For those who’re operating out of cupboard space in your laptop computer, or if it’s worthwhile to again up your information and retailer that backlog of movies you are going to edit sooner or later (I’m, I swear), an exterior arduous drive can resolve your drawback. The difficulty is, there are a whole bunch of drive choices starting from filth low-cost to loopy costly—which one is true in your wants? I’ve examined dozens, throughout working techniques and with completely different use instances in thoughts, to seek out one of the best exterior arduous drives for storage, backups, gaming, video modifying, network-attached storage (NAS) gadgets, and extra.
Take a look at our different guides, together with Easy methods to Again Up and Transfer Your Pictures Between Providers, Easy methods to Again Up Your Digital Life, and Easy methods to Again Up Your iPhone.
Up to date February 2025: We have added the Western Digital My Passport Extremely, LaCie’s Rugged Pro5, and the Samsung EVO 990 naked drive. We have additionally up to date costs and hyperlinks all through.
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Desk of Contents
Choosing the right arduous drive comes right down to balancing three issues: velocity, measurement, and value. For those who’re making nightly backups, then velocity most likely does not matter. Go for the most cost effective drive you’ll find—up to a degree. Drives do not final without end, however some last more than others. I counsel sticking with recognized manufacturers with an excellent popularity, like Seagate, Western Digital, Samsung, and the others featured right here. That is based mostly partly on expertise and partly on the drive failure information that Backblaze has been publishing for years now. Backblaze goes by means of huge quantities of arduous drives backing up clients’ information, and its report is value studying. The takeaway is straightforward: Stick to names you understand.
Which Are the Most Dependable Manufacturers of Exterior Laborious Drives?
That is troublesome to reply, because it relies on too many elements. However in case you go by Backblaze’s stats report for 2023, one of the best drive makes are Toshiba, Seagate, Western Digital, and Hitachi (HGST in Backblaze’s charts). The present best-performing drives look like Seagate’s 6- and 8-TB SSDs. With that in thoughts, if I have been constructing a network-attached storage (NAS) system, the Seagate Exos 8 TB HDD is what I’d use. After that although, failures—particularly amongst SSDs—seem fairly random.
Which Is Higher, SSD or HDD?
It relies on what you are doing. For those who want quick information switch speeds, then you definately need a solid-state drive (SSD). If in case you have huge quantities of knowledge to retailer or again up, then a spinning drive (hybrid arduous drive, or HDD) is the cheaper choice. For those who’re a videographer, you want each—open your pockets vast. Typically, SSDs are the best way to go when you’ll be able to afford it.
If velocity trumps value, then you definately need to have a look at the solid-state drives we have listed right here. SSDs do not simply have a velocity benefit. In addition they lack transferring elements, which suggests they’re going to face up to the bumps and falls of life in a bag on the street higher than spinning drives. The drawback is that they’ll put on out sooner. Each write operation to an SSD—that’s, while you save one thing to it—barely degrades the person NAND cells that make up the drive, which wears it out considerably sooner than a spinning drive. Simply how a lot sooner relies on how you utilize it. That mentioned, I’ve a number of SSDs which can be greater than 5 years outdated, and I’ve used them for day by day backups all through that point. None of them have had any issues.
Do you want an SSD over a spinning drive? The reply is sort of at all times sure—in case you can afford it. However they’re particularly helpful for any drive you are working with usually: your fundamental boot drive, an exterior drive you utilize to edit paperwork from, and for backups, in case you want them to occur quick.
The one caveat is that in case your Mac or PC does not help the identical USB normal because the exterior SSD you are contemplating, then you definately is likely to be losing your cash. A drive claiming USB 3.0 speeds within the neighborhood of two,000 Mbps will do you no good if all of your laptop computer has is USB 2.0 ports. Remember to verify the specs in your laptop computer, and do not waste your cash paying for switch speeds you may by no means see.
Which Backup Software program Ought to You Use?
The reply relies on whether or not we’re speaking about macOS, Home windows, Linux, Android, or no matter Apple working system you is likely to be utilizing now or sooner or later. Sadly, there isn’t any one answer for every part. We propose utilizing one (or two) of the storage gadgets right here and a few sort of cloud storage backup as nicely. That means, even when your drives fail, your information continues to be backed up within the cloud. See our full information to backing up your digital life for our top-pick backup options for each platform.
