Top 5 Portable SSDs for 2024 in the UAE

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In today’s digital age, we are constantly generating and storing large amounts of data, whether it’s photos, videos, or important documents. With the rise of cloud storage options, many people have turned to external hard drives as a more traditional solution for expanding their storage capacity. However, there is a newer, faster, and more durable alternative that is gaining popularity – solid-state drives or SSDs.

SSDs are portable devices that offer fast transfer speeds and reliability, making them an ideal choice for backing up data. In some cases, they can deliver up to 10 times the speed of portable hard drives. They are also smaller, slimmer, and more likely to survive falls or drops compared to traditional hard drives.

To learn more about the best SSD options available on the market, we spoke with Shahbaz Khan, a systems administrator with over 10 years of experience in the IT industry. Khan shared his insights on the best SSDs to get and how they differ from hard drives.

Here are some of the top SSDs recommended by Khan:

1. **Best Overall: Crucial X9 Pro**
– Pros: Light and compact, IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, rugged design, 256-bit encryption
– Cons: Short USB-C cable, no USB-C to USB-A cable
– Description: The Crucial X9 Pro offers storage capacity of up to 4TB with fast read/write speeds of up to 1,050Mbps. It is compact, rugged, and features drop-proof durability of up to 7.5 feet.

2. **Best for Data Back-up: Samsung T7 SSD**
– Pros: Very fast device, compact design, good security and fingerprint access, wide compatibility
– Cons: Not IP rated for dust and water resistance
– Description: The Samsung T7 SSD offers fast read speeds of up to 1,050Mbps and write speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. It features built-in security with AES 256-bit encryption and fingerprint sign-in option.

3. **Best for Gaming: Western Digital P50 Game Dock**
– Pros: Extremely fast speeds, easy to set up, multiple connectivity options, RGB lighting included
– Cons: Emits noise even when computer is off
– Description: The WD P50 Game Dock offers peak read speeds of up to 3,000Mbps and write speeds of 2,500Mbps, making it ideal for gaming PCs. It features Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and customizable RGB lighting.

4. **Best Portable: Kingston XS2000 SSD**
– Pros: Small, compact, excellent transfer speeds, IP55 rating
– Cons: Inconsistencies in speed noted by reviewers
– Description: The Kingston XS2000 is a pocket-sized external SSD with read/write speeds of up to 2,000Mbps. It is IP55 rated for water and dust resistance and shockproof.

5. **Best Budget: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD**
– Pros: Excellent transfer speeds, IP55 water and dust protection rating, good security features, compact and durable build, handy carabiner loop
– Cons: USB-C port is unprotected
– Description: The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD offers fast read/write speeds and rugged durability with IP55 water and dust resistance.

SSDs offer several advantages over traditional hard drives, including faster speeds, durability, and portability. Khan emphasized that SSDs are particularly useful for IT professionals, media creators, and anyone dealing with large files. While SSDs may be more expensive upfront, they offer a one-time cost compared to cloud storage subscriptions.

When choosing an SSD, it’s important to consider factors such as storage capacity, speed, connectivity options, and durability. Whether you’re looking for a high-performance SSD for gaming or a budget-friendly option for everyday use, there are plenty of choices available to suit your needs.