Portable SSDs and storage buying guide
For storage, speed claims matter less than sustained performance and how you will use it.
- Headline speeds are peak figures; large transfers slow down once the drive's fast cache fills.
- Match the interface: a fast drive on a slow port or cable will only run at the slower speed.
- For cameras and phones that record video, check the minimum write speed or video class the device needs.
- Back up anything important twice; small drives fail without warning, and cheap flash drives fail often.
- Rugged, water-resistant shells are worth it for travel.
Common mistake: Trusting one drive as your only copy.