Best External SSD

The Samsung T3 500GB MU-PT500B/AM Portable SSD is our best external SSD which depends on solid state technology which gives you up to 9x speed of an HDD so you can achieve awesome read and write speeds of up to 850MB/s, which is far faster than other external SSDs out there. This is important if you’re looking for a gaming SSD as well.

Our step-up pick is the SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD 1.92TB and it is a great external SSD that allows you to keep your high-res photos from your DSLR or camera. It uses USB 3.0 port or USB 3.1 Gen 2 and it encrypts private files at 128-bit AES for a secure access. The external SSD can take most 4K Ultra HD videos due to its large capacity and transfer rate.

The budget pick is the PNY Elite 240GB USB 3.0 SSD and with an average read speed of up to 430 MB/s, this external SSD is a great device to have for videographers or anyone who likes to travel and yet carry bigger files for their computer without overloading their PC or Mac. It is small and light for the great outdoors.

A Little Background

External drives are a greater way to keep company and business files, especially if you travel a lot. You can also use them like bookshelves in organizing your stuff (e.g. have separate external drives for movies, photos, music, etc.) so you can easily access the data that you want without having to rummage through various files and folders.
External drives are also portable yet carries a lot of data, so you can use them like USB flash drives and carry them to your house or to the airport. Replacing an external drive is also a lot easier than when your internal drive breaks down – you won’t be able to use your computer for a while!
SSDs or solid state drives are different from HDDs or hard disk drives, because of their faster transfer of data. This makes SSDs much more applicable for instantaneous retrieval of data such as for gaming. Having a really fast speed access makes gaming less frustrating with fewer lags and no slow moments.
The difference between the external SSD and the external HD is basically that solid state drives are much more reliable in keeping data and have less parts that move mechanically, so your external drive doesn’t get too tired in its components and eventually break down easily. SSDs are significantly more expensive than regular hard drives because of their durability and encryption that isn’t found on most hard drives, especially on external hard drives.
If you really want an external drive for gaming then it’s much more applicable to invest in an SSD rather than an HDD. Most people purchase SSDs also for their low noise levels, which is important in any working environment. It’s not only the noise, but the lack of moving parts means that your SSD will considerably last longer than a regular HDD.
Because SSDs are a new thing in the world of technology, they mainly connect using USB 3.0 ports (with blue ends). However, to fully unleash the best potential of the USB 3.0 port of the external SSD, you need a PC or device that also has support for USB 3.0, otherwise using a USB 2.0 port won’t give it too much effect in speed. Having a fast data transfer speed is important for any external drive, especially in an SSD.
On the debate between an external SSD and an external HDD, there can be many other factors, but solid state drives are more efficient when it comes to its internal components, making them less noisier and less likely to fail easily. You can think of SSDs as giant USB flash drives.

How We Picked

If you want to choose the best external SSD, you might want to consider the following factors first:
Size: the external SSD should have a good size that is suited for your needs. If you are just a regular user then you can consider something from 250 to 500 GB, or you can go for up to 750 GB. You might want to consider 1 TB to 2 TB if you want to store more music, movies, games and other large files for your external SSD. Take note that an external SSD that has a TB size is pretty expensive.
Always consider the size first and make sure it is applicable for what you need. You can always buy a bigger external SSD for the future but don’t buy something that is too small. In fact, buying a higher capacity drive is much better so it will last you longer.
Data transfer speed: while considering most external SSDs to have faster data transfer speed than HDDs, you should still compare, because some can transfer up to 450 MB/s while some can reach up to 850 MB/s, so it’s up to you if you want to choose a external SSD that has a faster data transfer speed but with a heftier price.
USB type: consider a external SSD that will match your current PC or system, as not all computer systems adapt to the USB 3.0 standard yet that will most likely come with your external SSD. Having an external SSD that has various backwards compatible freebies and cables (also mentioned below) will be a helpful thing if you’re looking forward to using the external SSD for an old computer.
Price range and budget: always look into your budget for a external SSD, because they are not really a cheap thing to consider due to the modern technology, reliability of data and various other factors. Most external SSDs will be double the price of an HDD for the same capacity, so be wary of this.
Pre-formatting: most external SSDs come pre-formatted so you don’t have to do anything with it. Moreover, these SSDs may also come with free software for you to easily manage your files. Having a pre-formatted disk drive makes it easier for you to just plug and play the SSD to your PC right away.
OS supported: external SSDs can support both Windows and Mac users but there are also some that are only meant for just one of them. Always consider which OS is supported by the external SSD before you go on ahead and buy one (it will usually come with the needed adapters, since Macs have different connecting cable). Some SSDs will also work on Android devices and iPads, if needed.
Purpose: most external SSDs are used for gaming but some will want an external SSD for other reasons, such as for graphic design, music production and other tasks that require you to store a lot of files. Some external SSD may also be used as a backup for music, old movies and episodes of your favorite TV show.
Included adapters: some external SSDs can also include backward-compatible adapters for older PCs that don’t have a lot of choices when it comes down to the port availability. Like we mentioned above, having a Mac-compatible cable is also a plus for any external SSD.
Shock resistant: having a external SSD is a good thing so it can help protect your data for a very long time, even if you end up having to cross a river or jump from a building fire to save your company files and secrets. Along with the shock resistance, a good external SSD can also be water-resistant with the right water rating at times (IPX8 is the highest).
Encryption of data: consider a external SSD with a good data encryption scheme. This makes sure that the SSD will truly keep your private files a secret.
Warranty policy: most external SSDs come with a hefty warranty period, especially if it’s more expensive than the others. A 3-year warranty is a common policy among external SSD brands.

