Overview
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Compare External SSDs

Explore powerful, flash‑based portable or desktop storage for home backups, professional workflows, gaming, and travel — all via Thunderbolt™ or USB, or AC power.

Shop All External SSDs

Find the Right External SSD for You

Explore portable and desktop external drives that are fit for gaming, traveling, everyday storage needs, and beyond.

SSDs for Photo and Video

SSDs for Backups

SSDs for Gaming Libraries

What to Consider When Choosing an External SSD

Choosing the right external SSD isn’t just about picking the fastest or the biggest drive — it’s about finding the one that fits the way you work, create, and move.

Compare Speeds

Pick a drive with the read/write performance to move your files at the speeds you want.

Check Durability

Look for drop and weather protection so your data stays protected on the go.

Confirm Compatibility

Make sure the ports and formats match your laptop, tablet, or console.

Choose the Right Capacity

Get the space you need now, with flexibility for whatever you create next.

Learn About External SSDs

Difference between a portable SSD and external HDD

A portable SSD is a small, USB‑powered external solid‑state drive you can easily carry with you. All portable SSDs are external drives, but not all external drives are portable — some desktop‑class external SSDs are larger, offer higher capacities, and may require AC power.  

External SSDs for Photo and Video

From on‑location shoots to deep archive work in the studio, external SSDs deliver the speed, resilience, and capacity creators rely on to keep their vision moving.

Shop External SSDs for Photo and Video

Fast Performance for Demanding Workflows

Spend less time waiting on your file transfers thanks to read speeds of up to 3800MB/s1 and write speeds of up to 3700MB/s1 with the SANDISK Extreme PRO with USB4.

Rugged for the Field, Reliable in the Studio

Experience up to 3-meter drop protection2 and IP65-rated dust and water resistance2 with products like the SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD.

Capture 4K ProRes Video — Straight to Your Phone

Record cinema-quality video at 60fps directly to your compatible smartphone with the SANDISK Phone SSD.

External SSDs for Backups

Whether it’s family photos, work files, or creative projects, your files deserve a protected space. Back up your important data with external SSDs you can count on.

Shop External SSDs for Backups

Fast Backups That Fit Your Routine

External SSDs help you back up your files in moments, not minutes — and with the  SANDISK app10, you can back up on your timeline by scheduling automatic backups or initiating backups on-demand.

Options for Your Backup Style

Portable SSDs make it easy to stash a copy of your files wherever you go, while desktop SSDs offer the space and consistency you need for big libraries and long‑term archives. Together, they fit any backup routine — from occasional saves to everyday protection.

Learn how to back up your files with external SSDs.

External SSDs for Gaming Libraries

Get faster game loads and smoother gameplay by carrying your library on a high‑speed external SSD — at home or on-the-go.

Shop External SSDs for Gaming

Optimized for PlayStation®, Xbox™, and PC

Expand your setup with a compatible external SSD that works seamlessly across PS5, Xbox, and PC — making it easy to move your game library wherever you play.

Store More. Delete Less. 

Add the space you need for big installs, updates, and your favorite titles — so you can keep more of what you play without constantly clearing room. 

Interested in expanding your console or device storage? Explore our internal SSDs for gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions about External SSDs

A Solid‑State Drive (SSD) is a storage device that uses flash memory instead of moving parts, allowing it to access and transfer data much faster than a traditional hard drive. SSDs are known for their speed, durability, and quiet operation. 

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Disclosures:

  1. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. 
  2. Based on internal testing. 
  3. 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less. 
  4. Approximations: results will vary based on file size, resolution, compression, bit rate, content, host device, pre-loaded files and other factors. 
  5. Based on High Fidelity Apple/Spotify Lossless Compression: 96KHz 24-bit Audio (20.62MB/minute). 
  6. Based on Standard Resolution: 22 Megapixel JPEG (6.5MB each). 
  7. Based on Full HD Movie: 2 hours (6GB). 
  8. Based on mobile game (465MB each). 
  9. Based on Standard (MP3): 128kbps Audio (1MB/minute). 
  10. Download and installation required. Set up automatic backup within the app. Compatible with Android 8+, iOS 15+, macOS 11+, and Windows 10 & 11. A compatible host device is required. See www.sandisk.com/sandisk-app for app details.
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