Best SSD External Hard Drives of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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SSD External Hard Drives are high-speed storage devices that offer enhanced performance and reliability when compared to traditional HDDs. They provide faster read and write speeds, making them ideal for tasks such as video editing and gaming. These hard drives are also more durable and resistant to physical damage, making them a great option for those who require portable storage. With a range of capacities available, SSD External Hard Drives are a reliable and efficient way to store and transport your data.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

WD 2TB My Passport Portable SSD Drive Cover #TOP 1
WD 2TB My Passport Portable SSD Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO 4 TB Drive Cover #TOP 2
Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO 4 TB Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Cover #TOP 3
Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 6 SSD External Hard Drives

WD 2TB My Passport Portable SSD Drive

WD
WDBAGF0020BBL-WESN
SSD Blue
WD 2TB My Passport Portable SSD Drive Cover
WD 2TB My Passport Portable SSD, External NVMe Solid State Drive, USB-C, up to 1050 MB/s, Works with PC, Xbox and Playstation, 2-meters drop resistance, Midnight Blue

The WD My Passport SSD offers exceptional speed with NVMe technology, providing read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000 MB/s. This means you can transfer large files quickly, saving you valuable time. It also features password-enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption, ensuring your data remains secure. Additionally, the drive is shock and vibration resistant, with a drop resistance of up to 2 metres, making it a reliable choice for travel. Finally, its compact design allows for easy portability, so you can take your data wherever you go.

What We Like
Blazing fast transfer speeds
Password protection for security
Drop resistant up to 2 metres
Sleek and portable design

Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO 4 TB Drive

MU-PH4T0S/EU
Black
4 TB
Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO 4 TB Drive Cover
Samsung Portable SSD T5 EVO, 4 TB, USB 3.2 Gen. 1, 460 MB/s read, 460 MB/s write, External hard drive for Mac, PC, Android, Smart TVs and game consoles, Incl. USB-C cable, MU-PH4T0S/EU

The Samsung T5 EVO SSD offers a generous 4 TB of storage in a sleek and portable design. Its compact size and practical metal handle make it easy to carry, allowing you to store and transport your files effortlessly. With impressive read and write speeds of up to 460 MB/s, transferring large files becomes a quick task, saving you valuable time. Additionally, the free Samsung Magician software helps optimise the drive's performance, ensuring you always have the latest updates for a smooth experience.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Compact and portable design
Large 4 TB storage capacity
Optimised performance software
#TOP 3

Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S

STJR1000400
Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S Cover
Seagate Storage Expansion Card , 1TB Solid State Drive - NVMe Expansion SSD for Xbox Series X|S (STJR1000400)

The Seagate Expansion Card offers seamless gameplay for your Xbox Series X|S. Designed in partnership with Xbox, it allows you to play games directly from the internal SSD or the expansion card, ensuring high-quality graphics and minimal load times. With 1TB of extra storage, you can collect thousands of games across four generations without compromising performance. The card also supports Quick Resume, enabling you to switch between multiple titles in seconds, enhancing your gaming experience.

What We Like
Seamless gameplay experience
Increases storage capacity
Faster load times
Quick title switching
#TOP 4

WD_BLACK 4TB P50 Game Drive SSD

WD_BLACK
WDBA3S0040BBK-WESN
Black
WD_BLACK 4TB P50 Game Drive SSD Cover
WD_BLACK 4TB P50 Game Drive SSD USB-C USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External NVMe Solid State Drive up to 2000 MB/s works with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac

The WD_BLACK Game Drive SSD offers impressive speeds of up to 2000MB/s, significantly reducing load screen times so you can jump straight into your gaming sessions. With up to 2TB of additional storage, you can store all your favourite games and easily save new ones without worrying about space. Its shock-resistant design ensures durability, allowing you to access your gaming library wherever you are. The high-performance SSD features a SuperSpeed USB interface, providing fast and reliable connections for both PC and console users.

What We Like
High-speed performance
Ample storage capacity
Portable and durable
Fast USB interface
Designed for gamers

LaCie d2 Professional 10TB External Hard Drive

STHA10000800
d2 Professional
10TB
LaCie d2 Professional 10TB External Hard Drive Cover
LaCie d2 Professional, 10TB, External Hard Drive Desktop, Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 7200 RPM Enterprise Class Drives, for Mac and PC Desktop, 1 Month Adobe CC, 5 year Rescue Services (STHA10000800)

The LaCie d2 Professional is an excellent choice for creatives using Mac or PC systems with limited storage. With speeds of up to 260 MB/s, you can easily edit and archive your projects without delays. Its USB-C connectivity ensures future compatibility, allowing for seamless integration with modern devices. The aluminium design not only reduces noise and vibration but also enhances reliability. This external hard drive is perfect for users who demand both performance and peace of mind.

What We Like
Cross-platform compatibility
Fast data transfer speeds
Future-proof USB-C connection
Reduced noise and vibration

SSK 256GB Dual USB C SSD Stick

SSK
256GB
SSK 256GB Dual USB C SSD Stick Cover
SSK 256GB SSD Dual USB C Stick Up to 1000MB/S, Fast External SSD Hard Drive Type-c +USB A USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB Memory Stick for iPhone 15/PS4/Android Phone/Tablet/Windows/Mac

The SSK Dual USB C SSD offers a versatile dual drive with USB Type C and USB A ports, making it easy for you to transfer data between your smartphone, tablet, and computer. With ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 1000MB/s, you can quickly move high-resolution photos and large files, saving you valuable time. The plug-and-play feature ensures you can use it without any software installation, allowing for immediate file sharing and data transfer. Its robust design, made from high-grade zinc alloy, provides excellent shock resistance to keep your data safe.

What We Like
Fast transfer speeds up to 1000MB/s
Dual USB Type C and A
Plug and play functionality
Durable zinc alloy construction
Compatible with various devices
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is getting an external SSD worth it?

If you don't need terabytes of storage and you often travel with your drive, a portable SSD is worth paying extra for. A portable SSD will also be much faster at reading and writing lots of data.

2. Is SSD better than external HDD?

Even portable SSDs are faster than HDDs. With read speeds up to 1050MB/s1 and capacities up to 2TB, the X8 is up to 100x faster than USB flash drives2 and up to 7.5x faster than traditional hard drives2. Compare Crucial solid state drives.

3. Can external hard drives be SSD?

Inside and Out: Understanding External SSD Interfaces. External solid-state drives are, essentially, internal SSDs (the same kind that power laptops or live inside desktops) with an outer shell and some bridging electronics.

Editor's Notes

During our ssd external hard drive research, we found 108 ssd external hard drive products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 219,578 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ssd external hard drives list. We found that most customers choose ssd external hard drives with an average price of £97.54.

The ssd external hard drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ssd external hard drives, including WD, Samsung, Seagate, WD_BLACK, LaCie.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.