Running out of storage always seems to happen at the worst possible time. It could be while recording a 4K video, downloading a new game or backing up important files before a trip. That’s when a reliable USB-C flash drive/pendrive or portable SSD can save the day.

But if you’re already overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available and can’t figure out which one is right for you, we’ve done the hard work. Here’s our roundup of the best USB-C flash drives and portable SSDs you can buy in 2026.

USB-C flash drives vs portable SSDs: Which one should you buy?

Before adding one to your cart, it’s worth knowing the difference between a USB-C flash drive and a portable SSD because they both cater to different kinds of users.

A USB-C flash drive is like a mini notebook or diary in your pocket. It’s compact, affordable, and perfect for everyday tasks like transferring photos, sharing presentations, backing up documents or expanding your phone’s storage. Most of them are small enough to live on your keychain, so they’re always within reach.

Portable SSDs, on the other hand, are more like carrying an entire filing cabinet that somehow fits in the palm of your hand. Still small, of course, but not as compact as flash drives.

They’re significantly faster, offer much larger capacities, and are built for handling demanding workloads, such as editing 4K videos, transferring hundreds of gigabytes of data or storing massive game libraries. They do cost more, as well, but if speed and capacity matter to you, they are the best option.

5 Best USB-C Flash Drives

Kingston DataTraveler Exodia

If all you need is a reliable drive for carrying everyday files, the 64GB variant of the Kingston DataTraveler Exodia is an easy recommendation. It’s affordable and gets the work done. The drive comes with a lightweight design, a protective cap, and a large loop that makes it easy to attach it to a keychain. This is great for basic tasks, like carrying office presentations, movies, and family photos.

It supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which means you get quicker file transfers than older USB 2.0 drives. On paper, it’s said to offer up to 400MB/s read speeds. Kingston also backs it with a five-year warranty, making it a dependable option for long-term use.

SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe

The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe is one of the best sellers on Amazon, as it’s incredibly versatile. One side features a USB Type-C connector, while the other has a traditional USB Type-A port. So, if you’re transferring files from your smartphone to your laptop or moving photos to an older desktop, this drive saves you from hunting for adapters.

The drive’s all-metal construction feels quite premium, while the swivel design protects both connectors without needing a separate cap.

Performance is solid too. Thanks to USB 3.2 Gen 1 support, transferring photos, videos and documents is quick. It supports up to 400MB/s faster read speeds, and doesn’t cost a bomb for the 128GB and 256GB variants.

Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive

Samsung’s Type-C flash drive is another reliable option, and it’s also fast offering up to 400MB/s read speeds. It has a clean metal design that’s small enough to stay plugged into a laptop without sticking out too much.

Samsung also backs it with protection against water, shocks, magnets, X-rays, and extreme temperatures, making it a dependable choice if you regularly carry important files. The 128GB is the cheapest, but you also get a 256GB variant, if you plan to store extra files.

Kingston Dual Portable Drive

The Kingston Dual Portable blurs the line between a traditional USB flash drive and a portable SSD. At first glance, it seems like an ordinary USB-C thumb drive, but beneath its compact shell lies SSD-level performance.

Thanks to its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, it delivers read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 900MB/s, making it the fastest flash drive in the segment.

That faster speed means you can copy a 4K video project, a massive game or movie library, or hundreds of RAW photos in far less time than you’d expect from a typical flash drive. Pair that with the 1TB variant, and you’ve essentially got an entire workstation that fits in your pocket.

Buffalo USB-C SSD Drive

The Buffalo SSD looks like an ordinary flash drive, but don’t let its size fool you. Yes, it’s a tiny SSD drive but with support for a USB-C adapter that ships within the box. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance with read speeds of up to 600MB/s and write speeds of up to 500MB/s. That’s significantly faster than a typical flash drive and close to what you’d expect from an entry-level SATA SSD.

Unlike most portable SSDs, there’s no separate enclosure or cable to carry around. Just plug it into your laptop, tablet or smartphone and you’re ready to transfer large files in seconds.

The only real compromise with the Buffalo flash drive is its plastic casing, which doesn’t feel as premium or rugged as the metal enclosures found on some competing drives.

5 Best Portable SSDs 

SanDisk Portable SSD (SDSSDE30-1T00-G26)

The SanDisk Portable SSD is the sweet spot for most users, striking the right balance of speed, portability, and price. It weighs just 40 grams, and is about the size of a stack of credit cards, which makes it easy to slip into your pocket or backpack.

It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 platform, with read speeds of up to 800MB/s, so moving large photos, videos and documents will be quicker than a traditional hard drive. It’s also shock resistant with 2-metre drop protection, meaning it can shrug off the occasional knock while travelling.

