External Portable SSD Drives: High Capacity Thunderbolt or USB C

External Portable SSD Drives gives you more capacity than the regular USB sticks, and at the same time gives you high performance. How? most of these drives will have a high-performance storage I/O controller which typically load balances across multiple NAND chips. So why do you need them?

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It is because our storage requirements are increasing day by day. Conventional HDDs are great for having a substantial data-storage capacity at your disposal. However, the main issue with them was that you could not carry them with you everywhere. They were not intended to be more portable. Moreover, you had to open up the entire system & laptop to replace your internal HDD’s. Then came mobile HDDs. These hard-disks are highly portable since all they require is a simple USB connection to get connected to the system, let it be your desktop or laptop or even a mobile device.

Portable SSDs are similar to these portable HDDs. They use a Thunderbolt / USB connection for getting installed on the system without installing any additional drivers. The main advantage is that you get the high performance of an SSD with portability support. Most of these models ship with a protective enclosure, so it is pretty safe to carry them along. Moreover, they are pretty small in size too, compared to conventional portable – external hard disk drives.

Table of Contents

External Portable SSD Drives

Today, we have compiled a list of some of the best external portable SSD drives available out there in the market, with their full technical details, features, and specifications. It will help you to pick the right product for yourself. Here we go:

1. Samsung Portable SSD T5 (500GB):

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Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	256-bit AES
Color Category	blue
Hardware Encryption	Yes

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Hard Drive

Features	USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP) compliant, V-NAND Technology, password authentication, shock-resistant
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Performance

Max Data Transfer Rate	540 MB/s
Interface Transfer Rate	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Interface Speed	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Max Data Transfer Rate	540
USB-C Port	Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Width	2.9 in
Depth	0.4 in
Height	2.3 in
Weight	1.8 oz

2. SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD (480GB):

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Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	128-bit AES
Color Category	black

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Hard Drive

Features	impact-resistant, shock-resistant, software encryption, vibration dampening
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Interface	USB 3.1
Internal Data Rate	850 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	850 MBps

Performance

Internal Data Rate

850 MBps (read) / 850 MBps (write)

Software & System Requirements

Software Included

SanDisk SecureAccess

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.6 or later, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

Environmental Parameters

Min Operating Temperature	-4 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

External Hard Drive

USB-C Port

Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Width	0.7 in
Depth	3.2 in
Height	5.2 in
Weight	7.42 oz

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	3 years
Type	limited warranty

3. ADATA Durable SD700 – 512 GB:

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Miscellaneous

Color

black

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	10 pin Micro-USB Type B
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1

Hard Drive

Features	DRAM cache, dustproof, shock-resistant, water-resistant
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1
Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1
NAND Flash Memory Type	3D triple-level cell (TLC)
Internal Data Rate	440 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	430 MBps

Performance

Internal Data Rate	440 MBps (read) / 430 MBps (write)
Interface Transfer Rate	5.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)

System Requirements

OS Required

Android 5.0 or later, Apple MacOS X 10.6 or later, Linux 2.6 or later, Microsoft Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10

Environmental Parameters

Min Operating Temperature	41 °F
Max Operating Temperature	122 °F

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Interface Speed	5.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)

Dimensions & Weight

Width	3.3 in
Depth	3.3 in
Height	0.5 in
Weight	3.53 oz

Cable Details

Type	SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Type A to micro-USB Type B cable
Form Factor	external
Included Qty	1

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	3 years
Type	limited warranty

4. WD My Passport SSD (512GB):

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Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	256-bit AES
Color	black top with gunmetal (medium metallic gray) bottom
Color Category	black
Hardware Encryption	Yes

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Hard Drive

Features	automatic backup, password authentication, shock-resistant
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Performance

Max Data Transfer Rate	515 MB/s
Interface Transfer Rate	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)

Software & System Requirements

Software Included

WD Security, WD Drive Utilities, WD Backup, WD Discovery

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple OS X 10.10 Yosemite, Microsoft Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10

Environmental Parameters

Min Storage Temperature	-4 °F
Max Storage Temperature	149 °F
Min Operating Temperature	41 °F
Max Operating Temperature	95 °F

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Interface Speed	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Max Data Transfer Rate	515
USB-C Port	Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Width	1.8 in
Depth	3.5 in
Height	0.4 in

Cable Details

Type	USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter
Included Qty	1

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	3 years
Type	limited warranty

5. SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable – 250 GB:

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Miscellaneous

Color Category

black

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	9 pin USB Type A
Storage Interface	USB 3.0

Hard Drive

Features	heat-resistant, shock-resistant, software encryption, vibration dampening
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.0
Interface	USB 3.0
Internal Data Rate	415 MBps
Internal Data Rate (Write)	365 MBps

Performance

Internal Data Rate

415 MBps (read) / 365 MBps (write)

Software & System Requirements

Software Included

SanDisk SecureAccess

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.6 or later, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 8, Windows 8.1

Environmental Parameters

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	113 °F

Dimensions & Weight

Width	3 in
Depth	0.4 in
Height	3 in
Weight	2.78 oz

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	3 years
Type	limited warranty

