External SSD drives

External SSD drives are portable solid-state drives that connect by USB, for backing up files, carrying large projects or adding storage to a laptop, console or phone. Our range of over 400 models includes slim pocket drives and rugged, shock-resistant ones from brands such as ADATA, Transcend, SanDisk, Verbatim and Samsung.

How to choose an external SSD

Speed and USB version. Drives on USB 3.2 Gen 1 typically manage around 400 to 550 MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2 allows roughly 1000 MB/s, and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB4 can reach 2000 MB/s and more. Our range covers all of these, with read speeds from 460 MB/s up to 3800 MB/s. Your computer's port must support the same standard, otherwise the drive runs at the slower speed.

Capacity. 1 TB and 2 TB appear most often in our range, while 500 GB and 512 GB suit documents and light backups, and 4 TB or 8 TB suit video libraries and large photo archives. Choose a size well above what you store today, because a full SSD slows down and leaves no room for new backups.

Connector and cable. USB Type-C is the usual connector on newer drives, but some models in our range use Micro-USB B, and a few use Type-A. Check that the cable supplied fits your laptop, phone or console, since a cheap replacement cable can limit speed.

Build and operating temperature. Housings in our range include aluminium, silicone and rubber-coated plastic. Aluminium helps carry heat away during long transfers, while rubber and silicone absorb knocks in a bag. Most listed operating ranges run from about 0 or 5 °C up to 50 or 60 °C, so do not leave a drive in a hot car.

Brands we carry

• ADATA: a Taiwanese memory maker with portable SSDs ranging from slim pocket drives to rugged models with shock-resistant casings.
• Transcend: known for rugged external drives with shock-absorbing housings, aimed at people who carry data on the move.
• SanDisk: best known for its Extreme Portable SSD line, which adds water and dust resistance to a pocket-sized drive.
• Verbatim: a long-established storage media brand, offering straightforward portable drives for everyday backups.
• Samsung: makes its own flash memory and controllers, and its T-series portable SSDs are popular for fast, small drives.
• LaCie: designs drives for creative professionals, often with aluminium housings and rubber bumpers.
• Western Digital and Seagate: both are long-standing hard drive makers that also sell portable SSDs for backup and gaming.
• Toshiba: the company that invented NAND flash memory, the technology inside every SSD.
• Kingston: a major memory manufacturer whose portable SSDs focus on compact, fast USB drives.

Also in our range: Intenso and Emtec.

External SSD drives: frequently asked questions

Is an external SSD better than an external hard drive?

An external SSD is faster and more resistant to knocks, because it has no moving parts. It also tends to be smaller and lighter. External hard drives usually offer more storage for the money, so they remain sensible for large archives that you rarely open.

How much capacity do I need in an external SSD?

For a laptop backup, choose at least the size of the laptop's internal drive, and ideally double it. A 500 GB or 512 GB drive covers documents and photos, 1 TB or 2 TB suits mixed use, and 4 TB or more suits video footage. Game libraries and 4K video fill drives faster than most people expect.

Will a USB 3.2 external SSD work with an older USB port?

Yes, USB is backwards compatible, so the drive will normally work in an older port. It will only run at the speed that the slower port allows, so a fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 drive in a USB 2.0 port will be much slower than its rating. You may also need an adapter if the connectors differ, for example Type-C to Type-A.

Can I use an external SSD with a phone or games console?

Many external SSDs work with phones that have a USB-C port, and with games consoles that support external USB storage. Check your device's requirements for supported capacity and USB standard first. Consoles often allow older games to run from external storage, but some newer titles must be played from the internal drive.