I needed more storage for my video editing projects, but I’m not made of money. So, I went down the rabbit hole of cheap external SSDs.
So, which cheap external SSD is actually worth buying?
I bought three SSDs off Amazon, all in the 1TB range and all under $70. I figured one of them had to be decent. I tested them for about a month, using them for everything from backing up files to running games off of them. Here are my thoughts.
The contenders:
- KingSpec Portable SSD 1TB: The cheapest of the bunch, usually around $55.
- Netac Z9 Portable SSD 1TB: This one hovers around $65.
- Asometech Portable SSD 1TB: The “premium” option at about $70.
Spoiler alert: one of these was noticeably faster than the others. Read on to find out which one I’m actually going to use.
First Impressions: They all feel… cheap.
Let’s be real, you’re not getting premium build quality at this price point. They all feel like plastic, because they are. The KingSpec is the lightest, almost worryingly so. It feels like there’s nothing inside. The Netac has a slightly nicer texture and a little more weight. The Asometech is the heaviest and feels the most solid, but it’s still just plastic. My cat knocked the Asometech off my desk twice, though, and it survived, so maybe that’s saying something.
Aesthetically, they’re all pretty bland. Black rectangles. The KingSpec has a slightly glossy finish that attracts fingerprints. The Netac has a matte finish, which is better. The Asometech has a slightly more interesting design, with some subtle ridges, but honestly, who cares?
They all connect via USB-C, which is good. They all came with a short USB-C to USB-A cable, which is less good. I had to dig out my own USB-C to USB-C cable to get the best speeds on my laptop. Why do they always do that?
Real-World Testing: Loading Games, Transferring Files, and More
Okay, this is where things get interesting. I didn’t just run synthetic benchmarks (although I did those too, more on that later). I wanted to see how these cheap external SSDs performed in real-world scenarios. So, I did three main tests:
- Game Loading: I installed Cyberpunk 2077 on each SSD and timed how long it took to load a specific save game (from the main menu to being able to move my character).
- Large File Transfer: I copied a 20GB folder containing a mix of video files, photos, and documents to each SSD and timed how long it took.
- Video Editing: I edited a 4K video project directly from each SSD in DaVinci Resolve. I paid attention to playback smoothness and rendering times.
Game Loading: Cyberpunk 2077 Test
I fully expected the game loading test to be a disaster on the slowest drive. Cyberpunk is notorious for its long loading times, even on internal SSDs. I ran each test three times and averaged the results.
- KingSpec: Averaged 58.7 seconds to load the save game.
- Netac: Averaged 52.1 seconds to load the save game.
- Asometech: Averaged 49.3 seconds to load the save game.
The Asometech was the clear winner here, but even the KingSpec wasn’t terrible. A minute to load a game isn’t ideal, but it’s manageable. The Netac offered a noticeable improvement over the KingSpec.
Large File Transfer: 20GB Folder
This test was designed to measure sustained write speeds. I used a stopwatch app on my phone (because I’m fancy like that) and timed the transfer process. Again, I ran each test three times and averaged the results.
- KingSpec: Averaged 3 minutes and 14 seconds (194 seconds).
- Netac: Averaged 2 minutes and 48 seconds (168 seconds).
- Asometech: Averaged 2 minutes and 21 seconds (141 seconds).
The Asometech was again the fastest, transferring the 20GB folder about 30 seconds faster than the Netac, and over 50 seconds faster than the KingSpec. The KingSpec struggled in this test, likely due to its slower write speeds.
Video Editing: 4K DaVinci Resolve Project
This was the most demanding test. I edited a 5-minute 4K video project with some basic color correction and transitions. I paid close attention to playback smoothness and rendering times.
The KingSpec was borderline unusable for video editing. Playback was choppy, and rendering times were excruciatingly long. I’m talking like twice as long as the other drives. I wouldn’t recommend using it for any serious video editing work.
The Netac was better, but still not ideal. Playback was mostly smooth, but I experienced occasional stutters, especially during transitions. Rendering times were acceptable, but not great.
The Asometech was the only one that provided a smooth and enjoyable video editing experience. Playback was fluid, even during complex scenes. Rendering times were noticeably faster than the other two drives. It was still slower than using an internal SSD, but it was perfectly usable for editing on the go.
Synthetic Benchmarks: Numbers Don’t Lie (Mostly)
Okay, so I also ran some synthetic benchmarks using CrystalDiskMark to get some hard numbers. These numbers are often higher than what you’ll see in real-world usage, but they can be useful for comparing the theoretical performance of different drives.
| SSD | Sequential Read (MB/s) | Sequential Write (MB/s) | Random Read (MB/s) | Random Write (MB/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KingSpec | 450 | 380 | 25 | 30 |
| Netac | 520 | 450 | 30 | 35 |
| Asometech | 550 | 500 | 35 | 40 |
The synthetic benchmarks confirmed what I observed in the real-world tests. The Asometech was the fastest, followed by the Netac, and then the KingSpec. The differences in sequential read and write speeds were relatively small, but the differences in random read and write speeds were more significant. This is important because random read/write speeds affect things like application loading times and overall system responsiveness.
