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Best Quality External Hard Drive

Looking for the best quality external hard drive to meet your storage needs? Look no further! Our carefully curated selection of top-rated external hard drives is ranked based on real user reviews, ensuring... that you get the most reliable and high-performing options available. Whether you're a professional needing a robust storage solution or a casual user looking for extra space, our range of top-rated external hard drives has something for everyone. Say goodbye to worrying about data loss and slow transfer speeds - explore our selection and find the perfect external hard drive to suit your needs.
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What to look for in a high-quality external hard drive

1. Storage Capacity

The amount of storage you need depends on what you plan to store. If you're backing up large amounts of data or storing high-definition videos and games, you'll need a drive with a larger capacity.

2. Transfer Speed

The speed at which the drive can transfer files is also important. Look for a drive with USB 3.0 or higher for the fastest speeds.

3. Durability

If you plan on transporting your hard drive frequently, consider its build quality and durability. Some drives are shock-resistant and have rugged casing for extra protection.

4. Compatibility

Ensure that the hard drive is compatible with your operating system. Some drives work best with Windows, while others are formatted for Mac. Many are compatible with both.
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  1. 1
    WD easystore 8TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBAMA0080HBK-NESE) - Black - Only at Best Buy My new best assistant

    About this product

    A black desktop external hard drive offering 8TB storage and fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds.

    A black desktop external hard drive offering 8TB storage and fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds.

    What customers like

    • Reliable and durable performance
    • Large 8TB storage capacity
    • Great value for the price
    • Fast USB 3.0 transfer speeds
    • Quiet and cool operation
    4.7 (6,956 reviews)
    $264.99 Your price for this item is $264.99
  2. 2
    WESTERN DIGITAL Wd Retail 8Tb My Book Desktop Hard Drive USB 3.0 Password Prot & Auto Backup Wdbbgb0080Hbk-Nesn Great value

    About this product

    A desktop hard drive offering 8TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, password protection, and automatic backup.

    A desktop hard drive offering 8TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, password protection, and automatic backup.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Good value for money
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    • Easy setup and use
    • Reliable performance
    4.6 (1,683 reviews)
    $331.68
    SAVE $15
    Your price for this item is $331.68
  3. 3
    Seagate Expansion Desktop 8TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive (STKP8000400) GREAT PRICE! GREAT SERVICE BY BEST BUY!

    About this product

    A high-capacity black external hard drive offering 8TB storage and fast USB 3.0 data transfer speeds.

    A high-capacity black external hard drive offering 8TB storage and fast USB 3.0 data transfer speeds.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Good value for the price
    • Easy setup and installation
    • Quiet and reliable operation
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    4.7 (151 reviews)
    $209.99
    SAVE $25
    Your price for this item is $209.99
  4. 4
    WESTERN DIGITAL 4Tb Desktop Storage (Wdbwlg0040Hbk-Nesn) Love it!

    About this product

    A high-capacity external drive offering fast USB 3.0 connectivity for easy file storage and transfer.

    A high-capacity external drive offering fast USB 3.0 connectivity for easy file storage and transfer.

    What customers like

    • Compact and sleek design
    • Large storage capacity
    • Easy and user-friendly setup
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    • Reliable performance
    3.8 (43 reviews)
    $251.68
    SAVE $10
    Your price for this item is $251.68
  5. 5
    WD Sdphf1A-006T-Nbaad G-Drive Desktop Hard Drive (Sdphf1A-006T-Nbaad) This works great, it is everything I expected

    About this product

    A high-performance 6TB external hard drive with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and 7200rpm speed for desktops.

    A high-performance 6TB external hard drive with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and 7200rpm speed for desktops.

    What customers like

    • Quiet and low noise operation
    • Attractive and sturdy design
    • High storage capacity
    • Fast transfer speeds
    • Reliable and durable build
    3.8 (40 reviews)
    $487.68
    SAVE $15
    Your price for this item is $487.68
  6. 6
    WD Sdphf1A-012T-Nbaad G-Drive Desktop Hard Drive (Sdphf1A-012T-Nbaad) Great quality for the price

    About this product

    A high-capacity 12TB external desktop hard drive with USB 3.2 connectivity and 7200rpm speed.

