- 1. USB-C vs USB-A: Which Connection Should You Choose?
- 2. SATA vs NVMe External SSDs
- 3. How Much Speed Do You Actually Need?
- 4. Storage Capacity: 1TB, 2TB or 4TB?
- 5. Durability & Protection
- 6. Real-World Use Cases (Choose Based on Your Needs)
- 7. Recommended External SSDs (2025)
- 8. Common Mistakes When Buying an External SSD
- FAQ
This external SSD guide will help you choose the best portable drive in 2025. We will keep it simple: what connector to choose, how much speed you really need, how much capacity makes sense, and which external SSDs are actually worth buying.
1. USB-C vs USB-A: Which Connection Should You Choose?
For modern devices, USB-C is the clear winner. It supports higher speeds, is reversible, and is now standard on most laptops, tablets and phones released in the last few years.
- USB-C 10Gbps – ideal for everyday use, backups and game libraries.
- USB-C 20Gbps – best for video editing and huge file transfers.
- USB-A – only choose this if your PC does not have USB-C.
If your laptop or PC has USB-C, buy an external SSD with USB-C. Using adapters and dongles only creates extra points of failure and can reduce speed.
In this external SSD guide we focus on real-world choices, not marketing fluff. Whether you want a simple backup drive or a fast portable SSD 2025 setup for editing and gaming, the same basic rules apply.
2. SATA vs NVMe External SSDs
Most portable SSDs are either SATA-based or NVMe-based. The difference is mainly speed and price.
- SATA external SSDs – usually 400–560MB/s. Cheaper and good enough for backups, movies and general use.
- NVMe external SSDs – typically 1,000–2,000MB/s or more. Perfect for 4K video editing, large photo libraries and heavy workloads.
If you transfer large files or do video editing, NVMe is worth it. For backups or general use, SATA is fine.
3. How Much Speed Do You Actually Need?
- Up to 550MB/s – backups, documents, light use.
- 1,000–1,200MB/s – photos, large files, gaming.
- 2,000MB/s+ – 4K/8K video editing, professional workloads.
Be careful with marketing numbers. A portable SSD might say “up to 2,000MB/s”, but in real life it often reaches 1,200–1,500MB/s depending on your USB port and the drive’s controller.
4. Storage Capacity: 1TB, 2TB or 4TB?
How much space you need depends entirely on what you store on the external SSD.
- 1TB – documents, small photo library, a few games, travel backup.
- 2TB – large game library, more photos and videos, long-term use.
- 4TB – 4K video production, RAW photo archives, full system backups.
For most people, 2TB is the sweet spot: not too expensive, but plenty of space for years of use. If you want a deeper look at large-capacity drives, check our internal guide on the best cheap 4TB SSDs in the UK.
If you want a more technical explanation of how SSDs work internally, the article on solid-state drives on Wikipedia is a good starting point.
5. Durability & Protection
External SSDs are already more shock-resistant than hard drives, but you should still pay attention to build quality. A good portable SSD should have:
- Shock resistance – basic drop protection for everyday accidents.
- IP rating (e.g. IP55) – protection against dust and light rain or splashes.
- Aluminium casing – helps with heat dissipation.
- Rubber edges – better grip and additional drop protection.
If you travel a lot, throw your drive into a backpack, or work outdoors, these small details can decide whether your data survives a drop or not.
6. Real-World Use Cases (Choose Based on Your Needs)
For Travel and Everyday Use
Pick a compact SATA or mid-range NVMe external SSD with 1–2TB of space. It should be light, durable and powered directly from USB-C so you don’t need extra cables or power bricks.
For Video Editing
You need real speeds above 1,000MB/s. Look for NVMe-based portable SSDs and aim for at least 2TB. This lets you edit 4K footage smoothly without constant copying to internal storage.
For Gaming
For PC gaming libraries, a fast NVMe external SSD works very well. Loading times are much shorter than from a mechanical drive, and you can easily move your games between PCs.
7. Recommended External SSDs (2025)
Here are some solid external SSD options that fit different budgets. You can use this list as a starting point and compare prices in your local UK stores or online.
- Best Budget: Crucial X6 (SATA-based, good enough for backups and everyday use).
- Best Mid-Range: SanDisk Extreme Portable (NVMe, faster and more durable).
- Best Performance: Samsung T9 (NVMe, excellent for creators and professionals).
- Best for Work/Travel: Crucial X9 Pro (balance of speed, size and durability).
8. Common Mistakes When Buying an External SSD
- Buying only by capacity and ignoring speed and connection type.
- Choosing USB-A drives for a modern laptop that mainly uses USB-C.
- Picking the cheapest no-name brand with no reviews and no warranty information.
- Underestimating how much space is needed for games or 4K video projects.
- Not checking compatibility with consoles, tablets or phones before buying.
If you avoid these mistakes and follow this external SSD guide, choosing a portable SSD becomes straightforward: match the connector, pick the right speed for your work, and choose a reliable brand with good reviews.
FAQ
Is an external SSD better than a USB stick?
Yes — external SSDs are faster, safer and more durable. USB sticks are only good for small, temporary file transfers. For anything important, use an SSD.
Will an external SSD work with PS5?
You can store PS5 and PS4 games on an external SSD, but you can only play PS4 titles directly from it. PS5 games must be moved back to internal storage before you launch them.
Is NVMe worth paying more for?
If you work with large files, edit video or move big projects every day, NVMe-based external SSDs are absolutely worth the extra cost. For light use and backups, a cheaper SATA-based drive is enough.
Do external SSDs overheat?
Fast NVMe drives can get warm during long transfers, but quality models include thermal protection and aluminium casings to keep temperatures under control. It is normal to feel some warmth while copying large amounts of data.
