The Greatest Moveable SSDs in 2023
PetaPixel has lengthy been a fan of SanDisk merchandise as a result of their once-sterling repute and infrequently glorious efficiency. Nevertheless, a few of SanDisk’s moveable SSDs fail so regularly that we will not advocate them. So with that in thoughts, what are the perfect alternate options?
Fortuitously, even with SanDisk, Western Digital (SanDisk’s mother or father firm), and sibling operation, G-Expertise, off the desk, photographers and videographers nonetheless have loads of glorious moveable SSDs to contemplate.
This story was collaboratively written by Jeremy Grey, Jaron Schneider, and David Crewe.
At a Look
Why Purchase a Moveable SSD?
Earlier than moving into which moveable SSDs are greatest, it’s value briefly discussing why somebody may need a moveable SSD in any respect.
Exterior storage is an effective way to increase a pc’s inner storage and have further backups of essential recordsdata in case a drive fails — which might occur with any drive, albeit at a decrease price than what is occurring with SanDisk.
Within the case of a conveyable SSD, which stands for solid-state drive, customers additionally obtain improbable efficiency and speeds {that a} moveable arduous disk drive (HDD) can not match. Utilizing an SSD as a working drive is a well-liked alternative for a lot of, as they’ll edit photographs and movies not saved on their laptop.
One other benefit of SSD expertise is that it’s usually fairly sturdy. Whereas an HDD has spinning elements which are inclined to break when dropped or bumped, SSDs are flash storage and, subsequently, capable of take rather more abuse than HDDs.
For photographers on the go, the ruggedness of moveable SSDs is essential. If somebody is backing up photographs within the subject, it’s essential that the exterior storage can survive a bump, drop, and even an unintentional swim. Some drives included on this information have IP scores for water resistance.
In comparison with their HDD counterparts, SSDs are additionally smaller, lighter, and require much less energy. The moveable SSDs on this record are powered instantly from the pc (generally known as bus-powered) and take up about as a lot room in a bag as an additional digicam battery or two.
Finally, moveable SSDs are a flexible, high-performance storage answer that permits customers to again knowledge up, work instantly from a drive, and, most significantly, maintain their knowledge secure and safe.
What to Search for in a Moveable SSD
Provided that PetaPixel felt that it was necessary to put in writing a information to the perfect alternate options to SanDisk’s moveable SSDs means that reliability and knowledge safety is of paramount significance. Customers should consider their photographs and movies are secure on a conveyable SSD.
Efficiency issues too. For the moveable SSDs featured on this information, we have now evaluated their efficiency utilizing Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. This app measures a drive’s sustained learn and write efficiency, measured in MB/s. A drive’s efficiency not often matches producer specs.
Nonetheless, it is important to contemplate how shut efficiency is to absolutely the optimum velocity throughout real-world use and the way every moveable SSD compares to the competitors. If a videographer needs to edit 4K 60p video utilizing a conveyable SSD as a working drive, their drive should be quick sufficient to work in that utilization state of affairs.
Alongside efficiency, different features of a conveyable SSD have an effect on its worth to customers. Dimension and weight, the standard of the included cable, construct high quality, value, and even model are all important components.
Testing Methodology and Examined SSDs
As a way to present our greatest choice for SSD, PetaPixel evaluated the drives on quite a few components. We checked out pure efficiency (out of the field, when crammed, and when emptied of knowledge), which we are going to get into extra beneath, in addition to measurement, warmth generated whereas in use, included equipment, guarantee, and an organization’s historical past within the area. Whereas a few of these components are subjective, a lot is goal. By combining all these components and discussing the outcomes as a workforce, we had been capable of present our picks for the perfect choices.
In our testing, we did our greatest to imitate precise use instances for a drive, filling, utilizing when crammed, and emptying. Consequently, that’s how we categorized a drive’s speeds. As a word, we count on some deviation of speeds when operating and re-running assessments. It’s not uncommon to see jumps and dips in efficiency by as much as 100 and even 200 MB/s with Thunderbolt-connected drives and between 50 and 100 MB/s on USB-C-connected drives. We count on a drive to run slower when full than when empty, and we additionally count on it to bounce again when that full drive is emptied once more.