How We Examined Exterior Laborious Drives
I examined these drives by first operating them by means of a collection of benchmarking instruments. On Home windows, I take advantage of CrystalDiskMark to measure each sequential learn/write speeds and random learn/write speeds. On macOS, I do the identical with the Blackmagic Disk Velocity Take a look at and typically AmorphousDiskMark, and on Linux, I take advantage of KDiskMark (and I normally reformat the disk from exFAT to ext4). I run exams six instances after which take the common. Along with benchmarks, I’ve two folders for testing real-world speeds. I switch a 25-gigabyte folder of MP3 recordsdata, after which a folder with three recordsdata that collectively are 25 gigabytes in measurement. For high finish drives I additionally take a look at learn and write speeds for ProRes RAW video recordsdata.
As soon as I’ve run the exams, I take advantage of the drive in day-to-day duties—modifying recordsdata straight off it (booting from it within the case of naked drives), making nightly backups, tossing it in my digicam bag, and so forth. All these information factors, together with value, type issue, portability, and different performance (does it supply encryption, and so on.), go into informing the selections about which disk is finest.
Finest for Backups
For incremental backups, which we advocate, velocity is not an enormous issue. That is why the primary drive I like to recommend is that this Western Digital Parts arduous drive. I’ve been utilizing a variation of the Parts desktop arduous drive to make incremental backups of my information for greater than a decade now. These drives are massive and require exterior energy, however they’re a few of the least expensive, most dependable drives I’ve used.
Switch speeds aren’t off the charts—the Parts drive I examined scored 120 megabits per second (Mbps) for sequential writes on Home windows—however once more, you need to ideally be operating backups in a single day anyway, and even at these speeds the common PC backup can be completed by morning. These drives use USB-C with help for USB 3, and I’ve had no drawback utilizing them with Home windows, macOS, and Linux.
Storage choices go all the best way as much as 20 terabytes. Simply verify the costs; typically you may get a 10- and even 12-TB drive for not way more than the 8-terabyte model. And I’ve not seen an enormous distinction between the Parts line, the WD My E-book drives, or the WD My Passport drives. The My Passport drives command a premium value as a result of they’re smaller, and the My E-book drives have some encryption options that drive up the value, however I discover the essential Parts drive is ample for most individuals.
Different Nice Backup Drives
- Seagate Growth 8-TB Exterior Laborious Drive for $159: Seagate is one other dependable drive maker. It by no means hurts to have extra backups, and in case you do need a number of backups, use drives from completely different manufacturers, since it’ll scale back the prospect that each fail concurrently.
Finest for Moveable Backups
For those who journey rather a lot, you may need one thing that is simpler to hold than the Parts drives, which are not one of the best in a suitcase. For backups when touring, I like Western Digital’s My Passport sequence, particularly the brand new “Extremely” model, which makes use of a typical USB-C wire, eliminating the necessity to carry a separate cable. It is not the thinnest drive available on the market, but it surely’s lower than an inch thick and strong sufficient that I by no means anxious about tossing it in my bag. (Though it must be mentioned that this can be a spinning drive, so do not actually toss it.) I additionally like that the corners are properly rounded and there aren’t any screws or anything that can catch on cloth in your bag.
There are a selection of colours accessible and you may get from 1 TB to six TB. I examined the 5-TB mannequin, however Western Digital claims the identical speeds no matter drive measurement. I examined it utilizing CrystalDiskMark on Home windows, AmorphousDiskMark on macOS, and KDiskMark on Linux and averaged the outcomes to provide you with 121 MB/s for learn velocity and 115 MB/s write velocity. It is not what you’d need to copy images shortly for a consumer within the area, however quick sufficient to run a day by day backup in your lodge room.
Different Moveable Backup Drives
The Finest Drive for When Velocity Is Every part
LaCie has up to date its rugged SSD line with the Rugged Pro5. This one ditches the long-lasting orange padding for blue, however it’s in any other case similar to the odd LaCie padded drives on the surface. On the within, that is an amazingly quick drive. The 5 within the identify is for, you guessed it, Thunderbolt 5, which regardless of being introduced seemingly without end in the past, has been painfully gradual to trickle onto the market. This made testing a bit tough, however happily a good friend let me borrow his brand-new MacBook Professional 14 for testing. And the outcomes have been spectacular.
LaCie claims learn/write speeds of as much as 6,700 MB/s and 5,300 MB/s, which it says are sufficient for real-time modifying of 8K and 6K RAW footage. In testing the very best speeds, file transfers have been 5,787 MB/s learn and 5,188 MB/s write—which, whereas not fairly matching the declare, continues to be far and away the quickest drive on the web page. However uncooked speeds are simply numbers for spreadsheets; I used to be extra eager about real-world efficiency. Since I occurred to even be testing the Nikon Z6III (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which may shoot 6K ProRes RAW, I loaded an excellent little bit of footage on the Pro5 and was certainly in a position to edit utilizing DaVinci Resolve Studio.
