Best USB External Solid State Drives of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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USB External Solid State Drives are portable storage devices that use flash memory to store and transfer data. These drives are smaller and lighter than traditional hard disk drives and have no moving parts, making them more durable and less prone to failure. They are available in a range of capacities, from 128GB to 2TB, and are ideal for backing up important files or carrying large amounts of data on the go. USB External Solid State Drives offer fast data transfer speeds and are compatible with most devices that have a USB port.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Read Speeds Cover #TOP 1
SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Read Speeds
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Kingston XS1000 1TB Portable SSD Drive Cover #TOP 2
Kingston XS1000 1TB Portable SSD Drive
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Fast and Compact Cover #TOP 3
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Fast and Compact
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 USB External Solid State Drives

#TOP 1

SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Read Speeds

SDSSDE30-1T00-G26
Black
SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Read Speeds Cover
SanDisk 1TB Portable SSD, Read speeds up to 800 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, External Solid State Drive, Updated firmware, fastening loop made of durable rubber, Grey

The SanDisk Portable SSD is designed for those who want reliable mobile storage. With read speeds of up to 800 MB/s, you can quickly access your files, making it ideal for photographers and anyone on the go. The durable rubber attachment loop ensures that you can securely attach it to your pocket or bag, so you won't misplace it. Plus, it offers a safe way to store your most treasured memories, giving you peace of mind. This external SSD is an essential tool for managing your digital content efficiently.

What We Like
Fast read speeds
Durable rubber loop
Secure storage solution
Trusted brand for professionals
#TOP 2

Kingston XS1000 1TB Portable SSD Drive

SXS1000/1000G
Black
Kingston XS1000 1TB Portable SSD Drive Cover
Kingston XS1000 1TB External SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable Solid State Drive Black - SXS1000/1000G

The Kingston XS1000 SSD offers a compact, pocket-sized design, making it perfect for on-the-go storage. With speeds reaching up to 1050MB/s, you can quickly transfer files, saving you valuable time. It provides increased storage options, with capacities available up to 2TB, allowing you to store more data than ever. Although the rubber sleeves are sold separately, the durability of this external solid-state drive ensures your data is protected wherever you take it.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Fast transfer speeds
Large storage capacity
Durable build quality

Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Fast and Compact

CT1000X6SSD9
Black
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Fast and Compact Cover
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MB/s - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive - CT1000X6SSD9

The Crucial X6 Portable SSD offers a massive storage capacity of up to 4TB, which means you can easily store around 20,000 photos or 100 hours of video. Its impressive read speeds of up to 800MB/s allow you to transfer files quickly, saving you valuable time. This device is incredibly lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry wherever you go. Additionally, it boasts broad compatibility, working seamlessly with various devices including PC, Mac, and Android, ensuring you can access your data whenever you need it.

What We Like
Large storage capacity
Fast data transfer speeds
Compact and lightweight design
Compatible with multiple devices

Netac 500GB Portable SSD External Drive

430133031
Zslim
500GB
Netac 500GB Portable SSD External Drive Cover
Netac Portable SSD 500GB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps, Type-C) External Solid State Drive External Hard Drive,Mobile SSD 500GB, Business Travel Essential, Deep Black

The Netac Portable SSD offers impressive speed with USB 3.2 Gen 2, allowing you to read data at up to 500 MB/s and write at 450 MB/s. Its lightweight and slim design makes it easy to carry, weighing only 30g and measuring 100 x 29.4 x 9 mm. You will appreciate its robust construction, featuring shock-resistant aluminium housing that enhances durability. Additionally, it is highly compatible with various devices, including laptops, desktops, and smartphones, making it perfect for transferring large files like 4K videos and high-resolution photos.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Lightweight and portable design
Durable shock-resistant construction
Compatible with multiple devices

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD

MU-PE1T0S/EU
Black
SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD Cover
SAMSUNG T7 Shield Portable Solid State Drive USB 3.2 1TB, IP65 Water Resistant, External SSD Compatible with PC/Mac/Android/Gaming Consoles, MU-PE1T0S/WW, 2023, Black

The SAMSUNG T7 Shield offers exceptional performance and durability, making it an ideal choice for users on the go. With its IP65 water resistance and dust protection, you can confidently use it in various environments. Enjoy lightning-fast read and write speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and 1,000 MB/s, significantly outpacing traditional external hard drives. Furthermore, you can protect your sensitive data effortlessly with AES 256-bit hardware encryption, ensuring your information remains secure. The shock-resistant rubber housing adds an extra layer of safety, allowing it to survive falls from heights of up to three metres.

