The finest exterior SSD for gaming is a comparatively cheap approach to increase storage and velocity up the loading instances of one of the best PC video games with out the trouble of rummaging across the insides of your gaming PC. Merely plug one right into a free USB port in your gaming PC or gaming laptop computer, set up your sport, and play to your coronary heart’s content material.
Transportable SSDs don’t must be bland containers. Adata leans into a definite RGB-lit honeycomb impact and Sandisk makes a dust- and water resistant NVMe drive that matches into the palm of your hand. You possibly can even do it your self in case you personal a spare inside NVMe because of an enclosure from Asus turning your current drive into a conveyable storage system.
Transportable and exterior choices do include some caveats, after all, comparable to slower speeds. They’re a marked enchancment over exhausting drives, however you’ll need to seize one of the best SSD for gaming in case you’re all about efficiency. Try our information on how you can set up an SSD to verify it sits accurately.
So why purchase an exterior SSD? The benefit of a conveyable SSD is that you may swap it between gadgets with none fuss. With so many costs to select from and browse speeds starting from 540MB/s all the way in which as much as 2,800MB/s, we’ve rounded up a collection of drives for each utilization and funds so you’ll be able to select one of the best exterior SSD for you.
Discover one of the best exterior SSD for gaming in 2023:
1. Samsung Transportable T7 Defend
The very best exterior SSD general.
Samsung Transportable SSD T7 Defend Specs:
| Drive | PCIe NVMe |
| Connection | USB 3.2 |
| Capability | 500GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Learn velocity | 1000MB/s |
| Write velocity | 1050MB/s |
The Samsung Transportable T7 Defend presents the identical specs because the Samsung T7 in sixth place in our information and makes use of USB 3.2 for switch speeds of as much as 1000MB/s and 1050MB/s learn and write respectively. We’ve picked this rugged exterior SSD because the best choice as a result of it combines an affordable worth, sturdy design, quick switch speeds, and a usually seamless expertise.
By way of appears, it’s not an SSD designed completely with players in thoughts and due to this fact is somewhat on the utilitarian facet. The outside is constructed from rubber, and Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard controls warmth to take care of efficiency even for giant transfers. The SSD’s IP65 ranking additionally means a sure degree of water and dirt resistance, so you’ll be able to make certain that it’ll keep efficiency even after an unintended spill or drop.
Should you’re after a flexible, well-protected, and inexpensive exterior SSD for gaming, the Samsung Transportable T7 Defend is for you. Should you don’t want the additional safety, go for the usual T7 under.
2. Adata SE900G
The very best exterior SSD for gaming is the Adata SE900G.
Adata SE900G Specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | USB Sort-C / Sort-A |
| Capability | 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Learn velocity | 2,000MB/s |
| Write velocity | 2,000MB/s |
Adata’s NVMe-based mannequin is likely one of the quickest exterior drives we’ve seen, with each the sequential learn and write speeds coming in at 2,000MB/s. It connects through a USB Sort-C cable, though Adata features a Sort-A adapter within the field to raised cater to extra gadgets. We’d advocate the 1TB capability mannequin, though it’s additionally obtainable as a 512GB or 2TB drive.
The RGB lighting overlaying the highest of the drive is a flashy contact, making it have a look at residence with the finest gaming keyboard and finest gaming mouse.
3. SanDisk Excessive Transportable V2
The very best rugged exterior SSD.
Sandisk Excessive Transportable specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | USB Sort-C / Sort-A |
| Capability | 500GB / 1TB / 2TB / 4TB |
| Learn velocity | 1,050MB/s |
| Write velocity | 1,000MB/s |
We love the Sandisk Excessive Transportable, which is now on V2 because of its continued reputation. Regardless of its small dimension of two.07 x 3.97 inches, the Excessive Transportable nonetheless packs a punch. Due to the NVMe drive underneath the hood, it’s able to swift sequential learn and write speeds of 1,050MB/s and 1,000MB/s respectively.
It may possibly additionally take a beating with two-meter drop safety, and IP55 water and dirt resistance, making it the proper journey companion for the finest gaming laptop computer – not that we advocate chucking it round. We’ve used our authentic drive each single day for years, and have by no means as soon as had any points.
It connects through USB Sort-C, though there’s a Sort-A adaptor included too. You possibly can decide the drive up in capacities starting from 500GB as much as a whopping 4TB, and sizes from 1TB now are available in two funky blue colorways. It really is moveable and is designed with a gap within the nook to be able to clip it onto your keys or a bag.
4. Lexar SL660 Blaze Transportable SSD
The very best moveable gaming SSD.