Our Pick

Samsung T3 500GB MU-PT500B/AM Portable SSD
The Samsung T3 500GB MU-PT500B/AM Portable SSD is our best external SSD. With a portable design, this SSD transfers large amounts of data in just a few seconds of time. It really feels like an internal SSD for its speed and you can also use it without additional software installation.
The external SSD can reach up to 450 MB/s for its read-write speed so it is definitely speedy. Having a fast read and write speed is crucial for any external SSD because it really defines whether an SSD is suitable for gaming, photos, videos and the like.
It can take up to 6.5 feet of shock resistance so it is okay to take outdoors. It is made with a metal case so it won’t easily break down. These features make this external SSD a great thing to take with you when traveling and for keeping data as safe and secure as possible.
The tiny blue LED is not distracting so this external SSD is okay to use in the dark. This makes the external SSD very stealthy and not too flashy, especially if you are copying or maintaining company secret files and backing them up without many people noticing.
Housing up to 500 GB for its capacity, the external SSD is okay for day to day usage and other purposes. With a silent operation as with other SSDs, it is a great and reliable external storage to have which uses a USB 3.1 Type-C port. It has a palm-sized design and can be applicable for just about any use.
With a lightweight design, the external SSD is not just shock resistant but also fits in your pocket as an SSD that is portable. With no power cables to use, it only requires the Type-C to Type-A adapter, which is included. There is also a secure encryption (AES 256-bit encryption algorithm) for your files.
The V-NAND Technology gives it an edge in data transfer and performance. This flash memory technology makes it reliable and faster than your regular HDD because it works like a USB flash drive, only on a bigger scale. With no moving parts at all, the external SSD can be used for your PC, Mac and Android and it is backed by up a limited 3 years warranty for your customer satisfaction.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

While not really deal breakers, the Samsung T3 500GB MU-PT500B/AM Portable SSD only has very few and minor flaws to consider, such as the fact that the capacity is not exactly as it is (e.g. with a few MBs or GBs off, but this is normal for nearly all disk drives, whether it’s a USB flash drive, an HDD or an SSD. The small space taken away is usually to maintain the inner system of the disk drive.

Step-up Pick

SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD 1.92TB
Our step-up pick would be the SanDisk Extreme 900 Portable SSD 1.92TB which is a fast portable storage that is reliable. It can be used for the MacBook Pro other than for Windows systems. It is made with aluminum and rubber so it is quite durable and can withstand shock and weather.
Using a USB Type-C cable, this external SSD is sufficient for moving your big files out of your computer to free up some space. It is capable of handling graphic files and videos and it has a shock-resistant solid state core so it can save your data for a long time.
If you think that it’s just shock resistant, it is also vibration resistant at 5.35 gRMS, 50-2000 Hz so it won’t shake your data off. The external SSD also has Mac compatibility and notably performs cooler and quieter than HDDS and other SSDs out there, with 800 G on its shock resistance.
Those who are into filming and editing may find this external SSD really useful because it can store up to 1.92 TB, which is already a big space to consider for any SSD (or even HDD) out there. Being vibration-resistant makes this external SSD a great thing to have while traveling.
For the hobbyist photographer or video editor, this is a must-have for bigger files as the external SSD is also small enough to take with you anywhere. It has zero compatibility issues so you can use it for copying photos onto any OS or device. The external SSD is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.

