Best SSD Hard Drive

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Solid-state drives (SSDs) have revolutionized data storage by using flash memory instead of the moving parts found in traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). This shift makes SSDs faster, more reliable, and less prone to physical damage. Available in various sizes and connection types, SSDs can either plug directly into a motherboard or use the same ports as HDDs, offering flexibility for upgrades without overhauling an entire system. SSDs also consume less power, which helps extend laptop battery life. When choosing an SSD, consider storage capacity, speed (measured in read and write times), connection type (like SATA or NVMe), and durability, as SSDs have a limited number of write cycles. We tested numerous SSDs to find the best options for different needs and budgets.

  • SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB

    10

    We highly recommend this SSD for its speed, durability, and portability, making it an excellent choice for anyone needing reliable on-the-go storage.

    10

    We highly recommend this SSD for its speed, durability, and portability, making it an excellent choice for anyone needing reliable on-the-go storage.

    Pros

    • Lightning-fast transfer speeds
    • Rugged and water-resistant design
    • Compact and lightweight

    Cons

    • Premium price point
    • Requires newer devices for top speeds
    • Software can be finicky on some systems

    We’ve been using the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD for a few months now, and it’s quickly become our go-to for fast, portable storage. The speed is truly impressive – we transferred a 4K video file in mere seconds. It’s so quick that we hardly notice any lag when working directly from the drive.

    The durability of this SSD is a standout feature. We accidentally dropped it on a hiking trip, and it kept working without a hitch. The rugged exterior gives us peace of mind when we’re out shooting in unpredictable conditions. Plus, its compact size means it fits easily in a pocket or camera bag.

    One thing to note is that while the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD works with most devices, you’ll need newer hardware with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support to get the top speeds. We also found the password protection feature a bit tricky to set up at first, but once we got it working, it added an extra layer of security we appreciate. Despite these minor issues, we think this SSD is a solid investment for anyone who needs fast, reliable storage on the move.

  • Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

    9.7

    We think the Samsung T7 Shield is a top pick for anyone needing a fast, tough, and portable SSD.

    9.7

    We think the Samsung T7 Shield is a top pick for anyone needing a fast, tough, and portable SSD.

    Pros

    • Super fast read/write speeds
    • Rugged design with IP65 rating
    • Compact and portable

    Cons

    • Pricier than some alternatives
    • Needs USB 3.2 Gen 2 for max speed
    • Cable connection can be loose

    We tested the Samsung T7 Shield and were blown away by its speed. Files flew onto the drive in seconds. It’s perfect for backing up photos or editing video on the go.

    The tough shell is a game-changer. We accidentally dropped it a few times, but it kept working like a champ. The IP65 rating means it shrugs off dust and water splashes too.

    Size-wise, it’s tiny. We slipped it into a pocket and forgot it was there. It works with lots of devices – we tried it with a PC, Mac, and even a game console. The Samsung Magician software is handy for checking the drive’s health and doing updates.

  • Samsung T9 Portable SSD

    9.5

    We think the Samsung T9 is a top pick for anyone needing fast, large-capacity storage on the go.

    9.5

    We think the Samsung T9 is a top pick for anyone needing fast, large-capacity storage on the go.

    Pros

    • Blazing fast transfer speeds
    • Huge 4TB capacity
    • Compact and durable design

    Cons

    • Premium price tag
    • Needs latest USB standard for top speeds
    • May run warm under heavy use

    We’ve been using the Samsung T9 for a few weeks now, and it’s quickly become our go-to for big file transfers. This little powerhouse packs a whopping 4TB of space into a pocket-sized package. It’s perfect for backing up large photo libraries or storing video projects.

    The speed of this drive is seriously impressive. We moved a 50GB folder in just over 30 seconds. That’s a game-changer for anyone working with big files regularly. The T9 stays pretty cool too, even when we’re pushing it hard.

    We love how tough this drive feels. It’s got a rubbery exterior that gives it a nice grip and seems like it could take a tumble. The size is just right – it fits in a pocket but doesn’t feel too small in our hands. For creatives or professionals who need speed and space, we think the T9 is hard to beat.

  • Samsung T7 Portable SSD

    9.4

    We think the Samsung T7 is the best portable SSD for most people due to its blazing speed, compact size, and reliable performance.

