SSDs are now taking over as a data storage unit, given the speeds they can reach and the costs that are getting lower and lower. With an SSD we will no longer have to worry about losing data or breaking the drive when we carry it around with us, since there are no mechanical parts sensitive to sudden accelerations or accidental impacts.
If we move many files between one computer and another, it is therefore convenient to immediately rely on portable SSDs, so as to be able to benefit from the maximum reading and writing performance.
In this guide we will show you the features that the best portable SSDs must have and, in the last chapter, we will also point out the best portable SSD models that you can buy online to save.
READ ALSO -> Best SSD disks to buy to make your PC go as fast as a tablet
1) Portable SSD features
Portable SSDs offer performances very similar to the versions intended for use on a fixed PC or notebook, since they contain the same chips and also the same controllers. The first substantial difference that we can find are the slightly more compact dimensions of the portable SSDs, thanks to the great progress in the field of miniaturization of chips and internal components (this also explains the great drop in prices that has occurred in recent years).
In a nutshell, portable SSDs, not designed to take place in 2.5-inch disk bays, contain very little "useless space" and the chips are compacted to fit in a much more compact container than SSDs to be used as disks computer interiors.
In some cases the chips inside the portable SSDs are so "small" that they are the size of a small portable charger, to achieve maximum portability and lightness.
So when we have to choose a portable SSD we will have to check very few features:
- Capacity : make sure to choose the 200 GB or higher models, so that we can store a large amount of files.
The 1 TB and more models are still quite expensive (especially if compared to mechanical discs), but they will soon reach highly competitive prices to completely replace the old technologies.
- Connectivity : the connection of the portable SSD must be made via USB 3.0, recognizable by the blue contacts inside the socket.
Only with this type of connection can we make the most of the performance of these drives (which normally comply with the SATA 3 standard).
Some models also have eSATA connections, but they are quite rare so we can also overlook it as a technical feature.
When we connect an SSD via USB 3.0 we make sure that the port of the laptop or desktop PC is also USB 3.0, otherwise the speed will be limited (we will use the one provided for the USB 2.0 standard, ten times slower).
The newer models can also be equipped with USB 3.1 Type-C connectivity, which allows to achieve performances very similar to the SATA connection but a compatible USB 3.1 Type-C port is required on the PC or notebook.
- Disk included or simple shell : currently we can buy both beautiful and ready-to-use portable SSDs and disk cases (empty inside), where we can place any 2.5-inch computer SSD.
The former are more practical to use, but the latter can accommodate any SSD model inside and it is also possible to replace it in the future in case of problems or capacity updates (we can go from 200 GB to 1 TB for example).
2) Buying guide
After seeing the (few) features to consider for external SSDs, we see in this part of the guide the best models that can be found online.
They are available with different colors, sizes and capacities, we will report those with the most affordable prices at the moment.
- KingDian 240gb External SSD USB 3.0 Portable (66 €)
- ADATA 256GB SD700 SSD Anti-shock military (76 €)
- WD 512GB My Passport SSD (114 €)
- Samsung T5 500GB Portable SSD, USB 3.1 Type-C (128 €)
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1 TB (€ 219)
- SanDisk SSD Extreme 500 Portable 1 TB (€ 279)
If instead we wanted to focus on disk cases (also called HDD enclosure), we can view the following models and then choose which 2.5-inch SSD to insert inside.
- POSUGEAR External Hard Drive Case 2.5 ", USB 3.0 (€ 8)
- AUKEY External Hard Drive Case 2.5 "USB 3.0 (11 €)
- Verbatim 53100, External Hard Disk Case (11 €)
- ElecGear 2.5 inch SATA SSD and HDD Hard Drive Enclosure (€ 12)
- UGREEN Case Hard Disk 2.5 '' USB 3.0 (€ 13)
- ELUTENG External USB Type-C SSD Hard Disk Box (€ 21)
Do we have any SSD to use as an external drive? In this case, we refer you to reading our guide on the best SSD disks to buy, in which we can find the best solid state drives that can be inserted inside these cases (but also on a PC to be updated in the case).
3) How to use external SSDs
After seeing how to buy a portable SSD, let's see together how we can use them concretely.
We can use them as simple external disks: they connect to the USB port and the internal space is used to copy and paste any type of file directly from File Explorer or Windows Explorer.
If we want to make automatic file backups, we can use the backup tool included in Windows 10: we open the Start menu and type Backup Settings .
From here we can add the connected SSD unit as a backup unit and automatically save the most precious files every time we connect the external disk to the PC; to deepen the discussion we can read our guide on all the backup and restore files tools included in Windows .
Alternatively we can use the SSD as an emergency operating system, bootable even when the PC is not working: in this case we will have to rely on a GNU / Linux distribution, as explained in our dedicated guide -> Install an ISO Linux on USB .
READ ALSO -> Programs to optimize SSDs (Samsung and others) and manage solid state drives
