Best Budget External SSD for Gaming

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Last updated: February 3, 2026 · By
Best Value Overall
Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD

Reliable, steady SSD speeds for faster game loads and installs without breaking the bank.

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Best Budget External SSD for Gaming

If you are anything like me, you have seen those flawless gaming setups where everything loads instantly and nothing ever seems to stutter. Meanwhile I am over here trying to move a few big games around before a weekend session, watching a progress bar crawl, and realizing my “budget” storage choice is the bottleneck. Once I swapped to a solid budget external SSD, the difference was not flashy, it was just calmer: faster installs, quicker load-ins, and way fewer storage headaches when I wanted to grab my gear and go.

Best Value Overall
For most gamers, this is the sweet spot: fast enough to noticeably improve installs and load times versus a hard drive, with steady performance that does not feel “bursty” and then sluggish.
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Most Durable Budget Pick
If you are the kind of person who throws gear into a backpack, moves between rooms, or travels with a console and accessories, this one earns its keep.
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Best If You Have a 20 Gbps USB Port
This is the budget-friendly way to tap into faster USB performance on a compatible PC.
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In-depth Reviews

Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD

Interface
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
Max Read Speed
Up to 1050 MB/s
Max Write Speed
Up to 975 MB/s
Capacities
1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Durability
IP55 water and dust resistance
Warranty
5-year limited warranty
Real Talk: For most gamers, this is the sweet spot: fast enough to noticeably improve installs and load times versus a hard drive, with steady performance that does not feel “bursty” and then sluggish. It is simple to toss in a bag, it plays nicely with PCs and consoles, and it is the kind of drive you can buy once and use for years without babysitting it. Great for expanding a growing library without overspending.
✅ Pros
  • Consistently quick for real-world game installs and transfers
  • Wide device compatibility with straightforward setup
  • Durable build for everyday carry
❌ Cons
  • Faster “20 Gbps” drives can copy huge files quicker on the right port
  • Can warm up during long, continuous writes
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Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD

Interface
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
Max Read Speed
Up to 1050 MB/s
Max Write Speed
Up to 1000 MB/s
Capacities
1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Durability
IP65 water and dust resistance
Security
AES 256-bit hardware encryption
Real Talk: If you are the kind of person who throws gear into a backpack, moves between rooms, or travels with a console and accessories, this one earns its keep. The exterior is grippy and protective, and the drive holds up well to everyday bumps while still delivering the snappy feel you want for modern games. It is also a good choice for families, where a drive might get handled more than you planned.
✅ Pros
  • Rugged shell that resists slips and everyday knocks
  • Strong, dependable performance for gaming storage
  • Brand track record and solid software support
❌ Cons
  • Typically costs a bit more than basic portable SSDs
  • Does not benefit from 20 Gbps USB ports
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Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD

Interface
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps)
Max Read Speed
Up to 2000 MB/s
Max Write Speed
Up to 2000 MB/s
Capacities
500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Durability
IP55 rating with included sleeve
Warranty
5-year limited warranty
Real Talk: This is the budget-friendly way to tap into faster USB performance on a compatible PC. It is especially nice if you regularly shuffle big game folders between drives, keep multiple libraries, or install and uninstall frequently. In normal play, it feels responsive and quick, but the biggest difference is how much faster large transfers can finish. Just give it some breathing room during long copy sessions.
✅ Pros
  • Excellent transfer speeds on supported USB ports
  • Compact and easy to stash with handhelds or laptops
  • Good value when you catch it on sale
❌ Cons
  • Gen 2×2 support is not common on many devices
  • Can run warm during heavy, sustained writes
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WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD

Interface
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20 Gbps)
Max Read Speed
Up to 2000 MB/s
Capacities
1TB, 2TB
Security
Password protection with hardware encryption
Warranty
5-year limited warranty
Real Talk: If you want a drive that feels purpose-built for a gaming desk, this one delivers. It is quick for big transfers on the right USB port, and it stays reliable when you are constantly updating, patching, and moving large installs. The software support is a plus if you like managing performance settings and lighting, but it is also perfectly happy to run quietly in the background as dedicated game storage.
✅ Pros
  • Very fast transfers on compatible PCs
  • Strong sustained performance for frequent installs and updates
  • Helpful companion software and solid build quality
❌ Cons
  • Gaming styling can be a bit much for minimalist setups
  • You pay extra for features you may not use
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SK hynix Beetle X31 Portable SSD

