With a 1TB capacity, you strike a balance between spacious storage and manageable cost, making it ideal for professionals, creatives, and even gamers. External SSDs solve many of these headaches. They’re compact, silent, resistant to shock, and incredibly fast, especially when leveraging modern interfaces like USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3/4.
We’ve created this guide for you, the photographer managing RAW files on location, the video editor exporting timelines on deadline, the remote worker managing documents and cloud syncs, or the gamer who wants instant loading without hogging internal drive space.
Our goal? To spotlight the best 1TB external SSDs, drives that actually deliver on their promises of speed, reliability, and portability.
Not all storage is created equal. Traditional hard drives (HDDs) are sluggish, fragile, and noisy. Cloud storage? It’s convenient but often impractical for large-scale file transfers or real-time access, especially when you’re off-grid or working with sensitive data.
You need fast read/write speeds, robust durability, plug-and-play convenience, and compact design—all in one device. But with so many models flooding the market, how do you know which one truly delivers?
Before diving into our top picks, let’s look at the key criteria that we used to evaluate each model. This isn’t just about specs on paper, it’s about real-world performance and usability.
- Performance (Speed & Interface Compatibility)
You should expect sequential read/write speeds of at least 1000MB/s on USB 3.2 Gen 2 or faster with Thunderbolt. We also looked at random read/write IOPS, which affect small file transfers.
- Durability & Build Quality
If you’re taking your drive on the road, or just tossing it into a backpack daily, rugged design matters. We assessed:
- Shock resistance (up to 2 meters)
- IP ratings for water/dust resistance
- Casing material (aluminum for heat dissipation vs. plastic for cost)
- Portability & Design
You want something compact, lightweight, and easy to stash in a pocket or gear pouch. Sleekness isn’t vanity, it’s about workflow convenience.
- Thermal Management
Sustained performance matters. A drive that starts fast but throttles under load is a liability. We looked at thermal behavior under sequential workloads.
- Software Ecosystem & Encryption
We favored drives that ship with AES 256-bit hardware encryption, backup utilities, and cross-platform compatibility (Windows/macOS/Linux).
We’ve reviewed dozens of models across brands like Samsung, SanDisk, Crucial, Western Digital, and Sabrent, as well as some newer contenders.
These are the Best 1TB External SSDs:
Contents
- Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive
- Transcend 1TB ESD260C, External Solild State Drive, Portable SSD
- Transcend TS1TESD370C 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB Type-C ESD370C Portable, Rugged Solid State Drive
- SSK Portable SSD 1TB External Solid State Drives, up to 1050MBs USB C SSD
- SK hynix Beetle X31 1TB Portable SSD
- SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance
- SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD, up to 1050MBs, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated
- ORICO 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 2000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Ultra-Mini, Compact
- Lenovo P8 Portable External Solid State Drive, 1TB SSD
- LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 1TB Solid State Drive
- Kingston XS1000R 1TB SSD Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Solid State Drive
- Crucial X9 Pro 1TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs Read and Write, Water and Dust Resistant
- Corsair EX100U 1TB Portable USB Type-C Storage Drive - Blazing-Fast Storage
- ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive 1000GB, USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C External Portable SSD
Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| 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 storage |
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 |
Transcend TS1TESD370C 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB Type-C ESD370C Portable, Rugged 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 | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.1, Type C |
| Color | Blue Navy |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 3.07 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Ruggedized |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage, Good performance |
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 |
SK hynix Beetle X31 1TB Portable 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 | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Gold |
| Casing Material | Metal |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed, encryption |
| Reasons to Buy | Functionality, Size, Speed |
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS, Android |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, USB-C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 1.76 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
| Reasons to Buy | Dust Resistant, Water Resistant, Portable, Hardware Encryption |
SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD, up to 1050MBs, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated |
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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 Gen 2 |
| Color | Blue |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 3.42 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | IP65 Rated |
| Reasons to Buy | Compatible with PC, Gaming Console, iPhone 15/16, Tablet, Mac |
ORICO 1TB Portable SSD, Up to 2000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Ultra-Mini, Compact |
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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 | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 2.82 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed, Encryption |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance |
Lenovo P8 Portable External Solid State Drive, 1TB 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 | 1050 MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal |
| Weight | 3.87 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High Data Transfer Speed, Compatible with PC, Mac, Android |
| Reasons to Buy | Good performance, Value for money |
LaCie Rugged SSD Pro 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 |
| 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 |
Kingston XS1000R 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 | Red |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC |
| Weight | 1.58 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed, compact |
| Reasons to Buy | Easy to use, Value for money, Large storage |
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 |
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 |
ADATA SC740 External Solid State Drive 1000GB, USB 3.2 Gen2 USB-C External Portable SSD |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 1TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows 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 |
Also see the top 4TB external ssd and also the best 8TB ones.
