Best External Drives (SSD & HDD) in 2025 — What to Buy & Why

Tired of spec soup? Buy a portable SSD for speed and a desktop HDD for cheap bulk backup. Below are the picks I actually recommend, how to choose between USB-C external SSDs (10Gbps/20Gbps) and USB4/Thunderbolt, plus the right file system for Mac and Windows.

TL;DR: Everyday speed → portable SSD. Massive libraries or Time Machine/Windows Backup → desktop HDD. Together, they form a simple 3-2-1 backup plan.

Top Picks Comparison Table How to Choose Mac/Windows & Speed Backup Strategy FAQ

Crucial X10 (20Gbps) Best all-around portable SSD

Tiny, fast, and available in big capacities. On 20Gbps ports it screams; on 10Gbps it’s still quick and widely compatible.

• Why it wins: Outstanding size/speed/value with broad device support.
• Good to know: To hit ~2,000 MB/s you need USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps).

Where to buy: Amazon (2TB) · Amazon (4TB) · Amazon (8TB)

Samsung T7 Shield (10Gbps) Best rugged portable SSD

IP-rated shell, drop resistance, and ~1,000 MB/s on virtually any modern USB-C port—perfect for travel and field work.

• Why it wins: Real durability + universal 10Gbps compatibility.
• Good to know: Not as fast as 20Gbps or USB4 solutions, but much more plug-and-play.

Where to buy: Amazon (1TB) · Amazon (2TB) · Amazon (4TB)

WD My Passport (Portable HDD) Best cheap bulk storage

Pocketable, bus-powered drive up to 6TB. Ideal for Time Machine/Windows Backup when raw speed isn’t critical.

• Why it wins: Excellent $/TB and dead-simple setup for scheduled backups.
• Good to know: Slower than SSDs; perfect for backup and archives, not editing.

Where to buy: Amazon (4TB) · Amazon (5TB) · Amazon (6TB)

Seagate Expansion Desktop (3.5” HDD) Best desktop vault

Massive capacities (into the 20+TB range) with steady sequential speed—great for large photo/video libraries and cold storage.

• Why it wins: The lowest cost per terabyte with dependable desktop-class throughput.
• Good to know: Requires AC power; not meant for travel.

Where to buy: Amazon (12TB) · Amazon (16TB) · Amazon (20TB+)

USB4/Thunderbolt NVMe Enclosure + SSD Best “pro” DIY speed

Pair a USB4/TB enclosure with a high-quality NVMe for 40Gbps-class performance and easy upgrades—ideal for heavy 4K/8K media work.

• Why it wins: Near-Thunderbolt speeds, modular, and future-proof.
• Good to know: Costs more than turnkey SSDs; use certified cables to avoid bottlenecks.

Where to buy (examples): Amazon (USB4 NVMe enclosures) · Amazon (Thunderbolt enclosures) · Amazon (NVMe SSDs)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Use Case	Pick	Why
Everyday fast copies / on-the-go editing	Crucial X10 (20Gbps)	~2,000 MB/s on 20Gbps; compact and now in larger capacities.
Rugged travel SSD / widest compatibility	Samsung T7 Shield	IP-rated shell, drop resistance, ~1,000 MB/s on common 10Gbps ports.
Budget bulk (portable)	WD My Passport HDD	Up to 6TB; best $/TB for scheduled backups.
Massive library (desktop)	Seagate Expansion Desktop	Up to 20TB+; steady sequential speed for large media.
Pro throughput, upgradeable	USB4/TB NVMe enclosure	40Gbps-class with good NVMe + cable; modular and fast.

Dolby-simple takeaway: If you own a Mac, most models don’t support USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps). A 20Gbps SSD will run at 10Gbps unless you use a USB4/Thunderbolt enclosure.

How to Choose (skip the hype)

1. Interface = speed. 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) SSDs do ~1,000 MB/s; 20Gbps (Gen 2×2) hit ~2,000 MB/s; USB4/Thunderbolt enclosures can go higher with fast NVMe.
2. SSD vs HDD. SSDs are silent, shock-resistant, and 5–20× faster for big copies; HDDs win on cost per terabyte for backups and archives.
3. Capacity planning. Creators: pair a 2–4TB portable SSD with a 12–20TB desktop HDD for working sets + archives.
4. Ruggedization. Traveling? Look for IP ratings and drop specs (that’s why the T7 Shield is a frequent pick).
5. Firmware & cables. Keep SSD firmware current; use certified 20Gbps/USB4/TB cables or you’ll bottleneck speeds.

Mac & Windows: get the speed you paid for

• Mac users: Most Macs don’t implement USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps). For max speed, use USB4/Thunderbolt enclosures—or choose a universal 10Gbps SSD like T7 Shield.
• Windows PCs: Many new boards include a single 20Gbps USB-C port—plug 20Gbps SSDs there for full throughput.
• File systems: exFAT for cross-platform sharing; APFS/HFS+ or NTFS for best native features when staying in one OS.
• Cable discipline: Match the cable to the port (20Gbps for Gen 2×2, TB/USB4 for enclosures) to avoid slowdowns.

Simple, safe backup (3-2-1)

Drives fail. Build a resilient plan: 3 copies of your files, 2 different media (SSD/HDD/NAS), 1 off-site (cloud). Schedule it and forget it.

FAQ

Q: What’s the best external SSD for Mac in 2025?
A: For plug-and-play across Macs, use a 10Gbps USB-C SSD like the Samsung T7 Shield. For higher sustained performance, use a USB4/Thunderbolt NVMe enclosure.

Q: Should I buy SSD or HDD for backup?
A: Both. A portable SSD for fast work and a desktop HDD for cheap bulk backup fits the 3-2-1 rule.

Q: Can I edit 4K video from a portable SSD?
A: Yes—prefer 20Gbps SSDs or USB4/TB enclosures for sustained multi-stream editing; keep a desktop HDD for backups.

---

Written by Patrick — the man behind Electronomi. If this helped, share it or join our weekly brief.