External SSD is the best option when it comes to speedy performance and smooth data storage. For your large audio and video projects or photography library, you’d want something portable, handy yet better performer than other storages on the market. SSD is the choice then. We’ve tested 20 best external SSDs to store your audio and video and made a list of them. To know more, jump into the next section.
What is an external SSD?
A solid state drive (SSD) is a modern storage unit for your computer or laptop that stores data. It uses flash memory. It has the ability to perform faster than general storage devices like HDD. Your applications will load a lot faster. You’ll see the smoothness on the startup of your computer. SSDs are less likely to suffer from crashes or data loss, making them ideal for storing important files.
5 Essential Facts to consider before buying your SSD
You’d obviously want your SSD purchase a best buy. To do so, you must consider these five facts below before purchasing your best external SSD drive.
- Compatibility: it is one of the most important thing. If your device is compatible across devices then it’s great plus. This functionality will give you smoothness to your work flow without any barriers.
- Cable type: Check for the cable connectivity type as well. Type C could be a nice choice.
- Speed: Be sure of the reading and writing speed of your SSD. the more it is and much smooth workflow you’ll get.
- Security: Check if your SSD has data encrypted security system. it’ll enable the total protection to your valuable data.
- Warranty Policy:
Top 20 External SSDs for Audio and Video Storage
From your audio to high quality video an external SSD could serve you right on the purpose. it is not only limited to its use. you can use it to store your games, even compile them all and turn it into a library. However, you can check out our our top picks of Best External SSDs to Store your Audio and Video below.
Vansuny 120GB Portable External SSD
Modern day problems need modern solutions. People are more data driven. Whether you’re a photographer, musician, or researcher you must’ve felt the need for extra storage along with your current device, right?
This vansuny 120GB portable external ssd meets all the promise lines. This SSD is compatible across all the devices. It is very compact and handy in size. Additionally, this ssd is easy to function.
The plug and play enables the user to save time and do the exact task for the user. However, don’t get away with its size. This SSD has a high speed transformation rate in ultra mode. Overall, it ensures total time saving, efficiency, and ultimate protection for your data with the extra durability.
Pros
- Free lifetime technical support
- Compatible with PS3 and PS5
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unstable and short cable
- Doesn’t go well with Pi
Crucial X6 1TB Portable SSD
The Crucial X6 is the fastest, most durable external SSD drive on the market. It’s perfect for anyone looking for extreme performance and security. With read speeds up to 800MB/s and faster write speed it’s ideal for photographers, videographers, and gamers who need instant access to their data.
Pros
- The speed gets 700/800 sec
- Small, light and easy to store
- Makes no noise
Cons
- Not suitable for large file transfer
- Write cache shrinks
SAMSUNG SSD T7
The SAMSUNG SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB is perfect for Multimedia, Personal, Business, and more. This external ssd drive has a read speed of 1050 megabytes per second, making it one of the fastest on the market. It also has a large storage capacity of 1TB, making it perfect for storing photos, music, videos, and more. Plus, it is lightweight and compact so you can take it with you wherever you go.
Pros
- Suitable for PS5
- Higher frame rate
- Suitable for storage
Cons
- Heats up the computer
- Not ideal for game storing
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is a high-capacity, high-speed storage solution that can be used anywhere. It has a sleek design and comes with password protection and 256 bit AES hardware encryption to keep your data safe. The SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD is also backed by worldwide trust, so you can be sure your data is safe wherever you go.
Pros
- IP55 water and dust resistance
- Smart encryption
Cons
- Not suitable for MAC
SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 1TB
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD is a compact and lightweight storage device that offers users an ultra fast data transfer rate. The SSD comes in three different sizes: 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB. It also has a sleek and portable design that makes it easy to take with you wherever you go. Plus, the T5 SSD features seamless connectivity so you can quickly access your files without having to worry about cables or adapters.
Pros
- 256-bit hardware encryption
- Easily plugs into devices
Cons
- Not compatible with tabs
Seagate Portable 2TB
Seagate’s expansion series drive is a great price for a 2TB external hard drive. However, if you’re a photographer seeking for a performance gain when transferring large files, 2TB should suffice. It’s also available in larger sizes like 4TB and 8TB. The fact that it’s so easily transportable is an added bonus.
Pros
- Compatible for both mac and windows
- Performs faster and smoother
Cons
- No security protection
Lexar NQ100 240GB
The Lexar NQ100 240GB is a great choice for extended storage or faster speeds when transferring large files. It can handle large files storage with ease and is long lasting so you can rely on it when you need it most.
Pros
- Shock and vibration resistant
- 550 reading speed
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Unreliable actions
WD 2TB Elements
Western Digital’s (WD) 2TB Elements desktop hard drive is ready to use right out of the box. It is pre-formatted for Windows computers and delivers read speeds up to 400MB/s, which can increase productivity. The 2TB Elements is also available in a portable form factor, making it ideal for taking your data with you on the go.
Pros
- Handy size
- Reads large file faster
- Works with Xbox
- Doesn’t need battery
Cons
- Often loses connection
- Don’t works with file backup on windows
WD_BLACK 4TB
Fast screen load is essential for gamers. And only giant storage space could not solve that. With huge storage you also need fast speed performance. All those promises meet here in WD_Black 4TB. With its speed upto 2000MB/s it gives you faster screen load and 1MN/s reading speed. Its portability gives you fast access to your resources. However, it is shock resistant as well.
