Computers are sometimes unpredictable, so it’s really a good idea to protect our most valuable images, documents, and programs properly. For anyone who needs to back up a large amount of invaluable data, a portable external drive is a great solution. In the past we used to do this with slow hard drives, today we have a much faster solution for you – an external SSD or a portable SSD.

What exactly are external SSDs?

A solid-state drive, or SSD for short, is a newer form of portable storage drive that boasts dozens of times faster speeds than old hard drives. As with a USB stick, data is stored directly on electronic chips in an SSD, so such portable disks are resistant to shocks as well as stronger vibrations. SSDs also have no moving parts and are therefore extremely reliable and energy-efficient.

The latest external SSDs do not require additional external power to connect to a computer, so they are especially suitable for use with laptops and tablets. With a USB 3.0 port, you will be able to achieve dizzying transfer speeds of up to 2000 MB/s with an external SSD, which will significantly shorten the storage of large files.

Best External SSD

As we are different computer enthusiasts, the offer of external SSDs is equally diverse. Each portable SSD is specially tailored to its future user, so manufacturers distinguish drives according to three main purposes of use: speed, protection, and appearance.

Speed

Before buying a new external SSD, make sure it supports the latest USB 3.0 port. This will allow your computer to take advantage of even the highest speeds of SSD chips. The most affordable offer is that basic USB port. However, some improved specimens boast even faster data transfer with a USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 connection and a new USB-C oval connector.

Don’t let the extra characters and numbers confuse you. Each new drive comes with a suitable data cable that allows you to easily connect it to your computer, regardless of the label. All new portable drives are also compatible with older laptop models. To run the external portable SSD at full speed, connect it to the appropriate USB 3.0 blue port on your computer. You can easily use it on classic USB 2.0 ports in black, of course at slightly reduced speeds.

While the connection of an external SSD is a good indicator of its performance, we suggest that you check the internal transfer speeds of the SSD chip before purchasing. These are marked below the technical details of the product. Basic external models, such as the Intenso 256GB SSD Premium, offer read and write speeds of around 300 MB/s, which is more than enough to quickly store important images, videos, and documents.

For more advanced users, we suggest purchasing the external model WD My Passport 500 GB, which with a USB 3.2 connection enables read and write speeds of up to an incredible 1000 MB / s when connected to a newer computer. Final speeds always depend on the overall capabilities of your computer.

Protection

The most important advantage of an external SSD is portability, but therefore the device, including your data, is exposed to external influences. For those who will use the disc in the comfort of their home or office, we suggest that you consider a fall-resistant product. The Sandisk Extreme V2 1 TB model is great for use on office desks and at home, as it is drop-resistant (1500 G) in operating mode.

SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable 1 TB is available for users who would like to access their data in the field, and for users who would like to access their data in the field. With the advanced IP55 standard, this specimen is resistant to rain, splashes, spills, and dust. It allows you to store up to 1 TB of data, whether you are at home on the couch or somewhere under the starry sky.

Appearance

The size and shape of external SSDs depend on the type of chip installed. Most often, manufacturers choose a standard rectangular shape that measures about 8 cm in length. Similar SSDs are built into all newer laptops, and with the appropriate framework and USB connection, they are converted into external SSDs. The thinnest specimens boast a thickness of just under 9mm and are thus custom made to store in your laptop bag.

When you will be buying a disk, you will be surprised by the incredibly light frame of the selected external disk, which is made of aluminum or impact-resistant plastic.

Intenso 500 GB SSD Professional is an extremely interesting external SSD with an elegant aluminum housing, which, unlike others, follows an elongated design. Weighing just 45g, it is one of the lightest discs on offer.

For those who appreciate portability the most, there is an even more compact Intenso 1TB SSD Professional, which is designed in the form of a slightly larger USB stick with a handy handle.

Another best external SSD disks to buy in 2022 are Samsung T7 Touch or Samsung T7 500 GB.