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External Portable SSD Drives: High Capacity Thunderbolt or USB C

Best External Portable SSD Drives

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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