantial storage capacity, making it suitable for storing large files, games, and applications. With read and write speeds of up to 1,000MB/s, it delivers fast data transfer rates, which is beneficial for quick backups and efficient file management.
Rating
9.4
Storage Capacity
Read and Write Speeds
Durability and Build Quality
Most important from
108 reviews
#3
SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD – Desktop External Solid State Drive, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - SDSSDT40-8T00-NA25
The SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD is a robust option for anyone needing significant external storage capacity. With up to 8TB of space, it's perfect for storing extensive photo and video collections, music libraries, and critical documents. One of its standout features is its impressive read speed, reaching up to 1000 MB/s, which is notably faster than traditional desktop hard drives, making file access and transfers quick and efficient. For users who frequently back up their data, it supports automatic backups with Acronis True Image for Western Digital, and works seamlessly with Apple Time Machine for Mac users.
Rating
9.1
Storage Capacity
Read and Write Speeds
Compatibility
Most important from
124 reviews
Top 10 Best External SSDs 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
9.7 score
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
Western Digital 1TB P40 Game Drive SSD - Up to 2,000MB/s, RGB Lighting, Portable External Solid State Drive , Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBAWY0010BBK-WESN
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Read and Write Speeds: Read up to 2,000MB/s
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen2x2
Durability and Build Quality: Withstands 2-meter drops
Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
Security Features: No built-in encryption
Compatibility: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows
Chosen by 1228 this week
ADATA Elite UE800 2TB USB Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2 Flash Drive Portable SSD Up to 1000MB/s Read/Write (AELI-UE800-2T-CSG), Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Series/Android/Playstation 5
ADATA Elite UE800 2TB USB Type-C USB 3.2 Gen2 Flash Drive Portable SSD Up to 1000MB/s Read/Write (AELI-UE800-2T-CSG), Compatible with iPhone 15 Pro Series/Android/Playstation 5
Storage Capacity: 2000 GB
Read and Write Speeds: 1000MB/s
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2
Form Factor: 2.87 x 0.84 x 0.35 inches
Compatibility: PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, PS5
SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD – Desktop External Solid State Drive, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - SDSSDT40-8T00-NA25
SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD – Desktop External Solid State Drive, Up to 1000MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - SDSSDT40-8T00-NA25
Storage Capacity: 8 TB
Read and Write Speeds: Read Speed: 1000 MB/s
Interface: USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Form Factor: Compact and sleek
Security Features: Data Recovery Service
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
SAMSUNG MU-PG4T0B T9 4TB Portable SSD, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Black (2-Pack)
SAMSUNG MU-PG4T0B T9 4TB Portable SSD, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Black (2-Pack)
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Read and Write Speeds: up to 2,000 MB/s
Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Durability and Build Quality: Rugged, up to 9.8 ft drop
Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
Security Features: AES 256-bit encryption
Compatibility: Laptop, Console, Camera, TVs, Smartphone
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LaCie Portable SSD Rugged SSD Pro Thunderbolt 3, STHZ2000800
LaCie Portable SSD Rugged SSD Pro Thunderbolt 3, STHZ2000800
Storage Capacity: 2 TB
Read and Write Speeds: up to 2,800 MB/s
Interface: Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2
Durability and Build Quality: scratch-resistant, shockproof, dustproof, waterproof
Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
Compatibility: Mac, Windows, iPads via USB-C
SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD - Up to 3000MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust/Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive - SDPS31H-004T-GBCND
SanDisk Professional 4TB PRO-G40 SSD - Up to 3000MB/s, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps), USB-C (10Gbps), IP68 dust/Water Resistance, External Solid State Drive - SDPS31H-004T-GBCND
Storage Capacity: 4 TB
Read and Write Speeds: Read: 3000MB/s, Write: 2500MB/s
Interface: Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, USB 3.0
Durability and Build Quality: IP68, withstands falls up to 3m
Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
Compatibility: Mac-ready, reformat for Windows
Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive with V-NAND Flash Memory Technology (MU-PA1T0R/WW) - Metallic Red
Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB - USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive with V-NAND Flash Memory Technology (MU-PA1T0R/WW) - Metallic Red
Storage Capacity: 1 TB
Read and Write Speeds: up to 540 MB/s
Interface: USB 3.1
Durability and Build Quality: metal casing
Form Factor: 2.9 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches
Security Features: AES 256-bit encryption
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Android
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Buying Guide for the Best External SSDs
Choosing the right external SSD (Solid State Drive) can significantly enhance your data storage and transfer experience. External SSDs are known for their speed, durability, and portability, making them an excellent choice for backing up important files, transferring data between devices, or expanding your storage capacity. To make an informed decision, it's essential to understand the key specifications and how they align with your needs.Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to the amount of data the SSD can hold, measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). This is important because it determines how much data you can store on the drive. If you need to store large files like videos or extensive photo libraries, you might want a higher capacity, such as 1TB or more. For basic document storage or smaller files, a 256GB or 512GB SSD might suffice. Consider your current and future storage needs when choosing the capacity.
Read and Write SpeedsRead and write speeds indicate how quickly data can be transferred to and from the SSD, measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). Higher speeds mean faster data transfer, which is crucial for tasks like video editing or running applications directly from the SSD. SSDs with speeds around 500 MB/s are common and suitable for general use, while those with speeds exceeding 1000 MB/s are ideal for more demanding tasks. Assess your need for speed based on how you plan to use the SSD.
InterfaceThe interface is the connection type used to link the SSD to your device, such as USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3. This is important because it affects compatibility and transfer speeds. USB 3.0 and 3.1 are widely compatible and offer good speeds, while USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 provide faster transfer rates and are often used with newer devices. Ensure the SSD interface matches your device's ports for optimal performance.
Durability and Build QualityDurability and build quality refer to how well the SSD can withstand physical impacts, such as drops or shocks. This is important for protecting your data, especially if you plan to carry the SSD around frequently. Look for SSDs with rugged designs, shock resistance, and water resistance if you need extra protection. Consider your usage environment and how often you'll be transporting the SSD when evaluating durability.
Form FactorForm factor refers to the physical size and shape of the SSD. This is important for portability and ease of use. Smaller, lightweight SSDs are easier to carry around and fit into pockets or bags, making them ideal for travel. Larger SSDs might offer more capacity but can be less convenient to transport. Think about how and where you'll be using the SSD to determine the best form factor for your needs.
Security FeaturesSecurity features include encryption and password protection to safeguard your data from unauthorized access. This is important if you store sensitive information on your SSD. Some SSDs offer hardware encryption, which is more secure and faster than software encryption. If data security is a priority for you, look for SSDs with robust security features. Consider the level of security you need based on the type of data you plan to store.
CompatibilityCompatibility refers to how well the SSD works with different operating systems and devices. This is important to ensure you can use the SSD with your current setup. Most SSDs are compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, but it's always good to check. Some SSDs come pre-formatted for specific systems but can be reformatted if needed. Verify compatibility with your devices to avoid any issues.