Along with the drives listed beneath, we additionally examined the Sabrent Rocket Nano XTRM, however as a result of some points with our unit and testing inconsistencies, we have now opted to go away it off this information for now. And as talked about, whereas we might have included SanDisk merchandise on this check, as a result of ongoing points at Western Digital, we have now determined to not focus on the model or advocate its merchandise till notable modifications have been made that guarantee they gained’t fail.
Lastly, in all instances we make a remark of what the precise SSD flash unit is inside of every of those moveable drives. Whereas that’s simpler with some than others, we predict this stage of transparency is necessary in order that the reliability of a drive over time might be tracked. If an organization is unable or unwilling to supply us with the precise mannequin variety of an SSD flash unit, we are going to word that.
LaCie Rugged SSD Professional
LaCie, a Seagate model, was for years synonymous with the time period “rugged” because of its extremely popular sequence of moveable HDDs, the aptly named Rugged sequence. However as HDDs fell out of favor as a result of their weak reliability and enormous measurement (though Seagate does nonetheless make them), the transition to SSD has not led to LaCie grabbing as sturdy a maintain on the moveable area because it as soon as loved.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply the corporate doesn’t produce high quality moveable SSDs below that Rugged model title, and the LaCie Rugged SSD is a stable performer that retains a lot of the id of the unique Rugged line, sans the ostentatious orange coloration (that may be discovered on the non-pro versions of the SSD though).
Just like the Rugged drives of outdated, the Rugged SSD is surrounded by a thick rubber layer that retains it secure from drops and even some liquid, supplied none of it touches the open USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 port on the facet. LaCie advertises it as IP67 water and dirt resistant, which is greater than most drives of comparable measurement can declare.
Leaping into efficiency, we had been more than happy with what the Rugged SSD Professional was able to. Out of the field, it averaged 2,650 MB/s learn speeds and 1,804.7 MB/s write speeds (examined with a Thunderbolt connection, so count on not more than half this stage of velocity utilizing USB-C). When almost full, the drive continued to impress, with 2,689.1 MB/s learn speeds and 1,375.2 MB/s write speeds. The learn speeds are inside an anticipated deviation vary when doing assessments like this and the write speeds, whereas slower which is predicted, are nonetheless fairly excessive. As soon as the drive was emptied, it settled at nonetheless nice efficiency: 2,561.5 MB/s learn speeds and 1,530.4 MB/s write speeds.
What additional differentiates the brand new SSD from the outdated HDDs is that it’s a lot smaller and lighter. It measures 3.9 by 2.6 by 0.7 inches and weighs a scant 0.22 kilos, making it one of many smallest and lightest drives we examined. Contemplating the problem in managing velocity, capability, and warmth the smaller a drive will get, that is all fairly spectacular.
In use, the LaCie Rugged SSD Professional does get heat, however by no means will get scalding sizzling like a few of its contemporaries, probably as a result of rubber case that surrounds the precise SSD, which seems efficient in sinking warmth.
It’s accessible in 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB configurations for $210, $270, and — bafflingly — $1,000 respectively. You’ll need to keep away from the 4TB model for what must be apparent causes; at that value, it’s not a superb deal. No matter which capability you choose, it ships with a really quick Thunderbolt 3 cable — like, very quick: it’s lower than a foot lengthy. It doesn’t ship with a USB-C cable or a USB-C to USB-A cable, so for those who don’t plan to make use of Thunderbolt 3, you’ll have to provide your personal connection.
For individuals who need to examine on the reliability of the flash reminiscence, the LaCie Rugged SSD makes use of a model of the Seagate FireCuda 530 SSD. This SSD has some excellent performance and reliability numbers, which is one other constructive on the Rugged SSD’s facet.
Total, the LaCie Rugged SSD Professional is a worthy successor to the storied Rugged title and performs extraordinarily nicely. Additionally it is backed by a five-year guarantee — probably the most we have now seen within the SSD area — and it’s a sturdy, light-weight, and really small SSD that has the advantages of Thunderbolt on its facet — solely considered one of two we have now examined that brings that functionality to the desk. You pay for it, nevertheless, and it’s not going to be the perfect worth for many who don’t need or use Thunderbolt.
