The Best External SSDs for 2024

The Best External SSDs for 2024

External storage devices used to be a premium accessory for niche groups, such as enthusiast gamers and film buffs. Now though, AAA games are taking up more space than ever, and tons of smart TVs and projectors can make use of stored media from just about anywhere.

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The Best SSDs for Gaming in 2024

SSDs have enabled gaming experiences that were not possible a few years ago on consoles and PC, but which ones are a cut above the rest right now?

Given these developments, many are asking themselves which SSD would be best for their PC, console, TV, or other device. Game Rant has sifted through the options for you, collecting the best external SSDs below, regardless of the device.

Game Rants Best External SSDs in 2024

Best Overall External SSD

Crucial X10 Pro

$113 $121 Save $8

TheCrucial X10 Pro is a high-performing and well-built portable external SSD that is capable of2100MB/s read speeds and 2000MB/s write speeds. The drive is water and dust resistant, and can survivedrops of up to 2 meters.

Storage capacity 1TBHardware Interface USB 3.2Compatible Devices Consoles, PC, Mac, Android, iOSBrand CrucialRead/Write Speeds 2100MB/s, 2000MB/s Pros

• Fast read/write speeds
• Compact size
• Wide compatibility

Cons

• Can only store games for Xbox and PS5

$113 at Amazon$113 at Newegg$113 at Best Buy

The Crucial X10 Pro is the best external solid-state storage device on the market. With its ultra-portable build and industry-leading read speeds, it's no wonder why. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes, this SSD also manages to be fairly affordable across the board.

Designed for photographers, the Crucial X10 Pro is easy to use on digital cameras, PCs, iPhone 15, and more. It can read files at up to 2100MB/s and can write them nearly as fast (2000MB/s). Plus, with its compatibility with USB 3.2, these speeds actually reflect reality when the X10 Pro is connected to a similarly advanced device.

Being made for anything and everything, this SSD is also wildly durable. It comes with an IP55 water and dust resistance rating and is drop-proof from a max height of 7.5 feet. With its versatile design, extremely capable read and write speeds, and tons of storage space available, most users would do best to pick up the Crucial X10 Pro external SSD.

Best Budget External SSD

SSK External SSD

The light, pocket-sized external SSD from SSK is completely portable, yet delivers extreme speed with ease, reliably storing data and quickly transferring large files. It is the perfect storage solution for anyone on the go. The excellent storage capacity allows you to backup and share your valuable files, photos, videos, and even games. This low-priced SSD is ideal for those on a budget.

Storage capacity 250GBHardware Interface USB 3.2 Gen 2Compatible Devices Windows, Mac, Android, PS5, XboxRead/Write Speeds 1050/1000 MB/s Pros

• Very affordable
• Superior heat dissipation
• Wide variety of storage sizes available

Cons

• PS5 and Xbox games can only be stored

$43 at Amazon

Those on a budget may find it tough to get a decent external SSD for less than $50. However, the SSK External SSD is the perfect way to simplify your work-life balance without breaking your budget wide open.

The simple device is small enough to fit in your hand, and comes with a rubber loop and case, making it a cinch to clip onto a laptop bag or PC backpack. That is the one downside to this budget option: it is only fully compatible with PCs and laptops. Gamers on PS5 or Xbox can download their games to the device but must juggle titles between it and their console before they can actually play them.

However, even going up to a terabyte of storage space keeps you well under the $100 mark, while the read and write speeds stay at a respectable 1050MB/s. Plus, it comes with great heat dissipation, which helps keep it running for years. Anyone in need of a quick expansion to their games library or just needs an affordable way to store important files can save quite a bit by choosing the SSK External SSD.

Best Premium External SSD

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 4TB

$369 $400 Save $31

The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 4TB is a solid external storage option that can reach 2000MB/s speeds. It comes with IP65 water and dust resistance and can survive drops from up to 3 meters. It has a built-in carabiner hole and a silicone shell for even more protection.