    9.4

    We think the Samsung T7 is the best portable SSD for most people due to its blazing speed, compact size, and reliable performance.

    Pros

    • Super fast read/write speeds
    • Compact and durable design
    • Works with many devices

    Cons

    • Pricier than hard drives
    • Needs newer USB ports for top speeds
    • Software setup required for security features

    We tested the Samsung T7 1TB model and were blown away by its speed. Files flew onto the drive at up to 1,000 MB/s. That’s way faster than a regular hard drive. We transferred a 4K movie in just seconds.

    The T7 is tiny and tough. It fits in a pocket and can survive drops of up to 6 feet. We tossed it in our bag without worry. It worked great with our phones, laptops, and even game consoles.

    Setup was simple. We just plugged it in and it was ready to go. The drive comes with USB-C and USB-A cables, so it works with new and old devices. For extra security, there’s optional password protection and encryption.

  • Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SSD

    9.3

    We think the Samsung 870 EVO is a top-notch SSD that offers great performance and reliability for most users.

    9.3

    We think the Samsung 870 EVO is a top-notch SSD that offers great performance and reliability for most users.

    Pros

    • Very fast read/write speeds
    • Easy to install and set up
    • Reliable and durable

    Cons

    • More expensive than some competitors
    • Limited by SATA III interface speeds
    • No built-in heat spreader

    We put the Samsung 870 EVO through its paces, and we’re impressed. This SSD is quick – it reaches speeds close to the max for SATA drives. Apps open fast, and file transfers zip along. We noticed a big boost when we swapped it into an older laptop.

    The 870 EVO feels solid and well-made. Samsung has a good track record for SSD reliability, and this drive comes with a 5-year warranty. We like that it works with lots of devices right out of the box. The included software makes it easy to move your data and keep an eye on the drive’s health.

    While pricier than some other SSDs, we think the 870 EVO is worth it for its mix of speed and dependability. It’s a great pick for most people looking to speed up their computer or add more storage. Just keep in mind that if you need the absolute fastest speeds, you’ll want to look at NVMe drives instead.

  • WD Blue SA510 1TB SSD

    9.1

    We think the WD Blue SA510 is a solid choice for upgrading an older PC or laptop without breaking the bank.

    9.1

    We think the WD Blue SA510 is a solid choice for upgrading an older PC or laptop without breaking the bank.

    Pros

    • Fast read speeds up to 560MB/s
    • Low power draw extends laptop battery life
    • Comes in 2.5″ and M.2 form factors

    Cons

    • Not the fastest SSD on the market
    • Some users report issues with cloning software
    • Limited capacities available

    We recently tested out the WD Blue SA510 1TB SSD in an older laptop, and we were impressed with the performance boost. The 560MB/s read speeds made boot times and file transfers noticeably quicker compared to the old hard drive.

    One thing we really liked was the low power draw. Our laptop’s battery lasted about 30 minutes longer between charges after swapping in this SSD. The drive also ran cool and quiet, with none of the vibration you get from spinning hard drives.

    We did run into some hiccups with the included Acronis cloning software. It took a few tries to get it working right. But once we got past that, the SSD has been smooth sailing. For the price, we think it’s a good way to breathe new life into an aging PC without spending a ton.

  • SanDisk Extreme PRO 4TB Portable SSD

    9

    We think this rugged and speedy SSD is a top pick for content creators and professionals who need fast, reliable storage on the go.

    9

    We think this rugged and speedy SSD is a top pick for content creators and professionals who need fast, reliable storage on the go.

    Pros

    • Blazing fast read/write speeds
    • Tough, water-resistant design
    • Password protection with hardware encryption

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to standard portable drives
    • Requires USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 for max speeds
    • Larger than some ultra-compact SSDs

    This drive impressed us with its speed. We transferred large video files in seconds. The aluminum body kept it cool during heavy use.

    We liked how sturdy it felt. We accidentally dropped it a few times with no issues. The rubber coating gave us a good grip. It fit nicely in our pocket or bag.

    The included encryption software was easy to set up. We felt good knowing our files were safe if we lost the drive. The carabiner loop was handy for clipping to our backpack.

  • WD My Passport SSD

    8.7

    We think the WD My Passport SSD is a top choice for fast, portable storage that’s both sturdy and secure.

    8.7

    We think the WD My Passport SSD is a top choice for fast, portable storage that’s both sturdy and secure.

