Best External SSD for PC of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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External SSDs for PCs are a great way to expand storage capacity and improve system performance. These compact and portable drives use solid-state technology for faster data access and transfer speeds compared to traditional hard drives. With capacities ranging from 256GB to 2TB, users can store large amounts of data, including documents, photos, videos, and games. Some models feature advanced security features, such as password protection and hardware encryption, to keep sensitive data safe. Whether for work or leisure, an external SSD is a reliable and convenient storage solution for any PC user.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB Cover#TOP 1
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB
ftb score rating icon9.8
ORICO B5PLUS 256GB Portable SSD Cover#TOP 2
ORICO B5PLUS 256GB Portable SSD
ftb score rating icon9.7
SAMSUNG Portable SSD T7 1TB: Fast, Durable, and Secure Cover#TOP 3
SAMSUNG Portable SSD T7 1TB: Fast, Durable, and Secure
ftb score rating icon9.5

Top 10 External SSD for PC

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB

MU-PE1T0K/AM
Beige
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD 1TB Cover
SAMSUNG T7 Shield Portable External Solid State Drive USB 3.2 1TB , IP65 Water Resistant, Compatible with PC / Mac / Android / Gaming Consoles (MUPE1T0K/AM), Beige
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD is a tough and fast external solid-state drive that is built to last. With an IP65 rating, it is water and dust resistant, making it perfect for use on the go. It has a high-tech rubber exterior with Dynamic Thermal Guard that controls heat to maintain steady performance for even giant projects. With a transfer speed of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s, it allows you to edit directly from the drive. The T7 Shield is also compatible with PC, Mac, Android devices, gaming consoles, and more.

What We Like
Water and dust resistant with an IP65 rating
High transfer speed of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s
Compatible with PC, Mac, Android devices, gaming consoles, and more
Rugged design and advanced outer elastomer for extra durability
Available in 1 TB or 2 TB and in sleek colorways of blue, beige, or black
#TOP 2

ORICO B5PLUS 256GB Portable SSD

B5PLUS-256GB
256GB
ORICO B5PLUS 256GB Portable SSD Cover
ORICO Portable SSD 256 GB with 2 in 1 USB C Cable, External Solid State Drives, Up to 460MB/s, Status Indicator, Reliable Storage for USB-C Smartphone, Tablet, PC - B5PLUS
ftb score rating icon9.7
FTB Score

The ORICO Portable SSD offers a fantastic way to boost your device's storage capacity, making it ideal for photographers and videographers who need extra space. You can enjoy incredibly fast data transfers of up to 460MB/s, allowing you to share your photos and videos in no time. Its compact design, measuring just 2.44 by 2.72 inches and weighing only 0.9 lb, means you can easily take it anywhere without the bulk of traditional hard drives. Plus, the included 2 in 1 USB C & USB A cable ensures seamless connectivity with a variety of devices, making your life more convenient.

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

SAMSUNG Portable SSD T7 1TB: Fast, Durable, and Secure

MU-PC1T0T
Titan Gray
SAMSUNG Portable SSD T7 1TB: Fast, Durable, and Secure Cover
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB is a reliable and speedy external solid state drive that offers easy and secure data storage. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology and PCIe NVMe technology provide read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s, making file transfers a breeze. The T7 is shock-resistant and can withstand drops from up to 6 feet and its aluminum unibody construction ensures durability. Additionally, its advanced thermal solution ensures optimal temperature control even at fast speeds. The T7 is compatible with various devices and comes with software to help set up a password, get firmware updates, and download the mobile app for Android devices, making it a great option for students, professionals, and gamers.

