Best External Solid State Drives for Laptop of 2025

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External Solid State Drives (SSDs) for laptops are high-performance storage devices that offer faster data transfer speeds and improved reliability compared to traditional hard disk drives. These drives are perfect for individuals who need to store large amounts of data, such as photos, videos, and documents, without compromising on speed or performance. With their compact size and durable design, external SSDs are also ideal for people who are always on the go and need to transfer data quickly and securely. Overall, external SSDs are a great investment for anyone looking to upgrade their laptop's storage capacity and improve their overall computing experience.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 External Solid State Drives for Laptop
Lexar ES3 1TB Portable External SSD
The Lexar ES3 SSD offers high-speed data transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 2, reaching up to 1050MB/s for reading and 1000MB/s for writing. This means you can efficiently transfer large files in no time, enhancing your productivity. It boasts wide compatibility with various devices, including the iPhone 15 series and gaming consoles, making it versatile for your needs. Its sleek, lightweight design ensures that it is easily portable, fitting comfortably in your pocket, and the included Type-C cable adds to its convenience. Data security is prioritised with 256-bit AES encryption, keeping your files safe.
KOOTION 250 GB Portable External SSD
The KOOTION External SSD offers ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 500MB/s for reading and 450MB/s for writing. This means you can quickly back up large files or access data without delay, making it ideal for busy professionals. Its mini design is lightweight and compact, fitting easily in your palm, so you can take it anywhere. With excellent performance, this SSD is waterproof, shockproof, and wear-resistant, ensuring your data is secure during travel or in demanding environments.
fanxiang PS2100 1TB Rugged External SSD
The fanxiang PS2100 SSD offers ultra-fast transfer speeds, reaching up to 2000MB/s for reading and 1800MB/s for writing. This means you can move large files and high-resolution media quickly, saving you valuable time. Its triple-defense design features IP68 water and dust resistance, ensuring your data remains safe in various environments. The robust yet compact design makes it easy to carry, whether you're a professional, gamer, or content creator. Plus, with wide compatibility, it works effortlessly across laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles.
SSK 500GB Portable NVME SSD with High Speed
The SSK 500GB SSD delivers impressive performance with read speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of 1000MB/s, allowing you to transfer large files swiftly. Its high-performance controller enhances speed and extends the SSD's lifespan, ensuring reliable use. With universal compatibility, this drive works seamlessly with various devices, including smartphones and gaming consoles. The portable design, made from durable materials, makes it easy to carry in your bag, perfect for on-the-go data storage.
Lexar SL500M 1TB Magnetic External SSD
The Lexar SL500M SSD offers high-speed data transfer capabilities, reaching up to 2000MB/s for reading and 1800MB/s for writing. This means you can quickly move large files, boosting your productivity. The Snap and Go feature includes a magnetic kit for easy attachment to your iPhone 15 series, providing convenience on the go. Its wide compatibility allows you to use it with various devices, from Android phones to gaming consoles. Plus, the included data protection software ensures your files remain secure.
fanxiang 1TB Magnetic External SSD for Professionals
The fanxiang PS1002 SSD offers a unique magnetic attachment design, allowing you to easily stick it to your devices, keeping your data conveniently accessible on the go. With impressive data transfer speeds of up to 1050 MB/s, you can swiftly back up large files or transfer multiple smaller ones, enhancing your work efficiency. Made from durable aluminium alloy, this SSD is shock-resistant and drop-proof, ensuring your data remains secure even in tough conditions. Additionally, it is compatible with various operating systems and devices, making it an ideal choice for all your storage needs.
Vansuny 250GB Portable USB 3.1 SSD
The Vansuny USB 3.1 SSD offers high-speed data transfer, allowing you to quickly move high-resolution photos and videos without delay. Its sturdy metal design ensures durability while being dust and waterproof, making it reliable for various environments. Despite its compact size, this mini SSD provides a substantial storage capacity, solving common storage issues and enhancing your device's operating speed. With extensive compatibility, it works seamlessly with a range of devices, including Android phones, tablets, and laptops.
SSK 1TB Portable SSD with 2000MB/s Speed
The SSK 1TB SSD offers impressive performance with its 20Gbps SLC CACHE, enabling rapid data transfer speeds of up to 2000 MB/s. This means you can transfer large files without any lag, enhancing your productivity. Thanks to its advanced Ultra chip and premium 3D NAND, you can enjoy consistent speeds even with hefty files, maintaining a swift 1.44GB/s. Its compatibility with USB 3.2 Gen2X2 allows you to connect easily to various devices, making it a versatile choice for your storage needs.
Lexar SL500 2TB Portable SSD with High Speed
The Lexar SL500 SSD offers high-speed data transfer, reaching up to 2000MB/s read and 1800MB/s write speeds, allowing you to transfer files quickly and efficiently. Its wide compatibility means you can use it with various devices, including the iPhone 15 series and gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox. The sleek and lightweight design makes it portable, easily fitting into your pocket for on-the-go use. Additionally, it includes 256-bit AES encryption software to keep your files safe and secure.
Netac US9 512GB High-Speed External SSD
The Netac US9 SSD offers high-speed data transmission, utilising USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology to achieve read speeds of up to 1000MB/s and write speeds of 950MB/s. This means you can transfer large files quickly, saving you valuable time. With its Type-A and Type-C dual interface, connecting the drive to various devices such as computers and mobile phones is effortless. Additionally, it provides a solution for insufficient phone storage, allowing you to access your files anytime and anywhere. The use of high-quality chips ensures stable performance for all your data needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are external SSDs good for laptops?
If you're looking for a perfect external SDD, USB Type-C drives are top-tier. And overall, the performance of external SSDs has improved a lot in the past years. Some even support 2GB/s of raw bandwidth, so you can transfer huge game files in minutes rather than spending hours.
2. Is it better to have an external HDD or SSD?
Solid-state drives have a smaller build and will more safely store your data than a HDD. Technological innovation means new SSD models like the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 can also sustain considerably faster read and write speeds than a HDD without overheating.
3. Is there such a thing as external SSD drive?
External SSDs are now readily available and cheaper than they were a few years ago, but they'll probably never be a complete replacement for hard drives.
During our external solid state drive for laptop research, we found 142 external solid state drive for laptop products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 21,421 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external solid state drives for laptop list. We found that most customers choose external solid state drives for laptop with an average price of £88.26.
The external solid state drives for laptop are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external solid state drives for laptop, including Lexar, KOOTION, fanxiang, SSK, Vansuny.

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.