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Best Early Prime Day Deals on External Hard Drives & SSDs

Just because your hard drive is almost full (thanks to all of those photos and videos) doesn't mean you should pay full price for more space. That's what Amazon's annual fall sales event is for!

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While we get ready for incredible deals with Amazon Prime Big Deal Days around the corner (October 8-9), there are plenty of deals available right now! It's the perfect time to upgrade your storage solutions with massive discounts on top-rated portable SSDs. Whether you're a content creator or a frequent traveler, you'll find rugged, reliable options that offer impressive speeds and robust security features. Don't miss out on these amazing savings to enhance your workflow and keep your data safe while on the go. Grab these deals while they last and keep checking back for new ones!

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 is an excellent choice for content creators and frequent travelers needing fast, durable storage. It offers impressive speed, IP55 water and dust resistance, and 256-bit AES encryption for secure data. Priced competitively in addition to a 30% discount, it's a great option for those who need portable, rugged storage. Therefore, our experts gave it an "Excellent" rating and the Editors' Choice award in our SanDisk Extreme review, calling it "A zippy, durable SSD at home on set, in the studio, or in the wild." However, it needs a port cover and uses a dongle adapter for older USB ports, which might inconvenience some users.

The Samsung Portable SSD T9, now with a 45% discount, is ideal for content creators needing fast, reliable storage. Its standout feature is its exceptional speed over USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connections, providing quick file transfers, especially for large media files. Available in 4TB capacity, it also supports 256-bit AES encryption for secure data. Our Samsung T9 review rates it "Outstanding" and honors it with the Editors' Choice award while saying, "Its performance and features make it well worth the price," though it may require an expansion card for top speeds on older systems.

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield is perfect for outdoor workers and travelers, offering protection from dust, rain, and drops while securely storing data with AES 256-bit encryption. It provides solid speed with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface, though it's not the fastest for everyday tasks. "If you ever take your laptop on the road or into the great outdoors... you'll appreciate having a drive like the T7 Shield," says our T7 Shield review while presenting it an "Excellent" rating. Available for a 37% discount, this deal is as good as it gets.

The 2020 WD My Passport SSD combines speed and security, making it an excellent choice for business travellers and everyday users. Per our review, "The My Passport SSD 2020 does support 256-bit AES hardware encryption, which is both fast and very secure." Its compact design, solid read/write speeds, and 256-bit AES hardware encryption ensure data safety. At a competitive price and 33% discount, this SSD also comes with a generous five-year warranty, providing peace of mind. Therefore, it earned the Editors' Choice award with an "Excellent" rating.

The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD excels for filmmakers and photographers needing speed and durability. Offering up to 2,700 MBps via Thunderbolt 3, it's built to withstand extreme conditions, including drops and water exposure. While it's pricier per gigabyte and requires careful reformatting for Windows, the included Thunderbolt cable and rugged design justify the cost for creative professionals. As noted in the SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 review, it's "built to withstand anything the elements can throw at it," earning it an "Outstanding" rating and our Editors' Choice award.

The WD Black P10 Game Drive is a cost-effective solution for gamers with large libraries, offering 2TB of storage for infrequently played games. Its compact, sturdy design features an edgy gamer aesthetic, making it visually appealing to its audience. Our WD Black P10 Game Drive review calls it "Excellent" while mentioning, "Its stylish design makes it an excellent choice for gamers looking for both functionality and flair." However, its slower 5,400rpm speed makes it better for storing and transferring games, not playing directly from it. 

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive SSD is a rugged, fast external drive ideal for Mac users and content creators. It offers IP67-rated dust and water resistance, crush- and drop-proof durability, and Time Machine compatibility, making it perfect for protecting important files on the go. Its read/write speeds of 1,050/1,000 MBps ensure quick file transfers. It earned the Editors' Choice award and is rated "Excellent" in our review, which says, "The G-Drive SSD is an ace at copying folders," excelling at practical tasks, though it's pricier than other drives. Thankfully, the 33% discount makes it affordable for all.

About Our Expert

Shubham Yewale

Shubham Yewale

I have been working as a content writer for over six years, specializing in consumer technology. Throughout my career, I have explored various areas within this niche, including cybersecurity, entertainment apps, and software products. Prior to becoming a content writer, I worked as a graphic designer. This background has been beneficial, particularly when writing how-to articles on photo editing for MakeUseOf.com. Additionally, I have contributed as an entertainment writer for Beebom.com and a cybersecurity writer for VPNCentral.com.

I excel at grasping complex concepts and presenting them in a straightforward manner, which is why many of my successful articles focus on how-tos and reviews. Outside of work, I enjoy watching movies and series, as well as reading books that offer compelling stories. I also have a passion for writing poems.

My Areas of Expertise

Photo Editing: I have been using Photoshop since childhood and find joy in editing pictures for fun.

Walkthroughs: I specialize in crafting how-to guides for various technology-related topics, from troubleshooting PC issues to enhancing images in Photoshop. The possibilities are endless.

Cybersecurity: Through my articles, I have assisted hundreds of individuals in recognizing scams by helping them identify fraudulent websites, messages, and calls. (Although I must admit, I do occasionally torrent.)

Technology I Use

I primarily work on an Asus Vivobook 15 with Windows 11, version 24H2. For my smartphone, I use a Samsung M30s because I prefer Android devices. I also enjoy reading on my Kindle and listening to music with my boAt Rockerz 255 Pro+ earbuds, which I sometimes use as earplugs to create a quiet workspace.

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