Best External Hard Drives

Looking for reliable storage solutions to back up your important files, photos, and videos? Our expertly curated list of the best external hard drives showcases top-rated options based on real user reviews.... Whether you need extra space for work, school, or entertainment, these high-performing drives offer the speed, durability, and capacity you need to keep your data safe and accessible. Explore our rankings to find the perfect external hard drive that fits your lifestyle and storage requirements.
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What to look for in external hard drives

1. Storage Capacity

Consider how much space you need for your data. External hard drives range from 500GB for basic needs up to several terabytes (TB) for large media libraries or professional use.

2. Drive Type

Decide between a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD). HDDs offer more storage at a lower price, while SSDs provide faster speeds, better durability, and are more shock-resistant.

3. Connectivity

Check the connection type—USB 3.0, USB-C, Thunderbolt, or even wireless options—to ensure compatibility with your computer and fast data transfer rates.

4. Portability and Durability

If you plan to travel with your drive or use it on the go, look for compact designs and features like shock resistance or water resistance to protect your data from accidents.
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  1. 1
    WD My Passport 5TB USB Portable External Hard Drive (WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN) - Black Always recommend best buy for best professional services

    About this product

    A slim black portable drive offering 5TB storage with password protection and hardware encryption for data security.

    A slim black portable drive offering 5TB storage with password protection and hardware encryption for data security.

    What customers like

    • Compact and portable design
    • Large storage capacity
    • Fast read/write speeds
    • Reliable performance
    • Easy to use and set up
    (2,972)
    $389.99 Your price for this item is $389.99
  2. 2
    WESTERN DIGITAL Wd My Passport Wdbyvg0020Brd-Wesn 2 Tb Portable Hard Drive - External - In Red Great drive love the locking software

    About this product

    A red portable external hard drive offering 2TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, and 256-bit encryption.

    A red portable external hard drive offering 2TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, and 256-bit encryption.

    What customers like

    • Easy to set up and use
    • Compact and portable design
    • Affordable price and good value
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    • Large 2TB storage capacity
    (1,336)
    $252.68
    SAVE $10
    Your price for this item is $252.68
  3. 3
    WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive 4TB USB 3.2 Portable External Hard Drive (WDBA3A0040BBK-WESN) Great app

    About this product

    A high-performance black portable hard drive offering 4TB storage for optimized gaming on console and PC.

    A high-performance black portable hard drive offering 4TB storage for optimized gaming on console and PC.

    What customers like

    • Good performance
    • No lag during gaming
    • Encryption capability
    • Easy installation
    • Ideal for storing PS4 games
    (1,161)
    $349.99 Your price for this item is $349.99
  4. 4
    LaCie Rugged 5TB USB-C Portable External Hard Drive for PC/Mac (STFR5000800) - Orange [This review was collected as part of a promotion

    About this product

    An ultra-durable orange external hard drive with 5TB capacity and USB-C compatibility for PC and Mac.

    An ultra-durable orange external hard drive with 5TB capacity and USB-C compatibility for PC and Mac.

    What customers like

    • Large 5TB storage capacity
    • Durable and rugged design
    • Fast transfer and backup speeds
    • Highly portable and compact
    • Reliable compatibility with Mac and PC
    (868)
    $334.99 Your price for this item is $334.99
  5. 5
    WESTERN DIGITAL - Wd Easystore 12Tb USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (Wdbama0120Hbk-Nesn) - In Black Still working great

    About this product

    A high-capacity black desktop external hard drive offering 12TB storage and USB 3.0 connectivity.

    A high-capacity black desktop external hard drive offering 12TB storage and USB 3.0 connectivity.

    What customers like

    • Fast transfer speeds with USB 3.0
    • Easy and straightforward setup
    • Excellent value for the price
    • Massive storage capacity
    • Reliable and trusted performance
    (601)
    $949.99 Your price for this item is $949.99
  6. 6
    WD easystore 20TB USB 3.0 Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBAMA0200HBK-NESN) - Black Great Drive

    About this product

    A 20TB external hard drive with USB 3.0 connectivity for fast data transfer and storage.

    A 20TB external hard drive with USB 3.0 connectivity for fast data transfer and storage.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Good value for the price
    • Fast data transfer
    • Compact form factor
    • Reliable performance
    (278)
    $1,109.99 Your price for this item is $1109.99
  7. 7
    Seagate One Touch 5TB USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive (STKZ5000400) - Black Great product and great service provided by Best Buy

    About this product

    A portable black external hard drive offering 5TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, and hardware encryption.

    A portable black external hard drive offering 5TB storage, USB 3.0 connectivity, and hardware encryption.

    What customers like

    • Large storage capacity
    • Compact and lightweight design
    • Easy setup and use
    • Fast data transfer speeds
    • Reliable performance
    (139)
    $279.99 Your price for this item is $279.99
  8. 8
    SEAGATE Portable 5Tb External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC Laptop And Mac (Stgx5000400) Great enjoying it a bunch will keep buying from Best Buy

    About this product

    A portable 5TB external hard drive offering USB 3.0 connectivity and simple drag-and-drop backup.

    A portable 5TB external hard drive offering USB 3.0 connectivity and simple drag-and-drop backup.

    What customers like

    • Compact and portable design
    • Large storage capacity
    • Fast file transfer speeds
    • Reliable performance
    • Easy to use and install
    (91)
    $340.99
    SAVE $34
    Your price for this item is $340.99
  9. 9
    WD My Passport 1TB External Solid State Drive (WDBAGF0010BGY-WESN) - Grey Best decision

    About this product

    A grey external SSD offering 1TB storage, 1050MB/s transfer speed, and 256-bit hardware encryption.

    A grey external SSD offering 1TB storage, 1050MB/s transfer speed, and 256-bit hardware encryption.

    What customers like

    • Automatic and worry-free backups
    • Portable and lightweight
    • Fast transfer speeds
    • Easy to use
    • Reliable performance
    (61)
    $279.99 Your price for this item is $279.99
  10. 10
    LACIE Rugged Stfr4000800 4 Tb Hard Drive - 2.5" Drive - External - Desktop - In Orange Love this external hard drive ✨

    About this product

    An external 4TB hard drive in orange, offering rugged durability and USB-C compatibility for secure data storage.

    An external 4TB hard drive in orange, offering rugged durability and USB-C compatibility for secure data storage.

    What customers like

    • Fast transfer speeds
    • Portable and compact
    • Easy to use with USB-C compatibility
    • Rugged and durable design
    • Reliable performance
    (38)
    $305.68
    SAVE $10
    Your price for this item is $305.68

FAQ

What are the main uses for an external hard drive? + -

External hard drives are commonly used for expanding storage capacity, backing up important files, transferring data between devices, and storing large media libraries such as photos, videos, and music.

What is the difference between HDD and SSD external hard drives? + -

HDD (Hard Disk Drive) external drives use spinning disks to store data and typically offer higher capacities at a lower cost. SSD (Solid State Drive) external drives use flash memory, providing faster data transfer speeds, greater durability, and quieter operation.

How do I connect an external hard drive to my computer? + -

Most external hard drives connect via USB ports, but some models also support Thunderbolt or USB-C connections. Simply plug the drive into the appropriate port on your computer; most operating systems will recognize it automatically.

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

Yes, many external hard drives can be used with both Windows and Mac computers. However, you may need to reformat the drive to a compatible file system like exFAT if you want to transfer files between both operating systems seamlessly.

Are external hard drives suitable for gaming consoles? + -

Yes, many gaming consoles support external hard drives for additional game storage. Be sure to check your console's compatibility requirements regarding supported file systems and connection types before using an external drive.

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