Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD Silver
SANDISK 1TB Portable SSD
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB
Best External Ssd Black Friday Deals 2026
Black Friday can be a useful time to compare external SSDs, but a compelling offer only matters if the drive fits your devices, capacity needs and typical workload. This shortlist covers three portable options: two 1 TB drives and a 2 TB model, with different listed speeds, interfaces and features. Treat the Black Friday price as one part of the decision. Confirm that the listing is for the exact model and capacity you intend to buy, then compare its specifications with the ports and uses that matter to you. The notes below explain where each drive may fit and what to verify before choosing.
Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD Silver
The Lexar ES3 1TB Portable SSD Silver is the Best Overall pick among these featured drives for shoppers looking for a compact 1 TB option with broad listed device compatibility. That label is an editorial choice within this selection, not a claim of tested superiority. For Black Friday, it is a useful starting point if you want one drive to consider for a mix of mobile devices, computers, cameras and consoles, while still checking that your particular device and connection meet the product requirements.
Lexar lists read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s. Those are qualified maximum figures, not a promise that every setup will reach them: the product information says performance may be lower if the system does not support USB 3.2 Gen 2. Check the connection supported by your device before treating the speed figures as a deciding factor. The drive is listed as compatible with the iPhone 17 series, Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming consoles and more. The compatibility note specifically says it is not supported on iPhone 14 and older models, so do not assume support for an older iPhone.
At 42g and 10.5mm thick, the ES3 is described as light and slim, and a Type-C cable is included. Lexar also lists DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software. These details may matter if you want a portable drive or value the stated encryption software, but check how the software fits your own device and workflow. During Black Friday, compare the offer against the exact silver, 1 TB ES3 listing rather than relying on a similar product name. Its capacity, compatibility limits and USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed qualification are more useful decision points than a headline offer alone.
Key specs
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Read and write speeds | up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write |
| Speed qualification | Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems |
| Compatibility | iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more |
| Weight | weighs 42g |
| Thickness | is only 10.5mm thick |
| Included cable | It comes with a Type-C cable |
| Encryption software | Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software |
SANDISK 1TB Portable SSD
The SANDISK 1TB Portable SSD earns the Best Budget label among these selections. This is an editorial designation, not a statement that it has the lowest live price or a market-wide value award. On Black Friday, judge whether the exact offer makes sense against the other listed options and your storage needs. Its 1 TB capacity gives shoppers a straightforward size to compare, while the supplied information also lists a USB 3.0 interface and read speeds up to 1000 MB/s.
The listed read speed is a maximum figure, so consider it alongside your computer or other device’s connection rather than assuming it describes every transfer. The provided specifications do not state a write speed, so shoppers who need that figure should check the exact product listing before deciding. SanDisk lists drop protection up to 2 meters. That may be relevant if you carry a drive between locations, though it is a specific protection claim and should not be read as a guarantee against every kind of damage. The listed weight is 1.12 ounces, and the dimensions are 1.77″L x 3.35″W x 0.39″Th.
This drive may suit someone who wants a 1 TB portable SSD and is comparing a USB 3.0 model with the other options here. It does not have the same capacity as the Samsung 2 TB model, while Lexar’s listing supplies different speed details and explicitly names a range of compatible devices. Those distinctions are worth weighing before a Black Friday purchase; they are not a ranking of real-world performance. Confirm the capacity, interface and protection details on the exact SANDISK listing you plan to buy, and compare the offer with the features you will actually use rather than choosing by discount language alone.
Key specs
| Capacity | Digital Storage Capacity 1 TB |
| Interface | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.0 |
| Read speed | read speeds up to 1000 MB/s(2) |
| Drop protection | drop protection up to 2 meters(3) |
| Weight | Item Weight 1.12 ounces |
| Dimensions | Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness 1.77″L x 3.35″W x 0.39″Th |
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB
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The Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB is the Best for Higher-Capacity Transfers pick in this group. The label reflects its listed 2 TB capacity and speed specification; it is an editorial fit, not a claim based on testing. That larger listed capacity may appeal if you want more room than the two 1 TB options provide, while the stated speed gives shoppers a reason to consider it for transfer-focused workflows. As with any Black Friday choice, first decide whether those attributes match your devices and needs.
Samsung specifies a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. The “up to” figure is a maximum specification, so check that your connected equipment supports the stated interface before using it to compare expected results. The product information does not provide a separate read and write breakdown, so avoid assuming that the maximum applies identically to each operation. Samsung also lists hardware encryption. If data protection is a priority, consider that feature alongside your own storage practices and the devices with which you plan to use the drive.
