What Are The Top 10 External Hard Drives

External hard drives have become a very integral part of our lives nowadays because of several issues that cannot be avoided. Some of the reasons include the need for more disk space to store more data, need to keep backups for our information and files that are very important we would not it getting corrupted or lost. Other factors that are of big importance are the kind of transfer speed that the drive offers and this is determined by the connection that the drive uses either standard hard disk or solid-state drive (SSD).

• Best Portable External Hard Drive
• What Are The Top 10 External Hard Drives Not Recognized
• Computer External Drive
• What Are The Top 10 External Hard Drives For A
• Best 2tb External Hard Drive

A disclaimer for those who deal with high-resolution images and videos then the 1TB drivers reviewed in this article would not be the best for you. Below is a list of the top ten best external 1TB hard drives. We understand that the daunting task is to identify a genuine vendor. This is because of the similar items on the market. You should not worry about that since we have done all the work for you. Additionally, there are a few parameters that you should consider before buying this item.

After a new round of testing hard drives in 2020, we found that the 2 TB Seagate Backup Plus Slim is still the best portable hard drive for most people. The Best External Optical Drives for DVDs. The WD Elements external hard drive is a great solution for all of your additional file storage needs. Available from 1TB all the way up to 4TB, you might find yourself taking pictures, buying games, and downloading movies simply so you can fill as much space as you can.

You must consider the material used and the storage capacity. Nevertheless, you should consider stepping into the manufacturer's website and all your questions will be answered by a customer care representative. When never compromise when it comes to quality.

10. Transcend 1TB USB StoreJet 25H3B SJ25H3B Rugged External

Are you looking to store and backup your data in a very secure hard drive that will not lose your data even if the drive were to fall and hit the floor? Then this is the external hard drive for you. It has been designed with military-grade shock resistance harnessed with 3 stage shock protection system. It has a one-touch auto-backup button, it has a data management software included in its setup. It is very easy to use with no drivers installation needed, it works through a plug and plays operation. The manufacturer has offered a warranty against this item. Therefore, you should buy it with confidence.

• The best external hard drives will also be quick - either because they use SSD (Solid State Drive) technology, or because they use the latest connectivity technology, such as USB-C.
• The Best External Hard Drives. The external hard drive is a useful device that can help you store more games, documents, files, videos than your computer can. If you decide to get an external hard drive.
• Today, finding the best external hard drive can be challenging because there is a plethora of options on the market. However, you can look for a device that satisfies your needs, including those regarding storage capacity, compatibility, and more. As such, here is a concise view of the best external hard drives in 2020.

09. Seagate Backup Plus Slim Portable External Hard Drive for Mac

This is very suitable for all photographers out there who are Mac users because it comes with a 2-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan that must be redeemed. The 3.0 connectivity is vital when it comes to quick file transfer. The Seagate dashboard software found in this drive helps in creating an easy customized backup plan for all your important files, images, and videos. In case you are not happy with this item the manufacturer has offered a full money refund. Consider having this product.

08. Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 SATA HDD with Shockproof

This black hard drive is ideal for PCs, Mac, Desktop, Laptop, Wii U, Xbox, and PS4. Other color options are red and blue. Just plug it in and start using it, it does not require any software installation. What makes it unique are the ultra-fast transfer rates. To protect it from damage, it is waterproof and shockproof and anti-pressure through the military-grade durable and sturdy material. It can comfortably fit in your pocket and the 3-year warranty assures you of the longevity of the drive. Therefore, you should

07. LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB Portable Hard Drive

Let's look at some amazing news for photographers looking for a drive that comes with photography related benefits. It comes with 1 month Adobe CC all Apps features. It has a shock resistance capacity of dropping up 4 feet without any damage, it is also water and dust resistant in all terrains. To secure all your data and files, the password protection option is in-built. The transfer speed is 4 times faster than the USB 2.0 version as it uses USB 3.0. In case this item does not work as intended, you can return and get a full money refund. There is nothing to worry about when buying it.

06. Silicon Power 1TB Black Rugged Portable External Hard Drive Amor

This is a great 1TB hard drive designed by Silicon power. It comes with a 3-year warranty for assurance of quality. For those users who keep losing cables, consider taking this one as it has a cable-carry design for easy cable storage. The military-grade shockproof and the IPX4 water resistance ensure all-round protection of your hard drive. For gamers, it is compatible with Xbox 1, Xbox 360, PS4 Pro, and PS4 Slim. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 boosts the transfer speed. It is important to take advantage of the warranty. Additionally, this shows that manufacturer gas confidence in this item.

05. Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable Eternal Hard Drive USB

Are you sometimes tired of the long process of copying and pasting files from your PC to the hard drive? Then your stress has come to an end as this hard drive has a drag and drop file saving option powered by the USB 3.0. For Mac users, you will require to reformat your drive in order for it to become compatible with your operating system. The drive has a drive case for durability and long-lasting. On the other hand, the manufacturer has offered a full money refund in case you are not happy with this item.

04. Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB

The Toshiba drive comes with four color options: red, white, black, and blue in order to meet different user preferences. It has a Toshiba storage backup software that you can also download from the net that will help you back up your content and even create a schedule for your backup to run automatically. The Toshiba security software also prevents unauthorized users from gaining unauthorized access to your data through a password protected key.

03. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drives 1TB

Western Digital has crafted this drive with the best in terms of quality and reliability. It has a very fast data transfer that will improve your PC performance. It has the compatibility of supporting both the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 that gives it a high capacity to perform. Finally, it has a 2-year limited manufacturer warranty. It is portable for ease of movement when you are transferring data. Through warranty, the manufacturer has demonstrated confidence in his product. There is nothing to worry about when purchasing this item.

02. Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basic Portable External Hard Drives 1TB

Unlike the other Toshiba drive mentioned in this article, this one comes in black color only. It has a contemporary sleek design with matte, smudge resistance finish. It is very easy to use as no software is needed to be installed, you only need to plug in and play. It uses USB 2.0 connectivity for transfer with no external AC power cord needed. You can use it on your PC4 without any software installation. Finally, it comes with a 1-year standard limited warranty

01. Seagate Backup Plus Slim Portable External Hard Drives 1TB

At the top of the list is the silver/black/red/blue Seagate slim portable external hard drive that comes with two-month premium Adobe CC photography. Its file transfer speed is very high through the USB 3.0 connectivity supported by this drive. Unlike all other drives that need reformatting when using them on both Windows and Mac, this one works perfectly on both OS without the need for reformat. No power supply needed and has one-click on-demand back up with customized backup plans. In case this item does not make you happy with its prescribed use, then you can refund and get your full money refund. You should not be worried when buying this item.

Wise Words

In conclusion, when buying the best external hard drive there are several essentials that you need to consider as detailed above in the top ten drives reviewed. From the above, you can tell the best drive that is right for you depending on your preference. Choose the best that will keep your data safe and offer a large space to accommodate your data as you travel around.

Consider what other users are reporting about the items and use them to compare quality with price. Additionally, you can also consult your friends or family members before purchasing this item. Make sure that you get something that is worth your money.

Do not compromise when it comes to quality. You can step into the manufacturer's website and all your questions will be answered. Practice quality control by buying from authorized retailers only. Consider purchasing one of the above items and reap all the benefits it has.

Best Selling External Hard Drives 1TB:

The Best External Hard Drives

The external hard drive is a useful device that can help you store more games, documents, files, videos than your computer can.

If you decide to get an external hard drive, just connect it with your computer and you can access your files.

Nowadays, there are many external hard drives with different storage capacities and different compatibility.

Make sure to get the one that supports your computer operating system.

They can connect to your computer via USB, FireWire, eSata, or wirelessly.

To help you find the best storage device, check our list of top ten external hard drives.

Highest Rated External Hard Drives (by Customer Reviews)

WD 4TB Yellow My Passport Portable External Hard Drive

The external hard drive from Western Digital has improved design and is available in six colors, including red, white, blue, etc.

The drive is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.

If you wish to use it with MAC OS X, you will have to reformat it first.

The storage capacity is 4TB and it comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Pros

• Interesting design
• Auto backup
• Password protection

If you want something modern and reliable, make sure to check this Passport Portable drive from Western Digital.

The capacity is high and the auto backup software is useful.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive

This hard drive from Toshiba is compact so it won't take a lot of space, you can use when traveling or take it with you to work every day.

It supports the Toshiba Storage Backup Software, so you can download it and don't worry about your content.

The hard drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and needs reformating for MAC OS.

It comes in four colors and two styles – contemporary and aluminum and the capacity is 1 TB.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Cons

• Optional backup software

This Toshiba hard drive has a smaller capacity, but it is easy to use.

If you are worried about your data, simply install the backup software and enable pass-protect.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive

This Seagate portable hard drive features a very slim design so it can fit even in your back pocket.

The unit is compatible with PS4, Windows and MAC computers.

It supports automatic back up and is easy to schedule it.

The capacity is 2 TB, there are four colors available and it comes with a 2-year warranty.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Cons

• Stiff cord

This Seagate drive is a budget-friendly option and it looks stylish.

