Among the new data storage products, there is the external SSD. Faster than the external hard drive, it can reach a capacity as impressive as its speed in reading and writing. But which one to choose? To ensure you get the best deal and find what you need, follow the guide.
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Our selection
"In addition to its 1TB capacity, the Samsung T5 MU-PA1T0B/EU ensures transfer speeds of 540MB/s. That's almost 5 times faster than the transfer speed of…"
"The PNY CS1050 Elite 480GB can fit in the palm of your hand. But to limit it to its size would be to misunderstand this…"
"Waterproof and guaranteed, the SanDisk Extreme PRO 2Tb external SSD claims a transfer speed of up to 2000 MB/s! PC or console gamers, don't hesitate.…"
"When it comes to storage devices, the Western Digital brand is regularly mentioned. So it's not surprising to see one of its external SSDs in…"
In addition to its 1TB capacity, the Samsung T5 MU-PA1T0B/EU ensures transfer speeds of 540MB/s. That's almost 5 times faster than the transfer speed of a conventional SATA hard drive!
See priceWith a capacity of 1TB, the Samsung T5 MU-PA1T0B/EU is an ultra-compact external SSD, weighing only 51g. Its metal chassis guarantees an optimal cooling of the chips inside. But the main advantage of this device is its transfer speed, about 540 MB/s in writing and reading.
With a USB Type-C Gen 1 connector alone, limited to 5 GB/s, this Samsung external SSD reaches 463 MB/s in reading and 323 MB/s in writing. Note that you'll get much higher speeds if you use a compatible USB Type-C Gen 2 connector, up to 540 MB/s read and 515 MB/s write.
The PNY CS1050 Elite 480GB can fit in the palm of your hand. But to limit it to its size would be to misunderstand this external SSD. Indeed, its transfer speed remains honorable, at over 400 MB/s.
See priceThe PNY CS1050 Elite 480GB offers 480GB of storage. It features an aluminum chassis with an included USB 3.0 cable to ensure high-speed transfers. In fact, the specifications indicate this external SSD can achieve 430MB/s read and 400MB/s write speeds on both PC and Mac.
Guaranteed for 3 years, the PNY CS1050 Elite 480GB has been formatted exFat by default. It tends to get hot during use, but that's not surprising given its compact size. In addition, the internal drive is UASP compatible, with SMART, NCQ and TRIM. Considering the price, this external SSD remains a very good deal.
Waterproof and guaranteed, the SanDisk Extreme PRO 2Tb external SSD claims a transfer speed of up to 2000 MB/s! PC or console gamers, don't hesitate. You would be wrong to miss out.
See priceThe SanDisk Extreme PRO 2TB is waterproof, very fast, very rugged and it comes with 2 USB Type-C cables. Admittedly, it is relatively expensive. But once you take a look at its write and read performance, you know right away that you've got a good deal. Indeed, if you are looking for very fast transfer speeds, it will make you happy. For example, with a Thunderbolt 3 port, you will get excellent performance, around 1050 MB/s in reading and almost as much in writing. SanDisk even announces up to 2000 MB/s reading and 2000 MB/s writing!
The shell is made of silicone, resists falls up to 2 m, certified IP55 against water and dust and equipped with a carabiner loop to take it everywhere. And we no longer need to introduce the Japanese brand, which has an excellent reputation on the market.
When it comes to storage devices, the Western Digital brand is regularly mentioned. So it's not surprising to see one of its external SSDs in this comparison. On the other hand, it is bulky.
See priceThe WD Black P50 2TB is bulky for an SSD. However, this generously sized WD enclosure is considered one of the toughest external SSD drives on the market. There's no risk of losing your data or game backups if dropped or submerged.
But ruggedness isn't everything with an SSD. Again, the WD BlackP50 surprises us with a read speed of up to 2,000 MB/s. Of course, reaching such a peak will require a USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 port. Also note that the SuperSpeed USB interface ensures a 20 GB/s throughput for your PC or console.
Any specific needs?
The best entry-level internal SSD
The best high-end external SSD
A particularly robust external SSD
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
7/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Samsung T5 MU-PA1T0B/EU 1 TB
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PNY CS1050 Elite 480 Go
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SanDisk Extreme PRO 2 To
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WD Black P50 2 To
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In addition to its 1TB capacity, the Samsung T5 MU-PA1T0B/EU ensures transfer speeds of 540MB/s. That's almost 5 times faster than the transfer speed of a conventional SATA hard drive!
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The PNY CS1050 Elite 480GB can fit in the palm of your hand. But to limit it to its size would be to misunderstand this external SSD. Indeed, its transfer speed remains honorable, at over 400 MB/s.
