Best External Hard Drive for NVIDIA Shield TV

The NVIDIA Shield TV Android TV box is probably the best streaming device on the planet. With its beefy Tegra X1+ processor, high-end features such as artificial intelligence (AI) 4K upscaling of 1080p content, and gaming as well as emulation capabilities, the Shield TV is a versatile set-top box. To maximize your experience with the Shield TV, you’ll want an external hard drive. Check out the best external hard drives for the NVIDIA Shield TV!

Why You Should Use an External Hard Drive or Solid State Drive With the NVIDIA Shield TV

Whereas most streaming devices such as Rokus, the Apple TV, and Fire TV boxes mostly offer streaming media, the NVIDIA Shield TV boasts a well-rounded slate of features. There are loads of emulators available for the NVIDIA Shield TV for retro gaming, you can install Steam Link for in-home game streaming, native Android games run flawlessly on the Shield, plus the Shield doubles as a Plex client and server. What’s more, a compatible over-the-air (OTA) antenna and TV tuner transforms the Shield into a DVR for watching and recording live television.

Since 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro provides 16GB of space, an external HDD or solid-state drive (SSD) is a must-have. Once you begin installing Android games such as Half-Life 2, Doom 3 BFG, and Grand Theft Auto Vice City, emulators, and loading up media files, the Shield’s free internal storage quickly begins filling up. Because you can format external storage devices to expand your internal storage, you’ll even benefit from more app installation space as well.

While the Shield TV was initially offered in a Pro variant that came with a built-in 500GB hard disk drive (HDD), 2019 saw a Shield TV redesign. Now, the Shield arrives in two variants. The baseline NVIDIA Shield is a tubular streaming stick that includes a microSD card slot but no USB ports whereas the Shield Pro 2019 nixes the SD card slot in favor of dual USB 3.0 ports. Prior SHIELD TV models all sport USB ports and microSD card expandability, with some Shield TV Pro units rocking up to 500GB of internal storage.

Why you should add an external HDD or SSD to your Shield TV Pro:

• More storage space for native Android games
• Additional retro gaming ROM storage
• Space for media files to use with Plex Media Server or Kodi
• App space
• DVR storage

NVIDIA Shield TV Pro 2019 specs:

• Tegra X1+ processor
• 3GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• HDMI out, Ethernet input, 2 x USB ports
• Google routines, Samsung SmartThings compatibility, Plex media server functionality, Amazon Alexa
• HDR10 and Dolby Vision
• 4K AI upscaling

NVIDIA Shield TV 2019 (non-Pro) specs:

• Tegra X1+ processor
• 2GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• HDMI out, Ethernet input, microSD card slot
• Google routines, Amazon Alexa
• HDR10 and Dolby Vision
• 4K AI upscaling

What to Look for in an HDD or SSD for the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro

When you’re selecting a hard drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro, there’s a lot to think about. You’ll need to consider your budget, desired storage space, type of storage, and more.

Price: While it’s true that storage media has plummeted in price, you can still expect to pay a premium for SSDs and flash storage when compared with traditional spindle drives. As such, cost is a major factor in shopping for an NVIDIA Shield TV-compatible external drive.

Storage capacity: The amount of storage space is a crucial consideration. You can add anywhere from a few gigabytes to several terabytes. For running older ROMs or installing a few native Android games, less storage space is probably fine. If you plan to use your NVIDIA Shield TV as a Plex NAS or install larger ROMs and games, more storage space is best.

SSD vs. HDD vs. Flash drive: Think about what type of drive you want. Typically external hard drives benefit from a lower price-per-gigabyte than SSDs or flash drives. But HDDs have slower read/write speeds and the physical drives aren’t quite as resilient at flash and solid-state storage. In addition to differences in cost, HDDs, SSDs, and flash drives feature unique connection types and sizes. The physical footprint of an external hard drive is usually a bit bigger than the footprint of an SSD. Both SSDs and HDDs generally use a USB cable for connectivity while a flash drive slots directly into a USB port sans cable.

