Best SSD for Video Editing - External Solid State Drives Reviewed (2022)
Feb 6, 2022
Looking for the best SSD for video editing? You've come to the right place.
Video files can get large. Since this is the case, an external solid-state drive can help keep your computer free of large files that may slow it down. But what is the best SSD available- which one should you purchase?
In this article, you will learn:
Best External SSD for Video Editing
Read on and discover the best SSD for editing videos in 2022.
Best External SSD for Video Editing
There are a lot of external solid-state drives available on the market today. However, a few options stand above the rest for their price, build quality, transfer speeds, and more. Selecting an SSD that is right for you will come down to your video editing workload and file sizes.
1. SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
The SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD is by far the best storage solution for video editing. It has an aluminum chassis that creates a heatsink and delivers higher transfer speeds.
Since it is rubberized, durable, and comes with a decent transfer speed, it is a great portable hard disk at this price point.
Most SD cards are 64 GB so you can do many data dumps with the 1 TB storage capacity. As you know, video editors are always in need of storage and fast transfers!
If you are editing videos daily, an external hard disk like SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD can save you a lot of time in the long run. It is resistant to water and dust, so it will be able to withstand any minor mishaps. This is a great feature to have on a hard disk as your data will remain safe even while traveling.
It can also be password protected, so all your content will stay private and confidential.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 2,000 MB per second
- Color: Black
Pros
- 5-year limited manufacturer warranty
- Drop protection up to 2 metres
- Dust and water resistant
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Cons
- Prone to overheating
2. Samsung T5 Portable SSD
The Samsung T5 Portable SSD is another great choice for video editors. While it is quite similar to the SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD, it is cheaper. So, if you want the SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO but find it out of your price range, this is your next best choice.
It comes with both a USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a Type-C to Type-A cable to make sure you have connectivity with your devices. It is not resistant to dust or water, but it is shockproof and drop-resistant up to 2 meters.
The read speed is pretty decent and you will get reasonably fast data transfers even with very large files. One of the best things about this product is that it doesn’t make a lot of noise while connected like most hard disks, letting you work without any distractions.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 540 MB per second
- Color: Black
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Silent design
- Multiple color options
- Drop resistant metal body
Cons
- Average read speed
3. ADATA SE800
The ADATA SE800 is a good storage solution for video editors. It boasts a 1,000mbps transfer speed, but the actual speed varies depending on the device being used and file sizes. Nevertheless, it presents a decent speed with video files.
It is water-resistant, dust-resistant, and drop-resistant, making it a very durable product in this price range. Along with this, it has a sleek, lightweight design and is very compact. If you work at a small desk, you will appreciate how much space it saves.
Something to be aware of is that some users have faced a heating issue and it has connectivity limitations with Mac. Since this is the case, Mac users might want to look for a different hard disk if they want high transfer speeds.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 1,000 MB per second
- Color: Blue/black
Pros
- Compatible with laptops, desktops, gaming consoles, cameras, and smartphones
- Decent transfer speed
- Waterproof, dustproof, drop resistant
- Compact design
Cons
- Prone to overheating
- Slow performance for Mac users
4. Sabrent Rocket Nano
The Sabrent Rocket Nano is an extremely thin and sleek hard disk with great endurance. If you travel a lot, this is one of the best hard disk options for you.
It does not need any drivers, meaning it can be plugged in and used out of the box. Its high transfer speed ensures seamless and fast data transfers. Sabrent claims it is 9 times faster than traditional HDDs, which will come in handy while transferring heavy video files.
It has an aerospace aluminum body, making it very durable and lightweight. Believe it or not, it is small enough to fit in your pocket, making it a great option for those who move from place to place during the video editing process.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 1,000 MB per second
- Color: Silver/black/blue/gold/pink/red/gray
Pros
- Rugged design and high endurance
- No drivers required
- Slim and compact design
Cons
- Only compatible with desktops and laptops
5. Samsung X5 Portable SSD
The X5 Portable SSD is Samsung’s fastest external hard disk with a lightning-fast speed of 2800mbps. If speed is very important to you, you should consider this hard disk- it will make transferring heavy video files very easy.
The capacity is 500 GB and not 1 TB as you’d expect from a hard disk in this price range, however, the transfer speed might be worth the lower storage capacity.
It is drop resistant and dust resistant, but not water-resistant. Along with this, it comes with a non-slip bottom and a sleek top to prevent falls.
A bonus of this product is that it comes with encrypted password protection to keep your files secure and private.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 500GB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 2,800 MB per second
- Color: Black
Pros
- Extremely fast transfer speed
- Shock resistant
- Drop-proof up to 2 meters
Cons
- Not water resistant
6. Glyph Atom Portable SSD
The Glyph Atom portable SSD is a very sleek and lightweight external hard disk. Thanks to the rugged design, it is quite durable and is built to withstand falls.
While it is rugged and durable, it is still small enough to fit in your pocket, which is great for working on the go. Also, it doesn’t make too much noise and gives you a decent speed while transferring heavy video files.
A few other interesting features of this product are bumper protection and disk health monitoring. The disk health monitoring will help you keep track of the hard disk’s condition.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 480 MB per second
- Color: Black/silver
Pros
- Aluminum enclosures for lightweight and durable body
- Compact and sleek design
Cons
- Low transfer speed
7. Crucial X8 Portable SSD
The Crucial X8 Portable SSB gives you great transfer speeds at an adorable price. With this SSD, you will not have to wait around for hours to transfer large video files.
It can withstand drops up to 7 feet and is shock-resistant, making it one of the most durable hard disks on the market. Most hard disks can only withstand drops up to 2 feet.
Video editing means handling large chunks of data. As a video editor, you need a hard disk that is fast with data transfer and durable so it will last you a long time. The Crucial X8 Portable does these things, making it a great budget-friendly option for video editing.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 1,050 MB per second
- Color: Black
Pros
- Good transfer speed
- Drop-proof up to 7 feet
- Temperature proof
Cons
- Vulnerable to heating issues
8. PNY Pro Elite
The PNY Pro Elite has a decent read speed of 890mbps for such an affordable price point.
It has a compact and sleek design, making it ideal for video editing on the go. It comes with Acronis True Image data protection software for making and transferring content.
The PNY Pro Elite also doesn’t overheat, even while handling large files, which means that it won’t break down for a long time.
It is small enough to fit right in your pocket and gives you great transfer speeds. It is one of the ideal affordable hard disks for video editing available on the market today.
Specifications and Features:
- Storage Size: 1TB
- Connectivity: USB
- Read Speed: 890 MB per second
- Color: Black
Pros
- Decent transfer speed
- Durable and compact design
- Compatible with laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles
Cons
- Can be noisy when transferring large files
Conclusion
You now know what the best SSD for video editing is. Overall, the SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD is your best bet. However, the Samsung X5 is worth looking at if you have a larger budget.
