7 best portable SSDs

More importantly, SSDs dominate mechanical hard drives in terms of performance, not to mention it's much easier to buy a drive these days. This also makes SSDs with large storage capacity not as far-fetched as before.

To have storage on hand while traveling, let's take a look at the best portable SSDs available.

Samsung T7 Shield

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The Samsung T7 Shield not only has high read and write speeds, but also has reliable stable performance in addition to its sturdy appearance. The Samsung T7 Shield has an IP65 water and dust resistance rating. If it gets a little wet due to light rain, the drive can still work properly afterwards. Additionally, it's covered in a ridged rubber bumper, making it easy to grip even when wet.

Advantage

1. Compact and light weight
2. IP65 . water and dust resistant rating
3. Stable read and write speed
4. Compatible with a wide range of devices, including Mac

Defect

1. No storage capacity less than 1TB

Crucial X8 Portable SSD

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When you need lots of storage and are on a tight budget, Crucial X8 is the perfect answer. It is available in storage sizes up to 4TB while maintaining impressive read/write speeds. Crucial X8 can reach maximum speeds of 1050 MB/s and 1000 MB/s read and write, fast enough for use in both professional environments and rugged for personal use, like gaming. It is also compatible with Apple, Windows, Android, and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.

Advantage

1. Low cost per gigabyte
2. Durable anodized aluminum frame
3. Anti-fall up to over 2m
4. Performance is surprisingly good for its price

Defect

1. There is no encryption support

LaCie Rugged Pro

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LaCie Rugged SSD Pro offers peace of mind with IP67 dust and water resistance and a rugged exterior. It also features blazing-fast read/write speeds via Thunderbolt 3, enabling read and write speeds of up to 2800 MB/s, far beyond what you need in a professional environment. But if you're an editor or work with large data files, you'll find those transfer speeds extremely useful.

Advantage

1. Read/write speeds up to 2800 MB/s via Thunderbolt 3
2. IP67 water and dust resistance
3. Ability to resist falls from a height of 3m
4. The ideal companion for creative outdoor activities

Defect

1. Small cable
2. The price per gigabyte is a bit high

Kingston XS2000

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The Kingston XS200 is one of the most compact and light SSDs around. It is also quite rugged and shock resistant, and offers fast read and write speeds with its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface. You can quickly and easily slip this storage into a backpack or travel bag, and thanks to the IP55 ingress rating, you don't even have to worry about dirt or lint.

Advantage

1. Fits comfortably in your pocket
2. Solid and durable
3. High speed 20Gbps interface
4. Sizes as large as 4TB and as small as 500GB
5. Transfer speeds are fast even without USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

Defect

1. Super-speed 20Gbps USB ports are not common
2. Easy to lose

ADATA SE800

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The ADATA SE800 has an unusually high IP68 rating, making it the most rugged and waterproof SSD on this list. It's even encased in an aluminum frame for extra protection! Along with its sturdy appearance, the ADATA SE800 is also quite fast. It can read and write data at 1000 MB/s, but if that's not enough, you can choose the Gen 2×2 model to double that speed.

Advantage

1. IP68 water and dust resistance rating
2. Backwards compatible with USB 2.0
3. Read/write speed up to 1000 MB/s
4. Aluminum frame
5. Military-grade protection and durability

Defect

1. There is no storage capacity above 1TB
2. Short cables

WD Black P50 SSD

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The WD Black P50 has blazing fast read speeds, making it the ideal companion for on-the-go gaming. It's also quite sturdy thanks to its aluminum frame and good shock resistance. Whether you're gaming on PC, Mac, Xbox or PlayStation, the WD Black P50 is compatible with all four of these devices right out of the box. The good thing is that it includes both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable, so you'll always have the right equipment for the job.

Advantage

1. A great companion for a gaming laptop
2. Rugged aluminum case
3. Supports USB 3.2 generation 2x2
4. Reading speed up to 2000 MB/s

Defect

1. No storage capacity less than 1TB
2. Super-speed 20Gbps USB ports are not common

SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD

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The SanDisk Extreme Pro is practically made for travel thanks to its compact size, handy carabiner loop, and IP55 rating. It is also quite safe to store sensitive documents. SanDisk Extreme Pro is making a powerful NVMe SSD capable of 2000 MB/s read and write speeds. These speeds are ideal for transferring photos, videos and other large files, while 256-bit hardware encryption keeps your sensitive files securely locked.

Advantage

1. Small and cute
2. Rugged aluminum case
3. Password protection with 256-bit hardware encryption
4. IP55 water and dust resistance
5. Integrated carabiner loop

Defect

1. Too small so easily lost
2. Short cable

Micah Soto

Update 31 August 2023