Question 1

What is the real-world difference between USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 for an external SSD?

Accepted Answer

In practice, Gen 1 delivers around 400 MB/s sequential read, while Gen 2 can reach 900–1,000 MB/s with a quality drive. For a 10 GB file, that's roughly 25 seconds versus under 12 seconds. The difference is most noticeable when transferring large batches of photos, video footage, or game installs. For everyday document backup, Gen 1 is adequate — but given how little the price gap has narrowed, Gen 2 is the smarter long-term choice for most buyers.

Question 2

Is an external SSD worth it over an external HDD in 2026?

Accepted Answer

For portable use, yes — an external SSD is almost always the better choice in 2026. SSDs are faster, lighter, silent, and far more resistant to knocks and drops than spinning hard drives. The price per GB is still higher, but the gap has closed significantly. The exception is high-capacity storage (4 TB+) where HDDs remain considerably cheaper. If the drive stays on a desk and you need maximum capacity for the money, an external HDD still makes sense.

Question 3

Do I need hardware encryption on my external SSD, or is software encryption enough?

Accepted Answer

For most users, software encryption is entirely sufficient. BitLocker (Windows) and FileVault (macOS) provide robust AES 256-bit encryption at no extra cost. Hardware encryption — as found on iStorage drives — is primarily valuable in regulated industries (healthcare, legal, government) where software solutions may not meet compliance requirements, or where the drive must be usable without a host computer. Paying a significant premium for hardware encryption when you're backing up personal files or creative work is unnecessary.

Question 4

Which external SSD brands are most reliable for UK buyers?

Accepted Answer

SanDisk and Samsung consistently top reliability surveys and carry 5-year warranties on their main lines — both are widely stocked at Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon.co.uk, making warranty claims straightforward. Kingston is a strong mid-range option with good UK support. LaCie is the go-to for rugged professional use. Transcend and ADATA offer competitive pricing but shorter warranties and less prominent UK retail presence. Intenso and Verbatim are budget options — acceptable for light use, but we'd hesitate to recommend them for critical data.

Question 5

What capacity external SSD should I buy for photo and video work?

Accepted Answer

For photography, 1 TB is the practical minimum for a working drive — a single RAW shoot from a modern mirrorless camera can run to 20–30 GB. For video editors working with 4K or 6K footage, 2 TB is a more realistic starting point, as a single project can easily consume several hundred gigabytes. Bear in mind that external SSDs work best as fast working drives rather than long-term archives; pair one with a larger backup storage device for a sensible workflow.

Question 6

Can I use an external SSD to run games directly from it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD is fast enough to run most modern games without noticeable load time penalties compared to an internal drive. Gen 1 drives will work but may show slower initial load times in open-world titles. The key requirement is a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port on your console or PC — Xbox Series X|S supports this natively for backwards-compatible titles, though next-gen games require internal storage. For PC gaming, any Gen 2 drive connected to a Gen 2 port will perform well.

Question 7

Are cheap external SSDs a false economy — what pitfalls should I watch for?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the cheapest external SSDs often cut corners in ways that aren't obvious from the spec sheet. Common issues include: using QLC NAND that throttles dramatically after the cache fills (so that 500 MB/s headline speed drops to 100 MB/s on large transfers), plastic shells with no drop protection, and 1-year warranties that leave you exposed. Always check independent reviews for sustained write speed tests, not just peak figures. A drive priced at 92 £ that throttles to HDD speeds after 5 GB is a poor deal compared to a mid-range model that maintains consistent performance throughout.

External Solid State Drives Price Comparison

SanDisk SDSSDE30-2T00-G25F external solid state drive 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Yellow

Samsung MU-PG1T0B 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Black

Samsung MU-PG2T0B 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Black

Kingston Technology 1TB XS1000 External USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable Solid State Drive

Samsung MU-PE2T0S 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Black

Samsung MU-PE1T0S 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Black

Samsung MU-PE1T0R 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Blue

Samsung MU-PE2T0R 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Blue

Samsung MU-PE4T0S 4 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Black

Samsung MU-PC4T0T 4 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Grey, Titanium

Samsung Portable SSD T7 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Blue

Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Blue

Samsung Portable SSD T7 1 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Grey

Samsung Portable SSD T7 2 TB USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Grey

External Solid State Drives Price Comparison