Interface
USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
Max Read Speed
Up to 1050 MB/s
Max Write Speed
Up to 1000 MB/s
Capacities
1TB, 2TB
Warranty
3-year limited warranty
Real Talk: This is a straightforward, no-drama external SSD that does exactly what most people need: faster than a hard drive, dependable for daily gaming storage, and small enough to live in a tech pouch. It is a great pick when you want to stay firmly in “budget” territory without gambling on an off-brand drive. For most consoles and everyday PCs, it delivers the same practical gaming benefit as pricier drives.
✅ Pros
  • Reliable everyday performance at a budget-friendly price
  • Compact size that is easy to carry and store
  • Good choice for consoles that do not support 20 Gbps USB
❌ Cons
  • Not as rugged as rubberized, IP-rated competitors
  • Less upside if you are chasing the fastest possible transfers
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Buying Guide

If you are…Look for…Top pick
Buying one drive for PC, console, and everyday use A reliable USB drive with steady real-world performance and broad compatibility Crucial X9 Pro Portable SSD
Traveling often or your gear gets tossed in bags A rugged exterior and an IP rating so bumps and spills are less stressful Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD
Using a desktop PC with a true USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port A 20 Gbps drive with strong sustained transfers for big installs and copies Kingston XS2000 Portable SSD
Trying to keep it affordable while still feeling like a real upgrade A reputable brand, consistent speeds, and a compact drive that is easy to live with SK hynix Beetle X31 Portable SSD

What We Wish We Knew Before Buying a Gaming SSD

Port speed matters more than the drive label. If your console or laptop only supports the common USB speed tier, a 20 Gbps drive will not suddenly become twice as fast. You will still get SSD-level responsiveness, but you are paying for speed your device cannot use. Before you spend extra, check whether your USB port actually supports Gen 2×2.

Plan for heat during big installs. Any compact SSD can warm up when you are copying a large library. To keep performance steady, give it airflow, avoid stacking it under a warm console, and do not coil the cable tightly against it. If you notice stutters during a long transfer, pause for a minute and let it cool. That tiny break can save you time overall.

Set it up for less hassle later. If the drive will stay on one device, format it the way that device prefers and leave it dedicated to games. If you constantly swap between PC and console, consider keeping one SSD for the console and a separate, smaller “transfer” drive for moving clips, screenshots, and occasional files. It is a simple system that prevents most of the annoying format and permission issues.

💡 Editor’s Final Thoughts

Final Verdict: The Crucial X9 Pro is my top budget pick because it hits the sweet spot of consistent real-world speed, broad compatibility, and durability without paying extra for specs your device may not even use. If you need something more rugged for travel, the Samsung T7 Shield is the easy alternative.

See also

If your gaming corner shares space with a four-legged friend, Best Treats for Senior Dogs is a sweet companion read for cozy, at-home setup days.

Frequently Asked Questions ▾

Will an external SSD make my games load faster?

Usually, yes, especially if you are coming from a hard drive. On a modern console or PC, an external SSD can reduce loading screens and make big open-world fast travel feel less sluggish. The catch is that load times are limited by your device’s USB speed and the game itself. If your laptop only supports standard USB speeds, a pricier “ultra fast” drive will not feel dramatically different than a solid, well-made USB drive.

Do I need a “20 Gbps” (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2) drive for gaming?

Only if your device actually supports that faster USB mode. Many laptops, consoles, and docks top out at the more common USB speed tier, which means a 20 Gbps drive will perform like a regular drive when plugged into that port. Where 20 Gbps helps is moving huge games around quickly on a compatible PC and doing large installs or copies often. If you mostly install once and play, a dependable 10 Gbps-class drive is typically the better budget value.

Can I play PS5 games directly from an external SSD?

You can store PS5 games on an external SSD, but PS5 titles generally need to be moved back to internal storage to play. External SSDs are still great for expanding your library, backing up big downloads, and running PS4 games. If your main goal is playing PS5 games without moving files, that is when you would look at an internal NVMe upgrade instead of external storage.

What format should I use for an external SSD (exFAT, NTFS, etc.)?

If you move the drive between Windows and macOS often, exFAT is usually the simplest. If it will stay on Windows only, NTFS tends to be the easiest for permissions and large file handling. Consoles will prompt you to format the drive for their use, and that format is not always friendly for swapping between devices. The cleanest approach is dedicating one drive per device, or keeping a separate “transfer” drive if you frequently move game captures and files around.

How do I keep an external SSD from slowing down or overheating during big installs?

Give it airflow and avoid burying it under a warm console, a laptop, or a pile of cables. Use the included cable when you can, since bargain cables can force slower speeds or unstable connections. Also, try to keep some free space on the drive; near-full SSDs can feel slower during large writes. Finally, always eject safely before unplugging to reduce the chance of file system issues, especially if you are moving the drive between multiple devices.

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