You can use it for backups, and it can provide excellent performance in those terms.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External Hard Drive

This Seagate external drive, model Expansion is portable and compatible with Windows and MAC computers.

It is easy to use, and you don't have to install drivers, just plug it in and start transferring your files.

The drive uses USB connection 3.0 and 2.0 and weighs just over 6 ounces.

The drive comes with 18 inches long USB cable.

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Pros

• Easy to use
• The long USB cable included
• Works with PS4

If you need something simple for extra storage space, this might be the right solution.

It will improve your storage capacity for 2TB.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive

This Toshiba portable hard drive has a 1 TB storage capacity.

It has a sleek design with a matte finish, which makes it stain-resistant and easy to carry on wherever you go.

It is available in two styles – classic and contemporary and has a 1-year warranty.

It is compatible with PS4, Windows and requires reformatting for MAC OS.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Pros

• Ready to use with PS4
• Stain-resistant
• Budget-friendly

This Toshiba drive has a simple plug-and-play operation, which makes it easy to use.

It is lightweight and doesn't and perfect for traveling.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 2TB Green

This Seagate hard drive is designed to work with Xbox360 and Xbox one.

It comes in vibrant green color and has a 2TB capacity for games.

The drive is Xbox licensed and uses simple USB 3.0 capacity without the need for the power cable.

It is easy to install with your game console and allows you to have your game with you wherever you go.

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Cons

• Trial not included

If you more space for new games, this Seagate drive is for you.

Just plug it in or take it with you to your friends and enjoy the games.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive

This WD 8TB My Book Desktop portable hard drive has a capacity of 8 TB.

It comes equipped with WD Backup software, Time Machine compatibility and has password protection enabled.

The WD drive uses USB 3.0 port but it is compatible with 2.0 as well.

It is easy to use and provides endless storage possibilities.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Pros

• Universal connectivity
• High storage capacity
• Cloud storage import enabled

This external hard drive has an extreme capacity to assist you in your work and help you store everything you want.

It comes ready to use out of the box.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop External Hard Drive

This desktop external hard drive from Seagate allows you to expand your storage space for up to 8 TB.

The setup is straightforward without the need for software, just plug it in and start using it.

The drive comes with an 18 inch USB 3.0 cable and 18 Watts power adapter, but you can connect it via 2.0 port as well.

Best Portable External Hard Drive

It comes with a 1-year warranty.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

What Are The Top 10 External Hard Drives Not Recognized

Pros

• High capacity
• Simple setup
• SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port

Computer External Drive

This desktop drive is a solution to your photos, movies, TV shows, files, e-books and everything else.

What Are The Top 10 External Hard Drives For A

You will never have to delete anything, just because you've got a full memory.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive

The WD portable hard drive comes with an auto back up feature, which is a useful and effortless way to always be in peace with your files.

The capacity is 4 TB and the drive looks modern sleek.

It is compatible with Windows and needs reformatting for MAC OS.

The drive has a 3-year manufacturer warranty and compatibility with USB 3.0 and 2.0 port.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Pros

• 3-year warranty
• Interesting design
• Password protection and auto back up

This modern-looking drive gadget has high capacity and is easy to use.

You can pick one of six colors available to match your style.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive

This WD external drive has a capacity of 2 TB and can improve your PC performance.

The drive offers fast data transfers with USB 3.0 and 2.0 port connectivity.

It can work with Windows and MAC, but you have to reformat it first.

This WD hard drive is compact and lightweight, so you can carry it on with you in your bag and have your content on the go.

Check the current price on Amazon >>

Pros

• Lightweight
• Fast transfers
• Universal compatibility

WD hard drives are a reliable way to store important data and files.

With this external drive, transferring has never been easier and you are getting great value for the money.

>> Click here to see pricing, ratings, and reviews on Amazon.com <<

External Hard Drives Buying Guide

Many experts advise storing your data on the cloud, but what happens when there is no internet?

Cloud storage is secure and easy, but with the external drive, you can have all your data buy your side any time.

You won't depend on the connection quality to transfer files or have access to them.

If you have never owned an external hard drive, you might need more information about it.

Our buying guide will focus on the most significant factors that determine a reliable buying guide.

What is an External Hard Drive?

In short words, the external hard drive is a device you use for storing and accessing your data.

The external hard drive works outside the computer and has its enclosure.

It is easy to use and a simple way to get extra storage on your computer.

Some people use it to back up the data from their computers; another way you can use is for storing sensitive information.

Because they are portable, people use external drives for their daily jobs and easy access everywhere.

However, external hard drives come with different features and have different storage capabilities, so you might struggle to decide.