Read/write speed: Faster storage is ideal. However, if you’re installing the occasional game or loading up ROMs and media files every once in a while, blisteringly quick read/write speeds aren’t as necessary. On the other hand, if you plan to use your Shield TV Pro as a Plex server or DVR, you might want a speedier drive for better performance.

Best HDD for NVIDIA Shield TV Overall – SanDisk Extreme Portable External SSD

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a fantastic choice for adding tons of storage to your NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. With 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, you can grace your Shield TV with loads of additional space for ROMs, media files, games, and apps. With its read speeds up to 1050MB/s read and write speeds as high as 1000MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme Portable external SSD delivers top-notch read/write performance. Particularly for large media and game libraries, the Extreme Portable is a great pick.

Living up to the Extreme in its name, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD sports an IP55 water- and dust-resistance rating. Of course, it’s best to keep liquids and dust away from your Shield TV. There’s a USB-C to USB cable, and good build quality. If you need even faster read/write speeds, the SanDisk Extreme Pro boasts 2000MB/s read/write speeds, albeit at a significantly higher cost. Unfortunately, you’ll pay a premium for the Extreme Portable. But that’s true of most external SSDs. The price-per-gig exceeds that of slower HDDs. If you want the best HDD for the NVIDIA Shield TV overall, it’s the SanDisk Extreme Portable external solid-state drive.

Pros:

• Up to 2TB capacity
• As high as 1,050MB/s read and 1,000MB/s write speeds
• IP55 water- and dust-resistance
• 256‐bit AES hardware encryption
• NVMe SSD
• 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches

Cons:

• Pricier than same-size HDD

Best Budget External Solid-State Drive for NVIDIA Shield TV – WD My Passport SSD External Drive

Western Digital is a renowned name in the storage space, and its WD My Passport portable external SSD is the best budget external SSD for the NVIDIA Shield TV. It’s available in several colors including gray, gold, red, blue, and silver. With 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities, you can house all of your games, media files, and apps comfortably. Touting lightning fast read/write speeds of 1050Mb/s and 1000MB/s respectively, the WD My Passport SSD is an excellent NVIDIA Shield-compatible external drive. There’s shock and vibration resistance, USB 3.2 gen-2 as well as USB-C and USB-A, plus a small footprint. When contrasted with traditional spindle drives, the WD My Passport portable SSD is expensive, although among external solid-state drives, it’s competitively priced. Fast, reliable, and with several different storage options, the Western Digital My Passport is a reasonably-priced SSD for the NVIDIA Shield TV.

Pros:

• Up to 1050Mb/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds
• USB 3.2 gen-2
• USB-C and USB Type-A connectivity
• Up to 2TB
• 256-bit AES hardware encryption
• Shock- and vibration-resistant, drop-resistant up to 6.5ft (1.98m)
• 3.54 x 1.77 x 0.39 inches

Cons:

• More expensive than same-sized HDD

Best Portable External SSD for NVIDIA Shield TV Pro – Samsung T7 Portable SSD

The Samsung T7 is a brilliant portable external SSD that works with the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. Available in red, blue, and black the Samsung T7 portable SSD comes in capacities of 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Boasting a tiny footprint, an attractive enclosure with a choice of different colors, and tons of storage space, the T7 runs flawlessly. What’s more, performance is absolutely incredible with read speeds up to 1,050MB/s and write speeds as high as 1,000MB/s. USB 3.2 and AES 256-bit hardware data encryption further make the Samsung T7 a phenomenal SSD that works with the NVIDIA Shield TV. Disappointingly, you won’t find any ruggedization such as water-, shock-, or dust-resistance. However, since your SSD will likely be safely nestled in your media center, that shouldn’t be much of an issue. Fast, small, and affording tons of storage space, the Samsung T7 portable SSD is one of the best external drives for the NVIDIA Shield TV.