The draw back right here is the value. At $600 for the 4-TB model (which is the minimal you’d need for working with ProRes RAW video recordsdata), this can be a very dear drive. It’s nonetheless, nicely definitely worth the cash if it is velocity you are after.
Finest Finances Moveable SSD
These Essential drives are my favourite general-purpose exterior storage drives. They’re moderately priced (for a transportable SSD) and speedy sufficient for many makes use of. The X6 is light-weight and tiny, making it a sensible choice for working on the espresso store.
This is not a blinding-fast arduous disk. Actually, underneath the hood, the X6 makes use of an older drive interface (Serial AT Attachment, or SATA), which was extra widespread with spinning arduous drives. So whereas it is small and light-weight, its velocity is proscribed by that older interface know-how. In my testing on Home windows and macOS, that works out to about 550 Mbps learn velocity and 208 Mbps write velocity. That is adequate for backup and use as an exterior drive, however I do not advocate it for Xbox or PlayStation use. It does work wonderful with the iPad Professional although.
The foremost draw back is the plastic development—it’s a transportable arduous drive, not an indestructible arduous drive. For those who’re anxious about it breaking in your bag, seize a padded case. There are loads on the market, like this one. The Essential X9 (beneath) is a step up from the X6, each by way of construct high quality (it is steel to the X6’s plastic) and velocity, however the X9 is significantly costlier.
Different Nice Finances Drives
- Kingston XS1000 2-TB for $120: This tiny little drive is the smallest on this information. Just like the Essential X6, it has a largely plastic enclosure, but it surely has withstood life in my bag fairly nicely. Whereas it is not as strong because the padded choices beneath, it is sturdy sufficient for many issues. It is also speedy. Kingston claims as much as 1,050 Mbps. I by no means managed that, however I routinely hit round 800 Mbps, with some older laptops nearer to 600 Mbps, which continues to be fairly good. The drive bogs down a bit with massive recordsdata (MP4s, for instance), so it is not one of the best for professional videographers, however for everybody else, this can be a strong, barely cheaper choice.
Finest for Photographers
Essential’s X9 Professional hits the candy spot of velocity, portability, and value to be probably the greatest drives on the market for photographers trying to make backups within the area. These drives are tiny, about half the scale of a deck of playing cards, and weigh a mere 1.3 ounces (38 grams). They’re going to hook up with absolutely anything. I examined the X9 Professional on Home windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS and by no means hit any points with any of them. With regards to velocity, the X9 Professional claims symmetrical learn and write speeds, at 1,050 Mbps. I truly persistently obtained larger speeds, as much as 1,110 Mbps for learn and 1,100 Mbps for write. That places the X9 Professional on the high of the pack by way of transportable drive velocity.
I have been testing the X9 Professional for a number of months now, and whereas I can not but communicate to the long-term survival price, I’ve been testing X6 and X8 drives from Essential for over two years now with out subject. There’s additionally the X10 Professional drive ($180), which presents even sooner speeds you probably have a PC that helps USB 2X2. (The newest Intel chips help this spec, however Apple doesn’t, so there isn’t any level in shopping for the X10 Professional you probably have a Mac.) I don’t personal a PC that helps USB 2X2 for intensive testing, however I did get an opportunity to no less than strive it, and the X10 Professional does certainly ship on its promise of two,100 Mbps (I obtained it as much as 2,050 Mbps). In case your {hardware} helps it, the X10 Professional is value the additional cash.
Finest Go-Wherever Drive
For those who want a drive that may stand as much as life in a backpack or digicam bag, get moist, or deal with a drop onto arduous surfaces, OWC drives are your most suitable option. It is powerful to select a winner right here as a result of there are various strong choices, however OWC’s Elektron drive narrowly beat others in benchmark exams. I additionally like that you would be able to swap out the drive contained in the aluminum casing (it is easy to unscrew), which suggests two years from now, you’ll be able to choose up a sooner naked SSD and drop it within the hardy Elektron enclosure.
Different Nice Rugged SSDs
- Sabrent Rocket Nano 1-TB SSD for $120: I actually like this one. It is smaller and barely sooner than the OWC, but it surely has two drawbacks. The primary is that it could possibly get scorching. For those who’re attempting to work with it in your lap, it may be downright uncomfortable. The opposite subject is that typically it is gradual to be acknowledged by my PC. I may discover no sample to this; typically it appeared immediately, and different instances it took a few minutes. If these issues do not hassle you, this drive is tiny, cheaper, and features a padded rubber case.