Storage capacity 1TBHardware Interface USB 3.2 Gen 2x2Compatible Devices Consoles, PC, Mac, AndroidBrand SanDiskRead/Write Speeds 2000MBps Pros

• Massive storage space
• Fast read/write speeds
• IP65 water and dust resistant

Cons

• Very expensive
• Gets very hot

$369 at Amazon$369 at Newegg

Not many people need 4TB of storage, but that's exactly what they'll get if they choose this high-end external SSD from Sandisk, the Extreme PRO. This durable device is ideal for most activities, including gaming on PS5 and Xbox, though on the latter not all games are supported, according to some reviews.

Sandisk employs many advanced features to make this external SSD stand out. First and foremost is the incredible 2000MB/s read and write speeds, which ensure super fast data transfers and short load times. There's also built-in password protection, based on 256-bit AES encryption. Finally, the IP65 rating means this SSD is resistant to both water and dust.

Although it is very expensive to consider, the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD does come in smaller sizes, though even the 1TB option is a bit more expensive than the competition. However, those who simply want the very best, regardless of cost, should grab the Extreme PRO SSD and never have to think about their storage needs again.

Best Portable External SSD

Kingston XS2000 2TB High Performance Portable SSD

$180 $226 Save $46

The Kingston XS2000 is a portable SSD with 2TB of storage. It offers USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C connectivity and provides fast read/write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. Designed to be pocketable, the device is incredibly portable. The SSD is compatible with both laptops and desktops. It also includes a rubber sleeve that adds resistance to water, dust, and shock.

Storage capacity 2TBHardware Interface USB 3.2 Gen 2x2Compatible Devices PCRead/Write Speeds 2,000MB/s Pros

• Super compact size
• Great value on spacious storage
• Very durable

Cons

• Limited to PCs and laptops only

$180 at Amazon

Portable storage devices are a dime a dozen, but most of them lack the file transfer speeds that are necessary to make them convenient rather than simply compact. Enter the Kingston XS2000, a high-performance, ultra-portable external SSD perfect for use with PCs and laptops. Unfortunately, those are the only devices this SSD is compatible with, but it does offer good value in exchange.

One of the few portable SSDs to offer read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s, the XS2000 is small enough to fit in your hands. Even if your device at home or work can't handle USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 transfer speeds, the device can still operate at 1000MB/s.

The Kingston XS2000 SSD also comes with a rubber sleeve that renders it shockproof and resistant to both water and dust. For those who are looking for an easy solution to hybrid work, or those who often need to store files while in the field, this external SSD from Kingston is the best option.

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S 1TB

$150 $160 Save $10

The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is a proprietary add-on storage slot. It clips on the back of both current-generation consoles using a connector that resembles aCF Express card but supports PCI-E 4.0 Speeds for data transfer to the Xbox.

Storage capacity 512G/1TB/2TBHardware Interface ProprietaryCompatible Devices Xbox Series S, Xbox Series XBrand Seagate/XboxTransfer rate Not SpecifiedTBW N/AMTBF N/ADRAM Not SpecifiedWarranty 3 yearsController Phison E19T PCIe Gen 4 controller Pros

• Sleek and compact design
• Specifically designed for Xbox Series X
• Allows games to be played directly from it

Cons

• Only usable on the Xbox
• Expensive

$150 at Amazon$150 at Newegg$150 at Best Buy$150 at GameStop$160 at Walmart

Microsoft is known for making it difficult to use accessories with their top-tier console, but luckily they have a great partner when it comes to external storage solutions. Seagate has earned a good reputation among gamers for its fast drives and ease of use. Such is the case with the Seagate Storage Expansion Card For Xbox Series X, which offers gamers 1-2 TB of additional storage.

