Best external SSD for gaming in 2024: top portable drives

The Samsung Transportable T7 Protect presents the identical specs because the Samsung T7 in third place in our information and makes use of USB 3.2 for switch speeds of as much as 1000MB/s and 1050MB/s learn and write respectively. That’s quick sufficient for very fast file transfers and dependable gaming loading, if you wish to use an exterior SSD on your Steam sport library.

We’ve picked this rugged exterior SSD because the best choice over the non-rugged T7 because it presents a bit of additional peace of thoughts because of its rubberized exterior defending it from giant drops and it having an IP65 score for mud resistance. Contemplating it’s only some {dollars} extra for any given dimension, it’s a worthwhile improve.

Should you actually don’t want this drive’s further safety, although, the Samsung T7 is a superb possibility for these trying to save each penny.

Samsung’s present top-tier exterior SSD packs in peak efficiency of as much as 2,000MB/s making it excellent for anybody needing to sling large recordsdata forwards and backwards to their exterior storage. All that efficiency additionally ensures you’ll be able to very safely use this drive as an exterior Steam or different sport drive.

It’s additionally obtainable in capacities or 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB whereas being very small and difficult because of a rubberized casing. It additionally presents {hardware} encryption for peace of thoughts.

Its pace is probably going overkill for many consumers wants, with slower drives nonetheless capable of ship quick sport load instances and pace file transfers, and you might be paying a premium for that further pace, however when you completely want the perfect, the T9 delivers.

Get the total image in our Samsung T9 evaluation.

Regardless of its price range tagline in our checklist right here, the Samsung T7 is definitely a really succesful and pace exterior SSD possibility. Its USB-C 3.2 port can ship sequential learn and write speeds of as much as 1000MB/s and 1050MB/s respectively, which is quick sufficient to maneuver a 1GB file to or from the drive in only one second. 

In the meantime, the drive can also be lots quick sufficient to ship dependable sport loading instances, when you’re searching for an exterior SSD that can be utilized to retailer your Steam sport library, as an illustration. In-built {hardware} encryption additionally ensures your knowledge is protected.

With its moderately compact and pocketable design, this drive can also be very moveable and is available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, so that you’ve loads of choices for an enormous quantity of moveable storage.

If you would like a little bit extra peace of thoughts, the ruggedized model of this drive – the T7 Protect on the prime of this checklist – is price the additional few {dollars} however in any other case the usual T7 is a superb selection.

Adata’s NVMe-based mannequin is among the quickest exterior drives we’ve seen, with each the sequential learn and write speeds coming in at 2,000MB/s. It connects through a USB Sort-C cable, though Adata features a Sort-A adapter within the field to higher cater to extra units.

We’d advocate the 1TB capability mannequin, though it’s additionally obtainable as a 512GB or 2TB drive. The RGB lighting protecting the highest of the drive is a flashy contact, making it take a look at house with the perfect gaming keyboard and finest gaming mouse.

We love the Sandisk Excessive Transportable, which is now on V2 because of its continued recognition. Regardless of its small dimension of two.07 x 3.97 inches, the Excessive Transportable nonetheless packs a punch. Due to the NVMe drive beneath the hood, it’s able to swift sequential learn and write speeds of 1,050MB/s and 1,000MB/s respectively.

It might probably additionally take a beating with two-meter drop safety, and IP55 water and mud resistance, making it the right journey companion for the perfect gaming laptop computer – not that we advocate chucking it round. We’ve used our authentic drive each single day for years, and have by no means as soon as had any points.

It connects through USB Sort-C, though there’s a Sort-A adaptor included too. You’ll be able to decide the drive up in capacities starting from 500GB as much as a whopping 4TB, and sizes from 1TB now are available in two funky blue colorways. It really is moveable and is designed with a gap within the nook in an effort to clip it onto your keys or a bag. 

The Lexar Blaze SL660 is the right selection for you if you need a devoted moveable gaming SSD. Appropriate with PC, in addition to PS5, PS4, and Xbox, it’s a flexible drive that mixes reliability and efficiency with an awesome value. It’s not the quickest SSD on this information, however the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 help ensures quick learn and write speeds.

Just like the Asus ROG Strix Arion under, the Blaze has a stunning RGB design. At simply 2.5 inches huge, it additionally boasts a really moveable type issue, comes with a removable stand for added performance, and its aluminum development ensures safety from shock and drops. Safety-wise, it presents 256-bit AES encryption software program resolution to guard your knowledge.

The draw back of the Lexar Blaze SL660 gaming SSD is that it wants a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connection to get the perfect efficiency. The capability additionally maxes out at 1TB, which can be too low for some, however if you need a really moveable SSD to enhance a bigger exhausting drive, this won’t be an issue.

The Xbox Sequence X / S received’t assist you to set up and play present technology video games on any random exterior SSD, as a substitute making use of the enlargement slot on the rear of the console.

Seagate’s NVMe is presently the one mannequin that matches into Microsoft’s proprietary port and presents learn and write speeds equivalent to the console’s inside NVMe solid-state drive. There’s no USB connection, nevertheless, so that is solely an exterior SSD for the newest Xbox consoles reasonably than one on your PC.