Best Portable SSDs in Australia

Why we chose it

With a look and feel that allows it to double for either business or pleasure, the Seagate Fast SSD offers good dollar-per-gigabyte value regardless of the drive size. It's flexible, too, with both USB-C and USB-A support, and while there are faster drives out there, the read and write speeds are still very solid. At only 9mm thick, its sleek design certainly deserves the claim of being portable, too.

What's frustrating about this portable SSD are the super short cables. It's also worth noting that some consumers have complained about receiving only one of the two promised cables with their package as well.

Best portable SSD for PS5 and Xbox Series X: Samsung T5 SSD

Pros

Very fast
Slim design
Shock resistant

Cons

2TB is costly
Not every capacity comes in every colour

Price (RRP): $199

Buy at Bing Lee

Why we chose it

The new PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles from Sony and Microsoft respectively come with small internal hard drives. It means many gamers will need to upgrade their space with an external SSD. The Samsung T5 SSD delivers the incredible speeds you need for gaming, but it retains a small profile and comes in multiple colours. This is great given it will likely be on public display sitting under your TV.

If you're looking for the larger capacity Samsung T5, know that this drive can get relatively expensive. And it's a bit annoying that the cool colours are restricted on some of the capacities – you may not get the look you want. But the surprising ability of this drive to handle a two-metre drop also helps allow the Samsung T5 to survive an active space like a lounge room.

Best portable SSD with Thunderbolt 3: Samsung X5 Portable SSD

Pros

Lightning fast
Shock resistant and durable
AES 256-bit encryption

Cons

Expensive
Bulky design

Price (RRP): From $459

Why we chose it

If you've got a decent budget to play with and want the fastest possible transfer speeds, then we recommend the Samsung X5 Portable SSD. By combining NVMe technology with a Thunderbolt 3 port, this external SSD provides near internal SSD performance. We're talking up to 40GB/s transfers and read-write speeds at 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s respectively. Premium extras come in the form of temperature protection, shock resistance up to two metres and encrypted password protection.

As you might have guessed, all this comes at a cost, especially when you're looking at the top capacities. Plus, that power and cooling make for a heavy and bulky drive. You obviously also need a Thunderbolt 3 port to make the most of what it offers.

Best budget portable SSD: Adata SD700 External SSD

Pros

Good performance for the price
Weatherproof IP68 rating

Cons

No USB-C
Old backup software

Price (RRP): $99.95

Why we chose it

If you're looking to enjoy the speed of a portable SSD but don't have a big budget, the Adata SD700 External SSD can be picked up for less than $100 at the 256GB capacity. It's built for movement, can be submerged in water and has a rubber bumper, so it can handle significant shock.

However, you won't be getting a USB-C speed boost, and while it's quite small, its square shape may make it a little more awkward for you to carry than the classic rectangle shape. It's worth noting that the built-in back-up software is dated, too, and you'll want to explore third-party back-up software.

Best premium portable SSD: OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3

Pros

Blisteringly fast
Best-in-class build quality
4TB option

Cons

Bulky and heavy
Cable is fixed

Price (RRP): From $499

Why we chose it

By combining M.2 NVMe tech with a Thunderbolt 3 interface, this portable SSD solution delivers speed to meet its price. On top of that, it's also the most robustly built SSD on the market, encased in a rubber bumper for military-grade protection. Despite being a premium SSD, the price is quite reasonable, and it's great you get to opt for the rare capacity of 4TB.

As you may have guessed, all this protection and power make this likely the biggest portable SSD on the market. Indeed, many will wonder if the word "portable" is being too generous. Many consumers also complain about the fixed cable, which is just 15cm in length. Since you can't replace it with a longer cable, you're stuck with it being quite close to your computer.

Best portable SSD for security: Samsung T7 Touch SSD

Pros

Built-in fingerprint security
Good speeds
AES 256-bit encryption

Cons

Casing doesn’t offer much protection
Expensive

Price (RRP): From $219

Buy at Bing Lee

Why we chose it

If securing your data is an important part of your portable SSD purchasing decision, then the Samsung T7 SSD needs to be in the conversation. Not only does it deliver password protection in the form of AES 256-bit encryption, but it also provides fingerprint security. The LED square that offers the latter also doubles to give you feedback on the drive's activity, and the lengthy 18" USB-A and USB-C cables are a welcome change.

Considering this is a drive that focuses on securing content, it's a shame the design doesn't deliver any weatherproofing or shock resistance. Although depending on how you plan to use the drive, that might not be a big issue. The extra security features do increase the price slightly, too.

Best portable SSD for content creators: WD My Passport Wireless SSD

Pros

Great transfer speeds
Built-in SD card reader
Wi-Fi option gives flexibility when on the move

Cons

Only uses USB 3.0
Expensive

Price (RRP): From $299

Why we chose it

If you're a content creator constantly needing to dump photos and video off a device and onto a reliable storage solution, then you have some particular needs. Getting an SSD is a given due to its speed when you're dealing with bigger media files, but there is more than just that on offer with the WD My Passport Wireless SSD.

The big win of this SSD is the ability to insert the SD card from your video cam or camera directly into the portable SSD. You can also transfer over Wi-Fi or even stream files on the SSD to your mobile so you can run through the content you already have – even if it's in 4k! It has a built-in 10-hour battery, too, which allows that functionally to work when you're in the field.

While it does offer great transfer speeds, these won't be maximised when you are using the device over Wi-Fi. And it's a shame that it only offers a USB 3.0 connection. When you compare it to other SSDs, it's a bit on the bulky and heavy side, which – to be fair – is somewhat thanks to the bumper that surrounds it, giving it some shock protection.

Best portable SSD for travel: SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD

Pros

Excellent speed and performance
Weather and shock resistant
Five-year warranty

Cons

No power indicator light
Expensive

Price (RRP): From $119

Buy at Bing Lee

Why we chose it

There are three key features that make the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD standout for travellers. It's extremely durable, with an IP55 weather rating that ensures your data will stay safe regardless of where your adventure takes you. Even if something does go wrong – the USB port is exposed, bizarrely – its lengthy five-year warranty means you can travel with confidence for many years after purchase. Plus, it has an excellent write speed that maintains a consistent pace even if you're moving 100s of gigabytes at a time.

The unique design is a bit hit and miss, depending on your tastes. That hole in the corner is for attaching a carabiner; another nod to the SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable's travel-friendly approach. Indeed, it is impressive that this SSD still fits in your pocket despite all its weatherproof features. It's worth noting this SSD does get expensive at the higher capacities. And bizarrely, there's no power indicator light, which can leave you wondering on occasion if it's connected properly.

Best super-small portable SSD: Transcend ESD250C

Pros

Super thin
Solid performance

Cons

Only one capacity
Can get hot

Price (RRP): $249