    A high-capacity 12TB external desktop hard drive with USB 3.2 connectivity and 7200rpm speed.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Fast data transfer
    • Quiet operation
    • Easy to set up
    • Reliable performance
    3.7 (27 reviews)
    $743.67
    SAVE $223
    Your price for this item is $743.67
  7. 7
    WESTERN DIGITAL Wd My Book Wdbbgb0120Hbk Hard Drive Wdbbgb0120Hbk-Nesn One of the Best You Can Buy

    About this product

    A black external desktop hard drive with 12TB capacity, USB 3.0 connectivity, and 256-bit encryption.

    A black external desktop hard drive with 12TB capacity, USB 3.0 connectivity, and 256-bit encryption.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    • Runs quietly and stays cool
    • Easy to set up
    • Reliable performance
    3.6 (25 reviews)
    $481.68
    SAVE $10
    Your price for this item is $481.68
  8. 8
    WD Sdphf1A-022T-Nbaad G-Drive Desktop Hard Drive (Sdphf1A-022T-Nbaad) BEST HARDDRIVE

    About this product

    A high-capacity external hard drive with USB 3.2 connectivity and fast 7200rpm performance for desktops.

    A high-capacity external hard drive with USB 3.2 connectivity and fast 7200rpm performance for desktops.

    3.5 (17 reviews)
    $1,092.67
    SAVE $327
    Your price for this item is $1092.67
  9. 9
    LACIE Rugged Mini 5Tb External Hard Drive Portable HDD – USB 3.0 USB 2.0 Compatible I farthest the best hard drive I've ever had I had one years ago that was much smaller

    About this product

    A rugged portable hard drive with 5TB capacity, USB 3.0/2.0 compatibility, and shock-resistant orange casing.

    A rugged portable hard drive with 5TB capacity, USB 3.0/2.0 compatibility, and shock-resistant orange casing.

    4.2 (5 reviews)
    $272.03
    SAVE $27
    Your price for this item is $272.03
  10. 10
    LACIE D2 Professional 4Tb USB 3.1 Desktop External Hard Drive (Stha4000800)

    About this product

    A high-performance 4TB external hard drive with USB 3.1 connectivity for professional data storage needs.

    A high-performance 4TB external hard drive with USB 3.1 connectivity for professional data storage needs.

    5.0 (2 reviews)
    $276.68
    SAVE $15
    Your price for this item is $276.68

FAQ

What should I consider when choosing the best quality external hard drive? + -

When choosing the best quality external hard drive, consider factors such as storage capacity, speed (measured in RPM for HDDs or read/write speeds for SSDs), connectivity options (USB 3.0, USB-C, Thunderbolt), durability, and brand reputation. Additionally, think about whether you need portability or a stationary drive.

How does an SSD compare to an HDD in terms of performance for external hard drives? + -

SSDs generally offer faster data transfer speeds and better performance compared to HDDs. They have no moving parts, which makes them more durable and less prone to mechanical failure. However, they tend to be more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs.

Are there any specific brands known for producing high-quality external hard drives? + -

Several brands are well-regarded for producing high-quality external hard drives, including Western Digital, Seagate, Samsung, SanDisk, and LaCie. These brands are known for their reliability, performance, and customer support.

Can I use an external hard drive with both Windows and Mac computers? + -

Yes, you can use an external hard drive with both Windows and Mac computers by formatting it in a compatible file system like exFAT or FAT32. These formats allow the drive to be read and written by both operating systems without additional software.

What is the importance of connectivity options in an external hard drive? + -

Connectivity options determine how quickly data can be transferred between your computer and the external hard drive. USB 3.0 and USB-C offer fast transfer speeds suitable for most users. Thunderbolt connections provide even faster speeds but are typically found on higher-end models and require compatible ports on your devices.

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