To assist you in your quest for the best external hard drives, we have compiled a list of the top 7 products on the market. We made our selections based on the capacity of the drive, the durability of the materials, the bus speeds of the connectors, the spindle speeds, ports, manufacturer support, and system compatibility. We also highlighted some portable external hard drives that do not require an external power supply, but we also selected a few solid solutions for individuals who need more storage and don’t mind a separate power adapter.
1 Western Digital Elements External Hard Drive
The WD Elements Portable 2TB External Hard Drive is ideal for backing up files on your PC for long-term storage or for use while travelling. It’s small enough to fit within your bag pocket, measuring 4.3″ L × 3.2″ W and weighs 0.29lbs. It is also pre-formatted for plug-and-play use with Windows and is ready to use right away with no setup required.
2 Seagate STGY80000 External Hard Drive
The external hard drive from Seagate has the most storage space on our list. With 8TB, you can store enough data for numerous PCs, making it suitable for video editors. Make duplicates of your favourite movies and albums—you won’t run out of space anytime soon. As a result, it is ideal for long-term file storage because it can safely sit on top of your desk.
3 Toshiba Canvio Basics External Hard Drive
Toshiba’s Canvio Basics External Hard Drive is small and compact, with a storage capacity of 2TB. It has a smudge-resistant matte black finish on its slim case. It also provides the same plug-and-play capabilities without the need for any additional software. Furthermore, it is backwards compatible with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connections. With a capacity of 2TB and speeds of 150mb/s, you may use this as a normal backup for your images and documents.
This 0.33-lb external hard drive measures 4.3″ x 3.1″ and is ready to use for Windows PCs right out of the box. However, if you’re a Mac user, you should anticipate having to reformat this using your machine before you can use it. This external drive comes with a one-year warranty from Toshiba. These external drives, while not as portable as the best micro sd card, can go anywhere.
4 LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive
The LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive captivates with a vibrant orange rubber protector that protects it from bumps, dust, and rain. This 0.66-lb external hard drive is small but tough, and it can withstand a few drops.
It features a 4TB storage capacity and is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems without the requirement for a drive reformat.
We consider the Rugged Mini as an ideal external hard drive for busy multimedia makers who don’t want to risk exposing their hard drive to the elements while travelling around the world. The Rugged Mini spans 5.3″ by 3.4″ and boasts transfer speeds of 130mb/s, making it ideal for keeping copies of your creative data such as images, digital drawings, and film projects. It also comes with a two-year product warranty. Check out the best external hard drive for ps4 for gaming.
5 Maxone Ultra Slim External Hard Drive
The Maxone Ultra Slim External Hard Drive has a 1TB capacity. It’s the thinnest option on our list, at 0.4″ thick.
With dimensions of 4.7″ x 3.4″, it may easily fit into your pocket for easy transport. It has an excellent cooling system thanks to its aluminium structure, which helps dissipate heat faster, for consistent file rates of up to 150mb/s. This is the best external hard drive for PS4 since it eliminates the hassle of transferring files to and from your console. Installing and backing up copies of your favourite games is a simple, making it ideal for PS4 enthusiasts.
This 0.45-pound external hard drive is likewise compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, but Mac PCs will require reformatting. It is available in three various colours: champagne gold rose pink, and space grey. It also comes with a 19″ USB 3.0 cable and a 3-year warranty. If you require a driver for your Xbox, consider the best external hard drives for xbox one.
6 G-Technology G-Drive External Hard Drive
The G-Technology G-Drive is a desktop external hard drive with a robust, substantial aluminium housing that’s ideal for workstation-level backups. This software is a really dependable tool, especially for creative people that use Macs. Backing up your Mac PC will be a breeze with transfer rates of up to 245mb/s. Because of the comparable design cues, it will also work nicely with Mac machines.
This external hard drive is Time Machine-compatible, making it simple to backup and recover files. If you intend to use it with a Windows PC, you must first reformat it. It is 7.7″ x 5.1″ in size and comes with a 3-year warranty. You might also want to look for the best external ssd.
7 Fantom Drives External Hard Drive
The Fantom Drives External Hard Drive is suitable for gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Its fast 7200RPM hard drive will match your gaming console’s demanding quick loading times and function as an augmentation of its internal capacity. It measures 10.8″ x 3.8″ x 9″ and is composed of sturdy aluminium, which also aids in heat dissipation. Its casing is available in either black or silver.
The next-generation USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface on this 2.4-lb external hard drive provides compatibility with the most recent PCs on the market, making it ideal as a backup drive for your Windows or Mac PCs. It also comes with a stand and offers simple plug-and-play functionality. Because of its quicker spin speed, it can heat up more than the other hard drives on our list and should be placed in a well-ventilated environment. This external hard drive is covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
How We Made Our Decision
External hard drives are essential these days, and in addition to their capacity to store enormous amounts of data, we considered each item’s longevity and the manufacturer’s assistance.
When selecting the best external hard drive, the materials utilised must be of excellent quality and long-lasting.
We assessed whether they were built of strong metal or protected with characteristics such as dust and drop resistance. Because hard drives have moving elements that can be harmed if jostled too much, features like drop protection or desk stability were recommended.
We highlighted goods that support USB 3.0 and can be used on both Windows and Mac systems. In terms of portability, we opted to offer both external hard drives that were small enough to be carried around and desktop hard drives.
The bus speeds were another element we looked at. Anything below the customary standard transfer rates of external hard drives was omitted from our list, in favour of things with reliable speeds of 120mb/s or more.
Finally, we looked for manufacturer assistance. We looked into whether each item was covered by a warranty and how long those warranties would last.