6. SanDisk Extreme – 500 GB:

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Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	128-bit AES
Color Category	black, red

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Hard Drive

Features	dustproof, rugged, shock-resistant, software encryption, vibration dampening, water-resistant
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Internal Data Rate	550 MBps

Performance

Internal Data Rate

550 MBps

Software & System Requirements

Software Included

SanDisk SecureAccess

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 10, Windows 8

Environmental Parameters

Min Storage Temperature	-4 °F
Max Storage Temperature	158 °F
Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	113 °F

External Hard Drive

USB-C Port

Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Height	0.4 in
Weight	2.78 oz

Cable Details

Type	USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter
Form Factor	external
Included Qty	1

Shock & Vibration Tolerance

Shock Acceleration (Operating)	1500 g
Shock Acceleration (Non-operating)	1500 g

7. Samsung Portable SSD T3 (250GB):

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Miscellaneous

Encryption Algorithm	256-bit AES
Color Category	black, silver
Hardware Encryption	Yes

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1

Hard Drive

Features	USB Attached SCSI Protocol (UASP) compliant, shock-resistant
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1
Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1

Performance

Max Data Transfer Rate	450 MB/s
Interface Transfer Rate	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Interface Speed	10.0 Gbps (USB 3.1) / 5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0) / 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
Max Data Transfer Rate	450
USB-C Port	Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Width	2.9 in
Depth	0.4 in
Height	2.3 in
Weight	1.8 oz

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	3 years
Type	limited warranty

8. Monster Digital OverDrive – 240 GB:

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Miscellaneous

Color	silver
Included Hard Drive Accessories	carrying pouch

Power

Power Source

Thunderbolt bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Storage Interface	Thunderbolt

Hard Drive

Features	Apple Time Machine compatible, LED access indicator, passive cooling, rugged
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	Thunderbolt
Interface	Thunderbolt

Performance

Data Transfer Rate Details	Thunderbolt (read): 500 MB/s Thunderbolt (write): 450 MB/s
Max Data Transfer Rate	500 MB/s
Interface Transfer Rate	10 Gbps (Thunderbolt)

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.6.8 or later, Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8

Environmental Parameters

Min Operating Temperature	32 °F
Max Operating Temperature	158 °F

External Hard Drive

Power Source	Thunderbolt bus
Internal Drive Interface	Serial ATA-600
Interface Speed	10 Gbps (Thunderbolt)
Max Data Transfer Rate	500

Data Transfer Rate Details

Interface	Thunderbolt (read), Thunderbolt (write)
Speed	450 reps, 500 reps

Dimensions & Weight

Width	3.3 in
Depth	0.6 in
Height	5.2 in
Weight	8.01 oz

Cable Details

Type	Thunderbolt cable
Form Factor	integrated
Included Qty	1
Length	9.8 in

Service & Support Details

Service Included	data recovery
Full Contract Period	3 years, lifetime
Type	limited warranty

Shock & Vibration Tolerance

Shock Acceleration (Non-operating)

500 g

9. Glyph Blackbox Plus (1TB)

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Miscellaneous

Color

black

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Connector Type	24 pin USB-C
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2

Hard Drive

Spindle Speed	7200 rpm
Features	HFS+ formatted, rugged, fanless design
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
Storage Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 2
Interface	Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Gen 2
Data Transfer Rate	140 MBps

Performance

Max Data Transfer Rate	140 MB/s
Drive Transfer Rate	140 MBps (external)
Spindle Speed	7200 rpm

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista or later

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Max Data Transfer Rate	140
USB-C Port	Yes

Dimensions & Weight

Width	0.4 in, 3.7 in
Depth	5.7 in, 0.6 in
Height	0.8 in

Cable Details

Type	USB-C cable, USB-C to USB-A cable
Form Factor	external
Included Qty	1

Service & Support Details

Service Included	advance parts replacement, data recovery
Full Contract Period	1 year, 2 years, 3 years
Type	limited warranty

10. Verbatim Store ‘n’ Go USB 3.0 External SSD (128GB):

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Miscellaneous

Color	sleek black
Color Category	black
Included Hard Drive Accessories	carrying case

Power

Power Source

USB bus

Interface Provided

Qty	1
Storage Interface	USB 3.0

Hard Drive

Features	rugged
Hard Drive Type	external hard drive
External Drive Type	portable
Storage Interface	USB 3.0
Interface	USB 3.0

Performance

Interface Transfer Rate

5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0)

System Requirements

OS Required

Apple MacOS X 10.4 or later, Linux 2.4.0 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista / XP / 7

External Hard Drive

Power Source	USB bus
Interface Speed	5.0 Gbps (USB 3.0)

Dimensions & Weight

Width	1.7 in
Depth	3.5 in
Height	0.4 in
Weight	1.48 oz

Cable Details

Type	SuperSpeed USB cable
Form Factor	external
Included Qty	1
Length	7.1 in

Service & Support Details

Full Contract Period	2 years
Type	limited warranty

Conclusion:

We hope our list of best external portable SSD drives helps you to pick the right product for yourself. Do let check out our other reviews and article about storage solutions. If you have any query or suggestion, feel free to contact us directly or simply comment below. See ya until next post!

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