Pros
- Specially designed and built for gamers
- Compatible with PC and consoles
- Solid built body
Cons
- Performs fast with USB-C only
- The drives takes time to shut off
Kingston High Performance Portable SSD
If you are looking for something very small and pocket size which provides amazing performance then this SSD is the right one for you. This ssd can give you up to 2000mb/s writing and reading speed. Additionally, it supports images and videos upto 8k resolution without any glitch.
Pros
- 2×2 speed delivery
- Smooth workflow
- No interruption
Cons
- Transfer rate falls
ADATA SE800 1TB IP68 Rugged
The ADATA SE800 external SSD is perfect for those who need a fast and reliable storage solution that can also take a beating. It has an ultra fast reading and writing speed, making it perfect for quickly transferring data. Plus, its sleek look makes it a great option for taking on the go. And best of all, it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it getting wet. It also has a type c connector, making it compatible with most devices.
Pros
- IP68 Rated
- Compatible across various devices
- Lightweight
Cons
- Transfer rate varies
PNY Elite 240GB USB 3.1 Gen 1
Do you carry large files? In the case of photographers and gamers large data files are usual. They need smooth data transfer without any glitch. And if the drive is compatible it is a great combination and you must need one. However, it is lightweight and compact.
Pros
- Smooth large data transfer
- Supports MAC
- 24/7 US based support
Cons
- Device gets time out
- No consistent speed
LaCie 1big Dock 4TB External Solid State Drive
Well if you are a desktop user and looking for a solid state drive that will give you fast speed and best reliability then this SSD is for you. It works best for larger projects. You’d get no interruption on editing high quality videos like 4k resolution. However you can also edit RAW format for your documents. It won’t compromise with your workflow and your productivity. Additionally, it looks beautiful as well.
Pros
- 5-in-1 docking power with a built-in USB hub
- Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy chaining
- Gets charge form on device to another
Cons
- Doesn’t offer much according to the price
LaCie Portable SSD 2TB
If you are working with big files and worried about the long time it would take to transfer them, we’ve got the faster solution to your problem. With reading speed upto 1050mb/s and writing speed up to 1000mb/s you’ll get the fast transfer rate with your large files. This smooth performing device is not so big in size. It is compact and eye catchy in design. It is compatible with type-C usb.
Pros
- Supports Win and Mac
- It includes two cables: USB-C and USB 3.0
- Lightweight
- Suitable for gaming
Cons
- Won’t work for thunderbolt 2
BUFFALO External SSD 1TB
With special features of storage and gaming, Fast speeds and multitasking, compact, durability, and reliability this SSD adds an extra plus to your bucket. It meets all the requirements you’d look for. It delivers quickly and provides total security to your stored data. It works as a backup for you. It also provides you safety from the external shock and protects your SSD from the dust as well. With this SSD you are always one step ahead from the ordinary user around. Overall you’d get an extraordinary smoothness to your work with this product.
Pros
- Compatible with PS4/5, Win, and Mac
- Provides quick setup guides
- No interruption
Cons
- The capacity gets mismatched
- It contains no additional hardware
Plugable 2TB Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt 3 is an extremely fast and versatile port that can transfer data at a very high rate.This makes it a great option for those who need to move large files quickly between devices. The Plugable 2TB Thunderbolt 3 external hard drive provides a quick and efficient way to increase your potential workflow. It is made with modern technology and is durable and portable. Plus, it is compatible with Macs, and PCs.
Pros
- Smooth high performance edit
- No external power required
- Email support
Cons
- Short cable range
HP P500 1TB Portable USB Type-C
Well, HP is a trusted name worldwide. I personally, use HP products since my first computer. Their features are always amazing and come with the latest sparks in the market. This portable SSD is no exception. You can easily plug and use it right away. Even people who are not very techy would also find this product simple and useful. This SSD works fine without any interruption. You can keep your backup safely and securely.
Pros
- Does not require formatting
- Compatible with Xbox
- Perfect for home PC
Cons
- Data temporary gets reformatted
U32 Shadow 4TB SSD USB-C
The U32 Shadow 4TB External SSD USB-C is a great device for those who need fast storage that is also lightweight and portable. This external SSD uses Thunderbolt technology to provide speeds up to 500mb/s, making it one of the fastest on the market. It’s also very easy to use, with a simple plug-and-play design. Plus, the excellent protection and heat dissipation keeps your data safe and cool.
Pros
- Works fine with all types of usb
- Easy plug and play function
Cons
- Loses connection after long usage
Fantom Drives External SSD
If you’re looking for a capable external SSD that can handle all your creative needs, the Fantom Drives External SSD 1TB is a great option. This device connects directly to your storage device and offers transfer speeds of up to 550MB/s, making it perfect for editing large files or backing up your data. Plus, its compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
Pros
- Cool temperature design
- Strong built
- More than 30 years on the market
Cons
- Doesn’t stay connected to the PC for a long time
- Initially slow transfer rate
Verbatim 128GB
It comes with a modern plug and play design for the user to jump on work on the spot. It is not only a fast speed SSD but also has reusable enclosures. Apart from that, it has no moving parts in it. Compatible with USB 2.0.
Pros
- Removable and replaceable
- Low price
- Handy size
Cons
- Low transfer rate
Conclusion
In conclusion, we’ve reviewed some of the best external SSDs that can be used to store your audio and video files. These products provide fast and reliable storage for your media files, and they are easy to use. Match the right one according to your needs and get yours today!
And for more tech product reviews and guides you check our website. We hope our articles would help you.
Thank you for reading.