Best external hard drives
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How do we rank?
Using our advanced technology, we scan thousands of products and stores, analyzing reviews, ratings, and trends to find what matters most to users like you.Our team then reviews the data and real user feedback, combining AI and human insights to bring you real-time, top-rated recommendations to guide your decisions with clarity and confidence.- 2
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Our top 3 picks
SAMSUNG T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD - 1050MB/s, Rugged, Water & Dust Resistant, for Content Creators - Black
The Samsung T7 Shield 4TB Portable SSD is a powerhouse of speed and durability, designed to withstand the elements with its rugged build. With lightning-fast read and write speeds up to 1050MB/s, it’s ideal for content creators and professionals who need reliable storage on the go. This SSD is compatible with a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, Android devices, and gaming consoles, making it versatile for various use cases. Customers praise its reliability and compact design, which features a rubber coating for added protection against drops. The T7 Shield's IP65 rating ensures resistance to water and dust, providing peace of mind even in harsh conditions. With storage options ranging from 1TB to 4TB, this SSD offers ample space for all your files, making it a top choice for anyone looking to secure their data efficiently and safely.WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN
The Western Digital 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive is a versatile storage solution, perfect for personal, gaming, and business applications. With a spacious 5TB capacity, it easily accommodates extensive photo collections and important files. Users appreciate its durable and portable design, making it ideal for on-the-go use. The drive features 256-bit AES hardware encryption, providing peace of mind for secure data storage. Despite its plastic casing, it remains a popular choice for those needing reliable backup solutions. While some users have experienced issues with the included security software, many find the drive functions well without it. Overall, this drive offers a balance of capacity, portability, and security, making it a solid choice for those in need of a dependable external hard drive.Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
The Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive is an excellent choice for those seeking reliable and portable storage solutions. With its generous 2TB capacity, it allows users to store a vast amount of data, including photos, videos, and documents, making it perfect for both personal and professional use. The drive's plug-and-play functionality requires no additional software, simplifying the backup process with a straightforward drag-and-drop method. Its compatibility with both Windows and Mac systems, as well as gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, makes it a versatile option for various users. Customers frequently praise its reliability and performance, noting its ability to maintain data integrity over time. Despite being a mechanical hard disk, it offers decent transfer speeds, especially with larger files, and its compact design ensures easy portability. Ideal for those who need a cost-effective backup solution, the Seagate Portable Drive stands out for its ease of use and dependable storage capabilities.
Essential tips for choosing the external hard drives
External hard drives are portable storage devices that are used to store and back up data. They are an essential accessory for anyone who needs to store or transfer large amounts of data, whether it’s in the form of media files, documents, or software. When choosing an external hard drive, there are a few things to consider, such as capacity, connection type, and data transfer speed. In this buying guide, we will discuss the different types of external hard drives and their features to help you make the right choice.
The two most common types of external hard drives available are HDD and SSD. HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is the traditional type of hard drive and is usually cheaper than SSD (Solid State Drive). HDD is better for storing large amounts of data, while SSD is faster and more reliable but more expensive. Both types come in different sizes, from 500GB to 4TB, depending on your storage needs.
The capacity of an external hard drive is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Depending on your storage needs, you can find an external hard drive with a capacity that fits your requirements. If you need to store large amounts of data, such as media files, choose a hard drive with a higher capacity.

External hard drives are available in two connection types: USB and Thunderbolt. USB is the most common connection type, and is compatible with most computers and devices. Thunderbolt is faster and more advanced, but requires a Thunderbolt-compatible device. It is also more expensive than USB.
Data transfer speed is an important factor to consider when choosing an external hard drive. It is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) and determines how quickly data can be transferred from the hard drive to your computer or device. The higher the data transfer speed, the faster the transfer of data.
Choosing the right external hard drive for your needs can be a daunting task. It is important to consider your storage needs, connection type, and data transfer speed to ensure you get the most out of your purchase. With the information provided in this buying guide, you should now be able to make an informed decision when selecting an external hard drive.
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