Best Water‑Resistant External SSDs for Travel

TL;DR: The Crucial X10 4TB packs a massive 4 TB of storage, 2100 MB/s read, 2000 MB/s write, IP65 protection, and a 3 m drop rating into a 38 g, pocket‑sized SSD, but it carries a premium $425.00 price tag.

The X10’s standout spec is its 4 TB capacity combined with sequential read speeds of 2100 MB/s and write speeds of 2000 MB/s, all delivered through a USB‑C connector on a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) interface. Its chassis measures just 10 mm × 65 mm × 50 mm and weighs 38 g, while an IP65 rating and 3 m drop resistance make it ready for dust, water, and accidental falls.

Compared with the other five drives, the X10 is lighter than the Amazon Basics Portable SSD (0.1168670450862 pounds) and the Samsung T7 Shield (0.21384839414 pounds). It’s also slimmer than the Amazon model’s 9.9 mm height and shorter than the Samsung’s 12.5 mm height, though its 65 mm length exceeds the Amazon’s 59.2 mm. In speed tests, the X10’s 2100 MB/s read outpaces the Samsung’s 1050 MB/s and the Lexar’s 1050 MB/s, matching the SanDisk Extreme PRO’s 2000 MB/s read but offering a higher write rate than the SanDisk Extreme’s 1000 MB/s. Drop resistance of 3 m matches the Samsung, SanDisk Extreme PRO, and SanDisk Extreme, and exceeds the Lexar’s 1 m rating.

Users consistently praise the pocket‑friendly dimensions and the ability to back up large media libraries in a flash. Professional reviewers note the shift to a plastic enclosure, which feels less premium than older metal‑cased models, and they point out that real‑world speeds can dip on hosts that don’t support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The drive ships with Mylio Photos Plus (3 months) and Acronis True Image, and it operates safely between 0 °C and 40 °C under a 3‑year limited warranty.

Best for: Content creators, photographers, videographers, gamers, and frequent travelers who need massive, fast, and rugged portable storage.

Avoid if: You need built‑in hardware encryption, rely on macOS for maximum speed, or are shopping on a tight budget — it’s priced at $425.00.

TL;DR: The Amazon Basics 2 TB Portable SSD offers 2 TB storage, IP65 water‑dust resistance, and up to 2000 MB/s read/write in a 9.9 mm, 53 g package for $284.99.

At the core of this drive is a 2 TB flash module that Amazon lists as delivering “up to 2000 MB/s” read and write speeds over a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB‑C) interface. The enclosure carries an IP65 rating, so it handles rain and dust without worry, and the metal case with a polymer bottom stays below the maximum operating temperature of 50 °C even during sustained transfers. Physically, the SSD measures just 9.9 mm in height, 59.2 mm square, and weighs only 53 g, making it one of the lightest options in the lineup.

Compared with the five other SSDs in this travel roundup, the Amazon Basics model is lighter than the Samsung T7 Shield (about 0.21 lb) and the SanDisk Extreme PRO (about 0.17 lb), though a bit heavier than the Crucial X10 (about 0.07 lb). Its 9.9 mm thickness is slimmer than Samsung’s 12.5 mm and SanDisk Extreme PRO’s 10.4 mm, yet a touch thicker than the Lexar Professional Go’s 8.25 mm. Speed‑wise, the advertised 2000 MB/s matches the SanDisk Extreme PRO and exceeds the Samsung T7 Shield (1050 MB/s), Lexar Professional Go (1050 MB/s), and SanDisk Extreme (1050 MB/s). The IP65 rating also stands out, as none of the peers list an equivalent water‑resistance specification.

Reviewers appreciate the drive’s compactness and the fact that it ships with two USB‑C‑to‑C cables, a USB‑C‑to‑A cable, and a protective case, so you'll start copying files right out of the box. Professional reviewers note the thermal protection that keeps the SSD under 50 °C, which helps avoid throttling during video editing. However, many users report that real‑world transfer speeds often fall between 858 MB/s and 1135 MB/s, well short of the 2000 MB/s claim, and performance can dip on older Macs or PCs. Reviewers describe the build quality as “kinda” rugged—adequate for travel but not as solid as premium‑grade metal chassis.

