Best Solid State External Hard Drive List 2023

The Samsung T3 – Ultra fast USB 3.1 SSD

How do you say fast in your language? That’s how to describe the speed of the Samsung T3 Portable SSD. This portable SSD weighs just about 1.8 ounces; simply put, it’s lighter than the word lightweight.

It measures 2.9 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches and fits into an average sized pocket on any adult trousers. That’s not to say you should always have it in your pocket. Like most other SSDs, the Samsung T3 Portable SSD provides ultra-fast data transfer speeds, thanks to its USB 3.1 support. The USB 3.1 is also downward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, thus making it compatible with as many devices as possible.

The Samsung T3 SSD is aesthetically appealing. First, unlike its predecessor the Samsung Portable T1 SSD (which has been discontinued) that uses a plastic casing, the T3 is enclosed in a super strong aluminum casing. According to Samsung, the T3 can withstand falls from heights of 6.6 feet and a force equal to 1500g’s. I cannot tell if Samsung is just trying to market their product with those numbers. However, I do know that the casing looks sturdy and rigid enough to hold some slight beating. I tossed mine to the ground stylishly from a height of about 3 meters and it still works fine.

The Samsung T3 Portable SSD is available in various storage capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB. It boasts of fast transfer speeds of up to 450MB/s as advertised, however, its transfer speed hovers around 350MB/s.

The Samsung T3 SSD protects your data by using state of the art AES 256-bit encryption, and lest I forget, it is also worthy to note that the SSD on the T3 uses Samsung’s 48-layer V-NAND technology. The drive is Windows and Mac compatible.

Here is a video review of the Samsung T3 SSD:

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• Aluminum casing makes it stronger than other SSDs with plastic casing
• Its rugged design makes it able to withstand some amount of pressure.
• USB-C port type which is backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0

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• Not available in a variety of colors
• A little bit pricey than some competitors

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Conclusion: If you want a rugged SSD with unrivaled transfer speeds, lightweight and fits into your pocket easily, then the Samsung T3 Portable SSD is what you need.

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SanDisk Extreme 500 – A variety of capacities

The SanDisk Extreme 500 portable SSD is yet another SSD that captures the heart of any SSD lovers. It sports a distinctive diagonal shape which is quite unlike anything we’ve seen before. The design speaks of the rugged nature of the drive which is splash water and dust resistant and is covered by a kind of rubber. The flat nature of the design makes it look extremely portable, and yes, it’s portable.

The SanDisk Extreme 500 SSD weighs just 2.7 ounces and measures 3 x 3 x 0.4 inches.

Quite unlike what most people expected, the Extreme 500 is powered by a USB 3.0 port which sits closely at one edge of the diagonal body and a key holder hole sits at the other edge.
Just like the Samsung T3 Portable SSD, the SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD is available in a plethora of storage units: 120GB, 240GB, 250GB, 480GB, 500GB, and 1TB.

It is formatted out of the box in exFAT format so you can easily transfer your files from and to a Windows and Mac computers with ease. That’s not all, as the SanDisk Extreme 500 protects your data with its 128-bit AES encryption technology which is below what is obtainable on the Samsung T3 SSD. However, you can pay extra to get 1024-bits encryption.

I did find the cable that shipped with the SanDisk drive short; it’s about 9 inches long. Out of the box, you are entitled to SanDisk’s Secure Access 3.0 software on both the Windows and Mac operating systems.

Here’s a video review of the SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD:

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• The drive is plain rugged and can handle being tossed around
• The exFAT format allows it work on both Windows and Mac computers out of the box
• SanDisk Secure Access software

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• USB 3.0 cable on it is short
• USB 3.0 may get phased out soon by USB 3.1 enabled devices

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Conclusion: The SanDisk Extreme 500 portable external SSD is not just any ordinary SSD. It stores and protects and transfers your data the Extremely Fast way.

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MyDigitalSSD OTG V2 – The New Fast SSD

The MyDigitalSSD SuperSpeed USB 3.1 drive is not a very common SSD, the fact that it has been around for over a year notwithstanding. The design isn’t any bit different from what is obtainable in the market from other drives. The drive is wrapped around in a white colored casing which gives it a simple look.