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Waterproof and guaranteed, the SanDisk Extreme PRO 2Tb external SSD claims a transfer speed of up to 2000 MB/s! PC or console gamers, don't hesitate. You would be wrong to miss out.
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When it comes to storage devices, the Western Digital brand is regularly mentioned. So it's not surprising to see one of its external SSDs in this comparison. On the other hand, it is bulky.
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Storage capacity
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1TB
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480 GB
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2TB
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2TB
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Read and write speed
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540MB/s and 540MB/s
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430 MB/s and 400 MB/s
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2,000MB/s and 2,000MB/s
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2,000MB/s and 2,000MB/s
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Hardware interface
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USB 3.1 Gen 2
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USB 3.1 Gen 1
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USB-C
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USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
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Dimensions
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7.4 x 5.73 x 1.5 cm
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6 x 3.6 x 0.9 cm
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11.1 x 5.8 x 1cm
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11.8 x 6.2 x 1.4
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Weight
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51 g
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50 g
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77g
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115g
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When choosing an external SSD, think about how you will use the drive. Will it sit in a desk drawer after you transfer your files? Or will it be in your laptop bag on the go? In general, SSDs are better equipped to handle shocks than HDDs. They don't have any moving parts that could malfunction under the wrong conditions. In addition, SSDs are quieter, more reliable, faster and have better cooling. However, this does not mean that all SSDs are equally robust. If you're considering buying an external SSD, make sure the drive's internal and external components are ready to handle any potential hazards.
Obviously, you buy an external SSD to add capacity to a game console or computer. But just how many gigabytes or terabytes do you need? Are you just going to store a few family photos? Or are you going to download 500 hours of movies to watch later? Gamers, photographers and videographers will need much more space than casual users. Entire projects can be stored on an external SSD for easy access. You can make changes directly from the SSD without having to copy the data. For comfortable use, it is recommended not to choose an external SSD under 500GB. Don't hesitate to go up to 2TB.
This is another important factor in choosing an external SSD. A slow drive can slow down program execution, with all the frustration that causes. The best external SSDs can boast read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s, which is 2 times faster than an entry-level external SSD and nearly 7 times faster than an external HDD! You should also know that the connection interface affects how fast you can actually transfer data to and from your external SSD. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, for example, averages 300-400 MB/s, while Gen 2 tops out at 700-800 MB/s. The source and destination of your data, such as your PC's slow HDD, will also impact the performance of your external SSD.
If
you're using your external SSD with multiple devices, compatibility will be an important consideration. Also, you need to make sure that the external SSD you choose can handle Windows and macOS. The reason is that Windows uses NTFS (New Technology File System), while MacOS uses APFS (Apple File System) to format the drive. Fortunately, you can partition your drive to handle both operating systems, provided your external SSD is compatible. If you plan to use large amounts of data, opt for a 2TB drive and dedicate 1TB for each operating system.
Security is an extremely important consideration for an external SSD. If there is no encryption to protect against attacks, your data is vulnerable to theft and data corruption. The best external SSDs work with Windows Bitlocker To Go, as well as Apple's File Vault, to ensure that your drive is encrypted and your data is safe. You can also use additional paid protection like those offered by Symantec and McAfee. In addition to encryption, you'll also want to make sure your external SSD can sync with Windows and macOS file backup services.
There are several possible uses for external SSDs. You can use an external SSD for any of the following:
For video editing
For students majoring in digital media, an external SSD drive is absolutely essential. Professors require their students to have one for their classes. They can bring their work to class on the SSD and continue working on it outside of class. The same applies to professional video editors. You can take your work with you wherever you go, and perhaps use a desktop computer as a backup location for your work.
As a primary hard drive
It is possible to install your operating system and all your applications directly on the external SSD. Your computer will boot up in record time and your software will launch much faster.
For storing video games
Gamers love external SSDs because they can take their games with them and run them from another computer or from their favorite gaming platform.
For data backup
It is possible to use an external SSD as a "Time Machine" backup drive for your Mac and for your Windows PC.
SSDs are types of storage that use flash memory to provide superior performance and durability. So external SSDs are really just big USB drives. Because there are a lot of small moving parts inside your HDD (magnetic heads, spindles, and spinning platters), it's easy for things to go wrong and you risk losing your important data. With no moving parts, external SSDs are more durable.
SSDs offer faster load times for games, applications and movies. Because of the technology they use, SSDs are lighter and better able to withstand all kinds of movement and shock. In addition, SSDs consume less power, allowing computers to run at lower temperatures.
External SSDs are a newer technology and, as such, are more expensive than external HDDs. While they are catching up, it can be more difficult to find large capacity SSDs. HDDs can be up to 2.5 times larger.
