Top External SSD Brands: Speedy Performers for Ultimate Data Storage

In the ever-evolving world of digital storage, external SSDs have emerged as a popular choice for those seeking speed, reliability, and convenience. With numerous brands competing for attention, selecting the right one can be a daunting task. Renowned for their innovation and performance, many top brands have introduced cutting-edge models that cater to a wide range of needs and budgets. To help you navigate this expansive marketplace, we've compiled a detailed list of the best brands for external SSDs below.

Illustration of external ssd

Best brands of external ssd in 2025

Samsung

Samsung is a leading producer of external SSDs, dominating the market with a significant share. In 2014, Samsung held a 34% market share in the global SSD market, generating $3.99 billion in revenue, more than twice that of its closest competitor, Intel. By 2022, Samsung's share in the enterprise SSD market had risen to 53.6%, far surpassing Intel's 15.2% share. Samsung continues to innovate, introducing products like the portable T1 lineup, and has maintained its position as the industry leader in NAND flash memory, holding a 36.9% market share as of 2024's second quarter. This consistent leadership underscores Samsung's commitment to advanced storage solutions.

SanDisk

SanDisk is a prominent player in the external SSD market, known for its high-performance and reliable flash storage solutions. The company competes in the enterprise data storage category, although its market share in this segment is relatively small at 0.10%. SanDisk's products, such as the Extreme V2 series, are popular for their faster data transfer speeds and durability, making them a favorite among consumers and professionals alike. Despite some users reporting issues with drive reliability, SanDisk remains a trusted brand in the industry, with its products widely used in various applications from smartphones to data centers. The external portable SSD market, where SanDisk operates, is expected to see significant growth driven by increasing demand for high-capacity and high-performance storage solutions.

Western Digital

Western Digital (WD), a leading producer of external SSDs, is renowned for its high-performance and innovative storage solutions. In Q1 2024, WD reported a notable 9.6% annual increase in flash revenues, reaching an impressive $1.56 billion, and unveiled new NVMe SSDs featuring up to a 40% improvement in read and write speeds. The company has also introduced high-capacity hard disk drives (HDDs) with storage capacities reaching up to 20TB and plans to launch HDDs based on Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR) technology in Q3 2024, offering up to 15% better storage density. WD's flash business, including the well-known SanDisk brand, has demonstrated significant growth with record flash bit shipments up 49% annually. The company's strong market presence is fueled by its focus on consumer and client end markets, along with emerging applications like generative AI and virtual reality. For more details, visit their official website.

Crucial

Crucial, a renowned brand in the storage industry, is one of the top producers of external SSDs, known for their high-performance and reliable storage solutions. The global external portable SSD market, which includes Crucial's products, is expected to grow significantly, with a CAGR of 6.4% from 2022 to 2032, reaching a market size of USD 4438.89 million by 2032. Crucial's SSDs, such as those using the PCIe interface, offer faster data transfer speeds and lower latency, making them a preferred choice for both consumers and enterprises. The brand's focus on innovation and customer needs has contributed to the shift towards higher capacity drives, with 1TB and 2TB models becoming increasingly popular. As the demand for portable storage solutions continues to rise due to remote work and digital content consumption, Crucial remains a key player in the market.

Seagate

Seagate Technology is a prominent player in the portable SSD market, known for its high-performance and reliable storage solutions. As one of the key manufacturers, Seagate holds a significant share in the global portable SSD market, which is expected to grow from US$ 2463 million in 2024 to US$ 3630.5 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.7% during this period. Seagate's products are favored for their robust design and advanced features, making them ideal for both personal and enterprise use. The company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has solidified its position among the top five manufacturers, which collectively account for more than 70% of the market share. For more information about their portable SSDs, visit their official website.

Kingston

Kingston Technology stands as a leading producer of external SSDs, maintaining its dominance in the SSD market for the sixth consecutive year with a 28% market share in 2022 and 23.8% in 2023. The company shipped 27.4 million client SSDs in 2023, with a strong presence in the PCIe 4.0 NVMe segment. Kingston's external SSDs, such as the XS1000, offer ultimate convenience and streamlined storage, making them ideal for various needs. Their commitment to quality and customer support has been a key factor in their success. Kingston continues to expand its product lineup, including enterprise-class SSDs like the DC600M.

LaCie

LaCie, a brand owned by Seagate, is renowned for producing high-performance and rugged external SSDs, particularly catering to creative professionals. The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD, for example, offers speeds up to 20 Gbps via USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 and is available in capacities up to 4TB, making it a top choice for those needing reliable and fast storage solutions. With features like IP67-rated water resistance and a three-meter drop tolerance, LaCie's products are built for durability. The global external hard drive market, which includes SSDs, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2023 to 2030, with LaCie being a key player in this expanding market. LaCie's focus on product design and customer service further differentiates it from competitors.

ADATA

ADATA is a leading producer of external SSDs, known for its high-performance and durable storage solutions. The global SSD market, which includes ADATA's products, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.02% from 2024 to 2028, driven by enhanced performance and durability. ADATA's external SSDs are popular for their fast data access and improved system performance, particularly in the enterprise and data center sectors. The company is part of a market that saw significant growth, with the SSD market valued at USD 14.85 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 82.22 billion by 2032. ADATA's products, such as their portable SSDs, are favored for their high-capacity storage and emphasis on data security.

G-Technology

G-Technology, a brand owned by Western Digital, is renowned for producing high-quality external SSDs that offer exceptional performance and reliability. Known for their rugged designs and high-speed data transfer rates, G-Technology SSDs are favored by professionals in the creative industry. For instance, the G-Technology G-DRIVE Mobile SSD can achieve read and write speeds of up to 560 MB/s, making it ideal for demanding applications. Since its inception, G-Technology has consistently delivered products that meet or exceed industry standards, earning a reputation for excellence. With a focus on durability and performance, G-Technology SSDs are a top choice for those needing reliable external storage solutions.

Transcend

Transcend is a notable producer of external SSDs, known for its high-performance and reliable storage solutions. In 2022, Transcend held a 3% market share in the global SSD market, according to TrendForce. Their products, such as the ESD270C portable SSD, feature fast data transfer rates, solid data integrity, and advanced security measures like 256-bit AES encryption. Transcend's devices are designed for portability and durability, making them ideal for various applications, including business and personal use. The company's commitment to innovation and quality has made its SSDs a preferred choice in the market.