Best External SSDs
Top external ssds ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Samsung T9
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 2,000 MB/s read speeds
- IP65 water and dust resistant
- 3-meter drop protection
Cons
- Requires USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 for full speed
- Runs warm under sustained loads
Don't buy this if…
- Most laptops lack USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports, which limits the drive to roughly half its rated speed.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Rugged aluminum construction
- Built-in carabiner loop
- Hardware encryption support
Cons
- Gets hot during large transfers
- Carabiner loop feels thin
Don't buy this if…
- SanDisk issued firmware updates addressing data loss concerns; ensure your drive is running the latest firmware.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 2,100 MB/s read speed
- Compact pocketable design
- Excellent value per GB
Cons
- No built-in encryption software
- Can throttle under sustained writes
Don't buy this if…
- The included USB-C cable is short and a longer replacement cable may reduce transfer speeds.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Built-in hardware encryption
- Multiple color options
- Lightweight and slim design
Cons
- Slower than Gen 2x2 competitors
- Plastic sections feel less premium
Don't buy this if…
- The WD Discovery software is required for password protection and is only available on Windows and macOS.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- IP65 dust and water resistant
- Affordable rugged option
- 3-meter drop tested
Cons
- Limited to 1,050 MB/s
- Rubber shell attracts lint and dust
Don't buy this if…
- The rubberized coating picks up pocket lint and can be difficult to keep looking clean.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Extremely compact size
- 2,000 MB/s speeds
- IP55 rated
Cons
- Easy to lose due to tiny size
- No built-in encryption
Don't buy this if…
- The drive's tiny size makes it very easy to misplace; consider attaching it to a keychain immediately.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Thunderbolt 3 speeds up to 2,800 MB/s
- IP67 and crush resistant
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive per GB
- Thunderbolt cable only
Don't buy this if…
- Requires a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port; it will not work with standard USB-C connections.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Available up to 16TB capacity
- Dual Thunderbolt and USB-C
- Active cooling design
Cons
- Larger and heavier than competitors
- Fan noise under load
Don't buy this if…
- The built-in fan can be audible during sustained transfers and may be distracting in quiet environments.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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