Here are top external drives to consider in 2025, grouped by use case (portable speed, rugged field use, maximum capacity, and best value). I cited recent reviews and roundups so you can compare performance, capacity and price.

1. Best portable SSD (overall): Samsung Portable SSD T9

• Why: Very fast USB 3.2 Gen2x2 performance (real-world reads often ~1,700–2,000 MB/s), good build and up to 4 TB capacity — solid all-around choice for photographers, editors and power users who need speed in a pocketable drive. (tech.yahoo.com)

2. Best rugged / field SSD: SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE SSD (and similar rugged models)

• Why: IP-rated ruggedness (IP67 in many rugged models), long warranties, and reliable performance for photographers/videographers working outdoors. Often recommended in pro reviews for durability and recovery services options. Good if you need a shock/water-resistant SSD. (techradar.com)

3. Best high-performance pro / Thunderbolt 5 SSD: LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5

• Why: Top-end performance on Thunderbolt 5 systems (multi‑GB/s reads/writes) and rugged design; excellent for heavy media workflows on the latest Mac/PC platforms that support TB5. Note: compatibility/performance depends on having the matching host port. (tomshardware.com)

4. Best value large-capacity desktop HDD (mass storage): Seagate Expansion / Seagate Desktop/Seagate 26TB deals

• Why: For bulk backup, media libraries or NAS spares you get the best $/GB from large desktop externals (Seagate frequently leads the price-per-terabyte on high-capacity 8–26 TB drives). These are slower than SSDs but far cheaper per TB. Good for cold storage and backups. (techradar.com)

5. Best mainstream external HDD (consumer backup + ease of use): WD My Passport

• Why: Popular, competitively priced consumer external HDD with capacities up to several TB, built-in hardware encryption and bundled backup software — a simple, reliable choice for everyday backups and extra storage. (tomshardware.com)

6. Notable alternatives and trends to watch

• ADATA SD810 and other rugged USB4/Gen2x2 SSDs: high ruggedization (IP68, MIL‑STD) with 1–4 TB options and Gen2x2 speeds (~2000 MB/s). Great cost/feature alternatives to branded pro drives. (techradar.com)
• Emerging magnetic/MagSafe portable SSDs (for phone-side workflows): some vendors now make MagSafe‑attachable SSDs for iPhone workflows — useful if you capture high-bitrate video to an external SSD on-device. Check compatibility before buying. (theverge.com)

How to choose

• If you need top speed and portability for editing: pick a USB Gen2x2 or Thunderbolt 4/5 SSD (Samsung T9, LaCie Pro5).
• If you work outdoors and need durability: choose an IP67/IP68-rated rugged SSD (SanDisk Professional G-Drive, ADATA SD810).
• If you need lots of cheap capacity for backups/archives: choose large desktop HDD externals (Seagate Expansion / high-capacity Seagate models).
• If you want a budget, reliable daily backup drive: WD My Passport or similar.

If you want, I can:

• Compare 2–3 specific models side-by-side by price, sustained speeds, capacity options and ports (USB-C, TB4/5), or
• Find current best prices/stock at US retailers right now.