Gaming requires a lot of memory. For some of the best gaming laptops, the default memory storage isn’t quite enough. Using some best budget SSD for gaming is the best way to increase storage on your console or PC at an affordable price.
Some fastest external SSD drives can take the pressure off of your machine and also provide you with the ability to store more games at the same time. So, we have brought the Best External SSD For Gaming to you.
Installing a new internal SSD can be a tiresome and difficult process plus it cost extra if you have it installed by a professional which is an unnecessary cost too. And the Best External SSD for Gaming is extremely easy to use. SO, all you need to do is just plug them in. Using the fastest external SSD for mac and pc, you can install games on multiple computers. Generally, no file formatting is required to use the best external SSD for MacBook pro and pc.
Some best budget SSD for gaming are the fastest, quietest, and most reliable storage devices. And the biggest advantage is that they reduce boot time. Thus, speeding up your programs and games and ultimately making your computer much faster. And when it comes to Speed, there is a drastic comparison relative to conventional HDD.
If you can compromise a bit on speed and are looking for more budget-friendly options, then HDD is what you have been looking for. And it provides you with an average speed of 100 MB/s. And you won’t have to pay this much too. So, do check out our Best External Hard Drive For Gaming Laptop.
Top Picks Summary:
- Samsung T5 SSD – Best Overall Gaming External SSD
- Seagate Barracuda SSD – Fastest External SSD for Gaming
- VectoTech Rapid SSD – External SSD compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One
- Sandisk Extreme SSD – Best Budget External SSD for Gaming
Best Gaming External SSDs for Improved Performance
We have compiled a list of the Best External SSD For Gaming for you. Check it out.
1) Samsung T5 SSD – Editor’s Pick
Samsung is one of the top-notch leaders when it comes to SSD, and they continue their winning streak with the T5. For power users who are willing to pay a premium price and want everything, that is, speed, capacity, and portability, Samsung T5 SSD is the slickest solution out there. And that’s what makes it our top pick in Best External SSD For Gaming.
T5 is an ideal SSD for gaming available in the market today. Its sleek and simple design makes it cool and highly portable. And yes, it does come in black. This spunky little drive shares the same DNA as Samsung 860 EVO SSD but in a smaller package. Because of all these amazing features, Samsung T5 SSD has earned first place in our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
Compatibility
It works amazingly well as a laptop gaming SSD and the fastest external SSD for mac. And it is also compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Because of these amazing features, Samsung T5 SSD is our top pick for Best External SSD For Gaming.
Transfer Speed
The average data transfer rate of the fastest external SSD for mac and pc comes around 540 MB/s, making it fantastic for running high-resolution games. And it also offers blazingly fast copying speeds.
Capacity
T5 SSD comes in a minimum of 500 GB and a maximum of 2 TB capacity. And this capacity is more than enough to store dozens of games for even the most serious gamers.
Form-Factor
The compact form factor of Samsung T5 SSD gives it an amazingly cool look. You can fit T5 in the palm of your hand. And that means it is extremely easy to carry around and store, which makes it highly portable.
Colors
Samsung T5 SSD comes in various colors. So, you have the freedom to match your SSD with your console’s color.
Security
It has AES-256 bit hardware encryption which keeps your games, data, and other personal files safe and secure.
Type-C
T5 SSD fastest external SSD drive comes with two cables that are, USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C. So, you don’t have to worry about Type-C connectivity.
Shock-Resistance
As the T5 features no moving parts, it can survive bumps and drops from up to 2 meters.
Warranty
It comes with a 3-years warranty.
2) Seagate Barracuda SSD – Rapid Speed
Seagate Barracuda SSD is its series of fastest external SSD drives which provides a combination of rapid speed, generous capacity, and portability. And the futuristic design of the best budget SSD for gaming looks amazing and you can even match it with your gaming laptop or console. And it can store dozens of high-resolution of games for even the most serious Gamer. After all, This SSD is the best budget SSD for gaming. And that is why it has earned its place in our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
The Seagate Barracuda SSD provides great speeds and generous capacity but in a small package. And this SSD is made specifically for gaming and is highly compatible with gaming consoles as well as the best external SSD for MacBook pro. And that’s why it has earned second place in our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
Compatibility
This is the best external SSD for gaming laptop. And it is also compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Because of these amazing features, Seagate Barracuda SSD has made our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
Transfer Speed
The average data transfer rate of the fastest external SSD for mac and pc comes around 540 MB/s which makes it one of the best choices for running high-resolution games.
Capacity
Fastest external SSD drive Comes in a minimum of 500 Gb and a maximum of 2 TB capacity. And this capacity is more than enough to store your games and other personal data.
Form-Factor
The compact size of Seagate Barracuda SSD gives it a futuristic look. And you can easily fit this SSD in your pocket or bag, making it extremely easy to carry around.
Type-C
Barracuda SSD comes with two cables that are, USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C. So, you don’t have to worry about Type-C connectivity in the future.
Warranty
Stay assured as it comes with a limited product protection plan.
3) VectoTech Rapid SSD – Best for Gaming
The VectoTech Rapid SSD is one of the fastest external SSD for Mac, PC and laptops available in the market today. It is for those who want the amazingly fast speed and reliability of an SSD but with more storage space. And this SSD is one of the rare ones because it comes in 4 TB size.
Because of this, it has earned its place in our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
This SSD is in the list of fastest external SSD drives for gaming. And it can also be a reliable companion for your laptops because of its generous capacity. It can store dozens of games. And you can also stream 4K resolution videos directly from this SSD.
Compatibility
It works very well with gaming laptops. And it is also compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Because of these amazing features, VectoTech Rapid SSD has made our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
Capacity
This SSD comes in a minimum of 1 TB and maximum of 4 TB capacity.