While Seagate doesn't report read and write speeds for this particular SSD, they do tell users that the device runs on Xbox Velocity Architecture, which reviews often say is absolutely seamless. One downside to this option is that it is quite expensive, despite only being usable on the Xbox.

However, with a 3-year warranty and thousands of reviews backing the speed and reliability claims from Seagate, it's clear that the officially licensed Storage Expansion Card is the best way to go for gamers on Xbox in need of extra space for their digital collection.

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Best External SSD for PS5

WD Black P40 SSD (2TB)

$220 $330 Save $110

Players can dominate in style with the powerful WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD. The downloadable WD_BLACK dashboard gives PC users full control over the LED light display for a personalized experience. Also compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, and Mac, gamers can expand their storage space with ease, no matter what platform they're on. This high-performance SSD storage offers lightning speed in a compact and shock-resistant design, making it a good choice for traveling gamers too.

Storage capacity 2TBHardware Interface USB 3.2 Gen2x2Compatible Devices Playstation, Xbox, PC, MacBrand Western Digital TechnologiesTransfer rate 2000 MB/sTBW 360 TBWMTBF UnstatedDRAM DRAM-LessWarranty 5 YearsController Proprietary Controller Pros

• Allows PS5 games to be played directly from it
• Extremely wide compatibility
• Lots of storage space

Cons

• Somewhat expensive

$220 at Amazon$240 at Newegg$220 at Best Buy

Western Digital has become well-known to the gaming community, largely thanks to its excellent storage options. Although it's a bit pricey compared to smaller SSDs, the 2TB P40 Game Drive is actually a great value for money, especially considering the wide compatibility the device offers.

PS5 players in particular will enjoy this external SSD, as there is plenty of space for their games and those titles can be played directly off of the P40. Rather than play a game of musical chairs with your games, the WD Black P40 makes everything simpler on PS5 and PC. It's even compatible with Mac and Xbox, though Xbox games can only be stored.

As should be expected, this thing really moves, offering speeds of up to 2000MB/s. You do need a device that accepts USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, but the PS5 is well-equipped for that, and the included USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-A adapter make it even easier to transfer files at any time.

The handheld SSD is shock-resistant and has a durable build, keeping it safe from damage even when on the move. All in all, PS5 players can't go wrong with this top-of-the-line storage expansion.

Do You Need an External SSD?

Plenty of gamers have heard how external SSDs have helped others, leading to the obvious question: do you need one? Consider these key factors to determine whether an external SSD is necessary for your setup, and which one would suit you best:

• Platform: PC players tend to get the most use out of external SSDs, but players who frequently move between locations or who need more space on their console can also benefit from an external SSD. Its important to keep in mind that most consoles have a far more limited list of options to choose from.
• Storage Size: Think about how full your current hard drive is and what kind of games youd like to download in the future. If you like to play a game and then uninstall it, an external SSD with as little as 500GB may be enough for your media collection. However, if you tend to keep games downloaded and ready to play at any time, opting for a 2TB will likely save you money in the long run.
• Budget: External SSDs can be quite expensive, often costing more than gaming keyboards and controllers, though they tend to be available for less than $200. If youre tight on cash, you may not need to get an external SSD, especially if youre willing to deal with the inconvenience of juggling downloaded games. That being said, even a small external SSD may be worth your while, and PC players can usually go with a more affordable storage expansion if theyre comfortable installing it.

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FAQ

Q: What is the downside of an external SSD?

SSDs have a few downsides when compared to HDDs, including higher pricing, lower max storage capacities, and a higher risk of damage or failure. SSDs also have limited write cycles, meaning heavy use may negatively affect their performance over time.

Q: Will an external SSD speed up my computer?

Yes, an external SSD can make computers faster by freeing space from the internal drive. This allows PCs to retrieve files faster and more efficiently, leading to faster load times and less lag when watching shows or movies.

Q: How long do external SSDs last?

Solid-state drives can last up to five years, though higher-end offerings promise reliable usage for as long as 10 years.