★★★★☆
The PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD includes both a USB-C and a USB-A connector. That means the flash drive can plug into a recent Mac, iPad or iPhone, but can also go into a smart TV or other accessory that lacks a USB-C port — no adapter needed.
And it’s quick, with data transfers at up to 800MB/s. Capacities go up to 2 terabytes.
I put the affordable SSD through a series of real-world tests. Here’s what I found.
Thanks to generous deals, the portable SSD you’ve been wanting is probably available at well below the usual cost. There are top-quality ones available at low prices — we found deals on portable SSDs from Samsung, Kingston and more. Save up to 33%.
You can easily increase the storage capacity of your Mac, iPad, etc., without over-stressing your credit card.
★★★★★
The just-launched LaCie Rugged SSD4 from Seagate is for “creators working beyond the four walls of a studio.” It’s designed to stand up to punishment while offering terabytes of storage and USB4 data transfer speeds. That’s fast enough for iPhone Pro users to record ProRes 4K video.
I put the SSD through real-world testing. Here’s how it came out.
A deal on the Samsung T9 SSD lets you add terabytes of storage to your Mac or iPad without breaking the bank. The T9 offers up to 4TB of capacity and offers blazing fast data transfers, without the risks of cloud storage. And you can grab the SSD now at up to 36% below the original cost.
For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 is available with considerable discounts, too.
Professionals who need an SSD with terabytes of storage and crazy-fast data transfers have a new option: the OWC Express 1M2 80G. The drive offers up to 8TB of capacity, and because it uses Thunderbolt 5, the SSD offers 48GBps real-world data transfers.
It’s available in a range of storage capacities, or users can insert their own NVMe M.2 SSD.
Adding high-speed plug-in storage capacity to your computer is so easy it’s something every Mac user should consider. Here are some of the best consumer-oriented external SSDs that are designed for portability. Even better: many of these are on sale.
We did hands-in testing for nearly all of these — look for links to our reviews.
The portable SSD you’ve been wanting is probably available at well below the usual cost. There are top-quality ones available at way below their list prices — we found deals on portable SSDs from Samsung, Kingston and more. Save up to 48%!
Even if you didn’t do your shopping during Amazon Prime Day last week, you can still easily increase the storage capacity of your Mac, iPad, etc. without over-stressing your credit card.
The OWC Guardian stands out from the pack of SSDs with built-in hardware encryption unlocked with its own touchscreen. No special software is needed.
The USB-C drive works with a variety of computers, offers fast data transfers and is available in up to 4 TB of capacity.
★★★★☆
SanDisk designed its Creator Phone SSD specifically for people recording large amounts of 4K ProRes video with a recent iPhone Pro/Pro Max model. The MagSafe drive magnetically attaches to the back of the handset so it’s out of the way during filming.
It holds up to 2TB of data without making the handset difficult to film with. And transferring data to a Mac for editing is a snap.
I tested the SSD with my iPhone and it worked very well. But the cable is bulkier than it should be.
Adding a high-speed SSD to the Mac mini M4 just got easier with the Satechi USB4 Slim NVMe SSD Enclosure. It can hold up to 8TB drives and transfer data at up to 5 GB per second.
The accessory hit store shelves Tuesday and comes with a 17% launch discount.
The PNY Duo Link V3 external SSD includes both a USB-C and a USB-A connector. That means the flash drive that launched Thursday can plug into any modern Mac, or it can go into a smartTV or other accessory that lacks a USB-C port — no adapter needed.
Even better, it offers 1,000MB/s data transfers, and capacities go up to 2 terabytes. The price is very competitive, too.
Apple charges a ton for storage upgrades on Macs. Worse, you cannot extend the built-in storage after buying the Mac. Thankfully, smarter solutions exist, as long as you don’t mind plugging an external disk into your Mac.
Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to expand your Mac’s storage, along with ideal solutions based on particular needs.