What We Like
Water and dust resistant
High-speed data transfer
Robust data security
Shock-resistant design
#TOP 6

ORICO 1TB Portable SSD with 2000MB/s Speed

M20-1TB
Black + Sliver
ORICO 1TB Portable SSD with 2000MB/s Speed Cover
ORICO 1TB Portable SSD Up to 2000MB/s External Solid State Drive, USB 3.2 Gen 2 * 2 20Gbps with 2 in 1 USB C Cable, External Storage for Live Replay and Design Scene - M20

The ORICO Portable SSD is a powerful storage solution designed for content creators. With a remarkable speed of up to 2000MB/s, you can transfer 100GB of data in under a minute, allowing you to edit and document your ideas without delay. Its plug-and-play feature ensures that you can quickly solve any memory issues. Light and compact, it easily fits in your pocket or briefcase, making it perfect for on-the-go use. Additionally, its durability offers protection against dust and drops, keeping your data secure in challenging environments.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Easy plug-and-play usability
Lightweight and portable design
Durable and reliable protection
#TOP 7

SSK 512GB External SSD with Dual Interface

SSK
SD311 PRO
Space Gray
512GB
SSK 512GB External SSD with Dual Interface Cover
SSK 512GB SSD External Drive Up to 1000MB/s,Type C+USB A External Solid State Drives USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD for iPhone 15/PS4/Android Phone/Tablet/Windows/Mac

The SSK 512GB SSD offers great convenience with its dual USB-A and Type-C interfaces, allowing you to easily transfer data between your smartphone, tablet, and computer. With impressive data transfer speeds of up to 1000MB/s, you can back up or access your files quickly and efficiently. Its plug-and-play functionality means no software installation is required, making it user-friendly. Additionally, the high-quality zinc alloy shell ensures your data is protected from shocks, heat, water, and dust, giving you peace of mind.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Dual interface compatibility
Plug-and-play functionality
Durable and protective design
#TOP 8

Samsung T9 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Transfer

MU-PG1T0B/EU
Black
1 TB
Samsung T9 1TB Portable SSD with Fast Transfer Cover
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, Up to 2,000MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Up to 3 m drop resistant, for Creative professionals, YouTubers, Content creators, Mac compatible, MU-PG1T0B

The Samsung T9 SSD offers incredibly fast data transfer speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s, making it ideal for boosting your workflow, especially if you frequently handle large files. Its compatibility with a range of devices, including PCs, Macs, and game consoles, ensures flexibility in your storage options. With a drop-proof design from heights of up to 3 metres, you can trust it to withstand everyday bumps and knocks. Weighing just 122 grams, this compact SSD is easy to carry, allowing you to take your data wherever you go.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Highly compatible with devices
Drop-proof up to 3 metres
Lightweight and portable
#TOP 9

Netac US5 256GB Portable External SSD Drive

US5 256GB
Netac US5 256GB Portable External SSD Drive Cover
Netac US5 256GB Solid USB State Drive Portable External USB Solid State Drive Type-c and USB 3.2 Dual Interface for Smartphone and Computer Notebook

The Netac US5 SSD is a versatile external solid-state drive available in multiple capacities ranging from 128GB to 1TB. Its compact metal design allows for easy portability, making it ideal for users on the go. With dual interfaces, including USB 3.2 and Type-C, you can effortlessly transfer data between your smartphone and computer. Plus, the impressive transmission speed of up to 400MB/s ensures that you can access and save files quickly, enhancing your productivity.

What We Like
Multiple capacity options available
Compact and portable design
Fast data transfer speeds
Dual interface compatibility
#TOP 10

SSK 128 GB Portable SSD with Fast Speeds

SSK
SD450
Space Gray
128GB
SSK 128 GB Portable SSD with Fast Speeds Cover
SSK 128 GB SSD External Hard Drive, Portable SSD External Drive Up to 550MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2 External Solid State Drives for iPhone 15/Pro, Windows, Mac, Android With LED Light, TRIM, SMART Supported

The SSK Portable SSD boasts a 128 GB capacity, though Windows may display around 116 GB due to different algorithms. You will appreciate the ultra-fast access speeds of up to 550 MB/s, making it ideal for quickly retrieving your files. With S.M.A.R.T. monitoring and TRIM technology, you can enjoy enhanced data security and reliable performance over time. The included USB-C cable and USB-A adapter allow seamless transfers across various devices, ensuring convenience whether you're using a computer or smartphone.

What We Like
Fast 550 MB/s transfer speeds
Portable and lightweight design
Supports cross-platform file transfers
Enhanced data security features
Efficient heat dissipation
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you plug an SSD into a USB port?

Connect your SSD to your PC externally via a USB point - a USB-to-SATA cable should be included with your SSD drive. ... Remove any other external drives (such as an external hard drive) then connect the SSD via USB. In the Windows search box, type in diskmgmt then click on disk management.

2. What port does an external SSD use?

Arguably more important than the type of storage mechanism inside an external SSD is how it connects to your PC or Mac. Almost all external SSDs today plug into either some flavor of USB port or a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port.

3. Can you get a SSD external hard drive?

But if you are upgrading your current storage for a faster or larger capacity SSD, then you can use the old one as external storage. For SATA drives, you can purchase an SSD Installation Kit separately. These kits include a USB 3.0 enclosure, USB cable, 3.5” mounting bracket for desktops, and Acronis Cloning software.

4. What is solid state USB?

A flash solid state drive (SSD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores persistent data in flash memory. ... NAND has significantly higher storage capacity than NOR. NOR flash is faster, but it's also more expensive.

Editor's Notes

During our usb external solid state drive research, we found 305 usb external solid state drive products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 622,170 customer reviews through our big data system to write the usb external solid state drives list. We found that most customers choose usb external solid state drives with an average price of £95.96.

The usb external solid state drives are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of usb external solid state drives, including SanDisk, Kingston, Crucial, Netac, Samsung.

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.