Top 10 Fastest External SSDs (Lightning-Fast Transfers in 2023)

You know that you need to back up your data, you’ve just decided to finally make the jump to the best external SSD for Mac, but you don’t know which one to buy. 

Not only is it hard to find the time to back up your data, but it’s also hard to know which backup solution is right for you. It seems like every day a new external SSD hits the market, and it’s hard to know which one is the best for your needs. 

The fastest external hard drive work just like a regular SSD, but they offer a few key benefits over other storage solutions. If you want to know more detail about it then you are in right place.

We’re here to help. We’ve compared all of the latest external SSDs and found the Fastest External SSDs in 2023 is the perfect solution for quickly and easily backing up your data. With read and write speeds of up to 5GB/s, these drives are faster than any other external SSD on the market. 

Not only that, but we’ve also included a buyer’s guide so you can find the perfect external SSD for your needs.

Moreover, we will talk about important factors that we considered while testing and ranking the fastest external SSDs in 2023.

Our Testing Process For the Fastest External SSDs

 To come up with this list of the best external SSDs, we put in over 100 hours of research. This included reading about the different features each drive offers, as well as testing each drives ourselves. We tested the factors that we feel are the most important when it comes to finding the best external SSD.

External SSDs’ price

It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a good monitor. Many affordable options can provide you with the features and performance you need. There are also high-end options that offer better performance and features, but they come with a higher price tag.

We’ve included a mix of both budget and high-end options on this list, so you can find the perfect external SSD for your needs and budget.

Size and portability

It is possible to find the best external SSD for gaming in a variety of sizes. Some are large and require a power supply, while others are small and portable. Some are small enough to fit in your pocket, while others are larger and require a power adapter. The size of the drive you need will depend on how much data you need to store and how often you need to access it.

If you only need to store a few games, then a small and portable SSD will be fine. However, if you need to store a large number of games or other files, then you’ll need a larger drive.

We’ve tested a variety of external SSDs like this and have found that the smaller drives tend to be less reliable and have slower read and write speeds. We recommend opting for a larger drive if you can, as they tend to be more reliable and offer better performance.

Interface

The interface is the connection between your computer and the external SSD. The most common interfaces are USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3.

We’ve found that Thunderbolt 3 is the fastest interface available, and it’s also the most expensive. USB 3.0 is a good middle-ground option that offers decent performance and is more affordable.

Type of drive

There are two main types of external SSDs: HDD and SSD.

HDDs are cheaper and offer more storage space, but they’re much slower than SSDs. SSDs are more expensive and offer less storage space, but they’re much faster. While testing, we found that SSDs are the best option for most people as they offer much better performance.

Operating system compatibility

External SSDs are compatible with both Windows and macOS. However, some drives are only compatible with one operating system or the other.

We’ve tested a variety of external SSDs and have found that the majority of them are compatible with both Windows and macOS. However, there are a few drives that are only compatible with one operating system or the other.

Read and write speeds

The read and write speeds are the most important factor that we considered when testing external SSDs. We tested each drive using a variety of different files and found that the read and write speeds can vary depending on the file type. This is a benchmarking program that allows us to see how fast each drive is in terms of reads and writes. We found that the average read speed was 1000 MB/s, and the average write speed was 1000 MB/s.

After careful consideration of all these factors, we have come up with this list of the best and fastest external SSDs in 2023

Fastest 7 External SSDs in 2023- Our Top Picks 

We have personally tested all the external SSDs on this list and can vouch for their performance, build quality, and value for money.

Now that you know our testing process, here are the best external SSDs that we recommend in 2023.

The digital storage capacity is 2TB which is 2000GB making it one of the largest portable external SSDs on the market.

We did feel the need to check the transfer speeds and were quite impressed with the performance because the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Pro portable SSD was able to reach up to 2000MB/s. If you want to transfer a 4GB movie, it will only take 20 seconds.

You will happy to know that the hard disk interface is USB 3.2 and the connectivity technology is USB which makes it widely compatible with many devices.

We used this external SSD with Type-C Tablets, Laptops, Desktops, and Type-C Smartphones, and are happy to report that it worked like a charm with all of them and we didn’t face any compatibility issues.

We experienced huge data storage space that is double what most portable SSDs offer as Its size is 2TB which means that you can get a lot of storage space to store your data. For instance, you can store up to 500,000 photos, 200,000 songs, or 558 hours of 4K video.

Plus, the included components are 1 x SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD. The color of the product is black which makes it look sleek and elegant.

Moreover, the read speed of this external SSD is 2000 megabytes per second which are quite fast and suits the needs of most people. 

The design of the product is such that it can fit in the palm of your hand or your pocket. The dimensions of the product are 4.4 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches and it weighs only 0.14 ounces which is a plus point.

