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Portable drives are storage devices that allow you to conveniently carry a large amount of data from one computer to another.
Or you can use one as an offline backup — tuck it away, and nobody can hack into your essential information.
Find below the list of the best portable drives I’ve tested. Chances are you’ll find one that goes well with your situation or makes a great gift for any occasion.
Dong’s note: I last updated this frequently revised post on March 22, 2022.
Best Portable Drives: The lists
There are two lists.
One is portable drives that have what I’d call the “storage vault” level of security. The second list includes traditional portable drives for general usage.
Both lists consist of hard-drive-based and SSD-based portable drives. They also include devices of different interfaces, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), Gen 2 (10Gbps), Gen 2×2 (20Gbps), and Thunderbolt 3/4 (40Gbps).
If you’re confused about these interfaces, you’re not alone. Check out this post on the USB-C port type where I explained them all.
Important note: The number in front of each name is just the review order and not the ranking. Any of these will serve you well. It’s a question of how well, and that requires some reading — check out the full review!
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find out how their performance stacks up against one another.
A. The ultra-secure storage vaults
Again this list includes a portable drive for those with serious concerns about data breaches. They keep information absolutely safe from prying eyes.
In return, though, they will not keep the information from being destroyed, so don’t use any of them to store the only copy of your important data.
5. iStorage diskAshur M2: Super-Secure and rugged with a bit of Oddity
The diskAshur M2 is another ultra-secure drive from iStorage that has two other members on this list.
The M2 is an ultra-compact portable SSD that has an interpreted keypad. The drive was excellent in my testing, except it uses a Micro-B SuperSpeed USB port instead of USB-C.
Pros
Strong hardware encryption and security keypad
Fast USB 3.2 Gen 1 performance
Cons
Micro-B Superspeed port instead of USB-C
PIN management can be overwhelming
Software patch needed for each Windows computer
4. Apricorn Aegis Padlock SSD: The convient keeper of secrets
Similar to the diskAshur PRO2 below, the Apricorn Aegis Padlock SSD portable drive has an integrated USB cable that makes it works right away out of the box — you’ll need a converter before it can connect to a USB-C port, however.
However, it’s a portable SSD and not a hard drive, so it’s much faster.
Pros
Built-in strong hardware encryption and security keypad
Compact, rugged, light-weight and practical design
Fast SATA-based SSD performance
Built-in USB cable with the included extension
Fool-proof security approach
Cons
No USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, or NVMe storage
Aegis Configurator software costs extra
Manual management can be daunting
3. Samsung T7 Touch: Security on the finger tip
The Samsung T7 Touch doesn’t have an integrated keypad, but it’s super-secure nonetheless, thanks to the built-in fingerprint scanner.
It’s also the only drive on this list that features USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, and an NVMe SSD on the inside — it’s the fastest among ultra-secure portable SSDs.
Pros
Hardware encryption with an optional integrated fingerprint scanner
Compact and rugged design
USB 3.2 Gen 2-Class performance
Includes both USB-C and compatible cables
Cons
Write speed reduction during extended operations
More expensive than similar portable SSDs
2. iStorage datAshur PRO2: The storage vault thumb drive
This tiny thumb drive is the most secure of its kind. It’s a type of storage device you can entrust your most confidential information. It’s a storage vault that fits inside your pocket.
Pros
Top-notch security against data breach
Rugged, weatherproof, compact design
Cons
No safeguard against deliberate data deletion
1. iStorage diskAshur PRO2: A Real Storage Vault in Your Palm
The iStorage diskAshur PRO2 is the only hard-drive-based storage vault on this list. Other than the fact it’s the slowest one, it has the same security level as the next guy.
Pros
Compact design with built-in USB cable
Cons
Keypad combos take some getting used to
B. The day-to-day traditional portable drives
This list includes traditional portable drives, including those without any security features at all.
12. Silicon Power Armor A66: Military-grade rugged portable hard drive
The Silicon Power Armor A66 is a bit of irony considering it’s a hard-drive-based storage device designed with military-grade ruggedness. That’s because the internal hard drive on the inside is generally more susceptible to shocks and drop than an SSD.
So no military personnel will use it but for the low cost, it can be an excellent buy for home users who needs a portable, capacious, and, well, rugged and water-resistant drive.
Pros
Fast hard-drive-based performance
Cons
USB-A female port instead of USB-C
Impractical connection design
Terrible SP Widget software
11. SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD: Western Digital’s latest tough guy in town
The G-Drive SSD is the fruit of merging SanDisk and G-Tech, two storage brands Western Digital acquired over the years, into a new professional lineup.
The new compact portable NVMe SSD is indeed quite pro. It has excellent performance, rugged chassis, and looks the part.
Though a bit pricey, the SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD has enough to be worth your consideration.
Pros
Fast NVMe-based performance
Rugged, water-resistant, compact design
USB-C with included cables
Effective security feature
Cons
No USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 or USB 2.0 support
Not convenient for Windows users
10. OWC Envoy Pro SX: Underwhelmingly super-fast
The OWC Envoy Pro SX is the second Thunderbolt-exclusive portable SSD on this list. It’s the direct competitor of the Samsung X5 below.
