Space, everybody needs it, and everybody deserves it. Whether it’s physical, mental, or digital, we could all use space. And in the world of computers, there’s no better space than the one offered by SSDs. But sometimes your computer will run out of space, so it’s best to delegate the storage task to an external SSD.
These are disembodied solid state drives that are functionally large flash drive sticks. The difference is that they’re faster when it comes to file transfers, wasting less of your time waiting for transfers to finish.
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As expected, they’re more expensive than traditional hard disk drives (HDD) since they are faster, have fewer moving parts, are more resistant to shock, and are smaller in physical size. In short, they’re making HDDs obsolete.
But if you’re out of storage space and with no more expandable slots in your laptop or desktop PC, then these portable, external SSD models are here to save your data, literally.
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB
PROS
- Fast data transfer speed
- Rugged shield
- IP65 Rated
- Highly reliable for digital professionals
- Wide range of device compatibility
CONS
- Costs more per terabyte than most other SSDs
- A bit heavy
- Capacity: 2TB
- Speed: 1,050 MB/s
- Weight: 3.5 oz
- Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen.2 (10Gbps)
When it comes to storage devices and microchip technology, Samsung is a well-known pack leader. They have a good reputation in the market but this also means they charge more for their products, especially since a lot of their innovations become trendsetters in the future.
And when it comes to data transfer speeds, the Samsung T7 Shield won’t test your patience. It’s double that of most external SSDs in the same price range. Do note that you will be spending more per terabyte, which is what matters the most for storage.
Samsung T7 Shield 2TB
SanDisk Extreme PRO 2TB
PROS
- Incredible external SSD speed
- Water-resistant
- Dust-resistant
- Wide range of device compability
- Practical case design for carrying
- Light
- Sleek form
CONS
- Expensive
- Capacity: 2TB
- Speed: 2000MB/s
- Weight: Unspecified
- Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
If you value speed more than you value the size of the storage, then SanDisk has something utterly blazing fast for you. It’s the SanDisk Extreme PRO lineup that clocks in at a rapid 2000MB/s, which is faster than most budget NVMe SSDs made for laptops and console devices.
That means the copying and pasting operations here are on par with most PC data transfer speeds. It costs a premium, however, and you’ll end up paying more per terabyte than others. But thankfully, SanDisk threw in some other important features such as water resistance, dust resistance, and compatibility with other devices.
SanDisk Extreme PRO 2TB
Western Digital WD My Passport SSD 4TB
PROS
- Password protection
- 5-year warranty
- Shock and vibration resistant
- Fast speed
- Stylish case
- Included backup software
- Wide range of device compability
- Light
CONS
- Costs more per terabyte than most other SSDs
- Can become warm during operation
- Capacity: 4TB
- Speed: 1,050 MB/s
- Weight: 1.62 ounces
- Connection Interface: USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C
Now, if you’re only after space, then you can have all the space you need with this Western Digital. They offer a good balance of quality space and price per terabyte. Meanwhile, they’re also not lacking in the speed department.
There’s also a 2TB model that’s the same price as the one from Samsung, but this one is more affordable as the capacity goes up. Besides, it has protection in the form of password-enabled 256-bit hardware encryption.
Crucial X6 1TB
PROS
- Decent speed
- More affordable compared to others
- Wide range of device compability
- Minimalist case
CONS
- Limited connection interface
- Capacity: 1TB
- Speed: 800MB/s
- Weight: Unspecified
- Connection Interface: USB-C
Crucial is another brand that gives you a good and reputable product with budget considerations. Its offerings are usually more affordable compared to other brands. The only compromise here is that it’s slightly slower compared to Western Digital and Samsung’s offerings.
The cost is considerably lower, allowing you to spend more money on bigger capacities or save more for other peripherals. Just don’t expect any advanced or innovative features. There are also other sizes available for this external SSD, at a lower price compared to others.
Crucial X6 1TB
For More Space, Go For HDDs Instead
You might be wondering why there are limited options past 8TB or even more than that. That’s because SSDs are not well-known for their capacity as much as their speed. HDDs still have the advantage of offering more terabytes or storage space per dollar. So if you need something larger than 4TB, then your best bet is to go for an HDD.
You’ll find no shortage of external HDD models that go past 8TB effortlessly, or even beyond that. The only downside, of course, is that you need to be more careful with handling them and you also need to be more patient with data transfers. They’re significantly slower than an external SSD.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long do external SSD models last?
They can live way past the warranty period. Some manufacturers also offer online backup or free recovery in case the external SSD breaks down. -
Are external SSDs a lot better than HDD?
The difference in speed is night and day (around four to six times faster on average).