When it comes to external storage, lightweight SSDs offer the perfect blend of speed, portability, and reliability.
Gone are the days when high-performance drives meant chunky enclosures and heavy cables. Today’s best external SSDs are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket but powerful enough to handle large media libraries, 4K video files, or full project archives. That’s a game-changer for freelancers, students, and mobile professionals.
When you’re packing light, every gram counts. But so does every second—so these drives can’t just be portable, they must be fast, durable, and ready to work at a moment’s notice.
We set out to find external SSDs that combine ultra-portability with professional-grade specs. That means focusing on drives that are physically small and featherlight, yet built with high-speed NVMe interfaces, smart thermal designs, and cross-platform compatibility. These aren’t toy drives for casual use, they’re purpose-built for creators, commuters, and pros on the move.
We assessed each SSD across several core characteristics to ensure it supports high-mobility, high-efficiency use cases.
First and foremost is size-to-performance ratio. Every drive we selected weighs under 75 grams, with form factors no larger than a standard credit card. Despite their compact dimensions, these drives deliver a minimum sustained read/write speed of 900 MB/s, made possible by USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3/4 interfaces paired with NVMe flash memory.
Thermal efficiency was critical. Lightweight drives are often enclosed in tight spaces, bags, pockets, or next to warm laptops. The drives we chose feature passive heat dissipation and thermal throttling prevention, ensuring stable speeds even during long transfers.
We also considered cable and connector design. Many lightweight SSDs suffer from poorly integrated ports or long, cumbersome cables. The best models use short USB-C pigtails, or are direct-plug designs that eliminate bulk altogether—perfect for mobile setups.
These are the Best Lightweight External SSDs:
Contents
- SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE SSD
- SABRENT 4TB External Aluminum SSD, Rocket Nano V2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, 1500 MBs
- 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
- SanDisk 2TB 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
- SSK Portable SSD 2TB, up to 2000MBs External Solid State Drive
- ORICO 2TB Portable SSD, Up to 2000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Ultra-Mini, Compact
- SAMSUNG T5 EVO Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 460MBs
- Western Digital 1TB My Passport SSD Portable 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
- Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C External Solid State Drive
- SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance
- ADATA SD810 2000G IP68 Water Resistance Up to 2000 MBs USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Solid State Drive
- LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 4TB Solid State Drive
SanDisk Professional 2TB G-DRIVE SSD |
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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 | 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 |
SABRENT 4TB External Aluminum SSD, Rocket Nano V2, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, 1500 MBs |
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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 | 1500MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | PVC |
| Weight | 1.76 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | High speed, Rugged |
| Reasons to Buy | Large storage capacity, Reliable, Portable |
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 |
SanDisk 2TB 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 | 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 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 | Large storage space, resistance to dust, suitable for high speed operations |
SSK Portable SSD 2TB, up to 2000MBs 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 | 2000MB/s |
| Data Encryption | Yes |
| Encryption | AES 256 Bit |
| Interface | USB 3.2, Type C |
| Color | Black |
| Casing Material | Metal |
| Weight | 1.19 ounces |
| Power Source | USB Port |
| Features | Data security, Low power consumption, led indicator, fast transfer |
| Reasons to Buy | Highly functional, durable, high speed |
ORICO 2TB Portable SSD, Up to 2000MBs, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, Ultra-Mini, Compact |
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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, 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 |
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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|---|---|
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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 |
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 Professional 1TB PRO-G40 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 | 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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|---|---|
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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 |
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD - Up to 800MBs - PC and Mac - USB 3.2 USB-C 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 | 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 | Lightweight |
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MBs, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance |
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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 | 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 |
ADATA SD810 2000G IP68 Water Resistance Up to 2000 MBs USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Solid State Drive |
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|---|---|
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| Storage Capacity | 2TB |
| 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 |
LaCie Rugged Mini SSD 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, 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 | Large storage, Value for money |
You should also check out the top external ssds for homes use and the best ones for both mac and windows.
