External SSDs have redefined what portable storage means, fast, compact, and rugged solutions that outperform traditional hard drives in every way.
But when you start shopping, it’s easy to feel like speed costs a small fortune. High-end models flaunt eye-watering prices that leave budget-conscious users wondering: Is affordable performance even possible anymore?
The truth is: yes, it absolutely is. You can get excellent performance, portability, and even future-proof interfaces without draining your bank account.
And if you know where to look, budget SSDs can deliver real-world speeds that are more than enough for most creative, professional, and general-purpose workflows. Our picks for budget external SSDs prioritize value without sacrificing essential performance.
We’ve scoured the market to identify affordable SSDs that actually deliver where it counts. These are not just cheap, they’re well-built, perform reliably, and stay compatible with modern systems. Each one has been selected for offering real performance at a lower price point, often under $100, and sometimes significantly less depending on capacity.
When evaluating budget SSDs, we look beyond just price tags. The first priority is consistent read/write speeds, especially for common tasks like copying folders, running applications off the drive, or backing up high-resolution media. While these drives may not hit the ultra-high benchmarks of premium models, they should reliably sustain speeds around 400–1050MB/s, depending on the interface.
Additionally, all our recommended budget SSDs support USB 3.2 Gen 2 or at least USB 3.1 Gen 1. This ensures you get decent performance.
Next, we looked at thermal stability. Even low-cost SSDs can overheat, so we choose drives that manage heat through either compact aluminum builds or smart internal regulation. These drives stay cool enough for everyday use without speed drops. Also check out the top 1TB external ssds in addition to the top 500GB ones.
These are the Best Budget External SSDs:
Contents
- Western Digital 1TB Elements SE - Portable SSD, USB 3.0, Compatible with PC, Mac
- SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MBs USB C SSD
- LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 1TB Solid State Drive
- Transcend 1TB ESD260C, External Solild State Drive, Portable SSD
- ADATA SD810 1000G IP68 Water Resistance Up to 2000 MBs USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Solid State Drive
- SanDisk Professional 1TB PRO-G40 SSD
- SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive
- LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 1TB Solid State Drive
- PNY EliteX-PRO 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant
- Silicon Power 500GB MS70 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD
- SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 1TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD
- ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive 500GB, USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C External Portable SSD
- Kingston XS1000 1TB SSD Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Solid State Drive
- SanDisk 1TB Creator Pro Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance - External Solid State Drive
Western Digital 1TB Elements SE - Portable SSD, USB 3.0, Compatible with PC, Mac |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS |
| Data Transfer Speed | 400MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, |
| Weight | 0.952 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Encryption ready |
| Reasons to Buy | Reliable storage device, fast read and write speeds |
SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MBs USB C SSD |
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| Storage Capacity | 1tb |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 2.11 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Portable, Backward Compatible, 1050 MB/s, LED Light |
| Reasons to Buy | High speeds, good build quality, value for money |
LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 1TB 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 | 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 |
| Reasons to Buy | Value for money, Design |
Transcend 1TB ESD260C, External Solild State Drive, Portable SSD |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal |
| Weight | 1.06 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Password protection |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance |
ADATA SD810 1000G IP68 Water Resistance Up to 2000 MBs USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | IPHONE, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2000MBs |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 2.39 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP68 |
| Reasons to Buy | Value for Money, Good speeds |
SanDisk Professional 1TB PRO-G40 SSD |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 3000MB/S |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C, Thunderbolt |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal- Aluminum |
| Weight | 4.3 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP68 dust/Water Resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Durable, Good performance, Reliable |
SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - 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 Rate | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber |
| Weight | 2.75 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | High speed ssd, anti shock |
LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 1TB Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android, iPad, iPhone |
| Data Transfer Speed | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Orange |
| Casing Material | Silicone, PVC, |
| Weight | 4 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed, Rugged |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance |
PNY EliteX-PRO 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive (SSD) |
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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 | 1500MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 3.87 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Password protection |
| Reasons to Buy | Functional, Highly portable, Good performance |
Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| 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 | High speed read and write |
| Reasons to Buy | Suitable for Laptop, Gaming Console, Tablet, Camera |
Silicon Power 500GB MS70 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 512GB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Rubber, Metal |
| Weight | 0.704 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | 5 year warranty |
| Reasons to Buy | High speed, portable, reliable |
SABRENT Rocket Nano Rugged 1TB USB 3.2 10Gbs External Aluminum Waterproof [IP67] SSD |
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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 | 2700MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP67 Water and Dust Proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Portable and compact, high speeds, value for your money |
ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive 500GB, USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C External Portable SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 500GB |
| 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, USB C |
| Color | Blue |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 4 Ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Rugged, Encryption, |
| Reasons to Buy | High speed, Reliable, Value for money |
Kingston XS1000 1TB SSD Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Solid State Drive |
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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 | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 1.58 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed |
| Reasons to Buy | Compact, Quality Build |
SanDisk 1TB Creator Pro Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance - External Solid State Drive |
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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 Rate | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB-C, USB 3.2 |
| Color | Blue |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Fast speeds |
Also check out the best 8TB external ssds and also the top ones for Mac Mini.
