Unreal Engine pushes hardware to its limits. High-resolution textures, photogrammetry assets, Megascans libraries, and massive project builds can weigh in at hundreds of gigabytes. And if you’re working from an external drive, as many artists, indie devs, and remote teams do, your external SSD must keep up.
We’ve compiled and curated the best external SSDs for Unreal Engine creators, for developing games, creating virtual production environments, building interactive simulations, or running collaborative source-controlled projects. These SSDs offer the high IOPS, fast sustained write speeds, and interface compatibility that modern UE5+ workflows demand.
Slow drives stall loading times, crash builds, and cause massive slowdowns in shader compilation and asset indexing. Simply put, storage performance isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
Let’s be honest—Unreal Engine is a beast. And its workflow depends on fast asset streaming, quick iteration, and minimal stutter for building AAA-quality environments, lighting cinematic sequences, or working with Nanite and Lumen in UE5+. But none of that works smoothly if your storage drags behind.
This guide is for Unreal Engine developers, technical artists, virtual production professionals, and indie creators using external storage for live project files, asset libraries, or even source builds.
When working in Unreal Engine, traditional “consumer” SSD metrics aren’t enough. Here’s what we looked at:
- Sustained Sequential Write & Read Speeds: For importing textures, compiling shaders, and streaming world data without delay. Drives using NVMe over USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3/4 get top marks.
- High IOPS & Random Performance: Unreal accesses many small files rapidly—fast 4K random read/write speeds make a big difference during project loads and metadata reads.
- TRIM Support & Thermal Management: Long dev sessions can throttle lesser drives. We prioritize SSDs with active or passive cooling and consistent write performance.
- Bus Interface Bandwidth: Thunderbolt 4 and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 maximize NVMe potential.
- File System Flexibility & OS Compatibility: Cross-platform teams using both Windows and Linux (e.g. for build automation or CI/CD) need drives that support NTFS, exFAT, and EXT4 without proprietary roadblocks.
- Durability & Portability: From on-set virtual production to daily desk-to-desk transfers, external SSDs should be rugged, compact, and resistant to vibration or environmental stress.
Here are the best external SSDs that can truly keep up with Unreal Engine:
Contents
- Crucial X9 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs ReadWrite, USB 3.2
- ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB USB 3.1 IP68
- SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MBs
- Crucial X6 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive
- ADATA SE880 4TB - Up to 2000 MBs- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C External Portable SSD
- PNY Pro Elite 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive
- Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, Up to 2,000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive
- LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 4TB Solid State Drive
- Crucial X9 Pro 2TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant
- Lenovo P8 Portable External Solid State Drive, 4TB SSD
- Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MBs, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible
- SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive SSD
- Corsair EX100U 1TB Portable USB Type-C Storage Drive - Blazing-Fast Storage
- SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
Crucial X9 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs ReadWrite, USB 3.2 |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Gray |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.34 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Good performance |
| Reasons to Buy | External Solid State Drive for PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox |
ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB USB 3.1 IP68 |
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1000MBs |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Blue |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 9.5 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Rugged, Waterproof |
| Reasons to Buy | Shockproof, Dustproof, Good speeds, Value for money |
SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MBs |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 460MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 3.6 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Encryption |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage space |
Crucial X6 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 800MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 1.48 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Shock proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Lightweight, Good performance, |
ADATA SE880 4TB - Up to 2000 MBs- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 USB-C External Portable SSD |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 500 megabits per second |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Grey |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 3.84 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Encryption, Good performance |
| Reasons to Buy | Large capacity, Good performance, Value for money |
PNY Pro Elite 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 890MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.59 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Data protection |
| Reasons to Buy | Fast data transfer, compact and portable, quality build |
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB, Up to 2,000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 4.3 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | 3M Drop resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Fast read and write speeds |
LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 4TB Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2800MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | Thunderbolt 3 USB C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 3.53 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Water resistant, Dust proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage, Easy setup, lightweight, highly functional |
Crucial X9 Pro 2TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Gray |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 1.34 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed read and write |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage, fast speeds, reasonably priced |
Lenovo P8 Portable External Solid State Drive, 4TB SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050 MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal- Aluminum |
| Weight | 3.87 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High Data Transfer Speed, Compatible with PC, Mac, Android |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage, performance, reliability |
Western Digital 4TB My Passport SSD External Portable Solid State Drive, Grey, Up to 1,050 MBs, USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C Compatible |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, USB TyPE C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 0.3 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Hardware encryption |
| Reasons to Buy | Reliable, good performance |
SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1,050 MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, Metal |
| Weight | 0.45 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Ultra-rugged durability with IP67 water/dust resistance, up to 3M1 drop, and 2000lb crush resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Durable, Fast Speeds |
Corsair EX100U 1TB Portable USB Type-C Storage Drive - Blazing-Fast Storage |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1600MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 0.705 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Protective cap, small footprint, secure data transfer |
| Reasons to Buy | High spped, value for money, highly functional |
SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Rate | 800MB/s, |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB-C, USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber |
| Weight | 1.44 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Updated firmware |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance, Large storage, Antishock |
Also check out the top external ssds for Raspberry Pi in addition to the best ones for pc gaming.
