GoKawiilExternal SSDs vs HDDs: speed and durability come at a higher cost per gigabyte
External SSDs use flash storage that speeds up file transfers and editing directly from the drive, while offering greater durability, quieter operation, and lower power draw thanks to having no moving parts. External hard drives remain the cheaper option per gigabyte, with examples like a 2TB Seagate HDD costing less than a 1TB Samsung T9 SSD.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
As storage prices fluctuate, buyers must weigh performance and portability against raw capacity per dollar. For professionals handling large media files, SSD speed and ruggedness can justify the premium, but budget-conscious users needing bulk archival storage still find HDDs more practical.
- SSDs boost speed mainly during file transfers and edits, not constant use like internal drives.
- SSDs are lighter, quieter, more shock-resistant, and use less power than HDDs.
- HDDs remain significantly cheaper per gigabyte, making them better for large-capacity archiving.
Samsung T7 Portable SSD — The Samsung T7 is exactly the kind of external SSD the article describes: no moving parts, pocket-sized, silent, and fast over USB-C for shuttling big photo and video files between machines. It's a solid pick if you're tired of waiting on a spinning external drive or worried about drops in your backpack.
See Samsung T7 Portable SSD on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Ben Stegner, 2026-09-13
Published there as: “External HDD vs. SSD: What are the pros and cons of each drive type?”
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