Performance Rankings
Fastest USB-C Portable SSDs
The fastest USB-C portable SSDs ranked by read/write speed. Gen 2x2 and Gen 2 performance leaders.
USB-C has become the universal standard for portable storage. These drives deliver the fastest speeds over USB-C, from 10Gbps Gen 2 to 20Gbps Gen 2x2 - ideal for professionals who need speed on the go.
Ranked by Score
Sabrent
Sabrent Rocket Nano V2
Samsung
Samsung T9 Portable SSD
SanDisk
SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD
Samsung
Samsung T7 Portable SSD
Crucial
Crucial X9 Pro
Samsung
Samsung T7 Shield
Our Take
We benchmarked 6 drives to find the fastest fastest usb-c portable ssds. The Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 tops the charts at 3.0 GB/s.
Benchmark Results
Interface bandwidth determines the theoretical ceiling, but real-world speed depends on controller efficiency, thermal management, and NAND quality. The Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 achieves 3.0 GB/s reads and 2.8 GB/s writes over USB4 — enough for direct 4K/8K video editing, massive file transfers, and demanding creative workflows.
A 40 Gbps host port is non-negotiable for Thunderbolt/USB4 drives. Without it, you are paying for bandwidth you cannot use.
Sequential Speeds
| Drive | Read Speed | Write Speed | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabrent Rocket Nano V2 | 3.0 GB/s read | 2.8 GB/s write | USB4 |
| Samsung T9 Portable SSD | 2.0 GB/s read | 1.9 GB/s write | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD | 2.0 GB/s read | 2.0 GB/s write | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 |
| Samsung T7 Portable SSD | 1.1 GB/s read | 1.0 GB/s write | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Crucial X9 Pro | 1.1 GB/s read | 1.0 GB/s write | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Full throughput requires a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 port capable of 40 Gbps. On USB 3.2 Gen 2 hosts, expect Gen 2 speeds — roughly 10 Gbps.
Related Buying Guides & Rankings
Buying Guide
Best Portable SSD for Console Gaming
Portable SSDs optimized for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S gaming - fast load times and easy portability.
Buying Guide
Best Rugged Portable SSD for Travel
Durable, weather-resistant portable SSDs built for travel and outdoor use. IP-rated, drop-proof, and adventure-ready.
Value
Cheapest 1TB Portable SSDs
The most affordable 1TB portable SSDs ranked by price. Compact storage at the best value.
Value
Cheapest 2TB Portable SSDs
Budget-friendly 2TB portable SSDs ranked by price. Maximum portable storage at minimum cost.
Buying Guide
Best Portable SSD for Creative Professionals
High-speed portable SSDs for photographers, videographers, and designers. Thunderbolt/USB4 performance on the go.
Performance
Fastest Rugged Portable SSDs
Rugged portable SSDs ranked by speed. Weather-resistant drives that dont sacrifice performance for durability.
Find the Best Value
Need More Performance Data?
Visit our spec comparison tool to compare drives side-by-side, or browse our full library of buying guides and rankings.