Pros:

• 1,050MB/s read/1,000MB/s write speeds
• USB 3.2
• Comes in red, black, and blue
• 500GB, 1TB, 2TB storage capacities available
• AES 256-bit hardware data encryption
• Small footprint
• USB-A and USB Type-C connectivity

Cons:

• No ruggedization like water-, dust-, or shock-resistance
• Expensive compared to standard HDDs

Best High-capacity Portable SSD for NVIDIA Shield TV – Fantom Drives Mini External SSD

Although most portable external SSDs top out around 2TB, the Fantom Drives mini external SSD comes in capacities ranging from 250GB to a whopping 4TB. That’s an insane amount of storage space. Yet despite its huge storage space, the FD Extreme Mini External SSD comes in a sleek 1.5 x 0.5 x 4.26 inch form factor. Onboard, you’ll find USB 3.2 gen-2 with speeds up to 10Gbps and USB Type-C as well as Type-A cables. Its 3D NAND NVMe storage is top-notch and delivers best-in-class read/write speeds, all in a device the size of a pack of chewing gum. Unfortunately, the 4TB variant is extremely expensive. You could buy a decent budget gaming laptop for the price of the 4TB FD Mini Extreme portable external SSD. Even the 2TB variant carries a hefty premium. Nevertheless, if you need maximum storage space in a tiny package, the FD Mini Extreme SSD is hands-down the best external drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV.

Pros:

• Up to 4TB storage space
• 1.5 x 0.5 x 4.26 inch form factor
• USB 3.2 gen-2
• 3D NAND NVMe
• 1,050Mb/s read/1,000MB/s write speeds

Cons:

• Extremely expensive

Best External Hard Drive for NVIDIA Shield TV – WD Black P10 Game Drive

The WD Black P10 is an awesome gamer-oriented external hard drive. Although it’s not an SSD, the Western Digital Black P10 is a good portable HDD for video game storage that works with the NVIDIA Shield TV. It’s available in 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, and 5TB capacities. Its case, while not rugged, sports a tough-looking, ridged aesthetic. There’s standard USB 3.0 connectivity and a 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inch footprint. Sadly, the drive itself is a 5,400 RPM drive that, while good enough for most uses, can’t compete against even budget SSDs. You might also consider the WD Black P50 SSD. Nevertheless, the WD Black P10 delivers tons of storage space on the cheap, and in a stylish package to boot.

Pros:

• Stylish rugged-looking case
• Up to 5TB storage space
• USB 3.0
• 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inch footprint
• HDD
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not an SSD
• Rugged case is mostly for show

Best Budget External HDD for NVIDIA Shield TV – Seagate Backup Plus External HDD

If you want a ton of storage space on the cheap, the Seagate Backup Plus is a solid choice. It’s available with up to 5TB of storage space. There’s USB 3.0 connectivity and 120MB/s maximum read/write speeds. While that’s a decided step down from SSD performance, it’s right in line with other portable external HDDs. Since Seagate offers some of the most reliable external hard drives on the market, the Backup Plus is a great solution for adding lots of cheap storage space to your Android TV box, and is the best budget external HDD for the NVIDIA Shield TV.

Pros:

• Cheap, good storage
• USB 3.0
• 120MB/s read/write speeds
• Up to 5TB storage space
• Reliable

Cons:

• Not an SSD
• No USB-C connectivity

NVIDIA Shield Recommended External Flash Drive – SanDisk Extreme Pro USB Solid State Flash Drive

Because of its solid-state memory, the SanDisk Extreme PRO flash drive can handle insanely fast read/write speeds. As such, it’s a fantastic option for storing ROMs, native Android games, and 4K video files. Its durable aluminum construction means your flash drive will be properly protected. Since it’s a flash drive, you don’t need to worry about cables, simply plug the device straight into your NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. It’s a USB 3.2 device so you’ll experience blazing fast transfer speeds with compatible USB 3.2 devices. With up to 1TB of storage space, the SanDisk Extreme Pro solid state flash drive is easily the best flash drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. Still, you’ll pay a hefty premium for its excellent performance and tiny form factor. The 1TB model retails for around the same price as a 2TB external portable SSD. The sleek, high-performing SanDisk Extreme Pro flash drive is totally worth its cost though, and works wonderfully with the Shield TV.