Execs: Very quick, stays cool, is sort of sturdy, is small and light-weight, and has a five-year guarantee.
Cons: Costly, particularly for those who’re not utilizing Thunderbolt.
Synology BeeDrive
The Synology BeeDrive is a compact moveable SSD designed for moveable knowledge backup that makes use of USB 3.2 expertise.
Alongside fairly good {hardware} efficiency, the BeeDrive works alongside an accompanying app on desktop and cell to allow choose folder backup, model historical past preservation, and file syncing.
For customers with a number of computer systems, corresponding to a piece and residential laptop, Synology BeeDrive mechanically syncs recordsdata from one machine to a different as quickly as it’s plugged in. With BeeDrive for cell, customers can backup instantly from their cell machine as nicely over Wi-Fi, guaranteeing that they’ll unlock precious storage on their cellphone or pill. BeeDrive can sync with as much as 5 cell gadgets.
Nevertheless, BeeDrive’s spectacular software program options are at present solely accessible on Home windows, Android, and iOS. BeeDrive additionally works alongside iCloud Images on iOS. A macOS model is within the works and coming quickly.
Whereas the software program for BeeDrive continues to be in growth for macOS, the machine stays an interesting moveable SSD possibility on macOS within the interim. Out there in 1TB ($119.99) and 2TB ($199.99) versions, the BeeDrive is a compact, ready-to-go moveable SSD with sensible software program.
The moveable SSD can also be very light-weight. In contrast to a few of the different moveable SSDs on this information, the BeeDrive has a plastic outer shell. Whereas that will appear “low cost” at first look, it’s nonetheless rated to outlive drops as much as two meters (about six and a half toes) and the plastic shell stays impressively cool throughout use.
The BeeDrive ships with a 0.3m (11.8 inches) USB-C to USB-C cable. Nevertheless, the drive additionally features a dongle for USB-A that one finish of the USB-C cable plugs into. It’s a intelligent answer and a lot better than delivery two separate cables.
The cable feels high-quality and sport BeeDrive branding on them, which is a pleasant contact. The BeeDrive’s USB-C port feels a bit free, however the cable stays connected even when calmly tugged.
As for efficiency, Synology BeeDrive is aggressive with lots of the choices on this information. The BeeDrive’s learn velocity averages simply above 870 MB/s when the drive is empty and round 841 MB/s when it’s full. The machine’s write velocity hovers from round 765 to 800 MB/s throughout the board.
Synology was unable to present PetaPixel any indication as to what the flash unit contained in the BeeDrive is or who manufactures it. It’s protected by Synology’s five-year guarantee, although.
Total, the Synology BeeDrive is a pleasant moveable SSD with clever software program for file syncing and file backup throughout gadgets. It’s barely disappointing that the BeeDrive isn’t accessible in a 4TB model, however it stays a compelling alternative for individuals who need a moveable SSD extra for backup and file switch relatively than as a super-powered working drive.
Execs: Compact and light-weight design, stays comparatively cool throughout use, and works alongside clever syncing and backup software program.
Cons: Not very quick and the software program isn’t accessible for macOS (but).
Samsung Protect T7
The Samsung T7 Protect moveable SSD is compact, light-weight, and sturdy. With IP65 ranking for mud and water resistance and Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage warmth, it’s a nice alternative for photographers and videographers on the go. Additionally it is rated to outlive drops of as much as about 10 toes.
The T7 Protect comes in 1TB ($79.99), 2TB ($119.99), and 4TB ($249.99) capacities and in three colours (black, blue, and beige). The machine has a ridged design with a soft-touch rubber end that retains the drive firmly planted on a desk or desk.
PetaPixel examined the 4TB T7 Protect, which is just accessible in black, and it weighs just below 3.5 ounces and is is 3.5 inches lengthy. The machine is 2.3 inches tall and 0.5 inches thick. Its footprint is about the identical as a bank card.
The included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables are 0.45 meters lengthy (1.48 toes), which is unusually lengthy for a conveyable SSD, and are completely positive in use. The T7 Protect’s USB-C port presents a robust connection to the connected cable.
