Portable SSDs
Pocket-sized external SSDs, judged on real-world speed, durability and price per terabyte.
The best portable SSD, according to professional reviewers, is the Crucial X9 Pro: critic score 88 out of 100 from 8 reviews, 8 of them positive. Most praised: speed and portability.
Crucial X9 Pro
8 professional reviewers tested the Crucial X9 Pro, and 8 recommend it. Most praised: speed and portability.
The catch: The included cable is short and there is no USB-A adapter.
7 of these 8 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text and corrected for the known tendency of estimates to run high.
We earn a commission if you buy through this link. It never changes a score.
Not the Crucial X9 Pro? Pick by situation
How do they compare?
| Product | Score | Reviews | Agreement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crucial X9 Pro | 88 | 8 | High | Best overall |
| Samsung T9 | 85 | 5 | Medium | Best for creators |
| Samsung T7 Shield | 83 | 11 | Medium | Best for rugged use |
| Crucial X10 Pro | 83 | 7 | Medium | Best for peak speed |
| Kingston XS2000 | 83 | 6 | High | Best for gamers |
Not scored yet
We publish a score only once at least 4 professional reviews of the exact model exist.
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 · 0 of 4 reviews needed
Common questions
What is the best portable SSD?
The Crucial X9 Pro, with a critic score of 88 from 8 professional reviews. Most praised: speed and portability.
Crucial X9 Pro vs Samsung T9: which is better?
Critics score the Crucial X9 Pro 88 and the Samsung T9 85. We list the Samsung T9 under “Best for creators”. Its main drawback: it is pricey and needs a Gen 2x2 port for top speed.