Best for: Budget‑conscious travelers who need fast, water‑resistant storage for backups, media libraries, and on‑the‑go editing.

Avoid if: You require consistently peak speeds above 2000 MB/s, Thunderbolt connectivity, or a premium‑grade rugged chassis for extreme conditions.

TL;DR: The Samsung T7 Shield delivers 1,050 MB/s read, 1,000 MB/s write, IP65 water‑dust resistance and 3 m drop protection in a 1 TB portable SSD that’s solidly built but a bit heavier than many rivals.

The standout feature is its IP65 rating, meaning the drive can shrug off rain and dust while still handling a 3‑meter drop. Samsung pairs that rugged shell with NVMe‑based performance: 1,050 MB/s sequential reads and 1,000 MB/s writes via a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) interface.

Compared with the five other SSDs in this travel roundup, the T7 Shield is heavier than the SanDisk Extreme PRO (0.17 lb) and the SanDisk Extreme (0.11 lb), but lighter than the Lexar Professional Go (0.37 lb). Its 12.5 mm thickness is a touch more than the Extreme PRO’s 10.4 mm length, while the Amazon Basics model sits at 9.9 mm. Speed‑wise, it matches the SanDisk Extreme’s 1,050/1,000 MB/s rates but trails the 2,000 MB/s class of the Extreme PRO, Amazon Basics, and Crucial X10.

Reviewers consistently praise fast transfers at up to 1,050 MB/s for large photo or video batches and the confidence the IP65 rating brings to field work. Professional reviewers note the drive’s “exceptionally fast” speeds for mobile storage and its “toughness for demanding environments.” The main complaints revolve around the 97 g (0.21 lb) weight, which makes it bulkier than the slimmer T7, and the absence of a USB‑C adapter, meaning you’ll need one separately for some devices.

Beyond protection, the T7 Shield includes AES 256‑bit hardware encryption, bus‑powered operation (no external brick), and backward compatibility with USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports. It works with PCs, Macs, Android devices and gaming consoles, and Samsung’s Magician software offers basic drive management.

Best for: Photographers, content creators, gamers, and mobile professionals who need a well‑reviewed, rugged SSD with solid speed and encryption.

Avoid if: You prioritize ultra‑lightweight, ultra‑slim drives or need fully waterproof (submersible) storage.

TL;DR: The SanDisk Extreme PRO 1TB SSD delivers 2000 MB/s read/write speeds, IP65 water‑dust protection, and a 3‑meter drop rating in a lightweight forged‑aluminum case for demanding travelers.

The standout spec is its flagship‑class 2000 MB/s sequential read and write performance, paired with an IP65 rating that guards against water and dust. Housed in a forged‑aluminum chassis, the drive measures 110.7 mm × 57.9 mm × 10.4 mm and weighs just 0.17 pounds (77.5 g), making it easy to slip into a pocket or attach to a bag with the included carabiner loop.

When stacked against the five other SSDs in this travel roundup, the Extreme PRO pulls ahead on speed—Samsung’s T7 Shield tops out at 1,050 MB/s read and 1,000 MB/s write, while Amazon Basics matches the 2,000 MB/s ceiling but lacks the IP65 rating and carabiner. The Lexar Go is lighter at 13 g but only offers 1,050 MB/s read and a 1‑meter drop rating, so the SanDisk’s 3‑meter protection gives it a clear durability edge. The regular SanDisk Extreme shares the same 3‑meter drop rating but is slower at 1,050/1,000 MB/s and weighs less. Crucial’s X10 pushes read speed to 2,100 MB/s but comes in larger capacities and a different form factor.

Professional reviewers note the drive consistently hits its advertised 2000 MB/s speeds and praise the compact, smartphone‑sized form factor for field work. Users appreciate the solid build, the added security of 128‑bit AES encryption, and the peace of mind from a 5‑year limited warranty. The 4.4/5‑star rating from 16,524 reviews shows solid approval, though some buyers point out the premium $224.99 price compared with faster‑but‑cheaper alternatives.