As for efficiency, Samsung guarantees learn/write speeds of as much as 1,050/1,000 MB/s. In testing, the drive didn’t fairly attain these speeds and was among the many slowest SSDs that PetaPixel examined.
Contemporary out of the field, the learn velocity got here up simply wanting 800 MB/s and the write velocity was round 650 MB/s. When full, the learn velocity dropped all the way down to about 650 MB/s whereas the write velocity stayed regular at round 650 MB/s as nicely.
This efficiency is just so-so, however there may be nonetheless fairly a bit to love in regards to the Samsung T7 Protect SSD, together with its aggressive value, rugged design, and Samsung’s respected flash storage expertise.
Samsung says that the flash contained in the T7 is made in-house however didn’t give us a selected mannequin quantity, which makes it tough to trace reliability over time. Samsung’s SSDs are largely well-respected, although, and it’s protected by the corporate’s three-year guarantee.
For content material creators who benefit from the nice open air and don’t require absolutely the quickest potential moveable SSD storage answer, the T7 Protect SSD is a wonderfully affordable possibility.
Execs: Rugged design with climate resistance and inexpensive pricing.
Cons: The slowest general possibility within the information.
OWC Envoy Professional FX
OWC’s Envoy Professional FX is what you get for those who care about efficiency and nothing else. Whereas it’s not by any means massive, particularly in comparison with the HDD choices that was once the norm, it’s far and away the biggest SSD we examined by not less than an element of 4. It measures 0.8 by 4.3 by 2.6 inches. It’s massive, chunky, and shockingly heavy, however it does convey the perfect efficiency to the desk.
Identical to the one different Thunderbolt SSD on this record, the Envoy Professional FX is IP67 rated. In a fall, given its beefy aluminum building, we don’t doubt it’ll be extra prone to break no matter it lands on than be damaged itself, too. We maintain mentioning the burden however that’s as a result of it’s so absurd: the OWC Envoy FX Professional ideas the scales at a frightening 0.54 kilos. Greater than half a pound! By comparability, you may match six Essential X10 Professional SSDs into the burden of 1 Envoy FX Professional of the identical capability.
Whereas it’s not going to win any contests for its portability, it does shine in efficiency. Out of the field, it clocked in at 2,720.2 MB/s learn speeds and a pair of,121.2 MB/s write speeds. As soon as crammed, that expectedly dipped to 1,504.2 MB/s learn speeds and 1,787.8 MB/s write speeds. As soon as emptied once more, it rebounded to 2,682.4 MB/s learn speeds and a pair of,103.5 MB/s write speeds. We did word it received fairly sizzling throughout use to the purpose it wasn’t comfy to the touch it for very lengthy.
The Envoy Professional FX completely hauls in comparison with the remainder of the drives we examined, exhibiting the perfect efficiency by a superb margin. It additionally ships with a fairly lengthy 2.3-foot Thunderbolt 4 cable (regardless that it’s only a Thunderbolt 3 drive) that comes with a USB-A adapter, which is a pleasant addition. It additionally consists of OWC’s three-year guarantee.
Given its heft and bodily dimensions, we advocate the Envoy Professional solely for many who really want the velocity — video editors, particularly, come to thoughts. They’ll get probably the most worth, however for those who don’t want these excessive speeds or don’t take care of Thunderbolt, you’d be greatest served Essential or Samsung’s choices.
One thing else to notice is that the SSD contained in the Envoy Professional FX is a Kioxia 5th-gen BiCS Flash which, whereas designed by Kioxia, is manufactured by Western Digital. WD is in sizzling water with the SanDisk state of affairs (and different issues), so something related to the model carries with it some stigma. We don’t have any purpose to consider this drive will fail like first-party WD drives, this specific SSD has reviewed nicely, and we belief OWC, however those that need to keep away from WD fully will probably need to look elsewhere.
The OWC Envoy Professional FX is accessible in 480GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capability choices at $195, $220, $300, and $450 respectively directly from OWC.
Execs: The quickest possibility we examined, sturdy construct, and comes with a three-year guarantee.