What We Like
Light and compact design
Fast read/write speeds
Strong and secure construction
#TOP 4

ORICO M25PRO 1TB External SSD

M25PRO-1TB
black and silver
ORICO M25PRO 1TB External SSD Cover
ORICO 1TB External SSD with 2 in 1 USB C Cable, Portable Solid State Drive USB 3.2 Gen 1 Up to 460MB/s, Dust and Drop Resistance, Reliable Storage for USB-C Smartphone, PC, Tablet, Labtop - M25PRO
ftb score rating icon9.5
FTB Score

The ORICO External SSD offers a massive 1TB of storage, making it perfect for saving important documents, presentations, and media files. Its durable design combines alloy materials with a unique diamond grain, providing dust and drop resistance, so you can trust your data is safe even in challenging conditions. With the included 2-in-1 USB-C cable, you can easily connect to various devices like smartphones, PCs, and tablets. Plus, enjoy fast transfer speeds of up to 460MB/s, which means less waiting time when backing up or accessing your files. Its compact size makes it easy to take anywhere, ensuring your data travels with you.

What We Like
Large 1TB capacity
Durable and dust-resistant
Fast 460MB/s transfer speed
2-in-1 USB-C cable included
Portable and compact design

BUFFALO External SSD 1TB - Portable and fast storage solution

SSD-PUT1.0U3B
Black
1 TB
BUFFALO External SSD 1TB - Portable and fast storage solution Cover
BUFFALO External SSD 1TB - Up to 600MB/s - USB-C - USB-A - USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Compatible with PS4 / PS5 / Windows/Mac) - External Solid State Drive Stick - ‎‎SSD-PUT1.0U3B
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The BUFFALO External SSD 1TB is a must-have accessory for professionals or gamers who require fast, secure, and portable storage. With a blazing fast speed of up to 600MB/s, you can perform large intensive tasks simultaneously. It's compatible with PS4/PS5, Macs, and PCs, allowing you to store your game data and other files in one place. Its compact, durable, and reliable design ensures that your data is protected, while its stick and retractable form factor allows you to carry it with you wherever you go. The BUFFALO External SSD 1TB also comes with a three-year warranty for registered devices (two years if unregistered).

What We Like
Fast transfer speed of up to 600MB/s
Compact and portable design
Shock-resistant and rugged, providing drop protection
Compatible with PS4/PS5, Macs, and PCs
Three-year warranty for registered devices

WD 2TB Elements SE - Portable SSD

WD
WDBAYN0020BBK-WESN
Black
WD 2TB Elements SE - Portable SSD Cover
Western Digital 2TB Elements SE - Portable SSD, USB 3.0, Compatible with PC, Mac - WDBAYN0020BBK-WESN
ftb score rating icon9.2
FTB Score

Looking for a portable SSD that is fast, affordable, and reliable? Look no further than the WD 2TB Elements SE. With read speeds up to 400MB/s, you can move large files quickly and easily, making it perfect for personal, gaming, or business use. Its compact design and drop resistance up to 2 meters make it the perfect drive to take with you wherever you go, and its plug-and-play functionality means it's ready to use right out of the box. Compatible with PC, Mac, and other devices, the WD 2TB Elements SE is a dependable and convenient choice.

What We Like
Fast read speeds up to 400MB/s
Compact design and drop resistance up to 2 meters
Plug-and-play functionality for easy use
Compatible with PC, Mac, and other devices
2TB digital storage capacity
#TOP 7

Crucial X10 Pro 1TB SSD

CT1000X10PROSSD902
Black
Crucial X10 Pro 1TB SSD Cover
Crucial X10 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 2100MB/s Read, 2000MB/s Write Compact Portable Storage for videographers, Photographers, and Gamers, USB 3.2 – External Solid State Drive
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

The Crucial X10 Pro SSD is a high-speed external storage solution that offers impressive read speeds of up to 2100MB/s and write speeds of 2000MB/s. This makes it a perfect choice for transferring large files quickly, whether you're editing videos or gaming on your console. Its wide compatibility with devices like PS5, Xbox, PC, and Mac ensures that you can easily plug and play without hassle. Additionally, its compact and durable design, featuring water and dust resistance along with drop protection, means you can take it anywhere without worry, making it ideal for on-the-go professionals.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Wide device compatibility
Durable and portable
Ideal for video editing
#TOP 8

