Ad Image

The 14 Best External Solid State Drives for 2023

Our editors have compiled this directory of the best external solid state drives based on Amazon user reviews, rating, and ability to add value.

If you’re running out of storage space on your laptop or desktop, external solid state drives (SSDs) can be a great way to resolve the issue. Solid state drives can vary widely in terms of physical size, capacity, interface, how rugged they are, and cost. These SSDs are often more expensive than external hard drives, but they can offer greater durability and up to five times the speed. However, with so many options on the market, determining which hard drive is the best for your needs can be an overwhelming process. 

The editors at Solutions Review have done the research for you, curating this directory of the best solid state drives on Amazon. The products have been selected based on the total number and quality of user reviews, as well as the ability to add value. Each of the solid state drives listed in this compilation meets a minimum criteria of 50 reviews and a 4-star-or-better ranking. Many of these drives also come in a range of capacity options.

Note: Products are listed in no particular order.

Download Link to Data Storage Buyer's Guide

The Best External Solid State Drives

ADATA SE730H 256 GB Solid State Drive Titanium USB 3.1 Type C (Gen 2)

OUR TAKE: Emphasis is placed on portability. At only 33 grams, this drive is easy to keep on hand at all times, if necessary. Additionally, the product comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

ADATA SSDFrom the manufacturer:ADATA SE730H USB 3. 1 Gen 2 Type-C waterproof portable solid state Drive (SSD) is designed specifically to perform at the highest standards and protect your data from everyday accidents. The bonus is that we were able to keep it looking cool and compact for convenient everyday use. Built for high performance in a compact stylish design> the SE730H external SSD is furiously Fast. SSD technology and USB 3. 1 Gen 2 Type-C enables top transfer speeds of 500 MB/s comparing to a traditional external hard drive at only about 100 MB/s, enabling large files to be transferred in a much shorter time.”

                                                                     Popularity: 64 ratings and 4.6 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

WD 250GB My Passport Wireless SSD External Portable Drive, WiFi USB 3.0, Up to 390 MB/s – WDBAMJ2500AGY-NESN

OUR TAKE: This SSD, marketed towards photographers and videographers, is encased with a protective bumper, protecting any data from shock, vibrations, and drops up to one meter, even when the drive is operating.

WD 250GB My Passport Wireless SSD External Portable Drive, WiFi USB 3.0, Up to 390 MB/s - WDBAMJ2500AGY-NESNFrom the manufacturer: “The My Passport Wireless SSD is an all-in-one portable drive that helps preserve photos and videos captured on your cameras and drones. The one-touch copy button lets you back up photos and videos with the built-in SD card reader or the integrated USB port without a laptop or additional software. The durable, shock-resistant SSD inside with a protective bumper outside helps keep content safe from bumps and drops (up to 1 meter), even when the drive is in use, while the all-day battery life (up to 10 hours)* lets you work and play longer. Wirelessly stream 4K videos and view photos with the My Cloud mobile app, or export RAW images and edit using 3rd party apps.”

  Popularity: 228 ratings and 4.1 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

Samsung MU-PC500S/WW 500GB T7 Touch SSD Silver

OUR TAKE: This drive boasts a built-in fingerprint scanner, which enables users to conveniently and securely unlock their data. It also comes in multiple colors to suit individual tastes.

Samsung MU-PC500S/WW 500GB T7 Touch SSD SilverFrom the manufacturer:High-speed external storage with fingerprint encryption in compact pocket size and capacities up to 2TB. Up to 9 times faster than external hard drives with read/write speeds up to 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s. Security and convenience: The T7 Touch uses AES 256-bit encryption and can be protected with fingerprint or password. The two included USB cables Type-C to C and Type-C to A allow connection to PCs, Macs, Android devices, Smart TVs and game consoles. Robust design: Withstands drops of up to two metres drop height thanks to shock-resistant aluminum housing with reinforced inner frame.”

    Popularity: 333 ratings and 4.6 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

ADATA SD700 3D NAND 256GB Ruggedized Water/Dust/shock Proof External Solid State Drive Yellow (ASD700-256GU3-CYL)

OUR TAKE: The ADATA SD700 is a good fit for users looking for a rugged device that can deliver ample capacity without breaking the bank. However, buyers should note that the product does not come with a USB Type-C connection.