As such, it’s a bit underwhelming due to the slower performance, but supporting Thunderbolt, this is still one of the fast, portable drives on the market.
Pros
Fast Thunderbolt read performance
Cons
Write speed could be better
Not compatible with USB 3.2
9. WD Black D30 Game Drive SSD: Well-balance console add-on storage
The WD Black D30 Game Drive SSD is an excellent alternative to the P50 below. No, it’s not faster, but it sure is more affordable and has just the right specs for many game consoles and computers on the market.
On top of that, it has a little stand that makes the whole package quite cute in use.
Pros
Fast and reliable NVMe-based performance
Cool-looking, rugged design, with a practical stand
USB-C port with included USB-A-to-USB-C cable
Cons
No security feature for general use
8. SanDisk Extreme Pro: The fastest USB portable SSD to date
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is the latest version to replace the model that came out last year.
It’s the first in the SanDisk Extreme family that sports the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) and standard and, among other things, proved to be the fastest USB portable SSD to date.
Pros
Super-fast performance thanks to the combo of USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and NVMe SSD
Compact, rugged and beautiful design
Excellent security feature with built-in hardware encryption
Cons
Slightly bulkier than the non-PRO model
7. WD Black P50 Game Drive: First USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 portable SSD
The WD Black P50 is the first portable SSD on the market that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which caps at 20Gbps.
And in my testing, it was one of the fastest on the market. That, plus the fact it’s super rugged and cool looking, means it looks the part as a storage device designed for gamers.
Pros
Super-fast NVMe-based performance
Top USB specs with USB-C port
Cons
Currently, there are no game consoles with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
No security feature for general use
6. SanDisk Extreme: And excellent sweet-sport portable SSD
This portable SSD is the non-PRO version of the SanDisk Extreme PRO above.
The only difference, though, is the lack of support for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2. Instead, it uses the older USB Gen 2 (10Gbps), which is slower.
To compensate for that, it’s significantly more affordable and a tad more compact. That and the fact USB Gen 2 is a popular USB standard — most computers don’t have a faster option anyway — mean it’s an excellent buy.
Pros
Fast NVMe-based performance
Compact, yet rugged and beautiful design
Excellent security feature with built-in hardware encryption
Cons
No support for USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
5. WD My Passport: The most complete portable SSD to date
The latest WD My Passport SSD is an entirely new drive compared to the previous model.
It now has everything you’d ask from in a portable SSD: Top speed, compact design, storage space, and security. While it’s not perfect and slightly more expensive than competing drives, it’s easily one of the best portable SSDs on the market.
Pros
Fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance
Compact, rugged, practical design
USB-C-ready with cable and adapter included
Cons
Useless WD Backup and WD Utilities applications
Slightly more expensive than competitors
4. Crucial X6: The tiniest 4TB portable SSD
In many ways, the Crucial X6 is the mini (and lesser) version of the Crucial X8 below. Since the latter is already ultra-compact, we’re now talking about a tiny portable storage device.
Despite the diminutive physical size, the X6 is a formidable portable SSD. It delivers up to 4 TB of storage space and has the performance that can match that. You won’t need to wait for a long time, even when you want to fill it up.
Pros
Super compact, yet rugged, beautiful design
Cons
Comparatively low perform cap
No USB-A converter or cable included
3. Crucial X8: Micron’s first portable SSD
Micron joined the portable SSD market with a bang. The Crucial X8 delivers stellar speeds via USB 3.2 Gen 2 and is one of the fastest among its peers. And the fact the drive comes with a beautiful design and a friendly price tag doesn’t hurt.
Pros
Fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance
Compact, rugged, aesthetically pleasing design
USB-C ready, USB-A converter included
Cons
No bundled software or security feature
2. WD Black P10: The ultra-spacious rugged gamer’s portable hard drive
It’s a portable hard drive for gamers. The rugged, cool-looking drive delivers tons of storage space inside a tough casing.
It’s the only hard-drive-based portable drive on this list and suitable for those who need a ton of storage space instead of performance.
Pros
Plug-n-play out of the box
Cons
No USB-C or encryption support
1. Samsung Portable SSD X5: The Thunderbolt 3 bootable speed demon
The X5 is the fastest portable SSD by far. The catch is it only works with Thunderbolt 3 and not USB. For this reason, it’s more suitable for professional Mac environments, at least for now.
Pros
Solid, pretty, rugged design
Compatible with Windows and Mac right out of the box
Useful and effective security feature
Cons
Only works with Thunderbolt 3
Only one Thunderbolt 3 port
The 3-year warranty is a bit short.
Best Portable Drives: The performance
When it comes to portable drives, the most important performance is copy speeds. Find below how the drives mentioned above stacked against one another in my testing.
Again, keep in mind that this chart includes drives of different connection and storage types, not to mention the pricing, and therefore is only for references.
That’s because comparing them using their performances alone is like comparing apples to oranges. It’s a good idea to read their reviews to find out how well they fit your needs.
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