GARMESE 1TB External SSD

GARMESE
Black
GARMESE 1TB External SSD Cover
GARMESE External SSD - 1TB Portable SSD Speed Up to 1000MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2, External Solid State Drives with Type-C Cable, SSD External Hard Drive for PC Mac Game Console
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

The GARMESE Portable SSD offers lightning-fast data transfer speeds, reaching up to 1000MB/s for reading and 900MB/s for writing. This means you can quickly move large files like 4K videos and high-resolution photos without hassle. Its plug-and-play feature makes it easy to use with various systems, including Windows and Mac, so you can start transferring files immediately. Additionally, the included cables allow seamless connections with different devices, whether you’re using a smartphone or a laptop. With its sturdy design, you can trust that your data is safe and secure, no matter where you go.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Plug-and-play compatibility
Versatile connectivity options
Durable and reliable design
#TOP 9

Vansuny 1TB USB SSD

USB 3.2
Vansuny 1TB USB SSD Cover
Vansuny 1TB USB Solid State Drive Up to 1000MB/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Dual SSD USB A + USB C Portable External SSD for Android Phone Tablet Laptop MacBook PC
ftb score rating icon9.1
FTB Score

The Vansuny USB SSD is designed to meet all your data storage needs with its dual USB-A and USB-C connectors, making it compatible with a variety of devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. You can enjoy lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 1000MB/s, allowing you to quickly move large files like 4K videos and high-resolution photos. It's easy to use—just plug it in without needing extra software or adapters. Plus, its sturdy zinc alloy construction ensures durability, making it reliable for use in different environments.

What We Like
Dual USB-A and USB-C
High-speed data transfer
Plug-and-play compatibility
Durable zinc alloy design
#TOP 10

Crucial X9 2TB Portable SSD

CT2000X9SSD902
Black
Crucial X9 2TB Portable SSD Cover
Crucial X9 2TB Portable SSD - Reads up to 1050MB/s - Lightweight and Small Storage for backups, Videos and Photos with Mylio Photo Management Offer - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 - External Solid State Drive
ftb score rating icon8.9
FTB Score

The Crucial X9 SSD offers remarkable speed with read rates up to 1050MB/s, making it ideal for transferring large files and editing 4K videos effortlessly. With a generous 2TB capacity, you can store countless games, photos, and important documents securely. It’s compatible with various devices, including gaming consoles and computers, ensuring fast data transfers with the included USB-C cable. Additionally, its compact and robust design provides protection against drops from heights of up to 7.5 feet, as well as water and dust resistance, making it a reliable choice for users on the go.

What We Like
High-speed performance
Large storage capacity
Wide device compatibility
Durable and portable design
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do external SSD work on PC?

Snag one of the best USB Type-C SSDs for game storage on a PC or console. Opting for one of the best external SSDs around is one of the most important investments you can make in this tech-dominated life. It's the ultimate utility that fits in your back pocket.

2. Can I use external SSD for Windows?

Thanks to the speed of USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 connections, it's now possible for an external hard drive to match the read and write speeds of an internal drive. Combine that with a proliferation of external SSDs, and for the first time, running Windows off an external drive is viable.

3. Will an external SSD make my PC faster?

Adding a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single biggest hardware change you can make to speed up a laptop. It makes everything faster; booting up, shutting down and launching apps will all occur in the blink of any eye when compared to traditional hard drives.

4. Is SSD good for external drive?

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.

Editor's Notes

During our external ssd for pc research, we found 24 external ssd for pc products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 1,468,608 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external ssd for pc list. We found that most customers choose external ssd for pc with an average price of $92.87.

The external ssd for pc are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external ssd for pc, including SAMSUNG, ORICO, BUFFALO, WD, Crucial. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.