Who makes the best external solid state drives?

Buying an external SSD can feel confusing. There are so many brands, prices, and promises—how do you know which one is worth your money? I have faced this same decision while moving Buying an external SSD[^1] can feel confusing. There are so many brands, prices, and promises—how do you know which one is worth your money? I have faced this same decision while moving large design files and carrying client projects from one site to another.

[^1]: Explore this link to understand key factors like speed, capacity, and durability that will help you make an informed purchase.
and carrying client projects from one site to another.

Samsung, SanDisk, and Crucial are often rated as the best brands for external SSDs. They lead in speed, reliability, and warranty support. Choose models with USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt for maximum performance.

Not all brands are equal—firmware stability, build quality, and customer support can make or break your experience. I always check real-world reviews and return policies before I decide, especially if the SSD will be carrying important or irreplaceable files. Let’s look closer at who you can trust with your data.

Which company is best for external SSD?

Walk into a Walk into a tech store and you’ll see countless brands. But there are only a few that I see recommended by fellow designers[^1] and tech friends again and again.

[^1]: Check out this resource to find out which brands are favored by designers, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.
and you’ll see countless brands. But there are only a few that I see recommended by fellow designers and tech friends again and again.

Samsung is widely regarded as the best company for external SSDs, followed closely by SanDisk and Crucial. Their drives balance speed, durability, and compatibility for professional and everyday use.

Samsung’s T series—such as the T7 and T9—are everywhere, for good reasons. They’re compact, consistently fast, and easy to use on any device. Samsung’s T series[^1]—such as the T7 and T9—are everywhere, for good reasons. They’re compact, consistently fast, and easy to use on any device. SanDisk also stands out for reliability and ruggedness, especially if you need protection from drops or dust.

[^1]: Explore this link to understand why Samsung's T series is a top choice for speed and portability.
also stands out for reliability and ruggedness, especially if you need protection from drops or dust. Crucial’s X8 and X10 models are solid choices for performance on a budget. I’ve used all three at different times, and each has served me well for moving design files, backing up projects, and even running applications directly.

Best Companies for External SSDs

Focus on USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3/4 support for best real-world performance, no matter which brand you choose.

What brand of external hard drive is most reliable?

If capacity matters more than speed, or you have backups that don’t need an SSD,If capacity matters more than speed, or you have backups[^1] that don’t need an SSD, reliability is king. I always want a drive that won’t lose my files after a year or two.

[^1]: Exploring best practices for data backups ensures your files are safe and recoverable, preventing data loss.
is king. I always want a drive that won’t lose my files after a year or two.

Western Digital (WD) and Seagate are the most reliable brands for external hard drives. Both offer long warranties and proven track records for durability and recovery options.

WD’s My Passport and Elements series have stored my archives for years without a hiccup. Seagate’s Backup Plus series is also everywhere in offices I visit. Both brands have large support networks, recovery help, and decent software bundles for automated backups. Toshiba can also be found at good prices, but I’ve seen fewer in professional settings. No matter the brand, I always double back up the most important files—no hard drive is immune to failure.

Reliability of External Hard Drive Brands

Be sure to check user reviews for any specific model. Drive reliability can vary within brands, especially as new generations update older hardware.

Who makes the best solid state hard drives?

When you care most about performance and When you care most about performance and long-term stability, which company leads in solid state storage technology[^1]?

[^1]: Discover the top companies in solid state storage technology to make informed decisions for performance and stability.
which company leads in solid state storage technology?

Samsung is the industry leader for both external and internal solid state hard drives, with SanDisk and Crucial offering strong competition at different price points.

Samsung’s internal SSDs, especially the 870 EVO (SATA) and 980/990 Pro (NVMe), have topped benchmarks and reliability reports for years. These same standards show up in their external lines too. SanDisk draws from its experience in flash memory for mobile and professional markets, while Crucial, a brand by Micron, is trusted for budget builds and consistent performance. I’ve had several Samsung and Crucial SSDs running daily for years—they show few signs of slowing down, even after heavy use.

Top Brands for Solid State Drives

If reliability, speed, and warranty matter most, you can’t go wrong with Samsung. For value or specific needs, SanDisk and Crucial are excellent.

Conclusion

Samsung stands out as the best maker of external SSDs, while WD and Seagate lead for traditional hard drives. Always back up important files, no matter what brand you choose.