Budget Pick

PNY Elite 240GB USB 3.0 SSD
The PNY Elite 240GB USB 3.0 SSD is our budget pick and it gives you a reliable performance overall due to the compact aluminum housing that will keep your data intact. It is a great external SSD to depend upon for back-up or transfer large files, movies, photos and the like.
Access is fast with this external SSD and the size of the whole drive makes it capable for travel so you can take your data with you anywhere you need it, especially for freelance photographers and videographers. The external SSD will also work fine for steam games so it’s a great gaming SSD as well.
If you want to store large photos and videos then you can depend upon this external SSD as it has a write speed of 400 MB/s. It works like a large flash drive but made for photographers and the like. With compatibility for both iMac and Windows 10, the external SSD has a good 240 GB capacity for a pocket-sized SSD so you get a lot of space even in a tiny device.
There is also an LED status indicator to let you know that the device is working just right. The external SSD can help you transfer files faster and you can also go for large files with this small but useful external SSD. It is great for recording digital content and it uses a USB 3.0 cable so it’s pretty fast.
Made for graphic designers and for those who want to keep videos and music, the external SSD is a great drive to have to edit photos, especially for DSLR owners. It is highly compatible with Windows and Mac and it also comes with the Acronis Protection Software.
You can take this external SSD anywhere on the go as it easily fits in your pocket. This is helpful for those who want to edit photos and save them on their drive while they’re outdoors away from their own PC or Mac. A 3-year warranty comes along with this SSD.

Best External SSD for Photography and Photo Editing

SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 480GB
The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD 480GB is a dependable external SSD for those who are into photography, whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist. As a high-speed storage, this external SSD easily fits in your pocket due to the ample size for photographers and videographers alike.
It also encrypts private files so your high-res photos are easily protected from those with unauthorized access. With a small form factor that can fit in most pockets and bags, the external SSD is not just for photography but also for gaming, such as it can be used for an Xbox one.
Being shock resistant makes this external SSD safe to house in your videos and files while you are traveling on the road. It has read speeds of up to 430MB/s and write speeds of up to 400MB/s so you get fast transfer speeds.
With a total of 480 GB in its capacity, the external SSD transfers files easily while it protects your data with up to 800 G shock resistance. It uses a USB 3.0 cable to make sure your files get transferred in a fast way. The external SSD also comes with secure access software to keep your files away from others.
The external SSD is up to 4x faster than your regular HDD yet it easily fits into your backpack for compact traveling. There is no need to carry additional power cords due to this external SSD being powered only with USB supply. It is a good external drive with 128-bit AES encryption for safety.
Able to handle lots of big media files, the external SSD can be a great companion while travelling to keep your files safe. With no moving parts so it packs a lot of durability and style (and less noise), the external SSD is also vibration resistant of up to 5.35 gRMs, 50-2000 Hz which makes it sturdy.
Having a good SSD that will not break or overheat due to that construction is important if you want to travel with photography equipment and edit photos and videos for hours of time. The external SSD is backed by a three-year warranty.

Best External SSD for a Home Entertainment System

MyDigitalSSD 512GB OTG SuperSpeed Portable SSD
The MyDigitalSSD 512GB OTG SuperSpeed Portable SSD is a great external SSD to have if you want to have a home entertainment system or media center at home. With blazing fast speeds for transferring, it has a total size capacity of 512 GB, which is sufficient for most homes and regular users.
If you want a home entertainment library then this is a good pocket size SDD to have, with up to 465 MB/s of read speed and 445 MB/s of write for a fast and reliable data transfer rate. With an elegant design and finish, the external SSD will work for both Windows and Mac OS.
It also has low power consumption so it is great for fast daily backups and for keeping media without costing a lot of battery power for your laptop or notebook. The external SSD uses USB 3.1 Gen 1 for faster data transfer rates so you can move big files to and from your devices in no time.
It includes two USB cables: 8 inches on its included USB 3.0 cable and 18 inches on its USB Type-C cable for added convenience. It can also be used as a external SSD for photography as well. It also handles UASP support and is great for both desktops and laptops.
Being a lightweight and slim external SSD that can work across many operating systems, the external SSD also supports the OTG mobile system. It is also quite easy to partition for you to save up on space. It is also a plug & play SSD so you can use it right away.
The external SSD can also work well for smartphones and tablets that are compatible with the file system. There are no moving parts much like other SSDs out there so it is ultra quiet. The external SSD can also be used for gaming and the like such that it can be used for the Wii U as well.
With no battery or external power required, it is USB powered and can be connected to your TV for the total home entertainment package. If you have a lot of programs and games to handle then this is a external SSD that will fit the job. It is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Best External SSD for Video Editing

