Top Portable SSDs: Top 10 External Solid State Drives

The Portable Solid State Drives, also known as external SSD drives, are the best option for storing files and documents safely. Not only because they are a great improvement when it comes to handling large files thanks to their high read and write speeds. One of the great advantages of external SSDs is that by not using mechanical components (the data is stored in interconnected flash memories) they are much more resistant devices, with greater durability than portable hard drives of a lifetime.

In short, we are facing the ideal storage device for music producers, photographers, system administrators or anyone else who needs a place to save and manage RAW images, uncompressed music, backups and other large files at one time. devilish speed.

The 10 best external SSDs to take your files anywhere

What are the best external SSD drives that we can find today? Although many offer similar characteristics on paper, the truth is that for practical purposes there are many differences between some models and others. Of course, we must bear in mind that although an SSD offers certain transfer speeds, we also have to make sure that the computer or device to which we connect it has the appropriate ports and supports said technology (be it USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 3, etc. ).

CalDigit Tuff Nano

Probably the best external SSD we can currently find. Although not a very well known brand, CalDigit's Tuff Nano outperforms most of its competitors in various benchmarking tests when it comes to read and write speeds.

It is also one of the most portable units of the moment, with a size similar to that of a credit card, with a metallic body to minimize damage from bumps and IP67 protection against water and dust particles. Likewise, it uses a USB type C port with its own water resistance system.

• Internal NVMe SSD drive manufactured by Toshiba.
• 512GB capacity.
• Second generation USB 3.1 interface.
• 1088/900 (MB / s) read and write speed.
• Compatible with Windows, MacOS and iPadOS.
• IP67 protection
• Includes silicone shell and USB C to USB A cable.

Approximate price *: € 189.99 (see in Amazon)

Samsung T5

The silver medal in this particular top goes to the Samsung T5, a 1TB SSD that, although not as fast as the CalDigit model, still has one of the best read and write times on the market.

The fact of including 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and optional access password to sleep peacefully without fear knowing that our files are safe.

• 1TB capacity (there are also 250GB, 500GB and 2TB versions).
• Second generation USB 3.1 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 540/520 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Android, Windows and MacOS.
• Shock and drop resistance of up to 2 meters.
• AES 256-bit hardware encryption, with password protection (optional).
• Includes USB C to USB A cable.

Approximate price * (1TB unit): € 184.47 (see in Amazon)

Approximate price * (500GB unit): € 81.09 (see in Amazon)

SanDisk Extreme

The best external SSD in terms of strength and durability it means. Although the SanDisk Exterme maintains practically the same write speeds as the Samsung T5, it offers greater protection against drops, shocks, vibrations and water, thanks to a reinforced design aimed at protecting the device as much as possible.

In terms of security, the SanDisk SSD also includes AES 128-bit hardware encryption, and its price is somewhat below average, so this is an excellent device in terms of quality / price.

• 500GB capacity (there are also 250GB, 1TB and 2TB versions).
• Second generation USB 3.1 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 550/500 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Windows and MacOS.
• Shock resistance (1500G), vibration resistance (5g RMS), IP55 protection against water and dust.
• 128-bit AES hardware encryption.
• Includes USB type C to type A cable.

Approximate price * (1TB unit): € 179.98 (see in Amazon)

Approximate price * (500GB unit): € 104.49 (see in Amazon)

WD My Passport SSD

An excellent alternative at the height of the Samsung T5. It has a longer, thinner and somewhat lighter design than Samsung's SSD, but it also supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 transfer speeds, although the WD drive in testing benchmarking offers slightly lower performance.

This Western Digital My Passpost SSD also incorporates AES 256-bit hardware encryption, and various security programs and backups. In short, a compact external SSD, with an original design and good value for money.

• 512GB capacity.
• USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 400/300 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Windows and Mac.
• WD Backup, WD Security, and WD Drive Utilities software.
• USB type C cable and USB type A adapter.

Approximate price *: € 104.49 (see in Amazon)

Samsung X5

If money is not an inconvenience for us and we are looking for speed above all else, the Samsung X5 is an alternative that we cannot lose sight of. We are facing one of the heaviest SSDs (about 150gr) and bulky (116 x 62 x 18mm) on this list, but everything is justified thanks to the Samsung 970 Evo NVMe SSD memory that it incorporates inside.