Last but not least, if you face any problem you can replace or return the product as it comes with a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

After scouring the internet, we found that this is one of the fastest external hard drives on the market right now and it lives up to the hype.

With a read speed of up to 540 MB/s that is perfect for the 4K video and gaming it provides, the ADATA SE800 SSD is one of the fastest external SSDs on our list. For example, the new 4K textures in games can be read up to four times faster than a hard drive.

Its write speed is also very high at 520 MB/s which means that you can transfer a 3 GB movie in just 10 seconds which will save you precious time.

While comparing it with other products, we are pleased to report that the ADATA SSD was one of the most consistent performers. There were no drop-offs in performance, even when moving large files around or during extended.

The ADATA SE800 SSD is also IP68 water and dust resistant so that you don’t have to worry about the elementals damaging your data because it can withstand being submerged in up to 2 meters of water for 72 hours which is more than any other product in our list.

You will be surprised to know that fact that it also comes with a free download of Asura Genesis software that can be used to monitor the status of your drive, including temperature, usage time, and SMART attributes to help to extend the life of your SSD.

Furthermore, this product is available in capacities of up to 2 TB which means that you can store all of your data on a single drive.

We loved that the ADATA SSD came with everything that you need to get started including a USB Type-C to Type-A cable and a Type-C to Type-C cable. Included in the box is a handy carrying case so that you can take your SSD  with you wherever you go.

This product is quite reliable as it is from a company that has been in the business for over 15 years and is a leader in the industry. It comes with a 3-year warranty and has been ruggedized to withstand shocks and vibrations which is more than what is offered by the other products.

It is our top pick as it is one of the fastest external SSDs in the market with a speed of 2000 MB/s that provides reliable and consistent performance.

We liked that this drive uses the Thunderbolt 3 interface which means that it will be able to work with a wider range of devices. It is compatible with both Mac and PC.

The 1 TB capacity is enough for most users. And it comes with a 3-year warranty that gives peace of mind to the users. It also has a stylish and durable design that will protect your data.

You can connect it to your computer using the Thunderbolt 3 cable that is included and provide up to 40 Gbps data transfer speeds.

Based on our experience and feedback from customers, we noticed it has a good build quality, with a sturdy aluminum casing. The data transfer speed is quite consistent and as promised by the manufacturer.

This drive is ideal for multimedia use as it can store a large number of photos and videos without any issues.  It is also a great choice for business users as it can help you boost your productivity by having all your important files at your fingertips.

The only thing that we did not like about this product is that it is a bit expensive. But considering the features and performance, it is worth the price, and we are confident to say that it is the fastest NVMe SSD in the market right now.

The Crucial X8 is one of the fastest portable SSDs on the market, and it offers a capacity of 2TB that is perfect for gaming and other demanding tasks that is sure to keep you busy and productive.

When we experienced its capacity to check whether it was a fast drive or not, we couldn’t help but be impressed. We copied over 25GB of data in just under two minutes, and that is including the time it took for the drive to format itself.

That’s some serious speed, and if you need an external SSD that can keep up with your needs, then the Crucial X8 is the drive for you. Plus, it is also backed by Micron, one of the most trusted names in the business, so you can be sure that you’re getting a quality product that will last.

We also loved that the design of this product is also very durable, so you don’t have to worry about it being damaged easily.

The X8 is compatible with a wide range of devices, including laptops, gaming consoles, desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones but you need to keep in mind that it is not compatible with Mac Time Machine.

All in all, according to our experience, we think that the X8 is one of the best portable SSDs on the market, and it would make an excellent addition to your tech arsenal.

If you’re looking for a fast and reliable portable SSD that offers a ton of storage space, the Crucial X8 is the perfect option for you.

This external SSD packs quite a powerful punch when it comes to speed and reliability. The SAMSUNG T7 portable SSD is one of the fastest on the market and features a USB 3.2 interface for incredible transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s. You can easily transfer a 4 GB video file in just 12 seconds which is fast enough for even professional use.

Additionally, this drive features a shock-resistant metal casing that can withstand up to 1500G of force and is waterproof for 30 minutes up to 1 meter.

We also loved that this drive comes with built-in AES 256-bit encryption for security which means that your data is always safe and secure. If you lose your drive, no one can access your data without the correct password.

You will be surprised to know that this SSD is also compatible with both Mac and Windows devices as well as Android devices that support OTG.  

The SAMSUNG portable SSD comes with a 5-year limited warranty, so you can use this drive for a very long time.

Lastly, this external SSD is available in 3 different capacities including 250 GB, 500 GB, and 1 TB so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

The Sabrent Rocket is made from aluminum and is very light and portable. It comes with a capacity of 2 TB which is enough to store large amounts of data.

