Best External SSD 2022
Don’t shop around any longer for a new external SSD, read our reviews on five of the best choices available today!
Portable hard drives are bulkier, less reliable, and more easily damaged in transport than their modern counterparts. Being able to store, backup, and transfer files in one easily transportable device has made this newer means of storage the more popular choice by far.
But with so many different options to choose from it can be hard to know which external SSD you should invest your money in. You can opt for larger storage capacity if you can afford it but there are also some great value for money SSDs in the middle price range area.
Considering things like cost, capacity, durability, and portability, we’ve researched and reviewed five of the best external SSDs that are currently on the market. We spill the details on how we chose, what features you should consider, and which SSD we think is the best choice for gamers by selecting a top pick. We highly recommend it!
Our Top Picks
Best External SSD for Gaming
In-depth Review
ADATA SE800 External Solid State Drive
ADATA SE800 External Solid State Drive
Our top pick is the ADATA SE800 external solid-state drive which is one of the best value for money SSD cards we came across during our research. Take your files with you anywhere as this external drive is designed specifically for transport with its small size and compact shape.
It’s as attractive as it is portable thanks to its hairline-brushed surface so this is an SSD you’ll definitely want to show off. It hits the tri-factor when it comes to durability as it’s waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof so there’s a reduced chance of damaging or corrupting your files.
It has a storage capacity of 512GB which is enough for the average gamer on the go, and it’s super affordable. It’s a great option for anyone who’s looking to buy a new SSD on a tighter budget or if you don’t think you’ll use up a whole TB of storage.
The ADATA SE800 has super-fast read and write speeds of up to 1000 MB/s so you won’t have to worry about experiencing slow transfer rates, and it features USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C interface as well as being backward compatible with USB 2.0.
Western digital My Passport SSD
Western digital My Passport SSD
For a higher price, you can increase the amount of storage you have by opting for an SSD with a 1TB capacity, and the Western Digital My Passport SSD is a great choice for those who will need this much space for their gaming data and other files.
The high capacity may come as a surprise given Western Digital’s reasonable prices, but these SSDs are still good value for money as it costs a lot less than some of the other external cards that have the same storage capacity.
Even with the increase in storage, you can still enjoy speeds of 1050 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000 MB/s for fast data transfers that you can access anywhere at any time. It’s cross-compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB-C or USB-A for older systems.
Protect your data with the password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption and protect your files from loss or corruption by choosing an SSD like the Western Digital My Passport drive which has a shock and vibration resistant outer casing. It’s also backed by a 5-year warranty which also speaks to the lifespan you can expect from this durable SSD.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
The SanDisk Extreme portable external SSD is another great offering for gamers, particularly those with an extensive collection of games and data files that they need to store as it has a massive 2TB of storage space.
It takes full advantage of the new generation technology and can now reach up to 1050 MB/s which will deliver fast data transfer whenever you need it. It’s super reliable and it should last you for years to come thanks to the tough outer exterior which protects it if dropped from a height of up to 2 meters. It’s also IP55 water and dust-resistant.
Take it with you when you’re traveling without worrying about damaging the device, but if you do you can be confident that you’re backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. With that said, the external silicon shell means this SSD can handle a beating.
There are features to make it even easier to travel with, such as the useful carabiner loop which will attach to your belt loop or rucksack so it’s not easily misplaced. You’ll have total peace of mind because your contents are kept safe by the password-protected 256-bit AES hardware encryption.
Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Samsung has been at the forefront of SSD manufacturing for a long time and the Samsung T7 portable SSD continues the tradition of lightning-fast transfer rates that achieve speeds 9.5 times quicker than an external hard disk drive could.
It has a read speed of up to 1,050 MB/s and can deliver write speeds of around 1,000 MB/s, but as with most high-speed SSDs, it comes with a more limited capacity of just 500MB which is the minimum any gamer will get away with in terms of storage capacity.
Despite the high speeds that it’s able to reach the Samsung T7 portable SSD runs cool thanks to the advanced heat control and dynamic thermal guard (DTG) technology. This prevents the T7 SSD from getting too hot as it automatically slows down data transfer when it’s required, which helps to extend its lifespan.
It’s lightweight, pocket-sized, and ready to be taken with you on the go, so it provides reliable and easy storage for traveling with and transferring large files. It combines speed and durability to provide a great all-around external storage device.
You’re also protected by password security so your data is safe, and the external drive is manufactured to be durable so it can handle the odd bit of shock. It’s actually drop-proof from up to 6 feet. For such an affordable price this is a great little budget SSD.
Sabrent Rocket Nano USB External SSD
Sabrent Rocket Nano USB External SSD
Last on our list is the Sabrent Rocket Nano USB external SSD, and if the name didn’t already give it away, it’s the ultimate travel-friendly portable SSD choice for the gamer who’s often traveling a lot with their files.
The ultra-slim design is practical in terms of travel and it adds to the sleek, modern look of this easily carried SSD. It’s available in six colors in total, including black, grey, blue, pink, red, and gold bringing style as well as substantial storage to the SSD game.
The simple ‘plug in and play’ setup is easy to complete as it’s OS independent and fully bus-powered without the need for drivers. It’s reliable although perhaps not the most heavy-duty option we’ve come across, and it does come at a more expensive cost.
It features USB 3.0 Type-A and USB Type C hardware interface and it works great with both Mac and PC, as well as Linux so you can transfer data anywhere. Plus, the firmware is upgradable, and it can be used for a number of applications.
Another great thing about it is its transfer speeds, as it features a superfast 10 Gbps throughput which is power-efficient and it can reach up to 1000 MB/s when it’s transferring files.
Final Word
Although we love the ADATA SE800 External Solid State Drive due to its excellent value for money, if you need a larger amount of storage then the Western Digital My Passport SSD offers a higher capacity and is still pretty good value for the cost.
Ultimately, after extensive research and testing we feel confident that any one of these SSD cards would be a great addition to your current PC setup, and if you follow our advice on what to consider then you’ll have no problem finding the best option to suit your needs.
Don’t forget to think about how much storage you think you’ll actually use and how big you’re willing to go if your SSD is going to be traveling around with you on multiple occasions.