Top 10 Best External Hard Drives 2024
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Editor's Choice
Seagate Expansion 8TB External Hard Drive HDD
- Easy-to-use desktop hard drive—simply plug in the power adapter and usb cable.
- Fast file transfers with usb 3.0.
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box.
- Automatic recognition of windows and mac computers for simple setup.
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included limited warranty and rescue data recovery services.
Best Value
Silicon Power 2TB External Portable Hard Drive
- Flexible cable-carry design for easy cable storage.
- Military-grade shockproof and ipx4 water-resistant protections.
- Stylish and slim exterior design. Usb 3.2 gen 1 interface, backward compatible with usb 3.1 gen1, usb 3.0, usb 2.0.
- Ideal for gaming enthusiasts xbox one, xbox 360, ps4, ps4 pro and ps4 slim (ps4 system software version 4.50 or higher).
- Ipx4 water-resistant standard, the a62 provideds multiple protections against accidental drops and water splashes.
WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive
- The small, lightweight design offers up to 6tb* capacity, making wd elements portable hard. drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability.
- Superspeed usb 3.2 gen 1 (5gbps).
- Available in capacities up to 6tb, take your photos, videos, music and other files wherever you go.
- With usb 3.0 connectivity, transfer files to and from your wd elements portable drive with ease.
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive
- The t7 portable ssd delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor.
- The t7 is embedded with pcie nvme technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 mb/s¹.
- Compact design with massive capacity; with capacities up to 4tb, save exactly what you need to your drive.
- Whether using a pc or mobile phone, count on the t7 for extensive compatibility².
- Record ultra high resolution (4k 60fs) videos directly onto the t7 portable ssd with your favorite camera or mobile devices.
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
- Get nvme solid state performance with up to 1050mb/s read and 1000mb/s write speeds in a portable.
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and ip65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating.
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit aes hardware encryption.
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the sandisk memory zone app.
LaCie Rugged 5TB Portable External HDD
- Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use.
- For Mac compatibility this Hard Drive requires reformatting. Refer to Application Guide for more details.
- Password protection built in.
- Uses USB 3.0 which is up to 4 times faster than USB 2.0 (USB 2.0 compatible).
- With up to 5TB of space, Rugged Mini is ideal for moving footage from on-set to post-production.
WD_BLACK 6TB P10 Game Drive, Portable External Hard Drive
- World’s first 6tb 2.5” portable hard drive.
- Up to 6tb[1] That can hold up to 150 games[3], so that you can save old favorites and still have room for new titles.
- Portable form factor with sleek metal top covering that provides fast access to your growing game library.
- Speeds up to 130mb/s[2] To push your console or pc to new levels.
- Compatible with xbox series x|s (play and store xbox one games / archive xbox series x|s games)
Seagate Game Drive for PS5 5TB External HDD
- Officially licensed built with matching firmware to seamlessly work with all models of ps5 and ps4.
- Let it shine blue led lighting gives the drive an added flash of color.
- Build your game vault 5tb of capacity means no more sacrificing, deleting, or redownloading games.
- Totally portable lightweight design makes it easy to take the whole library on-the-go.
- Ps5 ready store your ps5 games and transfer them to the console when it’s time to play.
Seagate Expansion 12TB External Hard Drive HDD
- Easy-to-use desktop hard drive—simply plug in the power adapter and USB cable.Specific uses: Business, personal.
- Fast file transfers with USB 3.0.
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box.
- Automatic recognition of Windows and Mac computers for simple setup
- Free up computer space by adding on the extra capacity of Expansion desktop drive.
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 256-bit
- Utilizes military grade fips pub 197 validated encryption algorithm.
- Super fast usb 3.0 connection - data transfer speeds up to 10x faster than usb 2.0.
- Software free design - with no admin rights needed.
- Sealed from physical attacks by tough epoxy coating.
- Brute force self destruct feature.
Our Top 3 External Hard Drives Picks
Editor's Choice
9.8
- Easy-to-use desktop hard drive—simply plug in the power adapter and usb cable.
- Fast file transfers with usb 3.0.
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box.
