External storage devices used to be a premium accessory for niche groups, such as enthusiast gamers and film buffs. Now though, AAA games are taking up more space than ever, and tons of smart TVs and projectors can make use of stored media from just about anywhere.
The Best SSDs for Gaming in 2024
SSDs have enabled gaming experiences that were not possible a few years ago on consoles and PC, but which ones are a cut above the rest right now?
Given these developments, many are asking themselves which SSD would be best for their PC, console, TV, or other device. Game ZXC has sifted through the options for you, collecting the best external SSDs below, regardless of the device.
Game ZXC’s Best External SSDs in 2024
Crucial X10 Pro
The Crucial X10 Pro is a high-performing and well-built portable external SSD that is capable of 2100MB/s read speeds and 2000MB/s write speeds. The drive is water and dust resistant, and can survive drops of up to 2 meters.
- Storage capacity
- 1TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2
- Compatible Devices
- Consoles, PC, Mac, Android, iOS
- Brand
- Crucial
- Read/Write Speeds
- 2100MB/s, 2000MB/s
- Fast read/write speeds
- Compact size
- Wide compatibility
- Can only store games for Xbox and PS5
The Crucial X10 Pro is the best external solid-state storage device on the market. With its ultra-portable build and industry-leading read speeds, it's no wonder why. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes, this SSD also manages to be fairly affordable across the board.
Designed for photographers, the Crucial X10 Pro is easy to use on digital cameras, PCs, iPhone 15, and more. It can read files at up to 2100MB/s and can write them nearly as fast (2000MB/s). Plus, with its compatibility with USB 3.2, these speeds actually reflect reality when the X10 Pro is connected to a similarly advanced device.
Being made for anything and everything, this SSD is also wildly durable. It comes with an IP55 water and dust resistance rating and is drop-proof from a max height of 7.5 feet. With its versatile design, extremely capable read and write speeds, and tons of storage space available, most users would do best to pick up the Crucial X10 Pro external SSD.
SSK External SSD
The light, pocket-sized external SSD from SSK is completely portable, yet delivers extreme speed with ease, reliably storing data and quickly transferring large files. It is the perfect storage solution for anyone on the go. The excellent storage capacity allows you to backup and share your valuable files, photos, videos, and even games. This low-priced SSD is ideal for those on a budget.
- Storage capacity
- 250GB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Compatible Devices
- Windows, Mac, Android, PS5, Xbox
- Read/Write Speeds
- 1050/1000 MB/s
- Very affordable
- Superior heat dissipation
- Wide variety of storage sizes available
- PS5 and Xbox games can only be stored
Those on a budget may find it tough to get a decent external SSD for less than $50. However, the SSK External SSD is the perfect way to simplify your work-life balance without breaking your budget wide open.
The simple device is small enough to fit in your hand, and comes with a rubber loop and case, making it a cinch to clip onto a laptop bag or PC backpack. That is the one downside to this budget option: it is only fully compatible with PCs and laptops. Gamers on PS5 or Xbox can download their games to the device but must juggle titles between it and their console before they can actually play them.
However, even going up to a terabyte of storage space keeps you well under the $100 mark, while the read and write speeds stay at a respectable 1050MB/s. Plus, it comes with great heat dissipation, which helps keep it running for years. Anyone in need of a quick expansion to their games library or just needs an affordable way to store important files can save quite a bit by choosing the SSK External SSD.
SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 4TB
The SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD 4TB is a solid external storage option that can reach 2000MB/s speeds. It comes with IP65 water and dust resistance and can survive drops from up to 3 meters. It has a built-in carabiner hole and a silicone shell for even more protection.
- Storage capacity
- 1TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Compatible Devices
- Consoles, PC, Mac, Android
- Brand
- SanDisk
- Read/Write Speeds
- 2000MBps
- Massive storage space
- Fast read/write speeds
- IP65 water and dust resistant
- Very expensive
- Gets very hot
Not many people need 4TB of storage, but that's exactly what they'll get if they choose this high-end external SSD from Sandisk, the Extreme PRO. This durable device is ideal for most activities, including gaming on PS5 and Xbox, though on the latter not all games are supported, according to some reviews.
Sandisk employs many advanced features to make this external SSD stand out. First and foremost is the incredible 2000MB/s read and write speeds, which ensure super fast data transfers and short load times. There's also built-in password protection, based on 256-bit AES encryption. Finally, the IP65 rating means this SSD is resistant to both water and dust.
Although it is very expensive to consider, the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD does come in smaller sizes, though even the 1TB option is a bit more expensive than the competition. However, those who simply want the very best, regardless of cost, should grab the Extreme PRO SSD and never have to think about their storage needs again.
Kingston XS2000 2TB High Performance Portable SSD
The Kingston XS2000 is a portable SSD with 2TB of storage. It offers USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type C connectivity and provides fast read/write speeds of up to 2,000 MB/s. Designed to be pocketable, the device is incredibly portable. The SSD is compatible with both laptops and desktops. It also includes a rubber sleeve that adds resistance to water, dust, and shock.
- Storage capacity
- 2TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Compatible Devices
- PC
- Read/Write Speeds
- 2,000MB/s
- Super compact size
- Great value on spacious storage
- Very durable
- Limited to PCs and laptops only
Portable storage devices are a dime a dozen, but most of them lack the file transfer speeds that are necessary to make them convenient rather than simply compact. Enter the Kingston XS2000, a high-performance, ultra-portable external SSD perfect for use with PCs and laptops. Unfortunately, those are the only devices this SSD is compatible with, but it does offer good value in exchange.
One of the few portable SSDs to offer read and write speeds of up to 2000MB/s, the XS2000 is small enough to fit in your hands. Even if your device at home or work can't handle USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 transfer speeds, the device can still operate at 1000MB/s.
