Samsung T7 Shield

If you need fast, pocketable storage for photos, video and large project files while you travel, a rugged external SSD removes the worry of dropped drives or soggy kit bags. The Samsung T7 Shield is a 2TB NVMe-powered portable SSD that targets creators and fieldworkers who want desktop-like transfer speeds without delicate hardware. ## What makes it worth it The T7 Shield delivers sequential speeds up to 1,050 MB/s read and about 1,000 MB/s write over USB 3.2 Gen 2, so copying multi-gigabyte video clips is noticeably quicker than a spinning hard drive and on par with other top portable NVMe drives. Samsung wraps its NVMe module in a rubberised, corrugated sleeve that meets IP65 dust and water resistance and survives drops to roughly 3 metres, so it stands up to outdoor shoots and travel. It also supports AES‑256 hardware encryption and Samsung’s Portable SSD software for password protection and firmware updates, and ships with both USB‑C to C and USB‑C to A cables for wide compatibility with PCs, Macs, consoles and many phones. ## Where it falls short The T7 Shield uses a USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface (10 Gbps) rather than faster Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt connections, so absolute peak speeds are limited compared with a few pricier, faster portable drives; competitors like some high-end Gen 2x2 or Thunderbolt models will beat it in sustained top-end throughput. If you need the absolute fastest external workspace drive and your laptop supports Thunderbolt 3/4, look elsewhere. Buy if you want a rugged, plug-and-play 2TB NVMe SSD for photography, video or travel; skip if you need the fastest possible sustained throughput over Thunderbolt for heavy editing workflows.

£338.98