Top 5 best external SSDs for 2024

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

SSD (Solid State Drive) external hard drives are increasingly in demand by professionals and photo and video enthusiasts alike. With the growing demand for fast file transfers, portable storage and large storage capacity, external SSDs are emerging as the ideal solution. In this article, I’ll be analyzing the Top 5 best external SSDs for 2024.

The importance of portable SSDs for photographers and videographers

Photographers and videographers need efficient, reliable storage solutions. With high-resolution image and video files taking up more and more space, an external hard drive is a necessity. However, an external SSD offers significant advantages over conventional hard disk drives (HDDs).

SSDs are much faster than HDDs, enabling faster file transfers and instant file access. This is essential for photographers and videographers who work with large files and need an efficient workflow.

What’s more, external SSD drives are more durable and reliable. They have no moving parts, making them more resistant to shocks and drops. This feature is particularly important for professionals who travel frequently and need a robust storage device, or even for nomadic content creators who travel the world.

What to Consider When Choosing an External SSD

When choosing an external SSD, there are several factors to consider:

Storage Capacity

Storage capacity is one of the most important factors to consider. The choice depends on the amount of data you need to store and your budget. External SSDs are available in various capacities, from 256 GB to 4 TB or more.

Data Transfer Speed

Data transfer speed is crucial for an efficient workflow. External SSDs offer significantly faster speeds than external HDDs. However, the specific speed may vary depending on the interface used (USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.1 Gen 2, or Thunderbolt) and the device itself.

Portability and durability

If you travel a lot or need to take your external SSD from place to place, portability is an important factor. External SSDs are generally compact and lightweight. Durability is also essential, especially if you’re working in harsh environments.

Now, let’s take a look at the five best external SSDs for 2024, taking into account the factors mentioned above.

Samsung T5 SSD

The Samsung T5 SSD is an excellent choice for those looking for a balance between price, speed and size. With a USB Type-C interface, it offers transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s. What’s more, with its compact and durable design, it’s a reliable option for photographers and videographers on the move.

Seagate Fast SSD

The Seagate Fast SSD is an affordable option with a good balance between price and performance. With a transfer speed of up to 540 MB/s and a maximum capacity of 2TB, it’s a solid choice for those who need reliable and fast external storage.

Samsung X5

For those looking for speed above all else, the Samsung X5 is an excellent choice. With a Thunderbolt 3 interface, it offers impressive transfer speeds of up to 2800 MB/s. However, this speed comes at a higher cost.

Adata SE730H

The Adata SE730H stands out for its portability and durability. With an IP68 rating, it is water and dust resistant, making it a robust choice for professionals on the move. It also offers decent transfer speeds of up to 500 MB/s.

WD My Passport Wireless SSD

The WD My Passport Wireless SSD is a great choice for photographers and videographers who need portable storage with the option of wireless transfer. With a transfer speed of up to 390 MB/s and a maximum capacity of 2TB, it offers a good balance between speed, capacity and convenience.

Conclusion

Choosing the best external SSD depends on your specific needs and budget. However, with the growing need for speed, portability and large storage capacities, an external SSD is a valuable choice for photographers and videographers. My selection of the Top 5 best external SSDs for 2024 offers a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets.

*(Some articles may have been written or structured with Artificial Intelligence, but they were all reviewed, improved and rewritten by a Human.)

**(May Contain Affiliate Links. It means I may earn a commission every time you click on one of the external links, but do not worry. There is no additional cost to you, on the contrary, Sometimes you can even have extra benefits and discounts. And you will be helping to maintain the blog. For more detailed information consult my Affiliate Disclosure Statement)