The technology behind external hard drives is the same as that found in internal HDDs. It is well known and well proven. Hard drives have been around for over 50 years. Over the years, they have continued to increase in storage capacity while decreasing in physical size. Hard drives, both internal and external, use rotating disks, or platters, to read and write data.
The advantages of external hard drives are that they are a reliable technology and are often cheaper than SSDs for the same amount of storage. Currently, hard drives are also available with more storage space than SSDs.
External hard drives also have many disadvantages mainly due to its physical parts. Obviously, reading and writing data is slower with HDD than with SSD. Also, physical search and retrieval of data takes longer than electronic search and retrieval of data. Mechanical parts can fail if they are handled roughly or if they fall off. This is mainly a problem with laptops, but not so much with desktops. Hard drives are also heavier and consume more power than SSDs.
The difference between HDDs and external SSDs is the technology used to store and retrieve data. HDDs are cheaper and you can get more storage space. However, SSDs are faster, lighter, more durable and use less power. Your needs will determine which type of storage will work best for you.
With more storage capacity, external HDDs are ideal for avid multimedia users who need more bytes on the go. It's also the ideal storage solution for families. You can easily back up the contents of your personal computer and keep your files and precious memories safe.
With fast read/write/transfer speeds, external SSDs are ideal for businesses, gamers and AV professionals. With some models offering a full suite of protection, securing your files has never been easier. Plus, external SSDs are compact, lightweight and rugged.
More durable
With HDDs, the continuous movement generated by small moving parts creates heat, which is a major factor in hard drive failure. Because SSDs have no moving parts, they are more reliable and shock resistant than HDDs.
Faster
The lack of moving parts also allows SSDs to be faster and more responsive. The best internal SSDs offer instant loading performance, which means faster boot times for your operating system, faster loading times for software, and better overall system responsiveness.
Much quieter
The absence of mechanical parts makes an SDS completely silent during operation. Zero noise is impossible on a hard drive. The rotation of the metal platter and the back and forth movement of the drive arm creates noise and even subtle vibrations.
Consumes less energy
We can't stress this enough, an SSD has no moving parts. Therefore, it doesn't require any mechanical work to become operational, which significantly reduces its power consumption. This means that an SSD is suitable for energy-efficient computers
Format the partition taking into account the operating system
Most external SSDs use exFAT as the default file system to create a seamless user experience, as it is supported by Windows, Mac, Android, etc. However, if you don't like using this file system, simply reformat it to NTFS or HFS+. However, if there is still data on the disk, you better transfer it to another device.
Partition reasonably
It is
not a wise choice to use the entire hard drive as a single partition. It makes it difficult to backup and manage data. For example, we may take a long time to locate a specified file from a large number of files. Therefore, it is very necessary to partition the SSD into multiple partitions, and you can do it during the system installation or in Disk Management of Windows and Disk Utility of Mac OS X.
Provide a partition manager
When
you use an external SSD, you may encounter different kinds of problems. For example, there is little free space left in one partition, while other partitions have a lot of unused space. Thus, the partition that stores important files gets saturated and the read-write speed gets reduced due to misalignment of the partition. But fortunately, a partition manager can help you solve all these problems with ease.
Get data recovery software
Data stored on an external SSD can be lost due to a handling error or accidental formatting. However, as long as you have data recovery software, your lost files can be recovered. Therefore, you can try MiniTool Partition Wizard's data recovery feature.
Also,
you can read the article on recovering lost data from hard drives to know more about it.
Define the settings to get the best performance from the SSD
While
an external SSD offers much better performance compared to an HDD drive, you can still make some other changes, such as enabling AHCI mode and TRIM function, to get better performance
.
The best external SSD depends on your needs and budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.
Currently, external SSDs have built-in erase functions and error correction mechanisms to increase their lifespan. However, in general, the lifetime of an SSD will be influenced by the usage methods and the operating environment.
If you are making a new purchase, it is recommended that you format the partition and assign it a drive letter. If you have been using it for some time, it is recommended that you try another interface or computer. If the problem persists, the hard drive may be defective.
To check the performance of your SSD, there are different test programs you can use. Moreover, they will have different results depending on the calculation method. In addition, the number of programs and the size of each program on the SSD will also affect the read speed. In addition, the performance of the computer equipment and processor will also affect the measured results. It is recommended to remove unnecessary software from the hard drive and test it with newer PCs.
Wear leveling is a process designed to extend the life of solid-state storage devices. External SSDs store data in blocks. Each block can tolerate a set number of program/erase cycles before becoming less efficient. Wear leveling organizes data so that write/erase cycles are evenly distributed across all blocks in the device.
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