The Kingston XS2000 SSD also comes with a rubber sleeve that renders it shockproof and resistant to both water and dust. For those who are looking for an easy solution to hybrid work, or those who often need to store files while in the field, this external SSD from Kingston is the best option.
Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S 1TB
The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is a proprietary add-on storage slot. It clips on the back of both current-generation consoles using a connector that resembles a CF Express card but supports PCI-E 4.0 Speeds for data transfer to the Xbox.
- Storage capacity
- 512G/1TB/2TB
- Hardware Interface
- Proprietary
- Compatible Devices
- Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Brand
- Seagate/Xbox
- Transfer rate
- Not Specified
- TBW
- N/A
- MTBF
- N/A
- DRAM
- Not Specified
- Warranty
- 3 years
- Controller
- Phison E19T PCIe Gen 4 controller
- Sleek and compact design
- Specifically designed for Xbox Series X
- Allows games to be played directly from it
- Only usable on the Xbox
- Expensive
Microsoft is known for making it difficult to use accessories with their top-tier console, but luckily they have a great partner when it comes to external storage solutions. Seagate has earned a good reputation among gamers for its fast drives and ease of use. Such is the case with the Seagate Storage Expansion Card For Xbox Series X, which offers gamers 1-2 TB of additional storage.
While Seagate doesn't report read and write speeds for this particular SSD, they do tell users that the device runs on Xbox Velocity Architecture, which reviews often say is absolutely seamless. One downside to this option is that it is quite expensive, despite only being usable on the Xbox.
However, with a 3-year warranty and thousands of reviews backing the speed and reliability claims from Seagate, it's clear that the officially licensed Storage Expansion Card is the best way to go for gamers on Xbox in need of extra space for their digital collection.
The Best SSDs if You Are Planning on Getting the New Disc-less Xbox Series X
The new disc-less Xbox Series X is on its way, and you can build your game library with these SSDs.
WD Black P40 SSD (2TB)
Players can dominate in style with the powerful WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD. The downloadable WD_BLACK dashboard gives PC users full control over the LED light display for a personalized experience. Also compatible with Xbox, PlayStation, and Mac, gamers can expand their storage space with ease, no matter what platform they're on. This high-performance SSD storage offers lightning speed in a compact and shock-resistant design, making it a good choice for traveling gamers too.
- Storage capacity
- 2TB
- Hardware Interface
- USB 3.2 Gen2x2
- Compatible Devices
- Playstation, Xbox, PC, Mac
- Brand
- Western Digital Technologies
- Transfer rate
- 2000 MB/s
- TBW
- 360 TBW
- MTBF
- Unstated
- DRAM
- DRAM-Less
- Warranty
- 5 Years
- Controller
- Proprietary Controller
- Allows PS5 games to be played directly from it
- Extremely wide compatibility
- Lots of storage space
- Somewhat expensive
Western Digital has become well-known to the gaming community, largely thanks to its excellent storage options. Although it's a bit pricey compared to smaller SSDs, the 2TB P40 Game Drive is actually a great value for money, especially considering the wide compatibility the device offers.
PS5 players in particular will enjoy this external SSD, as there is plenty of space for their games and those titles can be played directly off of the P40. Rather than play a game of musical chairs with your games, the WD Black P40 makes everything simpler on PS5 and PC. It's even compatible with Mac and Xbox, though Xbox games can only be stored.
As should be expected, this thing really moves, offering speeds of up to 2000MB/s. You do need a device that accepts USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, but the PS5 is well-equipped for that, and the included USB-C cable and USB-C to USB-A adapter make it even easier to transfer files at any time.
The handheld SSD is shock-resistant and has a durable build, keeping it safe from damage even when on the move. All in all, PS5 players can't go wrong with this top-of-the-line storage expansion.
Do You Need an External SSD?
Plenty of gamers have heard how external SSDs have helped others, leading to the obvious question: do you need one? Consider these key factors to determine whether an external SSD is necessary for your setup, and which one would suit you best:
- Platform: PC players tend to get the most use out of external SSDs, but players who frequently move between locations or who need more space on their console can also benefit from an external SSD. It’s important to keep in mind that most consoles have a far more limited list of options to choose from.
- Storage Size: Think about how full your current hard drive is and what kind of games you’d like to download in the future. If you like to play a game and then uninstall it, an external SSD with as little as 500GB may be enough for your media collection. However, if you tend to keep games downloaded and ready to play at any time, opting for a 2TB will likely save you money in the long run.
- Budget: External SSDs can be quite expensive, often costing more than gaming keyboards and controllers, though they tend to be available for less than $200. If you’re tight on cash, you may not need to get an external SSD, especially if you’re willing to deal with the inconvenience of juggling downloaded games. That being said, even a small external SSD may be worth your while, and PC players can usually go with a more affordable storage expansion if they’re comfortable installing it.
The Best M.2 SSDs in 2024
Looking to upgrade storage on your gaming PC or PS5? Here are Game ZXC's top picks for the fastest M.2 SSDs to level up your gaming.
FAQ
Q: What is the downside of an external SSD?
SSDs have a few downsides when compared to HDDs, including higher pricing, lower max storage capacities, and a higher risk of damage or failure. SSDs also have limited write cycles, meaning heavy use may negatively affect their performance over time.
Q: Will an external SSD speed up my computer?
Yes, an external SSD can make computers faster by freeing space from the internal drive. This allows PCs to retrieve files faster and more efficiently, leading to faster load times and less lag when watching shows or movies.
Q: How long do external SSDs last?
Solid-state drives can last up to five years, though higher-end offerings promise reliable usage for as long as 10 years.