The device uses a Thunderbolt 3 connection for the best possible response times, with simply blazing read and write speeds.

• 500GB capacity.
• Thunderbolt 3 interface (up to 5GB / s).
• 2,800 / 2,100 (MB / s) read and write speeds.
• Compatible with Windows and MacOS.
• 256-bit hardware encryption.
• Dynamic Thermal Guard technology to protect against overheating.
• Includes Thunderbolt 3 cable.

Approximate price *: € 189.00 (see in Amazon)

Crucial X8 Portable SSD

We ended up with Crucial's Solid State Drive, an external SSD with a modern design and one USB 3.2 port that allows you to achieve transfer speeds of more than 900MB / s, a not inconsiderable figure.

It is compatible with a lot of systems (from Android, through Mac, Windows, PS4, Chromebooks, etc.) and its value for money is the best that we can currently find for a 1TB SSD.

• 1TB capacity.
• 2nd generation USB 3.2 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 940/890 (MB / s).
• Compatible with PC, Mac and other systems.
• Withstands drops of up to 2 meters on carpeted base.
• Includes USB C cable and USB A adapter.

Approximate price *: € 180.28 (see in Amazon)

OWC Envoy Pro EX

The SSD drive indicated for those who seek the best of the best, and that is why due to its high price we can almost consider it a premium product of true luxury. The read and write speed of the OWC Envoy Pro EX rampages compared to other external SSDs, and its design is elegant as well as sober. A good investment if we are going to use it to work with especially large files and we need a device with a lot of space and fast like no other.

• 2TB capacity.
• Second generation USB 3.1 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 1250/980 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Windows and MacOS.
• Shock resistance and IP67 protection against water and dust.
• Compatible with Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Approximate price *: € 1,175.73 (see in Amazon)

Seagate Fast SSD

Speaking of storage drives, Seagate couldn't be missing from this list. Its external SSD offers the most satisfactory speeds and has a slim (9mm only), modern and elegant design that stands out above the rest. Currently there are 2 models, the 2018 one and the new "Barracuda" model of 2019, which presents a somewhat more attractive appearance, but little else (which in turn makes the 2018 model cheaper, being a very good option if we are looking for a more adjusted price SSD).

• 1TB capacity (there are also 250GB, 500GB and 2TB versions).
• USB 3.0 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 440/440 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Windows and Mac.
• Includes function for folder synchronization.
• Includes USB C to USB A cable.

Approximate price * (2018 Edition): € 158.77 (see in Amazon)

Approximate price * (2019 Edition): € 179.73 (see in Amazon)

Adata SE730H

A “portable” SSD drive at its finest, featuring weighing just over 30 grams and really compact dimensions of 7.1 x 4.3 x 1 cm. It has a rugged design that protects it against external agents such as water and dust, and it is perfect to carry comfortably in your backpack or bag.

Instead of using NVMe technology it continues to work with SATA connections, which limits its speed a bit. In any case, the read and write times are quite good, so it is not an aspect that should worry us excessively.

• 512GB capacity.
• Second generation USB 3.1 interface.
• Read and write speeds of 425/407 (MB / s).
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and Android.
• Dust and water proof with military grade shock protection.
• Includes USB Type-C cable.

Approximate price *: € 98.84 (see in Amazon)

Transcend StoreJet 500

A highly versatile external SSD drive that It has both a USB 3.0 port and a Thunderbolt port. Its capacity is 256GB but there are more powerful versions with 500GB and 1TB. Although it is sold as a product for Mac, the truth is that it is also compatible with Windows.

• 256GB capacity (there are also 500GB and 1TB versions).
• USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interface.
• Read and write speeds of 400/380 (MB / s).
• Recommended for Mac but also compatible with Windows.
• Includes Transcend Elite software for backup, data encryption and cloud functions.
• Includes USB cable and Thunderbolt cable.

Approximate price * (256GB): € 138.85 (see in Amazon)

Approximate price * (512GB): € 180.85 (see in Amazon)

Note: The approximate price is the price available at the time of writing this post in the corresponding online stores, as in this case, Amazon.

Note 2: The read and write speeds are not what appears on the product box, but rather various sources have been verified with benchmarking tests using tools such as CrystalDiskMark.