Specific Pros and Cons: The Nitty-Gritty
KingSpec Portable SSD 1TB
Pros:
- Cheapest option
- Lightweight and compact
Cons:
- Slowest performance
- Feels the cheapest
- Not suitable for demanding tasks like video editing
My take: The KingSpec is fine for basic storage and backups, but don’t expect it to perform miracles. If you’re on a super tight budget and just need something to store files, it’ll do the job. But I wouldn’t recommend it for anything else.
Netac Z9 Portable SSD 1TB
Pros:
- Good balance of price and performance
- Decent build quality
- Faster than the KingSpec
Cons:
- Not as fast as the Asometech
- Still feels a bit cheap
My take: The Netac is a solid all-around option. It’s not the fastest, but it’s noticeably faster than the KingSpec and offers a good balance of price and performance. It’s a good choice for general use, like storing photos, videos, and documents.
Asometech Portable SSD 1TB
Pros:
- Fastest performance
- Best build quality
- Suitable for demanding tasks like video editing
Cons:
- Most expensive of the three
- Still feels like plastic
My take: The Asometech is the clear winner in terms of performance. It’s the fastest and most responsive of the three drives. It’s also the only one that I would recommend for demanding tasks like video editing. If you need speed and can afford the extra few bucks, this is the one to get.
Who are these drives for?
Okay, let’s break down who each of these cheap external SSDs is best suited for:
- KingSpec: Someone who needs the absolute cheapest possible storage and isn’t concerned about speed. Think students on a tight budget, or someone who just needs to back up some documents.
- Netac: Someone who wants a good balance of price and performance. Think general users who need a fast and reliable external drive for storing photos, videos, and documents.
- Asometech: Someone who needs the fastest possible performance and is willing to pay a bit more for it. Think content creators, video editors, and gamers.
How do these stack up against other options?
I also have a Samsung T5 (500GB) lying around from a few years ago, which was considered a good budget option back then. It’s noticeably smaller and feels more premium than any of these three. But how does it compare in terms of performance?
I ran the same Cyberpunk 2077 loading test on the T5, and it averaged 45.2 seconds. That’s faster than all three of the cheap SSDs I tested. However, the T5 was also more expensive when it came out, and it’s only 500GB. A new Samsung T7 Shield (1TB), which is the successor to the T5, costs around $100. So, while it’s faster and more durable, it’s also significantly more expensive.
Another option is to buy a cheap enclosure and a bare internal SSD. I tried this a while back with a $15 enclosure and a $40 500GB internal SSD. The performance was decent, but it was a bit of a hassle to assemble, and it didn’t feel as portable as a dedicated external SSD. Plus, you have to make sure the enclosure is compatible with the SSD you buy. It’s a good option for tinkerers, but not for everyone.
One Annoyance I Can’t Ignore
All three of these drives have a tiny blue LED that flashes constantly when the drive is in use. It’s incredibly distracting, especially in a dark room. Why do they all do this? It’s not like I need a blinking light to tell me the drive is working. I ended up putting a piece of black electrical tape over the LED on the Asometech. Problem solved, but still annoying.
Detailed Specs and Features
| Feature | KingSpec Portable SSD 1TB | Netac Z9 Portable SSD 1TB | Asometech Portable SSD 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1TB | 1TB | 1TB |
| Interface | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) |
| Reported Sequential Read Speed | Up to 450 MB/s | Up to 520 MB/s | Up to 550 MB/s |
| Reported Sequential Write Speed | Up to 380 MB/s | Up to 450 MB/s | Up to 500 MB/s |
| Dimensions | 74 x 57.3 x 10.5 mm | 70 x 50 x 9 mm | 69 x 49 x 8.5 mm |
| Weight | 30g | 35g | 40g |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| Cable Included | USB-C to USB-A | USB-C to USB-A | USB-C to USB-A |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Price (approximate) | $55 | $65 | $70 |
Final Verdict
If you’re serious about performance, the Asometech is the clear winner. It’s the fastest and most responsive of the three drives, and it’s the only one I would recommend for demanding tasks like video editing. It was the only one where I didn’t feel like I was actively fighting the hardware while editing footage. The Netac is a decent middle ground if you want to save a few bucks. The KingSpec? Only if you are scraping the bottom of the barrel budget-wise.
Just remember to buy a decent USB-C to USB-C cable to get the best speeds, and be prepared to put some tape over that annoying LED.