★★★★★
The PNY Pro Elite V3 external SSD holds terabytes of files, and can transfer data at up to 1,000MB/s. Another standout feature is cost, with the 2TB variant coming in at just $145 — well below many rival SSDs.
I tested the speed, build and other aspects of the drive with a range of computers to be sure it lives up to expections.
ShiftCam calls the Planck “the world’s smallest portable SSD,” and it’s certainly very tiny. Plus, its USB-C connector is designed so the drive fits neatly on the bottom of an iPhone Pro where it’s ready to store up to 2 TB of high-resolution ProRes video as it’s being recorded.
The very, very compact drive can be pre-ordered now at up to 35% off the regular price.
A new mobile SSD called the PNY Pro Elite V3 holds terabytes of data and can transfer that data at up to 1,000MB/s. But perhaps its standout feature is price: the 2TB variant comes in at just $145.
PNY also just introduced two other speedy USB-C drives that top out at 256GB — but cost less than $25.
ShiftCam calls the Planck “the world’s smallest portable SSD,” and it’s certainly very small. That and the unusual placement of its USB-C connector allow the drive to fit neatly on the bottom of an iPhone Pro and hold up to 2 TB of high-resolution ProRes video as it’s being recorded.
The accessory hits the market soon and is being shown off at CES 2025 this week.
The SanDisk Creator Phone SSD sets itself apart from rival portable drives with MagSafe. This means the drive magnetically clings to an iPhone where it’s available to hold up to 2 TB of ProRes video as it’s recorded.
SanDisk unveiled the SSD at CES 2025, along with other new storage options.
Third-party accessory-maker Polysoft stepped in to make something Apple won’t: upgrade SSDs for the Mac Studio. These will allow owners of the powerful desktop to increase the storage capacity with relative ease, which is not possible now.
And the product raises the possibility that Mac mini SSD upgrades will launch at some point, too.
The Samsung T9 SSD is quick and it’s very portable. Plus, for Cyber Week means it’s up to 40% off. Opt for 1TB, 2TB or even 4TB of additional storage for your Mac or iPad.
For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 series is available for as much as 44% off.
Apple charges too damn much for additional storage for Macs and iPads. I got tired of overpaying for internal storage and went for an external SSD instead. The Kingston XS1000 is my favorite — portable, reliable and affordable.
And it’s an even better deal now that Cyber Monday is coming up: under $75 for a terabyte of storage.
In a surprise move, the M4 Mac mini includes a removable, swappable SSD. Apple really should give customers the option to buy high-capacity versions of these as storage upgrades for the tiny desktop. It would be a win for both the Mac-maker and its customers.
The option would be welcome addition even if the SSDs only came from Apple at fairly high prices.
Do you know where your data is? Don’t get us wrong — the cloud isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But if you want reliable backup you can always access easily, or just a more convenient way to free up storage space, you might consider a physical drive like this affordable 256GB SSD.
Thanks to the slim profile of the Mini Ultra Portable 256GB SSD, you can store your files, photos and other media comfortably and take it just about anywhere. For a limited time, this invaluable accessory costs just $43.99 (regularly $139).
The Samsung T9 SSD is quick and it’s very portable. Plus, for a short time, it’s up to 45% off. Opt for 1TB, 2TB or even 4TB of additional storage for your Mac or iPad.
For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 series is available for as much as 44% off.
Other World Computing’s Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is for professionals needing the fastest data transfer rate available. The external solid state drive can move files at up to 6000 MBps or more, making it up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.
Plus, the SSD is rugged and designed to be ready to go wherever needed.
Cloud storage is great, but like any technology, it has a time and place. When you want guaranteed storage that doesn’t require an internet connection to access, what you really need is an external drive. This 2TB portable SSD keeps your data close and your devices unclogged. And for a limited time, it costs just $44.97.
This SSD quickly sold out the last few times we offered it. Now it’s back in stock, and it’s available again as a Cult of Mac Deals exclusive … while supplies last!