Cons: Very massive and heavy
Essential X10 Professional SSD
Essential, a Micron firm, is a relative newcomer to the moveable SSD area, not less than with regards to supporting photographers and filmmakers. That stated, it’s a really well-known model within the PC area and makes a few of the best-quality reminiscence merchandise to be used in computer systems. Micron can also be the previous mother or father firm of Lexar, which signifies that it not less than has some expertise with constructing merchandise for creatives, even when it’s been a number of years because it performed on this sandbox.
The Essential X10 Professional is the nicest and highest-end SSD product the corporate makes now, which is why it was chosen for this information. Another excuse is that it’s in all probability the drive that’s best with Samsung given measurement and promised efficiency.
Talking of measurement, the Essential X10 Professional could be very small: it’s 2.5 by 1.75 by 0.25 inches, making it simply match within the palm of the hand and is smaller than a bank card exterior of the thickness. It additionally weighs subsequent to nothing at 0.09 kilos (40.7 grams). It’s the smallest SSD we have now ever examined.
Essential says that it was capable of pack critical efficiency into this tiny type issue with out compromising it with extreme warmth era because of some intelligent {hardware} choices. The X10 Professional makes use of single-ASIC moveable storage structure to ship a super-compact, high-speed drive that has probably the most capability per sq. millimeter within the trade whereas additionally producing much less warmth. I can affirm this final bit to be correct as whereas the X10 Professional did get heat, it by no means received so sizzling that it was uncomfortable to the touch.
It additionally performs very nicely. Whereas the corporate designed it to work greatest with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, that’s not a typical connection proper now, so we examined it with the idea that almost all consumers wouldn’t have entry to it. The X10 Professional registered 919.7 MB/s learn speeds and 845.1 MB/s write speeds recent out of the field. That dipped barely to 652 MB/s learn speeds and 653.8 MB/s write speeds when almost crammed to capability, however bounched again to 879.2 MB/s learn speeds and 831 MB/s write speeds when emptied once more. That could be very regular efficiency that bests Samsung’s T7, its closest competitor, throughout the board.
Essential says that the X10 Professional makes use of Micron’s TLC NAND flash, stating that it’s at present Micron’s 176-layer TLC NAND. Whereas the corporate didn’t give us a precise mannequin quantity, that narrows the potential chips it could possibly be all the way down to mainly one: the Micron 2400 series. Micron’s SSDs are largely nicely revered and it backs the X10 Professional with a stellar five-year guarantee, which is greater than common.
The Essential X10 Professional ships with a reasonably quick 9.5-inch USB-C cable and is accessible for in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB configurations for $120, $170, and $290 respectively — it’s already accessible for much less from choose retailers, piling on to an already glorious worth. This drive won’t have the “rugged” exterior of its friends, however is IP55 rated so it’s harder than it appears to be like. It’s a quick, dependable, and intensely compact answer value strongly contemplating.
Execs: Tremendous small, moderately quick, inexpensive, and stays cool throughout use. It additionally comes with a improbable five-year guarantee.
Cons: One of the best efficiency is locked behind USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.
Exascend Explorer Moveable SSD
The Taiwan-based Exascend won’t be a family title, however the model has been making storage gadgets since 2006, so they’re no newcomer. The model has been supporting the photographer and videographer markets and just lately impressing with the efficiency of, particularly, its reminiscence playing cards.
The Explorer Portable SSD is considered one of three completely different moveable stable state drive choices from the corporate and is arguably probably the most rugged, boasting powerful shockproof casing with added rubber exterior “pores and skin” and an IP67 ranking in opposition to water and dirt. This extends past simply the exterior case because the protecting coatings are utilized to the interior circuit boards and embedded elements as nicely, successfully defending the whole machine from any potential climate harm.
The USB-C drive measures roughly 4.3 by 2.46 by 0.6 inches (110mm by 62.6mm by 1.55mm) making it not the smallest on this record, however nonetheless very simple to tuck away in any bag or pocket for simple journey. The Explorer weighs about 7.8 ounces (222 grams) with the included USB cable, which is on the heavier facet.
The drive doesn’t get too sizzling to deal with when in fixed use. Throughout testing, the Explorer was actively studying and writing knowledge nonstop for a number of hours and whereas it get notably heat to the contact, it was by no means what we’d classify as “sizzling.” The silicone case probably has so much to do with that.