Lexar SL660 Blaze Specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | USB 3.2 |
| Capability | 512GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Learn velocity | 2000MB/s |
| Write velocity | 1900MB/s |
The Lexar Blaze SL660 is the proper alternative for you if you’d like a devoted moveable gaming SSD. Appropriate with PC, in addition to PS5, PS4, Xbox, it’s a flexible drive that mixes reliability and efficiency with an important worth. It’s not the quickest SSD on this information, however the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 help ensures quick learn and write speeds.
Just like the Asus ROG Strix Arion under, the Blaze has a beautiful RGB design. At simply 2.5 inches large, it additionally boasts a really moveable kind issue, comes with a removable stand for added performance, and its aluminum building ensures safety from shock and drops. Safety-wise, it presents 256-bit AES encryption software program answer to guard your information.
The draw back of the Lexar Blaze SL660 gaming SSD is that it wants a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 connection to get one of the best efficiency. The capability additionally maxes out at 1TB, which can be too low for some, however if you’d like a really moveable SSD to enhance a bigger exhausting drive, this won’t be an issue.
5. Asus ROG Strix Arion
The very best NVMe enclosure is the Asus ROG Strix Arion.
Asus ROG Strix Arion Specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Capability | N/A |
| Learn velocity | N/A |
| Write velocity | N/A |
Should you’ve already acquired a spare inside NVMe drive, the Arion can convert into an exterior SSD that appears a deal with in comparison with different enclosures. The USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connection transfers as much as 10Gb/s, letting it take full benefit of even the quickest NVMe fashions.
The aluminum casing additionally has some adjustable RGB lighting for further aptitude, whereas thermal pads inside assist to maintain temperatures low to keep away from thermal throttling.
6. Samsung Transportable SSD T7
The very best funds exterior SSD.
Samsung T7 Specs:
| Drive | PCIe NVMe |
| Connection | USB 3.2 |
| Capability | 500GB / 1TB / 2TB |
| Learn velocity | 1000MB/s |
| Write velocity | 1050MB/s |
The Samsung T7 makes use of USB3.2 to permit zippy switch speeds NVMe kind issue, however this helps to maintain the value low. In actual fact, it’s one of the best funds exterior SSD that’s nearly 9 instances sooner than an exterior exhausting drive, rated at 1000MB/s sequential learn and 1050MB/s sequential write speeds – double the earlier Samsung T5 for across the similar worth.
The T7 is well-built, with a sturdy metallic enclosure that you should purchase in a number of vivid colorways. Though it isn’t as rugged because the T7 Defend SSD that takes the highest spot in our information, it’s a brilliantly inexpensive possibility. And with a three-year assure, you may be reassured towards your buy for a while to come back.
The all-metal physique offers it a stable really feel and helps it face up to drops of two meters. And, if safety is on the entrance of your thoughts, you should utilize Samsung’s software program to lock the drive with a 256-bit encrypted password.
7. Seagate Storage Enlargement Card
The very best SSD for Xbox consoles.
Seagate Storage Enlargement Card specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | Xbox enlargement slot |
| Capability | 1TB / 2TB |
| Learn velocity | N/A |
| Write velocity | N/A |
The Xbox Collection X / S received’t assist you to set up and play present technology video games on any random exterior SSD, as a substitute making use of the enlargement slot on the rear of the console. Seagate’s NVMe is at present the one mannequin that matches into Microsoft’s proprietary port and presents learn and write speeds an identical to the console’s inside NVMe solid-state drive.
There’s no USB connection, nonetheless, so that is solely an exterior SSD for the most recent Xbox consoles slightly than one on your PC.
8. Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock
The finest exterior Steam Deck SSD is the Jsaux M.2 SSD Steam Deck dock.
Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock specs:
| Drive | NVMe |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Capability | 1TB, 2 TB |
| Learn velocity | 3,300MB/s |
| Write velocity | 2,600MB/s |
Valve’s handheld has a solid-state drive dwelling inside, however the Jsaux M.2 SSD Steam Deck dock will prevent from upgrading the hand held’s innards. Somewhat than utilizing a separate exclosure, the docking station options its personal slot stowed away underneath a again cowl, that means you’ll have much less cowl when enjoying in desktop mode.
Choosing the M.2 Steam Deck dock over an inside SSD improve means you’ll be capable to add as much as 2TB of exterior storage, and you may both select your individual drive or decide up one in all Jsaux’s bundles. The setup makes for an effective way to swap video games between your desktop setup and the hand held’s storage, which in flip will prevent from continuously deleting issues to make room.
Should you’re eager to be taught extra in regards to the docking station’s different capabilities, we’d recommend trying out of Jsaux M.2 Steam Deck dock evaluate. You’ll additionally discover quite a lot of completely different add-ons inside our greatest Steam Deck equipment record, together with other ways to increase the hand held’s storage.
