10 Best Portable SSDs with USB Type-C Support [Most Bought]
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An internal SSD drive that manages to boast speed and durability will also cost you big time. This is the exact reason for which consumers are turning to external hard drives for their high-capacity storage needs.
A great SSD is vital for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a small fortune on a notebook with built-in storage.
Buying basics for external SSDs
Take a look at some valuable info that you need to consider before purchasing an external SSD.
- Cost/Gigabyte
The way to calculate the relative value on such drives is to perform some simple division. SSD pricing fluctuates all the time, and so does the relative value. The basement for budget external SSDs is about 25 cents per Gigabyte.
- Interface
External SSDs use both a USB-C port and the new USB 3.1 Gen 2 tech for the fastest speeds.
- The degree of ruggedness
This varies from drive to drive, and it’s important that it focuses on water and dust protection.
- Carry weight
Most external drives feature just a few ounces, and they’re notably lightweight. Some have a hollow-shell feel, and the others have a more substantial build. Watch out for extremely light and small SSDs because losing them is easy and a costly mistake to make.
Take a look at ten choices of SSDs that we have prepared for you below.
What are the best portable USB type-C SSDs?
SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 2TB (2TB) (recommended)
- Superfast read/write speeds of up to 540 MB/s
- Includes USB Type-C to C and USB Type-C to Type-A cables
- Simple and compact design
- Sturdy build
- So small that you might lose it
This is one of Samsung’s speediest and the most spacious device. It also features a rugged, premium-feeling metal shell and also a future-looking reversible USB type-C connector on the drive end.
The Portable SSD T5 is improved regarding build quality compared to the previous-generation T3 drive which was also nice enough.
Take a look at its most important features:
- It’s covered in silver metal, and it looks and feels much better than plastic.
- Samsung ditched the mid-waist bulge of the T3 for a slimmer shell, and it’s easier to pocket due to its smooth and flat sides.
- It comes with Windows Security Enabler, and it lets you password-protect the drive.
- It features Superfast Read-Write Speeds of up to 540 MB/s.
- It is small in size but huge in memory.
The Samsung Portable SSD T3 uses the Samsung 3D vertical NAND (V-NAND) technology to enhance density, performance, and efficiency while, at the same time, creating a smaller footprint.
This revolutionary design allows the device to hold large amounts of data in a compact drive. This is one of the most expensive options on the market.
WD 2TB My Passport SSD External Portable Drive (suggested)
- Speeds up to 540 MB/s
- Password protection with hardware encryption
- USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 2
- 2 TB of space
- A bit bulky
After you take one look at this, you will realize that this is the future of the storage that you will be carrying around with you. We start by mentioning that it’s USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Gen 2 ready and has read speeds up to 540 MB/s.
Take a look at its most remarkable features:
- It is durable, and it will fit in any pocket.
- It includes a USB Type-C to C cable but it also comes with a converter to Type-A; it’s, therefore, compatible with any USB port.
- It feels rugged and can withstand a drop from 6.5 feet (1.98 m).
The WD SSD drive has no less than 2 TB of storage but you can also find the 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB in stores that are less expensive.
SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable External SSD
- NVMe technology with transfer speeds to up to 1050 MB/s
- Forged aluminum body
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
- Lightweight and pocket-sized
- Could need formatting before use
This is the ultimate external SSD by SanDisk. It’s quite an amazing device for those of you who do not accept any compromise. It’s capable of delivering mind-bending data read-and-write speeds of up to 1050 MB via its USB-C connection.
It features a shock-resistant body, aluminum forget that can withstand drops of up to 2 m high. We’re not suggesting to test it that way but we’re sure that nothing is going to happen if you drop it in your living room from your pocket.
The solid-state technology will make sure that there are no moving parts to break or overheat, and SanDisk SecureAccess encryption software will keep your files private.
According to most users, the SSD exceeds all expectations and it’s perfect for working from an internal hard drive.
RAVPower Portable External SSD Pro
- AES 256 bit hardware encryption
- 540MB/S data transfer
- Small form-factor
- Low price
- The design might be considered too simple
The drive uses a USB 3.1 Type-C port, but it also features a SATA III data transmission technology. It comes with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables so you can connect it to any of your devices including your PC or even smartphone.
It’s small enough to fit any pocket but it’s like Fort Knox when it comes to your data security because it features a AES 256 bit hardware encryption.
This model features 512 GB storage space, enough for any travel purposes if you ask us.
LaCie Portable SSD High Performance External SSD
- USB-C and USB 3.0 cables included
- Speeds of up to 540MB/s
- Only 82 g
- Compatible with Thunderbolt 3
- Unusual shape for a SSD
The LaCie Portable SSD has a great deal to offer. It has both USB 3.0 and USB-C cable in the box and it will also work with Thunderbolt 3 ports.
This small gadget comes with a three-year data rescue plan. That means if you, somehow manage to lose the data you stored inside the drive, the manufacturer will atempt to recover the data in one of their labs for free.
In case you are looking for a fast, compact, and rugged drive that will also work with future PCs this is the ideal choice for you.
Crucial X8 2TB Portable SSD
Nothing is more crucial than protecting your data and Crucial’s X8 portable SSD anodized aluminum body can withstand drops from up to 7.5 feet.
And if you’re looking for a 2 TB drive with up to 1050 MB/s speeds, this one fits the bill.
We need to mention the fact that this drive comes with a USB-C 3.2 Gen2 cable so if you want to use it on a USB Type-A port you need to use the adapter which is also included in the box.
Silicon Power 1TB 3D NAND TLC Rugged Portable External SSD
According to its manufacturer, Silicon Power 1TB 3D NAND TLC Rugged Portable External SSD is compliant with the USA military-grade shockproof drop test so it won’t spill your data at the first fall.
That is thanks to its sturdy case of aluminum and special groove surface treatment that is also scratch-resistant.
The drive is equipped with a Type-C port and USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface for fast data transfers and back-ups.
You will find the Type-C to Type-C and the Type-C to Type-A cables in the box.
VectoTech Rapid 4TB External SSD USB-C Portable Solid State Drive
How much is enough? Because the VectoTech Rapid external SSD has no less than 4 TB of storage and it’s capable of transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s.
Its case is made out of durable Aluminum 1050 grade that makes this SSD resistant to minor scratches but also provides ideal heat dissipation.
In case you want a ton of storage with a large value in a fast drive, this will definitely be worth considering.
The USB-C and USB-A cables are included in the box.
Netac 2TB Portable SSD
Netac’s external SSD helps you boost the game loading, especially for PC but also for gaming consols like the XBox.
With rugged aluminum alloy case, this portable SSD is resistant to shock and vibration so you can be sure that your data is protected whether you’re at the office or hiking in the mountains.
This model features 2 TB storage and up to 500 MB/s transfer speeds. The cable supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard.
Samsung T7 Touch Portable SSD
First of all, the Samsung T7 portable SSD comes with a fingerprint scanner to protect your data wich makes it the perfect choice for sensitive data storage for office or business usage.
Its credit card size and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard that grants speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s, the T7 Touch extremely fast and highly portable.
Its solid aluminum body makes it also resistant to drops of up to 6 feet. T7 Touch comes with its own software to help you set up a password and fingerprints.
This is where we end our list, and we guarantee that if you’re looking for an external SSD featuring a USB type C port, all the SSDs presented above will turn out to be perfect for you.
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