Oyen Digital U32 Shadow 1TB SSD
If you want a video editing external SSD then the Oyen Digital U32 Shadow 1TB SSD can be a good choice for you. It uses USB 3.1 for faster transfer rates, giving you immediate access time for editing videos. With its 1 TB size, you can fit in a ton of data, especially videos, into this SSD.
It has up to 575 MB per second of transfer rate, which is considerably fast for video editing. It is an easy to use external SSD that can work well for Adobe Lightroom editing for photography as well. It also gives you faster seek time for videos, which is important if you want to edit videos flawlessly.
As a great external SSD for backup, it has a compact size and a stylish design so it is great for traveling. Its shock resistance also makes it applicable for outdoor events, especially if you’re a videographer who works on-site to do some HD video editing. With no drivers needed to install it, it’s a plug-and-play unit.
You can easily convert from raw to JPEG using this external SSD so it’s applicable for photographers as well. With a aluminum housing for protection, the device is something worth noting for A/V professionals who need a small and fast device but with a lot of space and data transfer rate that’s fast.
An economical alternative to a CD/DVD, the external SSD also comes with good heat dissipation so it doesn’t heat up the unit, especially if you’re accessing a lot of files at once and for a long time. It is also applicable for the Raspberry Pi for those who want to do some programming projects.
Highly compatible for the MacBook Pro, the external SSD has no external power adapter since it is USB powered. It uses 3D NAND flash for its memory module and it supports USB 3.1, 3.0 and 2.0 for easier ways to transfer files with backwards compatibility.
Giving you portability and speed in just one package, the external SSD is so diverse that you can also boot from the drive, for those who want to use it that way. The SSD is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Best External SSD that is Waterproof

ADATA SE730 250GB Waterproof Portable SSD
As a waterproof external SSD, the ADATA SE730 250GB Waterproof Portable SSD can be used outdoors in the rain without losing your data, especially if you travel through the mountains. It uses a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port/cord combination so it’s pretty fast in transferring data.
While it only has 250 GB, it is still a portable storage solution that is good for everyday use. The external SSD has a shockproof certification of MIL-STD-810G 516.6 so it’s a good mobile computing solution for those who need it outdoors. It has a read-write speed of up to 500 MB/s so it’s still pretty fast.
You can run VMs (Virtual Machines) on this external SSD and perform data sharing as you like while you can protect your data with its secure design. It also supports UASP and Trim and it can withstand a lot of abuse. Ocean photographers will find this useful because it is IP68 waterproof (under over 6 feet of water for 1 hour or more) and dust-proof rating.
As a lightweight and portable external SSD at 1.1 oz, it is great for retrieving information on the go while it supports multiple OS platforms such as Windows, Mac, Android OS and Linux. It is a good high capacity data storage solution that is small with a slim style with only 0.7 inch thickness. The external SSD is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.

Best External SSD with a WiFi Function

iRecadata I7 Portable 128GB WIFI SSD
As a unique external SSD that’s connected to WiFi for wireless access of files through your phone, the iRecadata I7 Portable 128GB WIFI SSD is great for backing up your photos and videos, similar to the performance of an internal SSD.
Being made of ABS and PC material makes it okay for its durability. It uses NAND flash MLC for its memory module and the slim design makes this SSD easy to store in your bag. It includes a 2250 mAh battery so it has its own power, similar to that of a power bank.
With a fast data transfer speed (read speed of 250 m/s and a write speed of 200 m/s), the external SSD has up to 128 GB of space so you can store important data while acting as an emergency power bank and mini-server at home or at the campsite.
Capable of air sharing OTG for media streaming to your TV, it comes with a SATA cable for wired transfers. It has up to 5 Gbps when you use USB 3.1 and it’s at 900 ma on its working current. Overall, it has a WiFi transmission speed of 3 to 10 m/s.
You can keep your documents and files and use the wireless sync storage through the iRecadata app. The unit will also work as a WiFi repeater so you can use it for your smartphones and tablets. It also comes with a a travel pouch and two connectors for a USB-A port and a Type-C port.
Able to take your photos and videos, it comes with a cloth bag for cleaning. This SSD allows you to share your files on your social media easily.

