Looking to expand your PC or console's storage without opening the case? Here's your go-to list of the best external SSDs for gaming in 2025.
🔝 Top Picks
- Samsung T9 Portable SSD – Best Overall
- Samsung T7 Shield – Best Rugged Option
- Samsung T7 – Best Budget SSD
- WD My Passport – Best External HDD
- SanDisk Extreme Portable V2 – Smallest Design
- Lexar SL660 Blaze – Best Portable Gaming SSD
- Seagate Expansion Card – Best for Xbox
🔶 1. Samsung T9 Portable SSD
- Speed: Up to 2,000MB/s
- Capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Pros: Ultra-fast speeds, Rugged rubber design, 5-year warranty
- Cons: No water/dust resistance, Expensive
🛡️ 2. Samsung T7 Shield
- Speed: Up to 1,050MB/s
- IP65 water and dust resistant
- Pros: Durable, great for gaming libraries
- Cons: Slower than T9
💸 3. Samsung T7 (Standard)
- Speed: 1,000MB/s read / 1,050MB/s write
- Capacities: Up to 4TB
- Pros: Small and cool, Good for games
- Cons: Only 3-year warranty
💽 4. WD My Passport (HDD)
- Capacities: 1TB–6TB
- Speed: ~120MB/s
- Pros: Cheap, Huge capacity, Encryption
- Cons: Very slow, Not great for gaming
🔑 5. SanDisk Extreme Portable V2
- Speed: 1,050MB/s read / 1,000MB/s write
- IP55 water/dust resistant
- Pros: Drop-proof, 5-year warranty
- Cons: Not the fastest, No LEDs
🎮 6. Lexar SL660 Blaze
- Speed: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2
- Encryption: AES 256-bit
- Pros: RGB lighting, Aluminum body, Accessories included
- Cons: Max 1TB, Needs Gen 2x2 support
🎮 7. Seagate Expansion Card (Xbox)
- Platform: Only for Xbox Series X/S
- Speed: Same as internal SSD
- Pros: Plug & play
- Cons: Expensive, Not for PC
📘 How to Choose an External SSD
- Check USB port type: USB 3.2 Gen 2 or faster is best
- Look for hardware encryption if you want security
- Consider rugged designs (IP65 or IP55) for travel
- Budget vs performance: Do you need top speeds?
❓ FAQ
- Why choose SSD over HDD? SSDs are 10–20x faster, tougher, and more compact.
- Are external SSDs secure? Yes, most come with encryption and password protection.
- Do SSDs wear out? Not quickly. Expect years of use thanks to high TBW ratings.
- Can I play games from an SSD? Yes! Game loading times are excellent.