Our Top Picks at a Glance
Western Digital 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 - Western DigitalBU6Y0050BBK-WESN,Black
283,648 reviews
500GB External Hard Drive Portable - Maxone Ultra Slim 2.5'' External HDD USB 3.0 Compatible with PC, Laptop, Rose Pink
58,478 reviews
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Playstation, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
263,551 reviews
Top 10 Picks
Ranked by rating and reviews
Western Digital 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 - Western DigitalBU6Y0050BBK-WESN,Black
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Compatibility
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Playstation, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & Playstation - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX4000400)
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
WD 2TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Compatible, Black - WDBYVG0020BBK-WESN
- Slim Design
LaCie LAC9000298 Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop Workstation PC Laptop
- Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop Workstation PC Laptop (STJJ5000400)
- Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
LaCie (LAC9000633) Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive, For Mac And PC Computer Desktop and Laptop, Orange
- Shock, drops up to 4 feet, dust and water resistant for all-terrain use
500GB External Hard Drive Portable - Maxone Ultra Slim 2.5'' External HDD USB 3.0 Compatible with PC, Laptop, Rose Pink
- Ultra Slim and Sturdy Metal Design: Merely 0.4 inch thick. All-Aluminum anti-scratch model delivers remarkable strength and durability, keeping this portable hard drive running cool and quiet.
UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 HDD Storage for PC,Mac, Desktop, Laptop, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360-Super Fast Transmission-HD-2510(Black)
- 【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
Top 3 Side-by-Side
Compare the best options at a glance
| Feature | #1Western Digital 5TB Elements... | #2Seagate Portable 2TB External... | #3Seagate Portable 4TB External... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Price | 208.68 | 129.51 | 184.94 |
| ⭐ Rating | 4.5 ⭐ | 4.5 ⭐ | 4.5 ⭐ |
| 💬 Reviews | 283,648 | 263,551 | 263,551 |
| 🚀 Prime | — | — | — |
| 🎯 Best For | Best Overall | Runner Up | Great Value |
Everything You Need to Know
Our comprehensive guide to help you make the right purchase decision
Choosing the right external hard drive can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! We've compiled a list of the top 10 external hard drives available, catering to various needs and budgets. Whether you need massive storage for backups or a portable drive for on-the-go file access, we've got you covered. Our top picks include the WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for its balance of capacity and portability, the Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive for its affordability, and the robust LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB for its durability.
How We Ranked These Products
Our ranking process involved a comprehensive analysis of several factors. We considered storage capacity, data transfer speeds (USB 3.0, USB-C), portability (size and weight), durability, customer reviews, brand reputation, and cost per terabyte. Products were tested for real-world performance, and user feedback was carefully evaluated to ensure that our recommendations reflect the experiences of actual users. We also prioritized drives offering value-added features such as backup software or enhanced security. Drives from well-known brands like WD, Seagate, and LaCie were given preference due to their proven track records of reliability and performance.
Key Features to Consider
- Storage Capacity: Determine how much storage you need. Options range from 500GB to 5TB or more.
- Portability: Consider the size and weight if you need a portable drive. Look for 2.5-inch drives for maximum portability.
- Data Transfer Speed: USB 3.0 is the standard, but USB-C offers faster transfer speeds.
- Durability: If you're accident-prone, a ruggedized drive like the LaCie Rugged Mini is a good choice.
- Compatibility: Ensure the drive is compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS).
- Security: Some drives offer hardware encryption for added security.
- Price: Balance your needs with your budget. Consider the cost per terabyte.
Top Picks Breakdown
1. WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive: This drive offers a great balance of storage capacity and portability. It's a reliable option for backing up large amounts of data. Its widespread popularity with over 280,000 reviews speaks for itself.
2. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive: A budget-friendly option that provides ample storage for most users. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around. The included 1-Year Rescue Service adds value.
3. Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive: A step up in capacity from the 2TB model, offering more space for photos, videos, and other large files. It shares the same portability and 1-Year Rescue Service benefits.
Best Value Options
If you're on a tight budget, the Maxone 500GB External Hard Drive Portable is an affordable option for basic storage needs. While it doesn't offer a large capacity, it's a good choice for backing up essential files or transporting documents. Another budget-friendly pick is the UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive which provides a terabyte of storage at a reasonable price. Be aware that these budget options may have slower transfer speeds compared to higher-end drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about external hard drive
Q1What is the difference between an HDD and an SSD external drive?+
HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) are traditional storage devices that use spinning platters to store data. They are generally more affordable and offer larger storage capacities. SSDs (Solid State Drives) use flash memory to store data, making them faster, more durable, and more energy-efficient, but they are typically more expensive.
Q2How do I format an external hard drive for Mac or Windows?+
On Windows, you can use Disk Management to format the drive. On macOS, use Disk Utility. Be sure to back up any important data before formatting, as this process will erase all data on the drive. Choose the appropriate file system (exFAT for compatibility between both OSes, APFS for macOS only, NTFS for Windows only).
Q3What does USB 3.0 mean for an external hard drive?+
USB 3.0 is a standard for data transfer that offers significantly faster speeds than USB 2.0. An external hard drive with USB 3.0 will transfer files much quicker, saving you time when backing up or transferring large amounts of data. USB 3.0 ports are usually blue.
Q4Can I use an external hard drive to back up my entire computer?+
Yes, external hard drives are commonly used for backing up entire computers. Windows and macOS both have built-in backup utilities (like File History and Time Machine) that can be used with an external hard drive. Third-party backup software is also available.
Q5Is it safe to leave an external hard drive plugged in all the time?+
While it's generally safe, it's not recommended to leave an external hard drive plugged in all the time, especially if it's not actively being used. This can shorten the lifespan of the drive and increase the risk of data corruption due to power surges or other issues. It's best to unplug the drive when not in use.
Why Trust Our Rankings?
We analyze real data to bring you unbiased recommendations
Data-Driven Analysis
We analyze 1,292,648+ real customer reviews to identify top performers
Unbiased Selection
Rankings based purely on ratings and reviews — no paid placements
Regularly Updated
Our guides are refreshed to reflect the latest products and prices
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