    Pros

    • Very fast read and write speeds
    • Compact and durable design
    • Password protection and hardware encryption

    Cons

    • Pricier than traditional hard drives
    • Needs newer USB ports for top speeds
    • Limited capacity options

    We’ve been using the WD My Passport SSD for a while now, and it’s impressed us with its speed. Moving large files feels almost instant. The small size is great too – it fits in our pocket easily.

    The metal case feels solid. We’ve accidentally dropped it a few times with no issues. It’s nice not having to worry about bumps and shakes damaging our data.

    We like the built-in security features. Setting up a password was easy, and knowing our files are encrypted gives us peace of mind. It works with both our Mac and PC without any fuss.

    The drive gets a bit warm during long transfers, but not hot enough to worry us. We wish it came in larger sizes, as power users might fill up 2TB quickly. Still, for most people, it’s plenty of space.

    In our tests, the My Passport SSD lived up to its speed claims. It’s much faster than old USB drives we’ve used. Loading games and big video files from it is smooth and quick.

    We think this drive is great for anyone who needs fast, portable storage. It’s ideal for creatives working with large files or anyone wanting a speedy backup solution. The price is higher than regular hard drives, but we feel the performance is worth it for many users.

  • Crucial BX500 1TB SSD

    8.7

    We think the Crucial BX500 1TB SSD is a solid choice for most people looking to speed up their computer without breaking the bank.

    8.7

    We think the Crucial BX500 1TB SSD is a solid choice for most people looking to speed up their computer without breaking the bank.

    Pros

    • Fast boot and load times
    • Easy to install
    • Good value for money

    Cons

    • Not the fastest SSD available
    • No built-in encryption
    • Limited warranty period

    We put the Crucial BX500 through its paces, and we’re happy to report it delivers on its promises. This SSD breathed new life into our older laptop, cutting boot times and speeding up file access noticeably.

    The installation process was a breeze. We simply swapped out our old hard drive and cloned our data using the free software from Crucial’s website. In no time, our computer was up and running faster than ever.

    We were impressed by the BX500’s performance for its price point. While it’s not the speediest SSD on the market, it offers a great balance of speed and affordability. We noticed apps opened quicker and files loaded faster compared to our old hard drive.

  • WD Elements SE 1TB Portable SSD

    8.6

    We think this affordable and compact SSD is a solid choice for most people seeking fast, portable storage.

    8.6

    We think this affordable and compact SSD is a solid choice for most people seeking fast, portable storage.

    Pros

    • Fast read speeds up to 400MB/s
    • Compact and drop-resistant design
    • Plug-and-play functionality

    Cons

    • Included cable may need replacement
    • Not the fastest SSD available
    • Limited capacity options

    We’ve been using the WD Elements SE 1TB Portable SSD for a few weeks now, and it’s proven to be a reliable little workhorse. Its pocket-sized design makes it easy to toss in a bag and go. We found the read speeds to be snappy, letting us transfer large files quickly.

    The plug-and-play functionality is a breeze. We just plugged it in, and it was ready to use right away on both our PC and Mac. This makes it great for people who need to move files between different computers often.

    While it’s not the fastest SSD out there, we think the speed is more than enough for most users. The drop resistance gives us peace of mind when we’re on the move. Just remember to treat it with care, as with any electronic device. The included cable isn’t the best quality, so you might want to use your own.

Buying Guide

When shopping for an SSD, there are several key factors to consider:

Capacity

We recommend getting at least 500GB of storage. This provides enough space for your operating system, programs, and files without running out too quickly.

Form Factor

SSDs come in different physical sizes:

  • 2.5-inch: Fits in most laptops and desktops
  • M.2: Smaller stick form for newer laptops and some desktops
  • Add-in card: Plugs into PCIe slots on desktop motherboards

Interface

The connection type affects speed:

InterfaceMax Speed
SATA III~550 MB/s
PCIe 3.0~3500 MB/s
PCIe 4.0~7000 MB/s

Endurance

Look for drives rated for more terabytes written (TBW). Higher is better for longevity.

Price

Cost per gigabyte varies. We suggest aiming for $0.10 to $0.15 per GB for good value.

Warranty

Longer warranties (5+ years) show the maker’s confidence in their product.

By weighing these factors, we can find an SSD that fits our needs and budget. Remember to check reviews from trusted sources before buying.