Photos, videos, documents and creative projects are taking up more space than ever, making storage an increasingly important part of our everyday tech setup. While cloud storage offers convenience, physical storage can provide a practical way to move large files, free up device space and keep important content backed up locally.
From pocket-sized flash drives to high-speed portable SSDs, here are some storage devices worth considering based on different needs.
1. Best for quick, everyday file transfers: SANDISK Extreme Fit USB-C
For users who want extra storage without carrying around a conventional external drive, a compact USB-C flash drive can be a convenient option.
The SANDISK Extreme Fit USB-C Flash Drive is designed to plug directly into compatible USB-C devices and is available in capacities of up to 1TB. It offers sequential read speeds of up to 400MB/s on capacities from 128GB to 1TB, making it suited to moving photos, videos and other files between compatible devices. Its compact form factor also makes it easy to keep connected to a laptop or mobile device.
Best for: Everyday file transfers, freeing up smartphone storage and users who prioritise portability.
2. Best for rugged everyday storage: Samsung T7 Shield
If storage is going to travel with you, durability becomes just as important as capacity. The Samsung T7 Shield combines portable SSD performance with a rugged design, including IP65 water and dust resistance.
It offers read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and is designed to handle the demands of users who frequently carry their storage between locations.
Best for: Travellers, photographers and professionals who need durable portable storage.
3. Best for creators: SANDISK Creator Series
For photographers, videographers and other creators, storage needs go beyond simply having more space. Large RAW files and high-resolution video require fast transfers and a workflow that can keep up with content creation.
The SANDISK Creator Series is built around this creator workflow, with products spanning portable SSDs, SD cards, microSD cards and phone-focused storage. The SANDISK Creator PRO Portable SSD, for instance, offers NVMe performance with claimed read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, while the range also includes storage designed for cameras, drones, smartphones and other creator devices.
Best for: Content creators managing large photo and video libraries.
4. Best compact alternative to a traditional external drive: Kingston DataTraveler Max
For users who want the convenience of a flash drive but need faster performance and higher capacities, the Kingston DataTraveler Max is worth considering.
Available with USB-C connectivity, the drive is designed around high-speed file transfers while retaining the compact form factor of a traditional flash drive. It can be particularly useful for moving large files between computers without carrying a separate cable-dependent SSD.
Best for: Professionals, students and users who frequently move large files between computers.
5. Best for straightforward portable storage: Crucial X9
Not everyone needs the highest possible transfer speeds. For general-purpose storage, a compact SSD such as the Crucial X9 offers a balance of portability, capacity and performance.
With read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s, it can be used to store photos, videos, documents and other large files while keeping them accessible across compatible devices.
Best for: General-purpose storage, backups and users looking for a portable SSD without moving into professional-grade performance.
Which storage device is right for you?
There is no single storage solution that works for everyone. A compact flash drive makes sense when portability and quick file transfers are the priority, while a portable SSD is better suited to larger files and more demanding workflows. For creators, combining memory cards with portable SSDs can provide a more complete capture-to-backup setup.
The key is to choose storage based on what you are storing, how often you move it and where you use it. For everyday users, that could mean a pocket-sized USB drive; for creators, it may mean a high-capacity SSD that can keep pace with increasingly large media files.
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