Buying an External SSD: A Guide to Choosing the Right One

Waiting for large files to transfer, a full laptop, or a PlayStation 5 begging for more space. Sound familiar? An external SSD (Solid State Drive) is a practical solution. Whether you're editing 4K videos, expanding your game library, or needing a fast, reliable backup on the go, the right drive can significantly speed up your workflow.

The market for portable storage is vast, and the specifications can be overwhelming. This article will help you understand the key features and find a model that suits your needs, based on objective product information.

What to Look for When Buying an External SSD

Before we look at specific models, it's useful to consider three key factors. These will determine how well an external SSD performs for your purposes.

1. Speed and Connection

The speed of an SSD is expressed in megabytes per second (MB/s). A fast external SSD can drastically reduce the time you spend copying files. Pay attention to the following specifications:

• USB 3.2 Gen 2: Offers speeds up to approximately 1,050 MB/s. This is a common standard that is more than sufficient for most users, including gamers and photographers.
• USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: Can achieve speeds up to 2,000 MB/s. This is especially beneficial for professionals working with extremely large files, such as 8K video footage. Note: To take advantage of this speed, your computer or laptop must also have a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port.

Most modern SSDs use a USB-C connection but are often supplied with an extra cable for older USB-A ports.

2. Capacity: How Much Storage Do You Need?

The required storage capacity depends entirely on your usage.

• 500 GB: Sufficient for transferring documents, photos, and a limited number of projects.
• 1TB External SSD: A popular and versatile choice. Ideal for a sizable game collection, an extensive portfolio, or as a general backup for your laptop.
• 2 TB or more: Recommended for video editors, 3D artists, and anyone who regularly works with very large files or wants to archive a complete system.

3. Compatibility and Durability

A portable SSD needs to be durable. Many models offer drop protection up to a certain height. Do you often work outdoors or in dusty environments? A model with an IP rating (dust and water resistance) can provide extra peace of mind.

Additionally, compatibility is important. Most external SSDs work out of the box with both Windows and macOS. For optimal interchangeability, especially for an external SSD for Mac and PC, you can format the drive to the exFAT file system.

Recommended External SSDs

Based on specifications, we have listed a few popular choices for different user profiles.

Samsung Portable SSD T9 1TB

Why It Stands Out The Samsung T9 is engineered for maximum performance. Thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface and NVMe protocol, this drive achieves read and write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s, according to the manufacturer. This makes it a powerful choice for the most demanding tasks.

Advantages:

• Read and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s
• Drop-resistant up to 3 metres
• Compact, credit-card-sized form factor
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android

Who Is It For? Professionals and content creators who work with very large files (like 4K or 8K video) and need the highest possible transfer speeds to optimise their workflow.

View the Samsung T9

Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB

Why It Stands Out The Samsung T7 offers an excellent balance of speed, size, and functionality. With speeds up to 1,050 MB/s, it is significantly faster than a traditional hard drive and perfect for everyday tasks. Its light and slim metal casing makes it highly portable.

Advantages:

• Speeds up to 1,050 MB/s via USB 3.2 Gen 2
• Very lightweight (58 grams) and compact
• AES 256-bit hardware encryption to secure your data
• Sturdy metal casing

Who Is It For? Students, office workers, and photographers looking for a fast, lightweight, and secure portable SSD for work, study, and creating backups.

View the Samsung T7

Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield 1TB

Why It Stands Out The T7 Shield is the rugged version of the T7. It is designed for use in challenging conditions. According to Samsung, its rubber-coated casing provides protection against drops of up to 3 metres and has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance.

Advantages:

• IP65-rated dust and water resistant
• Drop-resistant up to 3 metres
• Speeds up to 1,050 MB/s, comparable to the T7
• Rubber exterior for extra grip and protection

Who Is It For? Users who are frequently on the move, work in varied environments (such as outdoor photographers or on-location filmmakers), or simply want extra assurance for their data's protection.

View the Samsung T7 Shield

Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

The world of external storage is vast. If these models don't meet your exact requirements, or if you're looking for a different capacity or brand, there's more to explore. Compare specifications and find the drive that perfectly matches your equipment.

Check out all our compatible hard drives and find the perfect match.

Frequently Asked Questions About External SSDs

What is the difference between an external SSD and an HDD?

An external SSD (Solid State Drive) has no moving parts, which makes it much faster, quieter, and more shock-resistant than a traditional external HDD (Hard Disk Drive). An HDD uses a spinning disk and a read/write head, making it more fragile and slower, but often cheaper per gigabyte for very large storage capacities.

Can I use an external SSD for my PS5?

Yes, you can use an external SSD to expand your PlayStation 5's storage. You can play PS4 games directly from it and archive PS5 games on it to free up space on the internal drive. To play a PS5 game, however, you must first transfer it back to the internal storage. A fast external SSD significantly reduces loading and transfer times.

How do I make an external SSD compatible with both Mac and Windows?

To make an external SSD for Mac and Windows interchangeable, it's best to format it to the exFAT file system. This can be done via the Disk Utility app on a Mac or through Disk Management in Windows. Keep in mind that formatting a drive will erase all existing data.