Finest Padded Drive
The go-anywhere drives above are a strong answer for individuals who have to make backups within the area, like photographers and videographers. However if you would like an additional stage of consolation, this padded drive from LaCie has lengthy been a favourite of vacationers. LaCie makes each an SSD model and a standard spinning drive model. If velocity is not a difficulty, as with making nightly backups, then the cheaper spinning drive makes extra sense. For those who’re backing up in the midst of a photograph shoot or comparable state of affairs the place backing up must occur quick, the SSD model is what you need.
Different Nice Padded Choices
- Samsung T7 Protect 2-TB SSD for $149: It is not as padded as LaCie’s rugged drives, but it surely’s cheaper and delivers practically the identical velocity. It has an IP65 score, which suggests it is wonderful within the rain and is protected against mud and sand. The T7 line is notable for its built-in security measures like hardware-based encryption, however in contrast to the Contact mannequin, the Protect doesn’t have a fingerprint reader. Nonetheless, in case you do not want the total padded safety of the LaCie and need to save a bit of cash, the T7 Protect is an effective choice.
Finest Gaming Drive
Take this class with a grain of salt. A lot of the drives right here will work simply wonderful for gaming (simply keep on with the quickest you’ll be able to afford). That mentioned, Western Digital’s new P40 does have some cool RGB lights on the underside if that is your jam. In my testing, that did not appear to influence energy consumption.
As for velocity, my exams have been inconsistent. This drive is able to speeds that handily beat each the Envoy Professional and Samsung T7, however at different instances it appeared to bathroom down (no less than in benchmarks). In real-world use, the bottleneck I persistently hit was some lag in transferring large quantities of knowledge. That is likely to be a deal-breaker for some, however for the value, it stays a strong alternative.
Finest Naked Drive
If you wish to put a much bigger SSD in your laptop computer, all you want is a naked drive, which is usually cheaper than the drives with enclosures listed above. The very first thing to determine is which drive your PC makes use of. Seek the advice of your producer’s documentation to seek out out. In my expertise, the commonest type issue is M.2 2280, which is the lengthy, skinny drive within the picture above. Extra compact laptops might use the same, however shorter, M.2 2242 design. Once more, verify your PC to substantiate the drive it wants before you purchase. There are a ton of those available on the market, and I have not had time to check many but, however to this point, out of the half dozen I’ve tried, Western Digital’s WD Black sequence has stood out for velocity, and it does not run very popular.
The SN 770 M.2 2280 achieved speeds of 5,100 Mbps in my testing, which is blazing quick. For those who’re doing plenty of drive-intensive duties, like modifying video or gaming, this drive is nicely definitely worth the cash. The most important model you may get is 2 TB, however the value is cheap contemplating the velocity enhance. I have been utilizing it as my fundamental drive for a number of months and located it quick sufficient for every part I do, together with modifying 5.2K video footage and compiling software program. My favourite half? It generates little or no warmth. My older Dell XPS 13 used to get too scorching to make use of with out one thing between it and my lap. Now it does not get scorching till I begin attempting to export video, however shortly cools off as quickly because it’s completed.
A Luxurious Improve
- Western Digital SN850X 2-TB SSD for $85: This drive is so screaming quick I needed to run my exams twice as a result of I did not consider the primary outcome. Western Digital claims as much as 7,300 Mbps learn speeds, and in benchmark exams, this drive’s outcomes got here shut. To take full benefit of the velocity right here, you may want a system that helps the PCIe 4.0 SSD normal, however this can be a nice drive if you wish to improve a gaming system, whether or not it is a desktop PC or your PlayStation. This drive can be one of many few I’ve seen that is accessible as much as 8-TB capability.
- Samsung 990 Evo Plus 2-TB for $143: The 990 EVO Plus is an improve to the very talked-about 990 EVO. The unique didn’t supply something compelling and by no means made this information, however the brand new model manages to be impressively speedy and never overly scorching, as many Gen 5 PCIe disks I’ve examined have been. The 990 EVO Plus additionally launched with a 4-TB mannequin, one thing lacking the primary time round. By way of velocity it does not fairly match the SN850X above, topping out at 5,677 MB/s learn, but it surely’s loads quick for many makes use of and stays fairly cool even when pushed. For those who’re in search of an excellent all-around drive that stays cool, this one makes a sensible choice, although it’s on the dear aspect for what you get.
