Best external SSDs for video editing

It used to be hard to get into video and photo editing. Equipment was bulky and software was expensive. Thankfully, today you can take excellent photos or videos on phones, tablets, and the latest generation of digital cameras. You can edit from your phone, tablet, or computer. But with an increase in photos and videos comes an increased need for storage, especially for those aspiring editors working on 4K video files. 

In the past, hard disk drives (HDDs) were too slow, and solid state drives (SSDs) didn’t have enough storage or were too expensive. With Crucial external SSDs, creatives have affordable and powerful storage that fits in the palm of their hand. Crucial external SSDs are compact enough to carry on even the most remote shoots, yet powerful and fast enough for directly storing, backing up, and editing photos and video files. 

For some, having compact gear is crucial. For others, it’s a novelty. No one can argue against the convenience of smaller gear. Sure, it can be stylish and look great, but it also needs to get the job done. All Crucial external SSDs feature both form and function. For those who venture far off the beaten path, size, weight, and performance can be key to getting the shot, backing up files, and editing on the go.  

If you’re a creative who carries around gear, choosing the right drive can make or break your setup. The weight of gear adds up, and for action sports enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, vloggers, or amateur photographers, it can take a toll. The newer generations of Crucial external SSDs are lightweight and easy to fit into a pocket at 65 x 50 millimeters (smaller than the average credit card). The Pro designs also feature an integrated lanyard hole for ultra-portable storage.  

Pairing a portable drive with your camera setup gives you the option to shoot and store more files. Crucial external SSDs are universally compatible, adding storage and speed to nearly any desktop or laptop, Mac or PC, tablet, or phone. Crucial external SSDs are shock, vibration, and extreme temperature resistant, and have been tested to withstand 7.5 feet (2.2 meters) drops, making them your perfect companion for any adventure. In 2019, scientists researching Greenland’s ice sheets even used Crucial SSDs due to their reliability in the extreme cold. 

Choosing the right storage device can be tough for even the most seasoned creatives. No matter how spacious, your drive will eventually fill to capacity. Large drives are not always the fastest, nor are the smallest. How the drive interfaces directly with your machine can influence its speed. Choosing a drive requires understanding what you will be doing and your equipment. Will you be editing on a laptop or tablet when you are getting started, or connecting via USB-A or USB-C? Crucial offers adapters along with external SSDs that can work with either set up. 

The Crucial X9 Portable SSD has read speeds up to 1,050MB/s, while the newest Crucial X10 Pro Portable  reaches speeds of 2,100MB/s. It's time for faster boot times, instant-load performance, and lightning-fast read and write speeds to revolutionize your process. With a portable Crucial storage solution in the field, you can back up your photos or videos faster, which gets you back to shooting and creating. 

For creatives on the go or starting out, one of the best Crucial features is the ability to back up while on the go. Depending on the file size, bitrate, or resolution, you can even edit certain files directly from the drive. Once home, you can plug your external SSD into a more powerful machine and finish editing your work without needing to transfer the files to that machine. This is hugely beneficial when traveling or if you work on multiple workstations. Your time is valuable, and Crucial can help you get the most out of every second.  

Video editing is demanding for storage devices. Not only are video files huge, but the software requirements can also present challenges. Crucial offers a wide range of external SSDs suitable for amateur creatives and professionals who need additional storage in the field or simply needing to transport files. Universally compatible and incredibly fast, Crucial externals SSDs offer options that will work with a variety of devices through easy plug-and-play USB connections. We all know that creatives need speed, and Crucial external SSDs will get you started on the video editing fast track.  

At some point your portfolio is going to start growing and require more and more storage. Crucial external SSDs give you the ability to store, encrypt, transport and edit your portfolio wherever and whenever you go.  

Using SSDs can significantly enhance your workflow in various video-related tasks. For instance, when rendering high-resolution videos, SSDs drastically reduce the time it takes to process and export large files, allowing you to complete projects faster. In color grading, the fast read and write speeds of SSDs enable real-time adjustments and smooth playback, which is essential for making precise color corrections without any lag. For 3D animation, SSDs handle the large asset files and complex computations involved, ensuring quicker rendering of detailed scenes and smoother performance when working with intricate models and effects. Additionally, SSDs are invaluable for tasks like video compositing, where multiple layers of video and effects need to be processed simultaneously. By integrating SSDs into your setup, you can streamline your workflow, reduce downtime, and focus more on your creative process.

For video editors who need to handle large file transfers and edit high-resolution videos efficiently, Crucial drives offer outstanding performance. These portable SSDs are designed to manage the demands of transferring large 4K or even 8K video files quickly, ensuring a smooth workflow. Video editors can also keep their entire project library on a single drive, making it easier to access and manage their work.

The fast read and write speeds of Crucial SSDs significantly reduce load times and enhance the performance of applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, enabling seamless editing and multitasking. Below, you’ll find our top recommendations for the best Crucial drives for video editors.

Learn more about SSDs vs HDDs.