Exascend declined to inform PetaPixel the precise mannequin and producer of the flash SSD contained in the Explorer, solely going as far as to say it’s a 3D TLC Flash unit. Moreover, whereas Exascend guarantees some fairly sky-high efficiency numbers, it suffers from the identical situation that the Essential X10 Professional does: you’re solely going to get these on the uncommon USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port. On typical USB-C connections, the unit reached 954.9 MB/s learn and 933.4 MB/s write speeds when empty, 827.5 MB/s learn and 805 MB/s write speeds when full, and 831.7 MB/s learn and 828.1 MB/s write speeds when emptied once more. Total, excellent numbers for a non-Thunderbolt machine and whereas it isn’t as quick because it was straight out of the field, the numbers are nonetheless good.
Whereas Exascend gained’t say what precise SSD lives contained in the Explorer housing, the corporate does supply a stellar five-year guarantee and guarantees that it might deal with as much as 12,000 TB written earlier than the reminiscence cells begin to degrade.
The Exascend 20Gbps Moveable SSD ships with a 18 inch USB-C cable (with included USB-3 adapter) and a silicone rubber case for added safety. It’s accessible in 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations for $159, $249, $499, and $1,259 respectively.
Execs: Pocket Sized, moderately quick, and comes with a 5 yr guarantee.
Cons: Heavy, and requires USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 to succeed in most quoted speeds.
Efficiency Outcomes At a Look
To assist perceive the sort of efficiency you’ll be able to count on from these drives, we’ve charted all their efficiency on a single graph:
Throughout the board, we felt that the entire drives we examined carried out fairly nicely from a pure efficiency standpoint. Whereas some received hotter than others which could impact how lengthy a drive’s lifespan will probably be, we don’t assume there’s a “dangerous” SSD of this group. Nevertheless, we do have our favorites.
PetaPixel’s High Picks
The Greatest USB-C Moveable SSD in 2023: Essential X10 Professional
One of the best USB-C Moveable SSD accessible now could be the Crucial X10 Pro SSD.
Backed by Essential’s and Micron’s sterling repute, the X10 Professional SSD delivers nice velocity in an impressively compact type issue. It’s the smallest SSD that we have now ever examined and it weighs simply 0.09 kilos (40.7 grams). It’s usually the case that packing swift storage right into a compact bundle may end up in extreme warmth. Nevertheless, that’s not the case with the Essential X10 Professional because of Essential’s intelligent moveable storage structure.
The Essential X10 Professional SSD goes to point out that good issues do are available small packages.
You will need to word that whereas the Essential X10 Professional SSD is our choose for the perfect USB-C moveable SSD in 2023, it isn’t the outright quickest one which we examined. That honor goes to the Exascend Explorer. Nevertheless, the Exascend Explorer slowed down greater than the Essential drive after prolonged use and the Taiwanese firm refused to inform PetaPixel the particular flash storage used within the Explorer. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless an amazing possibility.
That stated, the Samsung T7 Protect and Synology BeeDrive are additionally compelling selections. They lack the velocity and efficiency of the Essential and Exascend moveable SSDs, however the T7 Protect and BeeDrive supply sturdiness and complex software program options, respectively.
The Greatest Thunderbolt Moveable SSD in 2023: LaCie Rugged Professional
The LaCie Rugged Pro SSD is the perfect Thunderbolt-equipped moveable SSD in 2023.
Its velocity is simply barely shy of the OWC Envoy Professional FX however the LaCie is considerably smaller and runs cooler. The OWC additionally makes use of SSD expertise designed by Kioxia — nice! — however manufactured by Western Digital — much less nice. For that purpose, we favor the LaCie Rugged SSD Professional and its Seagate SSD. But when that doesn’t trouble you and also you don’t care that in regards to the further weight, it’s a speedy little SSD.
Whereas we fortunately advocate the LaCie Rugged SSD Professional as the perfect Thunderbolt drive on this record, we advise in opposition to the 4TB model. Not due to any efficiency issues, however due to its eye-watering value of $1,000 and relative rarity on retailer cabinets. The 1TB and 2TB variations are moderately priced at $210 and $270, respectively.