Crucial X10 Portable SSD 

Need something faster and tougher? The Crucial X10 is a performance SSD with read speeds of up to 2,100MB/s, which means even huge 4K video projects, RAW photo libraries, and game files can be transferred in minutes.

It also carries an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance along with 3-metre drop protection, which means it’s ready for everything from your desk to an outdoor shoot. The 1TB variant is a great place to start, but if your storage needs grow over time, it’s also available in capacities of up to 8TB.

WD My Passport SSD

The WD My Passport SSD is designed for users who don’t want to compromise on speed or security. Its sleek metal body houses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface with read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds of 1,000MB/s, so everything from project folders to full system backups can be moved in a matter of minutes.

Just like some other SSDs on this list, the My Passport also has 256-bit AES hardware encryption and password protection. These ensure your confidential files are always safe. It also features a durable, shock-resistant design, and is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD puts security front and centre. It comes with 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which means your sensitive files stay protected with password security.

The hardware encryption aside, it’s also quite fast, reaching read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds of 1,000MB/s. Its IP65-rated body keeps dust and splashes at bay, while the rugged design is built to handle drops. You also get an integrated carabiner loop, which makes it easy to clip onto a backpack or camera bag so it’s always within easy reach.

Samsung T7 Shield

The Samsung T7 Shield is one of the most reliable portable SSDs you can buy on the market. It’s wrapped in a rugged rubber shell, has an IP65 rating and 3-metre drop protection, which means it can handle dust, splashes and the occasional tumble without breaking a sweat.

It reaches read speeds of up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds of 1,000MB/s, keeping large file transfers quick and consistent. You also get AES 256-bit hardware encryption, adding an extra layer of security for sensitive files. Additionally, Samsung offers a 5-year limited warranty, giving you extra peace of mind for the long haul.

Which is the best budget USB-C flash drive?

The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe is the best budget USB-C flash drive, thanks to its dual USB-C and USB-A connectors, premium metal build, and read speeds of up to 400MB/s.

Which is the best premium USB-C flash drive?

The Kingston Dual Portable Drive is the best premium USB-C flash drive, delivering near-SSD performance with read speeds of up to 1,000MB/s and write speeds of 900MB/s.

Which is the best budget portable SSD?

The SanDisk SDSSDE30-1T00-G26 is the best budget portable SSD, as it offers 800MB/s read speeds, a compact design, and 2-metre drop protection at a competitive price.

Which is the best premium portable SSD?

The Samsung T7 Shield is the best premium portable SSD on this list, pairing 1,050MB/s speeds with IP65 durability, AES 256-bit hardware encryption, and a 5-year warranty.

What’s the fastest portable SSD?

The Crucial X10 is the fastest portable SSD on this list, with read speeds of up to 2,000MB/s.

Is SSD better than HDD?

Yes. An SSD is faster, more durable and more power-efficient than an HDD, making it the better choice for most users. HDDs are still worth considering if you need large amounts of storage at the lowest possible cost.

Is a 2TB SSD overkill?

No, 2TB isn’t overkill, especially today, when 4K videos, RAW photo libraries and modern games can quickly eat up storage space. For most users, though, 1TB still strikes the best balance between capacity and price.

So, what’s your pick: a USB-C flash drive or an SSD? Let us know in the comments below.

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Western Digital has announced exciting deals on its popular My Passport portable hard drive series. The offers, revealed by the company, are available during the Amazon Great Summer Sale and Flipkart Big Savings Days. Here’s a look at the discounted pricing of the Western Digital hard drives available during this sale.

Unbeatable deals on WD portable hard drives

Running from May 1 to May 8, the Amazon Great Summer Sale and Flipkart Big Savings Days feature compelling offers on a range of Western Digital’s acclaimed My Passport and My Passport Ultra models.

Among the deals are the WD 2TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive in Black Avenger for Rs 7,049, the 6TB Blue My Passport Ultra for Rs 15,949, and the WD 6TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive, also in Black Avenger, for Rs 14,899. A 4TB Black Avenger version of the My Passport is available for Rs 10,799.

A special highlight is the limited-edition 2TB WD My Passport Ultra 20th Anniversary Edition, showcasing a unique green finish and priced at Rs 7,999. This collector’s item combines distinctive design with robust functionality and is exclusively available on Flipkart.

The standard WD My Passport drives feature USB-C technology and a sleek metal design, offering password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption. With capacities up to 6TB, these drives are designed for easy portability and secure backup of digital content. The My Passport Ultra series provides a blend of design and durability, incorporating built-in hardware encryption and automatic backup software, catering to professionals and creators needing secure on-the-go storage.

