I have less than 100 gb of pictures and videos I want to back up

I was looking at external ssds, but they are rather expensive... I just learned about ssd enclosures

Can you guys recommend a good ssd and ssd enclosure that wont break the bank? I read that samsung ssd is the way to go

Ty

For a high-performance, DIY portable SSD, combine an M.2 NVMe SSD (e.g., Samsung 990 Pro, WD SN850X) with a fast enclosure like the ASUS TUF Gaming AS1000/PLUS (10-20Gbps) or a USB4/Thunderbolt enclosure like the OWC 1M2 (up to 40Gbps). These combinations offer superior speeds and flexibility for file transfers, with aluminum options providing better cooling.
Top SSD Recommendations (Internal M.2 NVMe)
Best Performance: Samsung 990 Pro or WD Black SN850X (Provides high speed for USB4/TB enclosures).
Best Value: Crucial P3 Plus or Kingston KC3000.
Top SSD Enclosure Recommendations
Best Overall (Speed & Durability): ASUS TUF Gaming AS1000/AS1000 PLUS (10-20 Gbps).
Best High-Speed/Future-Proof: OWC 1M2 USB4 40G (High performance, supports up to 40Gbps).
Best Budget/Tool-Free: UGREEN 10Gbps NVMe SSD Enclosure (Aluminum, easy to install).
Best for 2.5-inch SATA: Sabrent EC-USASP (Tool-free, convenient, 5 Gbps).
Key Considerations
NVMe vs. SATA: NVMe SSDs are much faster, but 2.5-inch SATA drives are better for repurposing old hardware.
Connection Type: Ensure the enclosure matches your computer's ports. USB4/Thunderbolt 3/4 offer the fastest speeds (up to 40Gbps), while USB 3.2 Gen 2 provides up to 10Gbps.
Heat Management: Aluminum enclosures help dissipate heat from fast NVMe drives, preventing performance throttling.

Edit : write - i need a ssd and ssd enclosure recommendations in google and take a look at the articles and topics as well

This post was edited by TERA87 on Feb 16 2026 03:39pm

I'm looking for recommendations from people with first hand experience, thanks though!

It all depends on your budget and how important your data is.

For SSD enclosures, the most common disadvantage is HEAT.
You will get transfer slow downs if the enclosure does not come with a good heat dissipation pad.

I use reliable brands of portable backup storage devices:

Portable Hard drive: Seagate Backup Plus (I have 1TB, 2TB and 4TB)
Reviews: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/seagate-backup-plus-portable-drive?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=B

NVMe M.2 SSD Enclosure: Samsung PM9E1 M.2
Reviews: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ssds/samsung-teases-modular-ssd-with-swappable-nand-and-ssd-controller-compact-4tb-pcie-5-0-m-2-2242-drive-is-also-ready-to-deploy


Edit: U may consider good & reliable USB Flash Drives
Wired Reviews Best 14: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-usb-flash-drives/#6172ca2121fa8116f4e8aed4

This post was edited by d3sgtd on Feb 17 2026 07:55pm