The MyDigitalSSD is laden with lots of features that make it worth noticing. First, just like the Samsung T3 Portable SSD, we reviewed earlier, it supports a SuperSpeed USB 3.1 port which is downward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 and even USB 1.1. Additionally, the drive is equipped with the OTG V2 function that allows you share your documents to other devices while you’re on the go.

The drive measures 3 x 1 x 0.3 inches and weighs just about 3.2 ounces. Transfer speeds on the drive aren’t close to the figures advertised, however, its transfer speeds are almost above par with drives like the Samsung T3 and Extreme 500.

The MyDigitalSSD drive is fully compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and is bus powered via any of the two USB cables that ship with the drive. There’s one short USB 3.0 cable and a much longer USB 3.1 cable which facilitates easy transfer of your data.

For the meantime, the drive is available in two common storage options: 256GB and 512GB.

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• Compatible with both Mac and Windows
• Lightweight
• USB 3.1 is downward compatible
• OTG function for transferring files on the go

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• No AES encryption
• Limited storage capacities

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Conclusion: For the time being, one cannot help but appreciate the response a new drive like the MyDigitalSSD is getting in the SSD market today. If you care about storage but not features like encryption, then you should look its way.

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LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt – Recommended Thunderbolt SSD for Mac

Have you ever been able to catch a Thunderbolt before? Certainly not. Not only is it impossible to do such, it is also inappropriate to even think of it. The LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt portable SSD is arguably one of the most sought after SSDs for Mac.

The rugged drive is encased in an aluminum body and bordered by non-removable rubber bumpers on all sides. Permanently attached to the body of the drive is the Thunderbolt cable – this will surely save you the stress of looking for your Thunderbolt cables every now and then. Additionally, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD also supports USB 3.0 and ships a free cable with it; so if you’ve got a Windows computer, you can as well use the drive on it.

Transfer speeds on the drive are blazing fast especially when you use the Thunderbolt ports on your Mac. The USB 3.0 port isn’t left out as it propels the movement of data to and from the drive at a relatively fast rate too.

The drive measures 3.5 x 1.0 x 5.5 inches and weighs just about 3.5 ounces, a tad above aforementioned drives like the MyDigitalSSD portable drive.

The ports are covered by a removable rubber seal which I feel should have had some sort of attachment to the body of the drive since it can get lost easily. According to LaCie, the drive is water and dust resistant. As a matter of fact, it can survive falls from heights of up to 2m as well as withstand weights of 1000kg.

In other to safeguard your data, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD supports the very high-level 256-bit AES encryption technology. It is also worth mentioning that the LaCie Rugged drive is compatible with Windows and Mac computers. Surprisingly, it can still be used on older Mac PCs with Firewire 800 ports as well as other computers with USB 2.0 ports. I cannot help but say I’m impressed with LaCie’s ingenuity.

The drive is available in a handful of storage capacities: 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB – all of which can be paired with the Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, USB-C type or all of the above in one. LaCie gives you the freedom to control your drive using any of the software that comes with the drive. These include the LaCie Backup Assistant, LaCie Setup Assistant, and the LaCie Private-Public software.

Watch the video review here:

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• Thunderbolt and USB-C ports for fast transfers
• Rugged and strongly built to withstand a great amount of strain
• Lightweight
• Compatible with Mac and Windows computers

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• A little bit pricey
• Permanently fixed Thunderbolt and USB cables

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Conclusion: There’s absolutely no reason why anyone who is in need of a rugged drive shouldn’t get the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt Portable SSD.

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Polaroid Mini – The Simple SSD for Simple People

Just like the MyDigitalSSD which is a new entrant into the SSD market, so also is the Mini External SSD from Polaroid. The Mini External SSD is available in just two storage options: 120GB and 500GB. I’m pretty sure a lot of SSD users would go for drives with larger storage space.

The drive measures about 1.95 x 3.14 x 0.37 inches and weighs about 3.2 ounces – this automatically gives it a spot amongst lightweight SSDs.

For fast transfer of files to and from your devices, the Mini External SSD sports a USB 3.1 port which us surprisingly downward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Additionally, the drive is also compatible with Android, Mac, and Windows computers, an added advantage over most SSDs which are only compatible with Mac and Windows only.

The drive is nicely designed and feels somewhat strong and sturdy to touch. However, unlike the Samsung T3 Portable SSD, the Mini External SSD is not rugged.