The discounted prices on these Western Digital portable hard drives are valid from May 1st to May 8th, 2025, during the respective sales events on Amazon and Flipkart. Customers can find the listed deals on both platforms, except for the 2TB WD My Passport Ultra 20th Anniversary Edition, which is exclusively available for purchase on Flipkart.

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Western Digital has launched the WD Blue SN5000 NVMe SSD in India, targeting content creators and professionals. The M.2 2280 SSD is designed to improve PC performance, especially for handling multi-stream 4K videos, images, and audio.

The SSD supports AI Data Cycle’s Stages 4 and 6, providing efficient storage for AI-based content creation. It uses PCIe Gen 4 technology and Western Digital’s nCache 4.0, ensuring smooth performance for demanding tasks.

The WD Blue SN5000 offers up to 4TB of storage, doubling the capacity of its predecessor. It delivers speeds of up to 5,500MB/s, a 24% increase over the previous generation. The drive also improves file and folder copy speeds and supports multitasking with NVMe technology. It has a durability rating of up to 1,200 TBW (Terabytes Written).

The 4TB model provides sequential read and write speeds of up to 5,500MB/s and 5,000MB/s, respectively. It also offers random read-and-write IOPS of up to 690K and 900K. The SSD is compatible with systems that have an M.2 2280 port and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

Pricing & availability

Available in capacities from 500GB to 4TB, the WD Blue SN5000 is priced between Rs. 3,199 and Rs. 26,999. It can be purchased on Amazon.in and at local IT retail stores starting today.

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Western Digital has announced what it calls the world’s first 8TB SD card and a 16TB external SSD. The announcement of the new accessories was made during the 2024 Future of Memory and Storage Conference. The new offerings are the brand’s most ambitious storage devices and expand the possibilities in the memory/ storage segment.

The new Western Digital products will catch the fancy of many consumers with their massive capacity. Western Digital is a global leader in the expandable storage market and it continues to set the standards with new models. The newly announced devices are the SanDisk 8TB SDUC UHS-I SD card and 16TB SanDisk Desk Drive external SSD.

The SanDisk 8TB SD card features the Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) standard and will support up to 100MBps speeds. It is best suited for consumer devices and Western Digital also announced the SanDisk 4TB MicroSD. Western Digital currently has the SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I which retails at $139 on Amazon. There are no pricing and release details yet for the new storage devices. They are however expected to come with premium pricing. The models will be highly useful for professional photographers and videographers who require a large storage capacity.

Performance and reliability are some of the grey areas yet to be independently verified for the upcoming Western Digital SD cards and external SSD. Suppose the 8TB SD card can deliver the same performance and reliability as specified, it will be an impressive buy. Users could gain up to an 8-fold increase in speed while also enjoying massive storage. More optics about the models will be released subsequently by Western Digital.

(via)

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Western Digital has upgraded its storage solutions with a range of capacity upgrades across its WD, WD_BLACK, and SanDisk Professional product lines. The star of the show is the world’s first 6TB mobile hard drive in a compact 2.5-inch form factor.

A USB-C version of the 6TB WD My Passport is also available for purchase

“This incredible technological achievement allows us to push the envelope further,” said Nitin Kachhwaha, Director of Product Management at Western Digital. “Offering 6TB in such a portable and affordable package empowers everyone from students to professionals to store and create more content on the go.”

Here’s a breakdown of the new offerings:

• WD My Passport Portable Hard Drive Series: This popular series now boasts a 6TB capacity option for both the WD My Passport Ultra and WD My Passport Ultra for Mac, priced at US$199.99 (approx. 1444 yuan). The standard WD My Passport and WD My Passport for Mac also receive a bump to 6TB, priced at US$179.99 (approx. 1300 yuan). A USB-C version of the 6TB WD My Passport is available for US$184.99 (approx. 1336 yuan). All models are available now at select retailers and Western Digital stores.
• WD_BLACK Series: The WD_BLACK P10 gaming hard drive now comes in a 6TB option, priced at US$184.99 (approx. 1336 yuan). It’s available for purchase now through similar channels as the WD My Passport series.
• SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD Series: Professionals can get their hands on the ultra-durable 6TB SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD later this month. Priced at US$229.99 (approx. 1661 yuan), this drive is built to withstand even the toughest conditions.