ADATA SD700 3D NAND 256GB Ruggedized Water/Dust/shock Proof External Solid State Drive Yellow (ASD700-256GU3-CYL)From the manufacturer: “Designed for today’s active lifestyle and total mobility, ADATA SD700 water/dust/shockproof ruggedized portable SSD utilizes advanced 3D NAND Flash technology which improving overall durability and reliability with capacities up to 512GB and read speed of up to 440mb/s (or 4 times faster than conventional HDD). ADATA SD700 is easy-to-use and versatile, its fast USB 3.1 Gen 1-interface features plug-and-play operation and cross-platform compatibility with Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Android. At just 3.5oz, ADATA SD700 is much lighter and easy-to-carry compared to external HDD.”

Popularity: 709 ratings and 4.5 stars

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

LaCie Portable SSD High Performance External SSD USB-C USB 3.0 1TB STHK1000800

OUR TAKE: This drive is designed to be travel-friendly and versatile with regard to connectivity. The drive offers both USB-C connection and USB 3.0 connectivity.

 LaCie Portable SSD High Performance External SSD USB-C USB 3.0 1TB STHK1000800From the manufacturer: “Experience fast editing, backups, and transfers with full-throttle speeds of up to 540MB/s. Store high-res source files, images, and video. And enjoy universal compatibility across Mac, Windows, USB-C, and USB 3. 0. LaCie portable SSD is more than a compact external solid State Drive. Includes 3-year with 3-year rescue Data Recovery services. It’s reliable, forward momentum in every possible way.”

     Popularity: 458 ratings and 4.8 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD Durable Portable External Storage – USB-C (USB 3.1), Up to 560 MB/s – 0G06053-1

OUR TAKE: The G-Technology drive, while slightly more expensive than other options, offers next-level security, is water and dust resistant, can survive drops up to three meters, and has a crush-resistance of 1,000 pounds.

 G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD Durable Portable External Storage - USB-C (USB 3.1), Up to 560 MB/s - 0G06053-1From the manufacturer: “Featuring IP67 water-and dust-resistance*, 3-meter drop protection**, and a 1000lb crushproof rating, the G-DRIVE mobile SSD provides ruggedized storage you can trust. Transfer speeds up to 560MB/s*** let you quickly save, edit and archive large source files, while a versatile USB-C port with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface keeps this device ready for laptops both old and new. With the G-DRIVE mobile SSD, you get exceptionally durable storage to handle your big picture.”

Popularity: 1,235 ratings and 4.8 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

GNARBOX 2.0 SSD (256GB) – Rugged Backup Device for Your Camera

OUR TAKE: This product is specifically designed for photographers and videographers to be able to conveniently access their high-resolution files in the field. Additionally, it is water, dust, and shock resistant.

GNARBOX 2.0 SSD (256GB) - Rugged Backup Device for Your CameraFrom the manufacturer:GNARBOX 2.0 SSD is a rugged backup device for pro content creators who need the most reliable way to back up their files in the field. Unlike other storage solutions, its compact design and powerful on-board backup features make it effortless to manage files without a laptop. With up to 1TB internal SSD, SD slot, two USB-C ports, and mobile apps to complete essential workflow steps before arriving to the studio, GNARBOX will save you time and make you a more reliable creator.”

            Popularity: 59 ratings and 4 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB – Up to 540MB/s – USB 3.1 External Solid State Drive

OUR TAKE: This highly compact drive is backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 if your computer does not have USB Type-C.

 SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 540MB/s - USB 3.1 External Solid State DriveFrom the manufacturer: “The SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD has the latest in SAMSUNG V-NAND flash memory technology. Its portable design, blazing-fast transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s, shock resistance, and secure encryption make it the best portable SSD on the market. Shockproof aluminum exterior. Can withstand accidental drops of up to 2m. The optional password protection with AES 256-bit hardware encryption keeps your personal and private data more secure.

            Popularity: 5,362 ratings and 4.8 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

SAMSUNG X5 Portable SSD 500GB – Up to 2800MB/s -Thunderbolt 3 NVMe External Solid State Drive

OUR TAKE: While this product is relatively expensive, it is recommended to users who value speed above every other capability. The drive also comes with a Thunderbolt 3 connection.

SAMSUNG X5 Portable SSD 500GB - Up to 2800MB/s -Thunderbolt 3 NVMe External Solid State DriveFrom the manufacturer: “The Samsung X5 Portable SSD is a revolutionary external storage with integrated cutting-edge NVMe and Thunderbolt 3 technologies to deliver up to 40Gb/s data transfer speeds. The X5 solid state drive is designed for content creators and high-tech professionals who need fast and secure access to data in a lightweight and compact storage solution. The X5’s read/write speeds of 2,800/2,100MB/s are 5.2x/4.5x faster than a Portable SSD with SATA interface and 25.5x/20.9x faster than an external HDD.”