Best for: Content creators, photographers, and video professionals who need ultra‑fast transfers and rugged protection while traveling.

Avoid if: You prioritize the lowest possible price or need the lightest possible drive for ultra‑light travel.

TL;DR: The SanDisk Extreme 1 TB SSD packs 1050 MB/s read, 1000 MB/s write speeds, IP65 water resistance, and a 3‑meter drop rating into a 52‑g, bus‑powered, budget‑friendly package.

The standout feature is its IP65 rating, meaning it can handle rain and dust while still delivering up to 1050 MB/s sequential reads and 1000 MB/s writes from a 1 TB capacity. At just 0.11 pounds (52 g) and with a built‑in carabiner loop, it serves on‑the‑go creators who need a rugged‑looking drive that won’t weigh down a backpack.

Compared with the other five SSDs in this roundup, the SanDisk Extreme sits in the middle of the weight range—lighter than the Samsung T7 Shield (97 g) and the SanDisk Extreme PRO (77.5 g), but heavier than the Lexar Professional Go (13 g) and the Crucial X10 (38 g). Its 3‑meter drop protection matches the Samsung T7 Shield, SanDisk Extreme PRO, and Crucial X10, and exceeds the Lexar’s 1‑meter rating. Speed‑wise, it reaches the same 1050 MB/s read ceiling as the Lexar and Samsung, but falls short of the Extreme PRO’s 2000 MB/s and the Crucial X10’s 2100 MB/s, placing it solidly in the mid‑range tier.

Professional reviewers praise the high read speed for smoother video playback during editing, and everyday users appreciate the lightweight design and cross‑platform compatibility with USB‑C devices, iOS 13+, Android 11+, macOS 11+, and Windows 10+. The drive also includes 256‑bit AES hardware encryption, a USB‑C to USB‑C cable, a USB‑C to USB‑A adapter, and a 5‑year limited warranty, adding peace of mind for mobile professionals.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable entry-level option

Avoid if: You need advanced features or professional‑grade performance, such as transfer rates above 2000 MB/s or the absolute toughest ruggedness.

TL;DR: The Lexar Professional Go is a 1 TB, IP65‑rated SSD that weighs just 13 g, reads up to 1050 MB/s, and includes a built‑in 4‑port USB‑C hub for ultra‑portable, water‑resistant storage.

What really stands out is the combination of an IP65 dust‑ and water‑resistance rating with a thumb‑sized chassis – only 8.25 mm deep, 25.5 mm high and 43.5 mm wide – and a feather‑light 13 g body. The drive ships with an integrated USB 3.2 Gen 2 hub that offers four Type‑C ports and up to 30 W of power delivery, turning a tiny SSD into a multi‑device connector.

Compared with the other five SSDs in this roundup, the Lexar is the lightest (all peers weigh 38 g or more) and the most compact. Its 1 TB capacity matches the SanDisk Extreme, Samsung T7 Shield, and the other budget options, but its drop resistance of only 1 m falls short of the 3 m protection listed for those models. Read and write speeds of 1050 MB/s and 1000 MB/s line up with the SanDisk Extreme and Samsung T7 Shield, yet they are slower than the 2000 MB/s class drives such as the SanDisk Extreme PRO, Amazon Basics 2TB, and Crucial X10.

Reviewers consistently praise the SSD’s pocket‑size portability and its convenience when clipped onto an iPhone 15/16 Pro for 4K 60 fps video capture. Professional reviewers highlight the hub’s 10 Gbps ports and 30 W power delivery as a strong workflow boost for mobile creators. On the downside, users note that real‑world transfer speeds can vary depending on the host device, and the lack of any hardware encryption or fan‑based cooling limits its appeal for high‑security or high‑temperature scenarios. The product includes a five‑year limited warranty, passive cooling, and broad compatibility with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and most cameras.

Best for: Mobile creators and iPhone 15/16 Pro users who need a lightweight, water‑resistant 1 TB SSD with extra USB‑C ports for on‑the‑go workflows.

Avoid if: You require hardware encryption, higher drop protection, or top‑tier 2000 MB/s+ read/write speeds for desktop‑focused workloads.