Pros:

• Up to 1TB
• USB 3.2
• Flash drive with solid-state storage
• Aluminum all-metal casing
• Up to 420MB.s read/380MB/s write speeds
• 128-bit AES encryption

Cons:

• Expensive

Best Large External Flash Drive for NVIDIA Shield TV – PNY Pro Elite Flash Drive

The PNY Pro Elite USB 3.0 flash drive pairs well with the NVIDIA Shield TV for an enormous amount of storage. It can be had with up to 1TB of storage space and boasts 400MB/s read with 250MB/s write speeds. It’s a USB 3.0 flash drive that can hold a ton of files. Unfortunately, the PNY Pro Elite lacks USB 3.2. But its USB 3.0 connectivity is just fine, and read/write speeds aren’t far behind USB 3.2-enabled devices. Price is a bit hefty for the 1TB model, but if you want an absolutely tiny storage device that doesn’t skimp on storage capacity, the PNY Pro Elite flash drive is the best large external flash drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV.

Pros:

• Up to 1TB capacity
• USB 3.0
• 400MBps read/250MBps write speeds

Cons:

• Not USB 3.2

Best Tiny Flash Drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV – SanDisk Ultra Fit Flash Drive

One of the downsides about attaching an external hard drive, portable SSD, or even most flash drives to the NVIDIA Shield is that you’ve got an unsightly device hanging off the back of your set-top box. However, the SanDisk Ultra Fit flash drive solves this problem. The fingernail-sized Ultra Fit flash drives come in capacities up to 512GB. There’s USB 3.1 connectivity and fast 130MB/s read speeds. 128-bit AES hardware encryption comes standard. Impressively small, the SanDisk Ultra Fit flash drive is barely noticeable when connected to the NVIDIA Shield TV. Disappointingly, read/write speeds aren’t as fast as solid-state storage. However, performance should be fine for most users. Its capcaity tops out at 512GB, so that might not be enough for running a Plex server off of the NVIDIA Shield TV, but it’s more than ample for ROM, app, and game storage.

Pros:

• Up to 512GB
• USB 3.1
• 128-bit AES encryption
• Incredibly small, barely noticeable when connected
• 130MB/s read speeds

Cons:

• Only goes up to 512GB
• 130MB/s read speeds slow compared to SSDs

Best Budget NVIDIA Shield TV-Compatible Flash Drive – Arcanite Flash Drive

Arcanite makes a good, cheap flash drive that works with the NVIDIA Shield TV. It’s available with up to 1TB of storage space. Despite its competitive cost, the USB 3.1 flash drive manages read speeds as high as 400MB/s and write speeds up to 200MB/s. It’s competitively priced and yields ample storage space. The only real downside is that Arcanite is a lesser-known brand and the build quality isn’t as flashy as higher-priced flash drives. Don’t expect a premium fit and finish. But if you need tons of space at an affordable price, the Arcanite flash drive is an awesome option.

Pros:

• Up to 1TB storage space
• USB 3.1
• 400MB/s read, 200MB/s write speeds
• Good, cheap flash drive

Cons:

• Unknown brand
• Average fit and finish

Best External Hard Drive for the NVIDIA Shield TV – HDDs, SSDs and USB Drives for the Shield TV

There are loads of storage devices for the NVIDIA Shield TV. SanDisk’s Extreme Portable, the WD My Passport, Samsung T7, and FD Mini Extreme are all high-performing portable SSDs that work with the NVIDIA Shield TV. The WD Black P10 game drive is a gamer-oriented HDD for NVIDIA Shield TV Pro use, while the Seagate Backup Plus is an excellent budget HDD. On the flash drive front, the SanDisk Extreme Pro boasts solid-state memory in a tiny package while the PNY Pro Elite, SanDisk Ultra Fit, and Arcanite USB sticks all work flawlessly with the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.

Your turn: Which NVIDIA Shield HDDs, SSDs, and USB drives do YOU recommend?