Best External SSD with an eSATA Port

Oyen Digital MiniPro 1TB eSATA SSD
The Oyen Digital MiniPro 1TB eSATA SSD is powred by USB 3.1 and gives you a silent operation like most SSDs. It’s great for a PS4 so it’s a good gaming SSD as well. With 1 terabyte of capacity, it is made with rugged aluminum for durability.
With an eSATA cable at 6.0 Gbit/s of transfer rate, it is also great for PCs due to its fast NAND flash memory. With solid durability, it is also UASP compatible. Moreover, through the USB 3.1 port, you may be able to achieve speeds of over 450 MB/s for transferring files faster.
The SSD has a silent cooling feature and 1500 G for its shock resistance so you can use it for hours. It also comes with an optional external AC adapter. With a fast seek time for media playback, it is perfect for HD video editing. It also supports the Asmedia 1351 and 1456 controller.
Great for quiet environments due to having no moving parts, the unit is also available in other sizes such as 128 GB, 258 GB and 512 GB. It is backed by a 3 year warranty.

Best External SSD with a Thunderbolt Port

Akitio Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition 512GB SSD
Thunderbolt port and thunderbolt cable makes the Akitio Neutrino Thunderbolt Edition 512GB SSD lighting fast compared to other SSDs. It is great for Macbooks, Mac OS, iMac, Apple devices and the like and it is easily portable even with a 512 GB size.
Being a sleek and compact SSD, its thunderbolt port can go for up to 10 Gbps so it’s pretty fast, stackable and lightweight. It is a good SSD to use for notebooks for fast backups on the go. It relies only on USB power and it also has a SATA controller.
It is a durable and compact SSD with a no-fan design so it’s cool and quiet. With transfers Speed of 520 Mb/s, you can expect this unit to be used for hours of editing with its passive cooling using the large heat sink. The rock solid construction allows you to take it for outdoor adventures without a scratch.