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• USB 3.1 downward compatible to USB 3.0 and 2.0 ensures fast data transfer speeds
• Lightweight and portable
• Compatible with Android, Windows, and Mac computers

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• Only available in two storage options
• No encryption feature leaves your data at the mercy of people

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Conclusion: If you’d like to own a simple SSD without drilling a hole into your pocket, the Mini External SSD from Polaris would definitely suffice.

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Monster Digital Overdrive – Monstrous Data Transfer Speeds

At the mere mention of the name monster, one expects to see a huge looking ugly and irregularly shaped being or object. However, that’s not the case with the Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt Portable SSD, a strong contender on our list of the best portable external SSDs.

The Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt Portable SSD is touted as the world’s fastest BUS powered Thunderbolt external drive. How true is that claim? We will find out in a bit.

The drive’s design is simplistic with an aluminum casing that enables the drive to withstand as much as 1500g’s of force. The Thunderbolt cable is permanently fixed into a groove in the middle of the drive and this ensures that no cables are lost. The drive also features a small LED indicator which blinks whenever the drive is active. Beneath the groove where the Thunderbolt cable fits in is the air vent which helps keep the drive’s temperatures down when it’s in use.

The Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt Portable SSD is available in just three storage options: 240GB, 480GB, and 1TB. The drive measures 8 x 2 x 5 inches and weighs about 8 ounces.

The data transfer speeds on the Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt Portable SSD are on par with what is obtainable from other Thunderbolt enabled SSDs. Unfortunately, there’s no protection for your data since the drive lacks encryption features.

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• Fast data transfer speeds thanks to its Thunderbolt port
• Rugged enough to withstand up to 1500g’s of force
• Available in three different storage options

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• No encryption feature
• It weighs more than other drives in its league

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Conclusion: For fast data transfer without hassles, get connected to the Thunderbolt world with the Monster Digital Overdrive Thunderbolt Portable SSD.

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Shadow Mini™ – Ample SSD storage for less

As small as it is, the Shadow Mini External Portable SSD doesn’t lurk in the shadows of big names like Samsung, SanDisk or LaCie. Designed to fly Oyen Digitals flag in the SSD market, the Shadow Mini Extreme is living up to expectations.

The drive which measures about 4 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches and weighs about 7.2 ounces. It is available in four storage options; 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, thus providing ample storage space for anyone who cared to purchase it. The aluminum casing housing the drive is coated in black and silver colors, giving users the opportunity to choose the color that suits them.

The Shadow Mini External Portable SSD supports USB 3.1 and is downward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. Just beside the USB port is the small LED which comes alive when the drive is active.

The SSD inside the drive is acclaimed to be the state of the art high-grade 3D NAND flash similar to the one which is found in the Samsung T3 Portable External Drive. The Shadow Mini External Portable SSD is compatible with both Mac and Windows PCs.

Unfortunately, data on the drive cannot be protected because it lacks encryption capabilities.

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• Compatible with Mac and Windows
• Fast data transfer speeds with USB 3.1 which is downward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0
• Can be used for bootable backups

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• No encryption feature
• Weighs a little bit above the others
• Gets hot upon usage

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Conclusion: Pocket-friendly although not lightweight, the Shadow Mini External Portable SSD might just be the right drive for you with its 1TB storage capacity. So if you’re looking for ample SSD storage for a much lesser price, you might want to look its way.

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Lexar – Lexar’s Gift To You

The Lexar 512GB Portable SSD is undoubtedly fit to be classified as a first class SSD for Mac users who love a unique look for a much lesser price without compromising on performance.

The design features a front panel that is adorned with up to six LED lights, five of which show the amount of storage space used whilst the remaining blue light serves as the LED indicator for drive activity. It is designed to fit into the Lexar Media hub.

The Lexar 512GB Portable SSD which is available in only 256GB and 512GB storage options weighs 9 ounces and measures 4.8 x 2.2 x 3.6 inches. It cannot be said to be lightweight considering the fact that we’ve seen SSDs like the Samsung T3 which weighs only 1.8 ounces.

The drive features USB 3.0, but sports a USB Type-B port which is very uncommon – most devices still rock the USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 Type-C model. However, Lexar ships the Lexar 512GB Portable SSD with a matching three feet cable so you don’t worry yourself about finding one. The USB port is compatible with USB 2.0.

The Lexar 512GB Portable SSD is compatible with Windows and Mac computers. Additionally, the drive is also compatible with the Lexar Professional Workflow line of products.

