Yes, you can plug a solid state drive (SSD) into a USB port. SSDs come in various forms like internal SSDs that connect inside a computer using SATA ports, and external SSDs that connect via USB ports.
Quick Answer
Most external SSDs have a regular rectangular box design and use a USB cable to connect to a computer, laptop, or other device’s USB port. So you can directly plug an external SSD into any USB port as long as the SSD is designed for external use and comes with the proper USB cable.
What is an External SSD?
An external SSD is a portable solid state drive that connects to a computer or other device through an external interface like USB. External SSDs come in a wide range of storage capacities from 128GB to 4TB and above. They don’t require an external power source and only need to be plugged into a USB port to function.
External SSDs use flash memory to store data. This makes them much faster at reading and writing data compared to external hard disk drives. They are also more durable and shock-resistant due to lack of internal moving parts.
Advantages of External SSDs
- Small and portable
- No need for external power
- Plug and play functionality
- Much faster data transfer speeds than external HDDs
- More durable and shock-resistant
Using External SSDs with USB ports
Most external SSDs connect to computers and other devices using a USB cable. Common USB versions supported include:
- USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 – Up to 20Gbps data transfer speed
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 – Up to 10Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen 1- Up to 5Gbps
- USB 3.0 – Up to 5Gbps
- USB 2.0 – Up to 480Mbps
So you can directly plug the USB cable of the external SSD into any USB-A or USB-C port on a desktop computer, laptop, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, smart TV, car media system, and more. The SSD will be automatically detected and show up as an external storage drive. Modern external SSDs are backwards compatible with older USB standards too.
Typical Connections and Cables
Here are some examples of connections and cables used by external SSDs:
- USB-C to USB-C cable – Connects USB-C SSD to USB-C port
- USB-C to USB-A cable – Connects USB-C SSD to USB-A port
- USB-A to USB-C adapter – Allows USB-A SSD to connect to USB-C port
- USB-C adapter or enclosure – Converts internal SSD to external USB-C SSD
Steps to Connect an External SSD
Connecting an external SSD to a USB port is very simple:
- Check the external SSD has a USB cable attached.
- Plug the SSD’s USB cable into an available USB port on the computer or device.
- The SSD should be automatically detected.
- A notification may appear and you may have to initialize and format the SSD.
- Once initialized, the external SSD will be available to use as external storage.
The exact steps can vary between operating systems, but the overall process remains easy and straight-forward in all cases.
Initialization and Formatting
When first connecting an external SSD, the computer may not recognize the drive until it is initialized and formatted. Initialization sets up the SSD to be compatible with the operating system and file system. Formatting organizes the drive into proper storage segments.
For Windows, you can use Disk Management to easily initialize and format the external SSD. On Mac, Disk Utility can be used. Initialization typically sets up the drive with a Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT). Formatting then creates the specific file system such as NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, APFS, etc.
External SSD vs Flash Drive
External SSDs are sometimes confused with flash drives, but they are different technologies:
| External SSD | Flash Drive |
|---|---|
| Uses newer 3D TLC NAND flash memory | Older and cheaper 2D planar NAND flash |
| Much faster read/write speeds | Slower speeds and performance |
| More reliable and durable with no moving parts | Less reliable with shorter lifespan |
| Higher capacities up to 4TB+ | Lower capacities, typically up to 512GB |
| A bit more expensive per GB | Very cheap per GB |
In summary, external SSDs have faster speeds, greater reliability, higher capacities, and longer lifespans, but also cost more. Flash drives are cheap and convenient for transferring small files.
Choosing an External SSD
Key factors to consider when choosing an external SSD:
- Storage capacity – Amount of data the SSD can store. Choices range from 128GB to 4TB.
- Physical size – Standard 2.5-inch or smaller more compact M.2 stick?
- Interface and cable – USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, Thunderbolt 3/4 offer fastest speeds.
- Read and write speeds – Faster is better for transferring large files.
- Build quality – Metal housing provides more durability.
- Manufacturer reputation – Stick with brands like Samsung, Crucial, SanDisk.
- Warranty length – 3 years or longer is preferable.
- Price per GB – Compare to find the best value.
The best external SSD for you depends on your specific needs in terms of speed, portability, and budget.
Our Top Pick
The Samsung T7 is among the best external SSDs with its fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write, durable metal housing, compact size, and USB-C connectivity. Capacities range from 500GB to 2TB.
Using an External SSD
External SSDs are very easy to use. Once connected to a USB port, they appear as a portable external drive. You can then manage files on the SSD like drag and drop to copy files over, open and save files directly, delete and organize as needed.
The SSDs also work cross-platform between Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and more. The exFAT file system is ideal for external SSDs used across multiple operating systems.
Here are some example uses for an external SSD:
- Backing up important documents and media files.
- Expanding limited storage on a laptop or games console.
- Storing large video, photo, or music libraries.
- Quickly transferring files between devices.
- Editing and saving large projects directly.
- Running programs and games directly off the SSD.
- Encrypting and protecting sensitive data.
Maintenance Tips
External SSDs are durable, but proper care can extend their lifespan. Here are some quick maintenance tips:
- Avoid excessive shocks, drops, vibrations to prevent damage.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from water, heat, magnets.
- Do not disconnect when active data transfer is in progress.
- Use the Safely Remove Hardware option before disconnecting.
- Always use the provided USB cable and connect to a high quality USB port.
- Periodically scan for errors and optimize the SSD.
Conclusion
In summary, external SSDs are designed to directly connect to USB ports for easy plug and play usage. Their fast speeds, compact size, and durability make them ideal for both storage expansion and data portability needs. When shopping for an external SSD, be sure to consider key factors like capacity, interface speed, physical design, manufacturer reputation, and warranty length. With proper handling, an external SSD can greatly enhance your workflow for years to come.