The Competition

It is important for any external SSD to have a good reading and writing speed, but other external SSDs that did not qualify in our list did not have such speeds. It is also important that an SSD is just right for the price and for the capacity of the drive.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is an external SSD?
A: An external SSD or solid state drive is a kind of storage device that is powered and connected via USB port and works like a USB flash drive, except that it has the capacity similar to that of an external hard drive.
Q: How fast can an SSD access and how does it compare to an HDD?
A: The usual speed of an SSD or solid state drive may be from 35 to 100 micro seconds, which is far better than 5,000 to 10,000 micro seconds for the HDD or hard disk drive.
Q: Which size of external hard drive is ideal for me?
A: It depends on your intended application because some people would just be contented with 200 to 500 GB, which is the normal external drive size that you can get if you mostly have documents and small files. However, if you keep a lot of music, movies and even games, you can try the terabyte family, which usually comes in 1 to 2 terabytes, and can be a bit more expensive than the gigabyte family.
Q: What’s the advantage of having an external drive over a simple internal drive?
A: The external drive whether it is an HDD (hard disk drive) or a solid state drive (SSD) is a portable way of keeping your large files together if they won’t fit into your USB flash drive.
Q: What USB version port does the external SSD use?
A: Most external SSDs use USB 3.0 ports, which is quite faster than anything with USB 2.0 because of the new technology that lets you transfer files in less time possible.
Q: Why do companies use an external drive?
A: The external drive , whether it is an SSD or HDD, can help any company or business that you may have to backup data, which is important in case your computer or database fails or gets caught in a fire.
Q: What technology makes an SSD different from an HDD?
A: The SSD or the solid state drive gets its name from the flash memory chips which retain memory even with no power – hence, data is stored in a “solid state” so you can be able to easily access it. This is mainly why SSDs are much more convenient than HDDs, yet can be quite expensive compared to them.
Q: If external SSDs use USB 3.0, will it still be compatible with old USB ports?
A: Yes, the USB 3.0 port of an external SSD will usually be just the same size of the USB 2.0 or older, especially for those brands that are easy to find in the market. Most external SSDs use USB 3.0 but they can either be in Type-A, Type-B or Type-C, and the Type-A is the most common one. Type-C ports are so far the fastest when it comes to transfer speed due to the new technology it is built upon.
Q: Are SSDs producing less noise than HDDs?
A: Yes, the noise levels of a solid state drive when it operates is far quieter than that of a hard disk drive. This is primarily due to the very fact that the HDD has more moving parts whereas SSDs have less components and just mostly reliable flash chips to keep your data safe and sound.
Q: Are external drives formatted when you buy them?
A: That largely depends on the seller but most hard drives already come pre-formatted, especially if you buy an external drive. However, if it does not come pre-formatted, you can just format it on your computer, which is roughly an easy task, much like formatting your USB flash drive. Formatting is a necessary step to getting your disk drive to work. Some external drives also come with bundled software or system files.
Q: What term is used to measure the capacity of any disk drive?
A: The disk drive or any kind of electronic storage device can be measured in terms of megabytes, gigabytes or terabytes (MB, GB or TB) when it comes to their storage capacity.
Anything in MB means that it’s mostly documents or a few songs on your computer, and this is roughly applicable to old storage formats, such as old USB flash drives, old smartphones, and the like. Nowadays, due the constant demands of technology, you will find almost all devices having a capacity in GB instead of just MB, whether it’s a smartphone, a USB flash drive or most especially a disk drive. Anything that is in TB means business, and it applies mostly only to disk drives.
Q: What ports can an external drive connect to, other than a USB port?
A: While it is true that USB ports are the most common ports that the external disk drive can use, there are also various ways to connect the drive, such as eSATA, Firewire and even a wireless option. However, the most common way to connect modern external drives is through a USB port. If you have an older internal disk drive that was converted into an external drive through a closure, it might require a power supply. In addition, some bigger storage disks drives also require power supply.
Q: How is an SSD different from a NAS?
A: The NAS or network attached storage is basically the wireless version of an external disk drive, whether it is an HDD or an SSD. The NAS is like the SSD but acts more like a cloud server that can be situated at home or in a business and can be accessed through your WiFi connection, which makes it a super convenient disk drive to have if you maintain many computers at home or in an establishment.
Q: Is RPM necessary in SSDs?
A: No, because SSDs don’t have moving parts so they don’t spin like disks, but rather use flash memory to store and read data from it. SSDs are considerably better than HDDs, even with the highest copy speed and better RPM from the hard drive.
Q: Are SSDs shockproof?
A: Yes, compared to HDDs , an SSD can take up to 1,500 G which makes it nearly unbreakable, so your data remains safe in case you’re trying to escape a company building fire and you accidentally dropped your SSD to the ground. This is very important because you would want a reliable disk drive to keep your company files intact.
Q: What’s the difference between quick format and full format for a disk drive?
A: The full format option completely wipes out your disk drive without any chance of recovering old files even if you format the drive, which is the opposite of a quick format, which is not only fast but deletes files only from the surface, so they can still be salvaged with a recovery program.
Q: Are external drives better to have to keep my data safe from theft?
A: If you use an external drive then you’ll more likely easily get away with your files and whoever stole your laptop won’t be able to access them. Despite external drives being less in speed in comparison to having a secondary internal drive, having an external back is a good practice if your files are truly important to you.
Q: If I’m a regular computer user, should I jump into SSD?
A: The SSD is meant for those who are serious about their data storage and safety, faster file transfers and reliability, all for a hefty price. If you’re an average person who uses a laptop or desktop computer and aren’t running a lot of heavy-CPU or heavy-graphic games or programs from your external drive then using an external HDD might do the trick, especially if you’re tight on budget. However, it might still be a good thing to invest in an SSD, since it will eventually replace noisy HDDs in the near future.
Q: What is the common data transfer rate of an SSD?
A: The data transfer rate of an SSD is about 1 to 6 GB per seconds on SATA but it roughly depends on the kind of SSD that you have. Faster speeds result in higher prices, so think wisely if you really need faster data transfer, such as with gaming.
Q: What are some of the most common uses of a solid state drive in a computer or network?
A: Solid state drives have many uses. Like most disk drives can be used on acting as servers for files and databases, and the SSD is not an exception to that. SSDs can be used for your SQL server, media streaming and much more.

Wrapping It Up

To wrap things up, the Samsung T3 500GB MU-PT500B/AM Portable SSD is our best external SSD with AES 256-bit encryption, 450 MB/s speeds and pretty hefty capacity of 500 GB, which is sufficient for daily use.