The T9 measures 3.46″L x 2.36″W x 0.55″Th and weighs 122 g, details that can help you decide whether its form factor suits how you carry or position an external drive. Samsung lists support for iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video, a specific use case worth checking if that is part of your workflow. It is not a general compatibility statement for every iPhone or recording setup. On Black Friday, compare the exact 2 TB T9 offer with the 1 TB alternatives, and verify the interface and intended device support before letting the headline speed or capacity settle the decision.
Key specs
| Capacity | Digital Storage Capacity 2 TB |
| Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 |
| Speed | up to 2,000MB/s |
| Encryption | Hardware Encryption |
| Dimensions | 3.46″L x 2.36″W x 0.55″Th |
| Weight | 122 g |
| iPhone support | Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video |
Black Friday capacity: choose space for the job
Start with what you expect to store, not with the size of a Black Friday discount. The options here are the Lexar ES3 at 1 TB, the SANDISK Portable SSD at 1 TB and the Samsung T9 at 2 TB. If either 1 TB model fits your needs, compare its other listed features rather than paying attention only to the larger number on the Samsung. If you specifically want 2 TB, the T9 is the only option in this selection with that listed capacity.
Think about the kinds of files you intend to keep on the drive and whether you want room for one purpose or several. That is a planning exercise, not a claim about how much any particular file collection will occupy. Check that the offer page identifies the capacity you meant to select: listings can present related versions or choices together, and the exact variant matters when comparing Black Friday prices. Avoid treating an appealing price for a different capacity as equivalent to the offer you are evaluating.
Compare Black Friday speed claims with your connection
The listed speed figures are not directly interchangeable. Lexar specifies read speeds up to 1050MB/s and write speeds up to 1000MB/s, with a note that performance may be lower without USB 3.2 Gen 2 support. SANDISK lists read speeds up to 1000 MB/s and a USB 3.0 interface. Samsung lists speeds up to 2,000MB/s and a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface. Keep the wording and qualifications attached to each figure when comparing them.
Before making speed a priority, check the port and connection supported by the computer or device you plan to use. A product’s maximum specification does not establish the result for every setup. The available information also differs in how it describes speed: for example, the SANDISK details give a read-speed figure but not a write-speed figure. During Black Friday, compare only like-for-like details and do not infer an unlisted specification from another drive’s description.
Check device compatibility before choosing a drive
Compatibility can matter more than a headline specification when an SSD is meant to move among devices. Lexar specifically lists the iPhone 17 series, Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming consoles and more, while excluding iPhone 14 and older models in its compatibility note. Samsung specifically lists support for iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video. That is a particular supported use, not a blanket statement about every iPhone task.
The SANDISK details provided here identify a USB 3.0 interface but do not list a set of compatible devices. Treat that as a reason to check the exact listing and your device requirements, not as proof that a particular device is unsupported. For any Black Friday option, verify the model, interface and connection needs for the device you actually plan to use. If your use depends on a named phone, camera or console, look for that precise use rather than relying on a broad category label.
Portability, protection and encryption are different considerations
For carrying, the listed weights and dimensions offer concrete points of comparison. Lexar weighs 42g and is 10.5mm thick; SANDISK weighs 1.12 ounces and measures 1.77″L x 3.35″W x 0.39″Th; Samsung weighs 122 g and measures 3.46″L x 2.36″W x 0.55″Th. Consider where you will keep the drive and how you expect to connect it, without assuming that measurements alone determine convenience.
The product details also describe different protection-related features. SANDISK lists drop protection up to 2 meters. Lexar includes DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software, while Samsung lists hardware encryption. These are not the same feature, so identify which matters to your use instead of treating them as substitutes. Black Friday may bring attention to a deal, but it does not change what each feature means. Check the exact product information and consider your own handling and data-protection needs.
How to compare the exact Black Friday offer
When comparing Black Friday offers, match the product name, capacity and variant first. Then review the interface, stated speed and qualifications, listed device support, and any features you value. For example, a 1 TB offer is not a direct capacity match for the 2 TB Samsung, and a maximum speed figure with an interface qualification should not be read as a guaranteed result on every device. Keep the comparison anchored to the products and details actually shown.
A practical shortlist can help: select the capacity you want, eliminate options that do not fit your known connection or device requirements, and compare the remaining features. Check the offer attached to the exact item you intend to purchase rather than assuming a price or promotion applies across similarly named variants. No discount needs to be presumed in advance. The useful question is whether the current offer, if one is shown, makes sense for the specifications and intended use you have chosen.
Make your Black Friday choice
For this group, the Lexar ES3 combines a 1 TB capacity, specified read and write speeds, broad named compatibility and encryption software; the SANDISK offers 1 TB, a stated read speed and drop protection; and the Samsung T9 lists 2 TB, a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface and hardware encryption. Each has a different set of details to weigh, so there is no need to choose by Black Friday messaging alone. Confirm the exact model and offer, match the drive to your device and intended use, and then decide whether the price is worthwhile for you.
