Forget about email hackers—what if someone nabs your external drive and all the data on it? Thwart thieves with the strong encryption and security features of one of our top-rated drive picks. (We’ve tested loads of them.)
It could be an accident, it could be theft: It’s just too easy for the data on an unsecured external hard drive or SSD to fall into the wrong hands. To keep your data safe, consider an encrypted external drive. (In fact, some organizations mandate hardware-based encryption and other security criteria in drives they purchase.) Let us help: At PC Labs, we’ve been testing personal storage since the early days of PCs, and our analysts run drives through rigorous, repeatable tests to quantify speed. We also evaluate drives on design, usability, connectivity, bundled software, and (of course!) value. We’ve tested a wide variety of encrypted drives; our current top pick for most users is Crucial’s X9 Pro. We’ve also selected a slate of others for different user scenarios and budgets. Below, check out our latest favorites and their specs, plus advice for understanding drive encryption and other important security features.Why We Picked It
A tiny yet highly capable external SSD, the Crucial X9 Pro scored well in our benchmark tests and comes in capacities up to 4TB. The X9 Pro’s 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption and basic ruggedization features protect it from tumbles, as well as both meteorological and human threats while you’re traveling. Its interface supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard, which affords near-universal compatibility if your computer has a USB port (although you’ll need an adapter to connect to a Type-A port). Who It’s For
The Crucial X9 Pro is a competitively priced, highly portable external SSD that should appeal to most anyone. The X9 Pro is great for travelers, or indeed anyone who wants a fast, reasonably rugged, and secure portable SSD. Why We Picked It
The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is a well-rounded external SSD with competitive speed, AES hardware-based encryption, and a rugged exterior that protects your data from drops, dust, and rain. The T7 Shield is more shockproof than the previous T7 drives, and unlike them is rated for dust and water resistance. Its security isn’t quite as convenient as that of the Editors’ Choice-honored Samsung T7 Touch with fingerprint reader, but it should keep your information safe, and it’s better-protected than the Touch is. It’s a good choice for travelers and outdoor workers who want a pocketable drive with good capacity that can stand up to the elements and won’t cause them to lose sleep if it’s lost or stolen.Who It’s For
The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is a durable and secure choice for outdoor workers and travelers, if on the slow side compared to non-rugged SSDs. If you’re a homebody, there’s not much point in investing in this product. But if you ever take your laptop on the road or into the wilderness, whether for business or pleasure, you’ll appreciate having a drive like the T7 Shield. It will keep your data safe in the event of loss or theft, and provides protection from the elements.Why We Picked It
The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Touch is a tiny, 2-ounce aluminum rectangle that plugs into a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. (Samsung provides both USB Type-C and USB Type-A cables so you needn’t fuss with a dongle.) It combines quick performance with roomy storage. The T7 Touch protects your data in a way few others can: with a built-in fingerprint reader that ensures your sensitive files are for your eyes only. Technically, fingerprints aren’t as secure as complex passwords, but they’re a lot more convenient, and you can’t forget them.Who It’s For
If you need plug-and-play access to your documents on any nearby PC, the T7 Touch isn’t for you—you must have Samsung’s Windows, macOS, or Android software installed to use the fingerprint reader. But if you’re looking for a mix of security and speed, your corporate or personal secrets are safe with this drive.Why We Picked It
Thanks to its NVMe internals and USB 3.2 Gen 2 support, the Apricorn Aegis NVX has one thing that no other SSDs with its wealth of protective features can offer: the speed you’d expect from a typical consumer-level external SSD. This, device, which has a built-in keypad for access, requires no software to run and can be used with any device with a USB-C or USB-A port. It’s easy to set up an administrator password, and you can add passwords for multiple users. The drive’s AES-XTS 256-bit encryption is effectively impervious to brute-force attacks. The NVX is also shockproof, waterproof, and dustproof.Who It’s For
The Aegis NVX is for users who want an ultra-secure SSD without taking a hit in speed. It’s a rugged drive, so it’s also a great choice for travelers or for outdoor use. However, if your company requires security certification, you might want to wait to buy it. Apricorn is currently modifying the NVX to submit the drive for Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140 Level 3 validation. Why We Picked It
Worried about your data falling into the wrong hands, or falling onto a rocky trail or into a puddle or pond? The iStorage DiskAshur M2 is compact for an ultra-secure SSD, and it’s built to survive a half-hour bath in 1.5 meters of water or being run over by a 2.7-ton truck. Security highlights include FIPS 140-3 Level 3 compliance, AES-XTS 256-bit hardware-based encryption, and the encasement of its drive mechanism in epoxy resin—any attempt to pry inside to get to the chips will result in their destruction. It also has a built-in numeric keypad that means your files can’t be accessed without the proper user or administrator PIN.