Transfer Speed
The average data transfer rate of VectoTech Rapid SSD comes around 540 MB/s. And this SSD is one of the fastest external SSD drive in its class.
Durability
The aluminum case of this SSD is designed specifically to provide exceptional durability. Because of this, it can survive drops from up to 6 feet and extreme temperatures from -25C to 85C.
Form-Factor
The slim and simple design of this SSD gives it exceptional portability, making it easy to carry around.
Type-C
It comes with two cables that are, USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C.
Warranty
It comes with a 3-years extended warranty.
4) Sandisk Extreme SSD
The Sandisk Extreme SSD is one of the most reliable and best budget SSD for gaming available in the market today. Sandisk is considered one of the leaders and pioneers when it comes to delivering superior performance. And this SSD is sure to keep up to the name. It combines it all, speed, capacity, and reliability. Because of this, it has made its way to our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
You can store dozens of games and other personal data in this SSD. And its design provides you with extreme portability. You can also stream 4K videos directly from this SSD.
Compatibility
It works exceptionally well with gaming laptops. And it is also compatible with PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Because of these features, this SSD has earned its place in our list of Best External SSD For Gaming.
Capacity
The fastest external SSD drive comes in a minimum of 250 GB and a maximum of 2 TB capacity. And it is more than enough to dozens of mainstream games.
Transfer Speed
The average data transfer rate of this SSD comes around 550 MB/s. And this is one the fastest SSD available in the market today.
Durability
It is IP55 rated, making it water and dust-resistant. Its shock and vibration-resistant and can withstand extreme temperatures from -20C to 70C. Thus, increasing its durability to another level.
Form-Factor
Its slim and simple design makes it portable and extremely easy to carry around. And you can easily fit it in your pocket or bag.
Type-C
The fastest external SSD drive comes with two included cables that are, USB-C to USB-A and USB-C to USB-C. So, you don’t have to worry about Type-C connectivity.
Warranty
It comes with a 3-years limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an external SSD as internal?
Inside that external hard drive is an internal hard drive. … So yes, open the case and you’ll likely find a standard hard drive you can then install directly into your PC.
Can you install games on an external SSD?
A lot of games will run fine on an external HDD, newer ones that are more demanding might not load as fast. … That’s basically hdd speed. If you can plug in an ssd inside your computer, you’ll get way better performance.
Can you run a program from an external SSD?
Yes, you can install and/or run programs on an external drive just like it was an internal drive. There’s no difference between the two as long as the external drive is connected. But as @Quora User stated, you may and most likely will experience a bottleneck, thanks to the speed of the USB port or the disk itself.
Is USB 3.0 as fast as SSD?
While you won’t see a tenfold increase in the transfer speed from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 in real-world use, USB 3.0 is fast—about three times faster than USB 2.0 with a spinning hard drive, and three to five times faster with SSD. And using a hub doesn’t impact speeds, even with other (and slower) peripherals attached.
- Get NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 1050MB/s read and up to 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive that’s perfect for...
- Up to 2 meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance (3) mean this tough drive can take a beating
- Use the handy Carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption (2)
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- SAMSUNG RECOMMENDS users to download the latest firmware update via the included Portable SSD Software 1.0 to ensure optimal performance
- Data transfer speed may vary depending on the user’s PC environment and the types of data being transferred. USB 3.2 Gen2 and UASP support are...
- SAMSUNG RECOMMENDS the usage of the included USB Type-C to C and USB Type-C to A cables. Non-original cables may cause performance degradation due to...
- BUILT STRONG AND SECURE: Shock-resistant and withstands drops from 6ft.
- Save time storing and transferring data with powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s read or write speeds. Requires compatible...
- A forged aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink to deliver higher sustained speeds in a portable drive that’s tough enough to take on any adventure
- Up to 2 meter drop protection and IP55 water and dust resistance (3), and a handy carabineer loop for securing your drive all deliver extra peace of...
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.
- PERFORMANCE – Ultra fast read/write speeds of up to 540MB/s, lets you transfer conveniently large files, 4K videos, high end gaming in seconds. With...
- COMPATIBILITY – Works with PC and MAC straight out of the box. Comes with USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables, which makes it universal for...
- DESIGN – Made out of durable Aluminum 1050 grade makes this portable solid state drive resistant to minor scratches, while providing ideal heat...
- 3 Years Manufacturer warranty
- Technical support +1 (800) 987-0197
- Incredible performance with read speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Works with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Android, Linux, PS4, and Xbox One with USB-C 3.1 Gen2 and USB-A connectors
- Durable design featuring an anodized aluminum core, drop proof up to 7.5 feet, extreme-temperature, shock and vibration proof
- Backed by Micron, one of the largest manufacturers of flash storage in the world
- Blazing fast NVMe technology with speeds of up to 1050MB/s and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s | Based on read speed unless otherwise stated. As used...
- Password enabled 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Shock and vibration resistant. Drop resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m)
- Cross Compatible USB 3.2 Gen-2 and USB-C (USB-A for older systems)
- 5-year manufacturer's limited warranty
- Superfast Read/Write speeds of up to 520 MB/s and 420 MB/s.
- Includes USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables
- Lightweight and durable aluminum shockproof design for traveling light and safely
- PS4 / XBOX COMPATIBLE: Ideal for gaming enthusiasts Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim (PS4 System Software version 4.50 or higher).
- 3-year warranty. *Must Read* LARGE FILE (4GB) TRANSFER - B75 Pro is Pre-formatted as FAT32, you could use it directly on Mac or Windows (For Mac, this...