Keep reading and find out how to pick the best external hard drive.

Things to Consider When Buying External Hard Drive

The first thing to consider when getting an external hard drive is reliability.

You want to make sure that your data will be safe and always accessible.

On the other hand, there are other factors to consider.

Let's start from the beginning.

Storage Capacity

The most obvious characteristic that you should analyze is storage capacity.

There is no point in getting a fancy hard drive with encryption, fast transferring speed, and remote access when you won't have enough space to store everything you need.

Also, if you decide to get one with massive capacity, without the actual need for it, it doesn't make sense.

So you might be wondering, what capacity should I aim for in external hard drive?

External hard drive storage capacity goes from 500 GB to 1TB, 2TB or even 5TB.

For example, 500GB is equivalent to 500.000 photos.

So, it is a decent capacity for people who want to back up their memories and keep them safe.

On the other hand, you can store 500 movies on the external hard drive with a capacity of 500GB.

Therefore, think about things you would store on the drive.

If you are a photographer or videographer and you create media files in high resolution, you should get something with a slightly larger capacity.

High-resolution media files need more space.

Also, if you want to use a hard drive to regularly back up your computer, you will need a drive with a better capacity.

If you can afford hard drives with 1TB capacity or more, it might be a good choice, because you can hardly ever run out of the storage space.

However, there is one more thing to have in mind.

Hard drives with massive capacity tend to be bulkier than those of 500 GB capacity.

For example, if you are a professor and you need the drive to store your lecture presentation and keep them with you every day, you don't need a bulky and extensive hard drive.

Therefore, to determine the appropriate capacity of a hard drive, first, you need to identify your needs.

Software engineers might need something with more capacity, while teacher needs something portable and easy to travel with whenever they go.

People who want to store 4K video need the biggest capacity.

The capacity determines the price.

For example, a 2TB external drive can come with the price tag from $150 to $200+.

Ask yourself, do you need it?

Therefore, you won't spend money on something you won't even use.

Compatibility with Windows and MAC?

Some hard drives come ready to use with Windows OS.

If you wish to use it with MAC OS, you might need to reformat it first.

However, keep in mind that after reformatting, the storage capacity may change, but not significantly.

If that bothers you, buy the one that is compatible and ready to use with your devices.

Connecting and Speed

You want to get the external drive with fitting transfer speed.

If you are going to use it daily, you don't want to wait forever to transfer two videos.

Therefore, look at the product specifications and terms related to reading and writing speed.

The transfer speed is connected with the type of connector a drive uses.

Older models use USB port 2.0 and slow transfers.

The next category is 3.0 with improved speed up to 5Gbps, while USB 3.1 has a maximum transfer speed up to 10Gbps.

Best 2tb External Hard Drive

The Thunderbolt-based devices are the fastest, with speed up to 40 Gbps.

There is an older alternative using eSata or Fire connections, but we recommend avoiding it because there are quickly going out of use.

Power Source

Some external hard drives come with an AC adapter.

Those devices usually have more storage space and need an additional power source.

The external drives with AC adapters are not as portable as those without it.

The external drives that use power from your computer are easy to use and you can connect it anywhere.

Just keep in mind, that it can drive the power of your computer a bit quickly.

Backup Software and Security Features

Nowadays, external hard can have built-in backup software and software for file recovery.

Sometimes, the drive comes without it, but you can simply download it and install it following the manufacturer's guidelines.

If you want a hassle-free hard drive, we recommend getting the one that comes with the software.

That way, your external drive will be safe and reliable even if it experiences malfunction and lose all the data.

As for security features, the most common are password protection and encryption.

If you plan to store some sensitive and valuable data, consider getting one of these units.

Therefore, you don't have to worry about unauthorized access to your files.

Conclusion

An external hard drive is a useful device that allows you to expand the storage space of your computer, to keep your files close and ready whenever you need them.

They come with different storage capacities and different price ranges.

First, determine what kind of files you will store on the drive, and then pick the appropriate capacity.

If you plan to use it only for documents, you might not need expensive hard drives with more than 1 TB capacity.

On the other hand, if you are into videos, especially those with the highest resolution, consider investing in a durable drive with large capacity.

Pay attention to compatibility and transfer speed.

Drives that use USB port 3.1 and 3.0 are fast enough to save you time and be reliable in daily tasks.

Keep in mind that for sensitive data, you might need some security features, such as password protection and encryption.

What's your take on External Hard Drives? You think they're just a luxury or a must-have item? Don't hesitate to share your comment below with your opinion!

Highest Rated External Hard Drives (by Customer Reviews)