                Popularity: 483 ratings and 4.5 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

ADATA SE800 1TB IP68 Rugged – Up to 1000 MB/s- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Portable SSD

OUR TAKE: The ADATA SE800 is compact and lightweight, designed for mobility. Additionally, it delivers read/write speeds of up to 1000MB/s.

 ADATA SE800 1TB IP68 Rugged - Up to 1000 MB/s- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Portable SSDFrom the manufacturer: “The SE800 external solid state drive is designed for ultimate mobility with its compact and lightweight form factor. What’s more, it also looks great too, with its exquisite hairline-brushed surface. But more importantly are its performance and durability features, such as waterproofing, dust-proofing, and shock resistance, as well as blazing read/write speeds of up to 1000MB/s.”

Popularity: 680 ratings and 4.7 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 1TB Solid State Drive — USB-C Thunderbolt 3, Drop Shock Dust Water Resistant, for Mac and PC Computer Desktop Laptop

OUR TAKE: The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro includes a five-year limited product protection plan, including Rescue Data Recovery services for long-term peace of mind.

 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 1TB Solid State Drive — USB-C Thunderbolt 3, Drop Shock Dust Water Resistant, for Mac and PC Computer Desktop LaptopFrom the manufacturer: “Rugged SSD Pro harnesses the power of a Seagate FireCuda NV Me solid state drive to maximize Thunderbolt 3 capabilities. The result? Portable SSD speeds of up to 2800MB/s—that’s 5x faster than traditional SATA SSDs—and extreme durability so filmmakers and DITs can directly play back the most demanding 6K, 8K, and super so-so source files in any environment—without transcoding. Tackle any terrain with extreme IP67-rated water resistance, three-meter drop resistance, two-ton pressure resistance, and 1TB of space in a smart-cooling, palm-sized drive. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C on both Mac and Windows computers.”

      Popularity: 3,611 ratings and 4.7 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD – 500 GB – USB 3.2 Gen.2 External SSD

OUR TAKE: The T7 Touch combines USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance with AES 256-bit hardware security. It also has a built-in fingerprint scanner to unlock the drive.

 Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD - 500 GB - USB 3.2 Gen.2 External SSDFrom the manufacturer:High-speed external storage with fingerprint encryption in compact pocket size and capacities up to 2TB. Up to 9 times faster than external hard drives with read/write speeds up to 1050MB/s and 1000MB/s. Security and convenience: The T7 Touch uses AES 256-bit encryption and can be protected with fingerprint or password. The two included USB cables Type-C to C and Type-C to A allow connection to PCs, Macs, Android devices, Smart TVs and game consoles.”

          Popularity: 316 ratings and 4.5 stars

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

WD 1TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Gray, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible

OUR TAKE: The WD My Passport offers password protection, as well as capacities of up to 5TB. Additionally, the drive has AES 256-bit hardware encryption and is backed by a three-year warranty.

WD 1TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Gray, Up to 1,050 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C CompatibleFrom the manufacturer: “Save, access and protect the content that matters to you with the My Passport SSD, giving you accelerated read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s with NVMe technology. Help secure your drive and keep productivity flowing with password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Resist drops of up to 6.5ft (1.98m) with a sleek, durable metal design that is both shock and vibration-resistant. Find peace of mind with the fastest My Passport drive to date, able to simply backup your data and is compatible with Mac and PC, ready to use right out of the box.”

Popularity: 1,352 ratings and 4.7 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

Crucial X8 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s – USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive, USB-C, USB-A – CT1000X8SSD9

OUR TAKE: In order to protect your data, this device supports Windows Backup, macOS Time Machine, Windows Bitlocker to Go, and Apple FileVault, along with third-party endpoint protection software suites such as Symantec and McAfee.

Crucial X8 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MB/s – USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive, USB-C, USB-A – CT1000X8SSD9From the manufacturer: “Protect your memories with the Crucial x8 portable SSD — back up important photos videos and documents with up to 1TB Capacity Expand storage on your PS4, XBOX one, iPad Pro, Android device or simply free up space on your computer quickly with speeds up to 1050 MB/s The Crucial x8 runs up to 1 8x faster than other portable SSDs and up to 7 5x faster than portable HDD Store with Confidence on the Crucial x8.”

           Popularity: 3,468 ratings and 4.6 stars.

GO TO PRODUCT PAGE

Download Link to Data Storage Buyer's Guide

Solutions Review participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
Tess Hanna

Share This

Related Posts