- Automatic recognition of windows and mac computers for simple setup.
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included limited warranty and rescue data recovery services.
Best Value
9.7
- Flexible cable-carry design for easy cable storage.
- Military-grade shockproof and ipx4 water-resistant protections.
- Stylish and slim exterior design. Usb 3.2 gen 1 interface, backward compatible with usb 3.1 gen1, usb 3.0, usb 2.0.
- Ideal for gaming enthusiasts xbox one, xbox 360, ps4, ps4 pro and ps4 slim (ps4 system software version 4.50 or higher).
- Ipx4 water-resistant standard, the a62 provideds multiple protections against accidental drops and water splashes.
Popular
9.5
- The small, lightweight design offers up to 6tb* capacity, making wd elements portable hard. drives the ideal companion for consumers on the go.
- Plug-and-play expandability.
- Superspeed usb 3.2 gen 1 (5gbps).
- Available in capacities up to 6tb, take your photos, videos, music and other files wherever you go.
- With usb 3.0 connectivity, transfer files to and from your wd elements portable drive with ease.
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What is an External Hard Drive?
An external hard drive is a portable storage device that connects to a computer or other devices via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces. Unlike internal hard drives, which are built into a computer, external hard drives provide additional storage space and allow for easy data transfer between devices.
Types of External Hard Drives
- HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Traditional HDDs use spinning disks to read and write data. They offer large storage capacities at relatively lower prices, making them suitable for backing up extensive files such as videos, photos, and documents. However, they are generally slower and more susceptible to physical damage due to their moving parts.
- SSD (Solid State Drive): SSDs use flash memory to store data, resulting in significantly faster read and write speeds compared to HDDs. They are more durable, quieter, and consume less power, but they typically come at a higher cost per gigabyte. SSDs are ideal for users who require speed, such as gamers or those working with large files like high-resolution videos.
- Hybrid Drives: These combine features of both HDDs and SSDs. They provide a balance of speed and capacity, using a small amount of SSD storage to cache frequently accessed files, which improves performance. Hybrid drives are suitable for users looking for a compromise between cost and efficiency.
Benefits of Using External Hard Drives
- Increased Storage Capacity: External hard drives offer a substantial amount of storage space, allowing users to store large files that might exceed their device’s internal capacity.
- Data Backup: Regularly backing up data to an external hard drive protects against data loss due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or malware attacks. Many external drives come with backup software to automate this process.
- Portability: External hard drives are designed for portability, making it easy to transport data between locations or share files with others. This is particularly useful for professionals who work remotely or travel frequently.
- Easy File Transfer: Transferring large files between devices is straightforward with an external hard drive. This eliminates the need for cloud services or internet connections, making it an ideal solution for quick data sharing.
- Compatibility: Most external hard drives are compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, often requiring minimal setup.
Considerations When Choosing an External Hard Drive
- Storage Capacity: Assess your storage needs. External drives come in various capacities, ranging from hundreds of gigabytes to several terabytes. Choose one that meets your current and future data requirements.
- Speed: If performance is a priority, consider an SSD for faster data access and transfer speeds. For standard file storage and backups, an HDD may suffice.
- Durability: Look for rugged models if you plan to carry the drive frequently. Some drives are designed to withstand drops, water, and dust, providing extra protection for your data.
- Connection Interface: Check the connection options available on the drive. USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt provide faster transfer rates compared to older USB standards. Ensure compatibility with your devices.
- Price: External hard drives vary in price based on capacity, type, and brand. Consider your budget while balancing the need for performance and reliability.
- Backup Software: Some external hard drives come with bundled software that facilitates backups and file management. Look for features that suit your needs, such as automatic backups or encryption options for added security.
Conclusion
External hard drives are invaluable tools for anyone needing extra storage, data backup, or file portability. With a variety of types, capacities, and features available, they cater to a broad range of users, from casual consumers to professionals. By understanding your storage needs and considering the key factors when selecting an external hard drive, you can make an informed decision that ensures your data remains secure, accessible, and well-organized. Whether for personal use or business applications, investing in a quality external hard drive is a step toward efficient data management in our data-driven world.