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• LED light activity bar
• LED light showing the amount of storage space used
• Compatible with both Mac and Windows

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• No encryption feature
• Limited storage options

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Conclusion: The Lexar 512GB Portable SSD is a good SSD for lovers of Lexar Products. If you also use the Lexar Professional Workflow line of products, it would come in handy.

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ADATA SD700 – Ruggedized Water/Dust/Shock Proof

The ADATA SD700 Rugged SSD has won the hearts of many people who have already tasted and seen the sheer power of this magnificent drive. It’s one of the few SSDs in the market that has been able to get an IP68 rating.

The design has a distinctive shape which I feel makes it look somewhat out of place in the league of drives like the Samsung T3 Portable SSD. That, however, doesn’t limit its ability to withstand being kept underwater at depths of 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. Aside from that, it is adequately covered from the dust that often wreaks havoc on our storage devices. The aluminum casing does a good job of shielding the drive. There’s a LED indicator that shows drive activity just beside the glaring SSD mark on the drive.

The drive measures 0.55 x 3.3 x 3.3 inches and weighs just about 3.5 ounces. The ADATA SD700 is available in three different storage options; 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Out of the box, the ADATA SD700 works on Android, Mac, Linux, and Windows computers and comes equipped with the Acronis True Image HD and HDD to GO software, a Backup site, and an SSD toolbox.
Unlike the Lexar 512GB portable SSD, the ADATA SD700 sports the state of the art 256-bit AES encryption but it has to be downloaded from the website. The drive is available in black and yellow & black colors.

For fast transfer of data, one can easily make use of the USB 3.1 port on the drive which is a little below the advertised rates in terms of transfer speeds.

Here’s a video review of the ADATA SD700 Rugged External Portable SSD:

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• 256-bit AES encryption secures your data
• Fast transfer speeds courtesy of USB 3.1 which is downward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0
• Lightweight and small in size thus making it fit perfectly into your pocket
• Rugged in all ramifications

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• Lacks the USB Type-C port

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Conclusion: There is absolutely no reason for you not to own this wonderfully alluring drive. I tell you, it after the Samsung T3, the ADATA SD700 Rugged Portable External SSD is my second most sought after drive, and that’s because of aesthetic features only.

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SanDisk Extreme 900 – Enjoy extreme premium qualities with SanDisk

The last but certainly not the least on our list of the best portable external SSD drives is the SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD. With the Extreme 900, you can’t help but ask for more. The Extreme 900 has every right to brag about being the fastest SSD on the planet, however, it doesn’t. You will never know how powerful it is until you use it.

The drive is available in three different storage capacities starting from 480GB, 960GB as well as 1.92 TB. That’s pretty ample storage space, you know. It measures 0.7 x 3.3 x 5.3 inches and weighs 7.4 ounces, a little bit heavier than the Shadow Mini™ External Portable SSD.

Unlike the Shadow Mini, the SanDisk Extreme 900 is capable of securing your data when you activate its 128-bit AES encryption feature via the SanDisk Secure Access software.

For easy movement of your data to and from the device, there’s the USB 3.1 Type-C port which is downward compatible with the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. To mitigate the stress of shopping for new cables, SanDisk generously included two different USB cables in the box. One of the cables is a complete USB-C cable at both ends and the other is a USB-C to USB-A cable. The data transfer speeds were not near as advertised, however, they’ll surely surprise you when you use it.

The Extreme 900 is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.

Many claim the Extreme 900 is rugged. Well, as an SSD, it is fairly rugged based on the advantages it has over the conventional HDDs. Aside from that, the drive is housed in a tough rubberized enclosure which dampens the frequent tossing of the device.

There has been a serious debate as to whether one should choose the Samsung T3 Portable SSD or the SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD or its sibling, the SanDisk Extreme Portable 500 SSD. I can only say that this is a matter of preference of brand. The three drives are similar, and as such, there’s a close tie amongst the trio.

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• Fast data transfer speeds courtesy USB 3.1
• The 128-bit AES encryption software secures your data
• Rubberized enclosure serves as a shock absorber for the drive

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• Not really lightweight even though it’s still easy to carry about

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Conclusion: The SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable External SSD is for people who love premium SSDs with a touch of class and simplicity. It holds its grounds firmly and can easily tower over any new drive on the block.

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