This guide is for you, the laptop user who values performance, mobility, and security. This article helps you choose the best external SSD for your specific needs of filmmaking, editing 4K footage, a developer working with large codebases, a student managing coursework, or someone who wants more from their laptop.
For creatives, professionals, students, and gamers alike, storage limitations are a big inconvenience.
Modern laptops are thinner, lighter, and often come with limited internal storage, especially SSD-based ultrabooks and MacBooks. While performance is excellent, you sacrifice capacity. Cloud storage helps, but it’s not always fast, secure, or available offline.
External SSDs offer a high-speed, portable, and reliable way to expand your storage instantly. They let you edit videos directly from the drive, store games without lag, and carry entire work libraries in your pocket.
We used a strict multi-criteria approach to ensure only the best make the list. Here are the key factors we assessed.
- Speed (Read/Write Performance)
Speed is non-negotiable. We look at sequential and random read/write speeds using USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3/4 interfaces. These SSDs should support real-time 4K editing, large RAW file transfers.
- Portability & Build Quality
The SSDs we’ve listed here are compact, lightweight, and rugged
- Storage Capacity Options
From 500GB to 4TB and beyond, these drives are suitable for various uses, for which you can choose.
- Security Features
For professionals, encryption matters. We highlight drives offering AES 256-bit encryption, password protection, and software suites for added data safety.
The Following are the Best External SSDs for Laptops:
Contents
- SanDisk 4TB 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
- Crucial X9 Pro for Content Creators and Photographers - Mac 4TB Portable SSD – Speeds up to 1050MBs, iPad Compatible
- ADATA HD710 Pro 4TB USB 3.1 IP68 ssd
- SAMSUNG T7 Touch Portable SSD 2TB ,up to 1050MBs, USB 3.2 External Solid State Drive
- Crucial X6 4TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive
- SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive
- SSK External SSD 4TB, up to 2000MBs External Solid State Drive
- PNY RP60 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen2x2
- Kingston XS1000R 2TB SSD Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Solid State Drive
- Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive
- SanDisk 2TB Creator Pro Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance - External Solid State Drive
- Crucial X9 Pro for Content Creators and Photographers - Mac 4TB Portable SSD – Speeds up to 1050MBs, iPad CompatibleCrucial X9 Pro for Mac 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs Read and Write
- Corsair EX100U 4TB Portable USB Type-C Storage Drive - Blazing-Fast Storage
- Crucial X10 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 2100MBs Read, 2000MBs Write, Water and Dust Resistant
- SanDisk 4TB Creator Pro Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance - External Solid State Drive
SanDisk 4TB 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 | 4TB |
| 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, large storage capacity, anti shock |
Crucial X9 Pro for Content Creators and Photographers - Mac 4TB Portable SSD – Speeds up to 1050MBs, iPad Compatible |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Mac, iPad, iPhone |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Light Gold |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.34 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed read and write |
| Reasons to Buy | Made for Apple devices |
ADATA HD710 Pro 4TB USB 3.1 IP68 ssd |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| 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 | Large Storage |
SAMSUNG T7 Touch Portable SSD 2TB ,up to 1050MBs, USB 3.2 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 | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal Casing |
| Weight | 2 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Fingerprint Security |
| Reasons to Buy | Secure, encryption |
Crucial X6 4TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive |
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Windows OS, Mac OS |
| 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, dust proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage |
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - 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 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 |
SSK External SSD 4TB, up to 2000MBs External 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 | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal - Aluminium |
| Weight | 1.19 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Data security, Low power consumption, led indicator, fast transfer |
| Reasons to Buy | durable, high speed, High storage capacity |
PNY RP60 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 2000MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen2x2 |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| 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 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.93 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Rugged, IP65 Rated, Water/Dust/Drop Resistant |
| Reasons to Buy | Fast transfer speeds, reliable |
Kingston XS1000R 2TB SSD Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| 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 |
Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable 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 |
| 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 |
SanDisk 2TB 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 | 2TB |
| 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 | Top Notch Data Transfer rates |
Crucial X9 Pro for Content Creators and Photographers - Mac 4TB Portable SSD – Speeds up to 1050MBs, iPad CompatibleCrucial X9 Pro for Mac 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs Read and Write |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| Storage Drive Type | SSD |
| Operating System Compatibility | Mac, iPad, iPhone |
| Data Transfer Speed | 1050MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB C |
| Color | Light Gold |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.34 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed read and write |
| Reasons to Buy | Made for Apple devices (Mac, Ipad) |
Corsair EX100U 4TB Portable USB Type-C Storage Drive - Blazing-Fast Storage |
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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 | 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, large storage, value for money, highly functional |
Crucial X10 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 2100MBs Read, 2000MBs Write, Water and Dust Resistant |
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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 | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2 |
| Color | Black |
| Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.48 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Suitable for iPhone |
| Reasons to Buy | High read and write speeds |
SanDisk 4TB 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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|---|---|
 See This On Amazon |
|
| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| 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, Large storage |
You should also take a look at the best external ssds for work and also the top with 2TB storage.