This product is compatible with both PCs and Macs and comes with a USB 3.0 connection. if you are a photographer or videographer, then the Sabrent Rocket is perfect for you as it can store large RAW files and videos.

This is a fast external SSD that comes with a 5-year warranty, making it one of the fastest on the market.

A plus point of this SSD is that it is affordable and available in different capacities. Moreover, it is very easy to use and it is Plug-and-Play. If you want to transfer files from your old computer to your new one, you can do so with the Sabrent Rocket within a few minutes.

We are happy that it is very fast and it has a read speed of up to 550 MB/s and a write speed of up to 520 MB/s which is much faster than a hard drive.

So, if you are looking for a fast external SSD, then the Sabrent Rocket is the perfect choice for you.

A Thunderbolt 3 cable and an adapter are included with the LaCie Rugged SSD, as well as a Thunderbolt 2 or USB-A cable for older Macs.

The drive itself is housed in a thick, rubbery casing that’s rated to withstand drops from up to 6.6 feet, as well as being crushproof and dust resistant.

 It’s also IP54 rated, meaning it can handle both water and dust ingress. For example, if you’re caught in a rainstorm while out shooting photos, your Rugged SSD should be just fine.

We experienced this product while considering its entry-level price tag and found that it was one of the fastest drives we’ve tested with a USB-C connection and a UHS-II card reader.

Plus, the included software suite is a nice value-add, with Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan and LaCie Private-Public password protection both coming pre-installed on the drive.

If you’re looking for an external SSD that can take a beating and won’t break the bank, the LaCie Rugged SSD is a great option. 

Buying Guide For Fastest External SSDs in 2023

If you want to buy the fastest external SSD, but don’t know where to start when it comes to buying it. With all of the different brands and models on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

Not all external SSDs are created equal. There can be a huge difference in quality and performance from one product to the next. A good external SSDs monitor can make a big difference in your workflow and productivity.

We are here to help. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive buying guide for the fastest external SSDs in 2023 and we’ll recommend some of our favorite models on the market.

Budget

The first thing you need to consider is your budget. There is a wide variety of external SSDs on the market, and they range in price from around $60 to over $500. You’ll want to focus on the lower-priced options if you have a limited budget. For example, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a great option that is available for under $200. If you have a higher budget, you can consider options like the Samsung T5 Portable SSD, which is available for around $400.

However, if you have a little more to spend, you’ll be able to find some higher-end models that offer better performance and more features.

Prices depend on the brand, size, and features of the external SSD. So you need to decide which attributes are most important to you and then find the best model that fits your budget. External SSD with higher capacity will be more expensive than the ones with lower capacity.

Storage Capacity

Another important factor to consider is the storage capacity. This is particularly important if you plan on storing a lot of large files or if you need to store multiple copies of your operating system. The storage capacity is typically measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB).

Moreover, the storage capacity will also affect the price of the external SSD. So, if you need a lot of storage space, you can expect to pay more. For example, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is available in 500GB and 1TB models. The 1TB model is twice the price of the 500GB model.

Data Transfer Speed

When it comes to external SSDs, data transfer speed is an important consideration. The data transfer speed is typically measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). The higher the data transfer speed, the faster you’ll be able to access and store your files.

The data transfer speed is important if you plan on working with large files or if you need to quickly back up your data. For example, the Samsung T5 Portable SSD has a data transfer speed of up to 540 MB/s.

Size and Portability

Another thing to consider is the size and portability of the external SSD. There are different size options available on the market. But you should choose according to your need. For example, if you need to store a lot of data, you’ll want to choose a larger model. But if you need to be able to take your external SSD with you on the go, you’ll want to choose a smaller and more portable model. The  SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a great option if you need portability. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and it has a durable design.

Interface

The interface is the connection between the external SSD and your computer. The most common type of interface is USB 3.0. But there are also external SSDs that use Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C. The interface you choose will depend on the type of computer you have and the data transfer speed you need. If you have a newer computer, you’ll probably want to choose an external SSD with a Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C interface.

Compatibility

You’ll also want to make sure that the external SSD you choose is compatible with your computer. Most external SSDs are compatible with both Windows and macOS. But some are only compatible with one or the other. So, if you have a specific operating system in mind, you’ll want to make sure that the external SSD you choose is compatible with it. For example, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is compatible with both Windows and macOS. But the Samsung T5 Portable SSD is only compatible with Windows.

Conclusion

Based on the above observation, it can be concluded that an external SSD is a great storage solution if you need fast data transfer speeds and reliability. However, you should keep in mind the size, portability, interface, and compatibility when choosing an external SSD.

Moreover, the fastest and most expensive option is not always the best choice. So, you should choose the external SSD that best meets your needs.

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