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External solid-state drives (SSDs) offer a significant leap in speed and durability over traditional hard drives, making them ideal for professionals and everyday users alike. Selecting the right external SSD ensures your data is transferred quickly, securely, and reliably, whether you're backing up critical files or working with large media projects.
Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
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.(3)
Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
For iPhone 4K ProRes: Our portable SSD empowers 4K60Hz ProRes HDR video capture for iPhone. Power consumption less than 2.4 Watts, this external SSD effortlessly operates on various mobile devices, ensuring seamless usability on the go
Less Heat: 2mm thick aluminum alloy case of this portable SSD brings superior heat dissipation and premium touch. Case temperature peaks at 105.58°F, ensuring reliable performance without worries of overheating inside the SSD
Powerful Portability: Impressive external solid state drives weighs just 36.6g with a dimension of 2.6*1.5*0.5 inch, Experience unparalleled convenience with this remarkably lightweight portable SSD
MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
ALL FOR THE SHOT: This strong, sturdy sidekick will help you see it through with shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet⁴; With its solid aluminum unibody construction, it’s made to withstand any adventure
WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 2003⁵; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
High-speed Data Transfer: Lexar external SSD ES3 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write to transfer files fast for more efficient work. (Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems)
Wide Compatibility: Lexar Portable SSD ES3 compatibility with iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more
On The Go: Lexar external solid state drive ES3's thin, stylish, and durable design, weighs 42g and is only 10.5mm thick, making it smaller than a card and easily fits in your pocket. It comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience
Data Safety First: Lexar SSD ES3 includes Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software to protect files
MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
ALL FOR THE SHOT: This strong, sturdy sidekick will help you see it through with shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet⁴; With its solid aluminum unibody construction, it’s made to withstand any adventure
WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 2003⁵; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
NONSTOP SPEED: Race through projects with our fastest SSD for creators; Load, edit and transfer with sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s1; The T9 Portable SSD performs at high speeds even during longer processes
DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: When you’re elbow-deep in a passion project, the T9 Portable SSD stays cool; Its advanced thermal solution withstands and controls heat to keep the SSD at ideal temperatures—even in heavy use2
ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether you’re using a desktop, camera or a gaming console3, count on the T9 Portable SSD for extensive compatibility; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
STRONG. SOLID. STABLE: From concept to completion – the T9 Portable SSD gives you the longevity to last through heavy use with one convenient drive that dares to go the distance
WORKS LIKE MAGIC: Your T9 Portable SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software; With firmware updates, extra encryption and continual monitoring of your drive health, it works like a charm
WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 20034; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
SUPPORTS iPHONE: Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more5; Included SSD cable recommended
Capacity Display Variance: 250GB external ssd often appears as around 232GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 250 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
For iPhone 4K ProRes: Our portable SSD empowers 4K60Hz ProRes HDR video capture for iPhone. Power consumption less than 2.4 Watts, this external SSD effortlessly operates on various mobile devices, ensuring seamless usability on the go
Less Heat: 2mm thick aluminum alloy case of this portable SSD brings superior heat dissipation and premium touch. Case temperature peaks at 105.58°F, ensuring reliable performance without worries of overheating inside the SSD
Powerful Portability: Impressive external solid state drives weighs just 36.6g with a dimension of 2.6*1.5*0.5 inch, Experience unparalleled convenience with this remarkably lightweight portable SSD
Last update on 2026-08-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Choose the Best External Solid State Drives
Understanding Key Specifications
When choosing an external SSD, pay close attention to its interface and protocol. NVMe SSDs connected via Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 offer the fastest speeds, often exceeding 1000 MB/s. SATA-based external SSDs, while still faster than HDDs, will generally top out around 550 MB/s and are often more budget-friendly. Consider the capacity you need; 500GB is sufficient for basic backups, while 1TB or 2TB are better for large video files or extensive photo libraries. Durability is also a factor; look for ruggedized or water-resistant models if you plan to use the drive in demanding environments.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Ensure the external SSD's connector type matches your devices. USB-C is the modern standard, but older devices may require USB-A adapters. Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 are backward compatible with USB 3.x, but you'll only achieve maximum speeds if both the drive and the host device support the highest standard. For Mac users, Thunderbolt drives often provide the best performance. Check if the drive comes pre-formatted for your operating system (e.g., exFAT for cross-platform use, APFS for macOS) or if reformatting is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main advantage of an external SSD over an external HDD?
External SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to traditional external hard drives (HDDs). They are also more durable as they have no moving parts, making them less susceptible to damage from drops or shocks.
How do I choose the right capacity for my needs?
Consider what you'll be storing. For operating system backups or documents, 500GB might suffice. For large media files like videos, high-resolution photos, or extensive game libraries, 1TB, 2TB, or even larger capacities are recommended.
What is the difference between USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 2x2?
These designations refer to the speed of the USB interface. Gen 1 offers up to 5Gbps, Gen 2 up to 10Gbps, and Gen 2x2 offers up to 20Gbps. Higher numbers indicate faster potential transfer speeds.
Is Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C better for an external SSD?
Thunderbolt 3 (which uses the USB-C connector) typically offers higher bandwidth and faster speeds than standard USB-C, especially for NVMe SSDs. However, Thunderbolt 3 ports are less common than USB-C ports.
Do I need to format the external SSD?
Most external SSDs come pre-formatted, often with exFAT for broad compatibility across Windows and macOS. If you plan to use the drive exclusively with one operating system and want to optimize performance or security, reformatting it to that OS's native file system (like APFS for Mac or NTFS for Windows) might be beneficial.
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