Using a solid state drive (SSD) as a USB flash drive is technically possible, but may not be the most practical solution. SSDs and USB flash drives have some similarities in that they both use flash memory, but there are some key differences that make SSDs less than ideal for use as portable storage.
Quick Answer
In short, you can use an SSD as a USB flash drive, but it is not recommended for everyday portable storage use. The main reasons are:
- SSDs are more expensive per gigabyte than standard USB flash drives
- SSDs use more power and need external power to function properly
- SSDs have limited write cycles compared to USB flash drives
- SSDs have faster speeds which are often wasted when used as basic storage
- SSDs are heavier and larger than compact USB flash drives
With some adapters and enclosures, you can connect an SSD via USB, but USB flash drives are simpler, cheaper, lighter, and more efficient for basic portable storage tasks.
How SSDs and USB Flash Drives Differ
To understand why SSDs may not make practical USB flash drive substitutes, it helps to look at some of the key differences between the technologies:
Cost
USB flash drives can easily be found for under $10 for 64GB models, while SSDs typically start around $20 for 120GB models. The extra storage capacity of the SSD doesn’t offset the higher cost per gigabyte. USB drives provide basic storage at a fraction of the price.
Power Usage
USB flash drives use very little electricity and can be powered directly via the USB port. SSDs, even the smaller form factors like M.2, require more power and airflow to properly run at full speed. This means an external power source or Y-cable is needed to use an SSD to its full potential.
Durability
The NAND flash memory cells in SSDs can only withstand a certain number of erase/write cycles before degrading. Typical consumer SSDs are rated for anywhere from 100 to 5000 complete drive writes. USB flash drives have much higher write endurance, with the ability to withstand as many as 100,000 write cycles.
Speed
SSDs have much faster data transfer speeds, with SATA models reaching 550MB/sec and M.2 NVMe drives exceeding 3000MB/sec. Even the fastest USB 3.2 flash drives top out around 1000MB/sec. This speed is often unnecessary for everyday storage tasks.
Form Factor
Even compact M.2 SSDs are larger and heavier than most USB thumb drives. The convenient size and weight of flash drives makes them ideal for portability, while SSD form factors are better suited for internal installation.
Using an SSD as a USB Drive
If you still wish to utilize an SSD as external storage, it is possible with some additional hardware:
- SATA SSDs require a SATA to USB adapter or enclosure to connect via USB.
- M.2 SSDs need an M.2 enclosure or adapter cable for USB connectivity.
- For power, a Y-cable, external power adapter, or powered enclosure is ideal.
- The SSD will need to be formatted and partitioned to be used as external storage.
With the proper cabling and power arrangements, the SSD should function as external USB storage. Performance and capacity may be higher than a flash drive, but the overall cost and convenience are likely reduced.
Benefits of Using an SSD as a USB Drive
There are some potential benefits that SSDs can provide compared to standard USB flash drives:
- Faster transfer speeds – SSDs have much higher sequential read/write speeds, especially NVMe models. Large file transfers can be quicker.
- More storage capacity – SSDs typically offer more storage space per dollar compared to tiny flash drives.
- Better reliability – The ATA flash memory used in SSDs tends to last longer than cheaper TLC memory found in basic flash drives.
- Full size drive – You can utilize an entire SATA or M.2 SSD instead of being limited to thumb drive capacities.
For users that need maximum throughput, capacity, or reliability from their portable storage, an SSD may be a reasonable option despite the tradeoffs.
Downsides of Using an SSD as a USB Drive
There are also some clear disadvantages that come with using a repurposed SDD instead of a true USB flash drive:
- Additional hardware required – Cables, connectors, enclosures add complexity compared to plug-and-play flash drives.
- More expensive per gigabyte – SSDs have a higher upfront cost for the same usable capacity as a flash drive.
- Limited write endurance – The cells in SSDs wear out after hundreds to thousands of complete rewrites.
- Higher power demands – SSDs need consistent power and airflow to avoid throttling performance.
- Heavier and larger – Even M.2 drives are bulkier than compact flash drive designs.
These limitations can often outweigh the benefits for general-purpose USB storage needs. But users with specific performance, capacity, or reliability needs may find repurposed SSDs useful.
Ideal Usage Scenarios
There are some situations where using an SSD as external storage would be advantageous compared to standard USB flash drives:
- Quickly transferring large files – The faster speeds of SSDs benefit large backups, media transfers, disk images, etc.
- External storage for laptops – Can add significant capacity for working with large files.
- Running portable applications – Programs and games can benefit from the increased throughput.
- Booting operating systems – An alternative to carrying install media or bootable flash drives.
- Hardware diagnostics – SSDs work well with disk cloning/imaging tools.
For smaller, intermittent storage needs, USB flash drives likely make more sense. But large, sustained transfers give SSDs a chance to shine.
Tips for Using SSDs as Portable Storage
If you plan on using an SSD for external storage, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
- Look for used/refurbished SSDs to reduce costs.
- Use a powered hub or enclosure to provide consistent power.
- Utilize USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt 3 for maximum interface bandwidth.
- Format drive to exFAT for compatibility across operating systems.
- Partition drive to separate operating system installs from data.
- Consider SLC-based enterprise SSDs for enhanced endurance.
- Heatsinks and proper airflow help reduce thermal throttling.
- Update SSD firmware to latest available version for performance and reliability fixes.
With careful setup and management, an SSD can work reliably as a speedy and high-capacity portable storage device.
Comparison of USB Flash Drives vs. SSDs
| USB Flash Drive | SSD | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per GB | Around $0.10 | Around $0.20 |
| Maximum Capacity | 1TB | 16TB+ |
| Interface Speed | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) | SATA III (6Gbps), NVMe (32Gbps) |
| Read Speed | 100-1000MB/s | 500-3500MB/s |
| Write Speed | 10-1000MB/s | 200-3000MB/s |
| Write Endurance | 100,000-1,000,000 cycles | 500-100,000 cycles |
| Power Required | Via USB port | External power source |
| Physical Size | Compact, light | 2.5″, M.2; heavier |
As the comparison shows, USB flash drives excel at portability and affordability for basic storage needs. SSDs offer more potential performance and capacity, but at a higher price and with more complexity for portable use.
Conclusion
Using an SSD as external storage is technically feasible but not ideal for most everyday portable storage needs. The added cost, power requirements, bulkiness, and write endurance limitations of SSDs make standard USB flash drives better suited for on-the-go use.
In certain situations where transfer speed, reliability, or drive capacity are critical, repurposing an SSD as a USB drive may be reasonable. An SSD won’t fully replace a flash drive in terms of simplicity and affordability, but can provide advantages under specific usage conditions. With the right cabling and power delivery, an SSD can become useful, high-performance portable storage.