We previously discussed some of the things you should look out for when it comes to buying a portable drive. Whether that drive be a flash drive, an HDD, or an SSD, we here at B&H have you covered with plenty of options. Here are a couple of our personal favorites that should inspire you to find the exact drive that you may need.
Flash Drives
SanDisk Ultra USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive
You can’t go wrong with ole reliable, the SanDisk Ultra USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Flash Drive. With options available up to 1TB of storage, the Ultra does exactly what you need it to do, which is store files. It isn’t the fastest flash drive out there but if you’re just looking to save various documents, you really can't go wrong with this one. Other features that make it a solid choice include a sliding connector that retracts into the body and a loop to hang it off a keychain or lanyard.
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe
The Ultra Dual Drive Luxe is another great flash drive option from SanDisk, but with a twist—literally. While the sleek silver finish adds to the overall sophisticated aesthetic, one part of it acts like a cover to protect the drive. This drive features two connectors—USB-A and USB-C—which allows you to use it with virtually any system out there. Simply twist the cover on the drive to reveal the connector you need while the unused side is protected. This particular model also offers up to 1TB of storage capacity for your document needs.
HDDs
WD Elements Portable Hard Drive
If you’re looking for a standard, no-frills portable HDD, then the WD Elements Portable Hard Drive is there for you. There isn’t anything too over the top about this one besides that WD has always been a solid brand to me and I own several of their HDDs. It can reach quick data transfer speeds up to 5 Gb/s and comes in multiple capacities up to 6TB, which is great for folks looking to store information for a long time.
LaCie Rugged External Hard Drive
LaCie is one of those brands that really stands out when it comes to storage drives. Not only does the bright orange bumper of the Rugged External Hard Drive make it easy to spot, it adds a layer of protection to the drive to prevent possible damage to your data. It is also crush and rain resistant, making it a great drive for outdoor scenarios. There are multiple models and capacities available to fit your wilderness needs.
Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
Do you want the equivalent of Fort Knox in your bag? Look no further than the Apricorn Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS Encrypted Portable Hard Drive. This brick of a drive not only has military-grade, real-time AES-XTs 256-bit encryption, but it is also designed to meet NIST FIPS 140-2 Level 3 requirements, which is a big deal if you know what that means. On top of all that, it has an onboard keypad adding even more security and that isn’t all! You get unattended auto lock, brute force protection, dual Read-Only modes, lock-override mode, and so much more. This is all encased in a solid aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum-alloy shell.
SSDs
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2
You can’t go wrong with SanDisk, which is why I must mention their latest iteration of a previous model, the Extreme Portable SSD V2. If you had the previous model, you know what you are getting here, except it is enhanced. You get faster speeds, up to 10 Gb/s along with more capacity options and even new colors! Naturally, it also features the always welcomed carabiner loop for easy transport!
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD
Did you want something small? Maybe small enough to fit in that little pocket inside your pocket? Okay, while the Samsung T7 Shield isn’t that small, it is lightweight and compact enough where you’ll completely forget you had it on you. It features a nifty exterior rubber coating that prevents damage when dropped from low heights and even has an IP65 rating! I personally own one of these SSDs and I must say, it is incredibly fast and reliable and a great option for folks who want to travel light.
PNY RP60 Portable SSD
PNY is well-known for its large catalog of outstanding computer components and the RP60 Portable SSD is no exception. Not only does this nifty storage drive offer quick transfer speeds via multiple USB formats, it’s also super compact and lightweight, making it easy to travel with. The RP60’s rugged design can withstand drops up to 9.8’, is IP65 water and dust resistant, and features a dedicated lashing point for lanyards, clips, and more. It also includes PNY’s data protection software, a USB-C cable, and is available in 1TB or 2TB variants.
LaCie Rugged External SSD
While we have already mentioned LaCie previously, I must go full circle to tell you about the Rugged External SSD. While it is compact and lightweight, it doesn’t compromise the iconic LaCie orange theme, as vivid and bright as it may be. It is IP67 rated, is drop and crush resistant, and like all LaCie products, includes data recovery services in the event of a failure. This is a must-have for travelers.
Exascend Element Portable SSD
I have to mention the Exascend Element Portable SSD before we wrap this guide up because of how promising it is. It is so incredibly light and compact as well as fast thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface, giving it lightning-fast speeds up to 2000 MB/s! This allows you to connect your phone or compatible recording device to the Element and record directly onto the drive. It is compatible with various magnetic mounts so you can hold your device without worrying about the drive itself. Additionally, it is water, dust, weather, impact, and X-ray resistant, ensuring long-lasting performance. As of this writing, the drive is currently coming soon with pre-orders available right now.
External Drive Enclosures
If you happen to have a spare drive laying around somewhere and you’d like to use it without throwing it into your system, the Sabrent Tool-Free External Drive Enclosure is there for you. You can easily throw in a 3.5” or 2.5” SATA drive, essentially making your own external storage device. This housing in particular makes it quick and easy to install, is manufactured with aluminum and ABS materials, and even features an LED light that displays both power and activity status.
Plugable M.2 NVMe Tool-Free Enclosure
If you happen to have a few extra M.2 SSDs laying around, the Plugable M.2 NVMe Tool-Free Enclosure is a solid recommendation. The aluminum design of the enclosure adds a layer of protection while also assisting with heat dissipation, preventing thermal throttling and keeping your drive working at its maximum speed. This is great for those looking to get some extra life out of an older drive without breaking the bank.
So, that is all the drives and enclosures that I can recommend. They all have great features and if you want to know more about them, make sure you hit the links above.
