Best External Storage Drives for your Android Smartphone

There are plenty of the best smartphones in the Android flagship market. Whether the sleek and stylish Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the affordable yet powerful OnePlus 11, you’ll find an Android flagship that suits your needs. However, when buying a new smartphone, we usually use the base variant since it’s usually the cheapest option.

Users frequently find themselves limited to the internal storage of their devices, and as the size of photos, videos, and apps continues to grow, it’s no surprise that storage can quickly fill up. Moreover, most smartphones lack a microSD expansion slot, leaving users with limited options for offloading data — unless they rely on cloud storage, which often comes with a monthly cost.

This is where external storage drives come in handy. Thankfully, plenty of external storage drives on the market can help expand your Android smartphone’s storage capacity. In this article, we’ll look at the best external storage drives for Android smartphones, their features, and why they’re worth considering.

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  SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive

  Editor’s Choice

  The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive USB offers USB Type-C and USB 3.1 connectivity for easy file transfers between devices. It is compatible with smartphones having USB Type C ports and on-the-go (OTG) support. The retractable design has USB Type C and traditional USB connectors, and its performance boasts up to 150MB/s read speeds.

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  SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go

  Best Value

  The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go USB Type-C Flash Drive is a 2-in-1 flash drive that can seamlessly move content between USB Type-C devices and USB Type-A computers. It can free up space on your USB Type-C smartphone and automatically back up photos with the SanDisk Memory Zone app. This high-performance USB 3.1 Gen 1 drive has read speeds up to 150MB/s.

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  Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive

  Waterproof & Shock-proof

  $24 $40 Save $16

  The Samsung USB-C Flash Drive is a compact and reliable storage solution that offers fast transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s. It has a reversible plug that fits seamlessly into USB Type-C devices and is compatible with laptops, tablets, phones, and more. With 256GB of storage, it’s tough and trustworthy with its waterproof, shock-proof, and X-ray-proof body. A 5-year warranty backs it.

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  Kingston DataTraveler Max

  Best For Those Who Require The Most Storage

  $93 $120 Save $27

  This is the best USB-C flash drive for those who want maximum storage. This thumb drive has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port capable of transferring data to 1,000MB/s. It also has a unique ridged casing design that prevents it from falling off the table and includes a handy keyring loop.

• 

  disk 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Flash Drive

  Best All-in-One Solution

  $58 $70 Save $12

  The iDiskk 4-in-1 USB 3.0 Flash Drive is an excellent external storage solution for Android smartphone users due to its multi-interface functionality, making it compatible with practically any device. It offers automatic photo and video backup, fingerprint/face lock protection, and password protection, making it a secure option. With 256GB of onboard storage and a free app to manage, it’s a great buy for the price.

• 

  SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive Luxe

  Supports Both Android and iPhone

  If you have an Android smartphone and iPhone or frequently transfer files between Android devices and iPhones, then the SanDisk iXpand Luxe is the best option. It features 128G of storage and USB-C and Lightning connectors for seamless connectivity. You can manage storage on your devices using the SanDisk app.

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  Samsung T7

  Premium Pick

  The Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB is an excellent choice for Android smartphone users who require easy and reliable data storage. It offers fast transfer speeds and a solid aluminum unibody construction. The T7 is roughly the size of a credit card and comes embedded with software to set up a password and get firmware updates. There is support for Android apps as well.

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  SSK Portable External Wireless SSD

  Best Wireless Solution

  $130 $140 Save $10

  The small, portable wireless SSD from SSK is an excellent external storage solution for Android smartphone users as it eliminates the need for cables and wires. It has a built-in 3,800 mAh battery that can double as a power bank for your smartphone. The device’s hotspot connects wirelessly, offering automatic backup, storage management via an app, and remote file access.

Which External Storage Device Should You Buy for Your Android Device?

The list above comprises some of the most popular external storage devices for Android devices, but if you still need help choosing one, here are some of our recommendations.

If you’re confused and looking for a reliable option, we recommend the SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive. This drive offers USB Type-C and USB-A connectivity and is compatible with smartphones with USB Type-C ports and on-the-go (OTG) support. It has a retractable design with USB Type-C and traditional USB connectors and boasts up to 150MB/s read speeds. Its affordable price point and reputable brand name make it undoubtedly one of the best value-for-money options.

Another excellent option is the Samsung Type-C USB Flash Drive. With transfer speeds of up to 400MB/s, this compact and reliable storage solution is compatible with laptops, tablets, phones, and more. It offers 256 GB of storage and is waterproof, shock-proof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and X-ray-proof body, making it a trustworthy option. A 5-year warranty also backs it.

Related: Best External Storage Drives for Your iPhone

If you’re looking for maximum storage capacity at a relatively low price, the Kingston DataTraveler Max USB-C flash drive is the perfect choice. It has the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C connectivity and offers up to 1,000MB/s read speeds. It also packs a durable casing and a convenient keyring loop, making it incredibly portable and easy to carry.

The SSK Portable External Wireless SSD is an excellent external storage option for Android users looking for a cable-free and portable solution. It has a built-in 3,800 mAh battery that can double as a power bank for your smartphone. Its small size makes it easy to carry in your bag or pocket, making it an ideal travel companion.

This marks the end of our list containing Android devices’ best external storage drives. Which one is your favourite? Which one are you going to buy? Let us know in the comments below!