Live streaming or recording with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is exhilarating—until your storage drive stutters, drops frames, or outright fails mid-session. When performance matters most, your setup is only as strong as its weakest link. And more often than not, that link is your storage drive.
If you’re using OBS, you already understand the demands: high-bitrate video capture, fast write speeds, and seamless playback are non-negotiable. But while cameras, CPUs, and GPUs get all the attention, your external SSD quietly does the heavy lifting—and it can make or break your stream.
OBS doesn’t ask for much in terms of user interface—but it demands a lot under the hood. Capturing high-resolution, high-bitrate video in real-time means writing massive amounts of data in seconds. If your drive can’t keep up, you get dropped frames, corrupted files, and lost time.
You might be running a dual-PC setup, capturing gameplay at 1080p 60fps, or recording lossless video for post-production editing. Either way, a mechanical hard drive simply won’t cut it. Even some consumer-grade SSDs fall short under OBS-level stress.
External SSDs that meet OBS’s throughput demands give you the edge you need. These drives offer blazing-fast write speeds, long-term endurance, and the reliability needed for uninterrupted capture sessions FOR Twitch, recording gameplay for YouTube, or broadcasting a live event.
And unlike internal SSDs, external SSDs offer portability, hot-swap convenience, and multi-system flexibility.
To ensure these SSDs meet the real-time demands of OBS, we evaluate them using seven critical criteria:
- Sustained Write Speeds
OBS performance is all about write speed. We recommend drives that can sustain 1000MB/s or higher—especially important for recording uncompressed or high-bitrate video without buffering or frame drops.
- Interface & Connectivity
Drives with USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3 are ideal. These interfaces support the bandwidth necessary for 4K60 capture or multiple simultaneous streams.
- Capacity & Scalability
Video files, especially in ProRes or H.264, eat space fast. We prioritize SSDs in the 1TB to 4TB range, depending on your workload. Drives with high endurance ratings (TBW or DWPD) earn bonus points.
- Recording Use Cases
We assess how each drive handles common OBS scenarios:
- Live streaming + local recording
- High-resolution game capture
- Multi-camera input recording
- Hot-swappable field recording for events
- Price-to-Performance Ratio
We recommend drives that maximize speed and durability without overpricing. That means looking beyond brand hype to real-world performance metrics.
Here are the Latest Top External SSDs for OBS:
Contents
- Western Digital 1TB Elements SE - Portable SSD, USB 3.0, Compatible with PC, Mac
- Crucial X9 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs ReadWrite, USB 3.2
- ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB USB 3.1 IP68
- Kingston XS2000 4TB High Performance Portable SSD with USB-C Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive
- Transcend TS1TESD370C 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB Type-C ESD370C Portable, Rugged Solid State Drive
- BUFFALO External SSD 2TB - Compatible with PS4 PS5 WindowsMac
- 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
- SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2
- SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD 2TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MBs
- SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MBs, USB 3.2
- SSK 2TB Portable External SSD with Wi-Fi Hotspot,
- 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
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 |
Crucial X9 Pro 4TB Portable SSD – Up to 1050MBs ReadWrite, USB 3.2 |
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|---|---|
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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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|---|---|
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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 |
Kingston XS2000 4TB High Performance Portable SSD with USB-C Pocket-Sized USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 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 |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 1.02 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Water Resistant |
| Reasons to Buy | Good build Quality, High read and write speeds, compact |
Transcend TS1TESD370C 1TB USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB Type-C ESD370C Portable, Rugged 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 3.1, 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 |
BUFFALO External SSD 2TB - Compatible with PS4 PS5 WindowsMac |
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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 | Up to 340MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Shock-resistant, rugged design provides drop protection |
| Reasons to Buy | Compact, Reliable, High Speed |
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 |
SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
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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 | 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 |
SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD 2TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MBs |
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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 | 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 | Hardware Encryption, Shock proof |
| Reasons to Buy | Storage space |
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MBs, USB 3.2 |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 4TB |
| Storage Drive Type | Solid State Drive |
| 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 | Gray |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 2.08 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video |
| Reasons to Buy | PC, Gaming Console, Tablet, Smartphone, Mac |
SSK 2TB Portable External SSD with Wi-Fi Hotspot, |
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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 | 300MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Silicone Rubber, PVC, Metal |
| Weight | 9.2 Ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) |
| Reasons to Buy | Large capacity |
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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|---|---|
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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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|---|---|
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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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|---|---|
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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 |
Also check out the top external ssds for music producers and also the best ones for the mac mini.