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(Via)

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The console wars are heating up, with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch all vying for gamers’ attention. Sony is currently in the lead with its PS5, but Microsoft is trying to close the gap. One way Microsoft is doing this is by offering a wide range of accessories for its Series S and X consoles. One of the latest accessories to hit the market is a memory card from Western Digital. The card starts at $80 and offers up to 1TB of storage space. Here are the details…

Western Digital introduces Xbox memory cards starting at $80

In 2020, Microsoft introduced the Xbox Series S and X. These consoles have many new features, and one of them is memory cards. The best part about memory cards is that they are not exclusive to Microsoft. Any manufacturer can develop their own products that are compatible with Xbox models. Western Digital recently entered the Xbox expansion memory card market. They announced two new models that are compatible with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. The 512GB model will be sold for $79.99, while the 1TB model will cost $149.99.

The new Western Digital cards are similar in design to Seagate’s existing expansion cards, but they offer a more affordable price point. Seagate’s 512GB card currently retails for $89.99, while its 1TB model costs $159.99. Western Digital’s new cards use the same NVMe PCIe Gen 4 technology as Seagate’s cards, which means they offer the same level of performance. The cards can reach read speeds of up to 2,400MB/s and write speeds of up to 2,200MB/s.

The new Western Digital cards are available for purchase now from the company’s website and from select retailers. The fact that Western Digital’s cards are more affordable than others is a big win for consumers. However, it is important to note that the prices of both companies’ cards are still relatively high. SSDs for PCIe 4.0 can now be found for under $100 for the same 1TB capacity.

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(via)

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Microsoft’s Xbox gaming consoles support expandable storage and right now, if you are in the market for expandable storage, then the only option available is from Seagate.

But that is about to change soon as Microsoft appears to be ready to offer expandable storage options for the Xbox lineup from other manufacturers or at least one other company — Western Digital.

A new 1TB expansion card for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, manufactured by Western Digital, has been spotted on the website of online retailer Best Buy, carrying a price tag of $179.99.

The company hasn’t officially announced the product yet, meaning that it is not yet available for purchase. Soon after the reports started surfacing online about the listing on Best Buy, the online retailer took the listing offline.

Microsoft first launched the Xbox expandable storage cards about three years ago in multiple storage capacities, ranging from 512GB to 2TB, exclusively from Seagate. The pricing for the product didn’t go down even after these many years, while pricing for similar products for Sony PS5 dropped significantly.

With the new options coming from Western Digital, there will finally be an expandable storage card for the Xbox Series X/S that is not manufactured by Seagate, and that too at a lower cost than what they are currently selling for. Given that it was listed on Best Buy with a price tag, we expect them to get launched soon, within a few days, if not weeks.

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Via

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The WD BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD, a new addition to Western Digital’s WD BLACK gaming collection, is now available for shipping in India. The new SSD is tuned to provide unmatched gaming performance.

This is a PCIe Gen4 SSD with fast read rates of up to 7,300 MB/s. The WD BLACK SN770 NVMe SSD, which can read data at speeds of up to 5150 MB/s and store data for up to 2TB, was previously introduced in India. Downloads on the drive also have no chance of bottlenecking, as the SSD offers 6,300 MB/s sequential write speeds.

Thanks to reduced latency, predictive loading, and adaptive thermal management, gamers can look forward to a fantastic gaming experience with speedy load times and uncompromised thermal performance. The downloadable WD BLACK Dashboard includes a new Game Mode 2.0 and additional PC performance-enhancing tools. An optional heatsink (1TB and 2TB variants) is available to help maintain top performance, with RGB illumination to match the theme of your gaming setup. The heat sink models are officially licensed for PS5.

Price & availability

The WD BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB storage capacities, with prices starting at Rs. 13,119 for 1TB models and going up to Rs. 25,109 for 2TB models. It will be sold at Western Digital Stores, online stores like Amazon, resellers, system integrators, and other locations.

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Toshiba plans to sell a part of its stake in its flash memory business to investors. The list of interested bidders are pretty impressive. Big names like Apple, Microsoft, Foxconn, and TSMC are all interested.

The report comes from Japanese stock market index Nikkei, which says Toshiba is asking bidders to value its operations at about 2 trillion yen ($17.6 billion) and make at least a 50% investment.

Initially, Toshiba’s plan was to limit the stake to 20% or less, allowing it to retain control. But it must have changed its mind due to its financial woes. Last year the company recorded a profit of 110 billion yen ($973.5 million) during a physical year that ended in March.

Fast forward to February 14, and Toshiba announced that its net worth would drop to 150 billion yen ($1.3 billion) without swift action. The cause is said to be related to an accountancy scandal and losses from its nuclear operations.

READ MORE: Apple to Ramp Up iPhone 8 Production Three Months Earlier

Toshiba is the largest supplier of flash memory to Apple. If Apple invests in the company, it will be to its own advantage as memory shipment prices can be kept low.

Other bidders interested in investing in Toshiba include  Western Digital, Micron Technology, and SK Hynix.

(Source)

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