The WD Element HDD transfers data very fast with the USB 3.0 (100 Mb/s). And with its capacity, this model can store large video/audio libraries as well as expand the storage. Our pick for best external hard drive for gaming on console The Silicon Power A60 Armor is a gaming juggernaut that's perfect for every platform. It ships in sizes up to 5TB and features the latest USB 3.0 tech for lightning-quick transfer speeds and zippy gameplay.
One of the best and secure ways to store your data in a larger scale is by using portable external hard drives. Well you see, this kind of hard drive is also available in large capacity that you can store a lot of things. Portable external hard drives are very convenient to use, and there is no need of flash drives anymore. Most of them come in a size of a power bank to make it easy for users to bring along with. With many brands available on the market, it might not be easy to get one for some buyers. Moreover, we have a buyer's guide that might give you some ideas to purchase the high quality portable external hard drives below.
Portable ExternalHard Drives Buyer's Guide
In case you are new to portable external hard drives, there are some tips that you should know. We have some basic tricks that you should be aware of before you buy a portable external hard drive. Consider those things, and you will be able to choose the ideal option of portable external hard drives faster and easier. Take a look and see if our tips are helpful for you.
Transfer Speed
Thisis one of the most important things to consider before buying a portableexternal hard drive. You wouldn't want to spend hours copying a file with largesize that takes less time with other hard drives. If you transfer large fileson a regular basis, go for the ones with USB 3.0 or USB 3.1. This type of harddrive can transfer large data in a great speed which is very time saving touse. You can easily notice that they are fast with the blue mark right insidethe port, or basically by reading their description.
Portability
Some people overlook the part for the fact that size does't matter to them. As a matter of fact it does, you should always select the portable hard drives that are 'portable'. Choose the ones that are light and small enough to fit in your bag or pocket so that you can easily access to them. At the same time, consider the weight of the hard drive that you want to choose as well. There are many portable, compact, and lightweight external hard drives out there that you can select. We also bring 10 of them for you today too, so stay with us.
Durability
Furthermore, bear in mind that all your data is all in that one hard drive, everything will be gone if it dies. There are many good quality hard drives that come with strong casing and design to protect the hard drive from damages. Many of them are durable and also some are even waterproof and shockproof which is actually great to have. There are times when we drop or bump our hard drives, choosing the durable ones is always recommended.
Contents
1. Portable External Hard Drive by Western Digital
With the new upgrade version, this portable external hard drive is fast, simple, and super convenient to use. It comes with 3.0 USB type which offers reliable and fast file transferring speed and rates every time. The best part is that it also offers to back up your phones, videos, and other files as well. Apart from providing great performance and high capacity, the quality of this hard drive is also incredible. It is very durable, and its size is very compact which is very easy to bring along with to places. From the design to the quality, this external has them all. There are different capacity that you can choose from 1TB to 4TB, the choice is all yours.
Pros:
- The external hard drive is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0
- It delivers fast data transfer at all size with any files
- It is durable and compact for easy use and portability
Con:
- The cable of the hard drive is a little short so you have to have it next to your device when in use
2. Portable External Hard Drive by Toshiba
The unique thing about this hard drive is that it comes with plug & play function. This function allows you to use the hard drive right away without the need to install the software at all. That means you can copy your files and datas right away from or to your PC in just seconds. Powered by USB 3.0 technology, transferring file and data will be super and fast which is simply time saving. With sleek profile design, this external hard drive is definitely one stylish option to choose. It comes with the design of matte along with smudge-resistance finish which is absolutely cool. This portable external hard drive is available from 1TB to 4TB, which one are you going to pick?
Pros:
- The hard drive features plug & play function for easy use without software installation
- It works fast, and it is compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0
- The design of the drive is sleek and compact for easy use and portable
Con:
- It is a little slow when copying large photo files
3. Portable External Hard Drive by Seagate
There have been many users who find it difficult to use their external hard drive with some certain PCs. Worry no more with this portable external hard drive because it is designed to work with Windows and Mac computers. At the same time, you don't need to install any software at all which means you can use it right away. You can simply connect the hard drive to your computer, and it will recognize each other, simple as that. Plus with plug & play simplicity, this hard drive is very simple and easy to use. From quality to performance, this hard drive has them all. Many customers are happy with this option, you could be one of them too.
Pros:
- This hard drive is easy to use, and it is very easy to set up with a simple connection
- It works with Windows and Mac computers
- The design of this portable drive is compact and lightweight which is portable
- The process of transferring data is fast and smooth
Con:
- It is a bit noisy when running, but the noise is not too loud
4. Portable External SSD by Samsung
The interesting thing about this external hard drive is its super fast read-write speed that goes up to 540MB/s. On top of that, it comes with USB type C to C and USB type C to A cables. That makes it even more convenient since the hard drive is compatible with many different devices. The best part is its 3.1 Gen2 that makes the speed of file transferring unbelievably fast compared to the others. As for the style, this hard drive is simple yet stylish which is ideal for every user out there. The top to bottom metal design along with super compact size makes this hard drive one stylish kind to have. Not to mention that it comes with optional password protection and hardware encryption, this hard drive is amazing. There are 4 colors available, you should check them out.
Pros:
- The hard drive is compatible with many different devices from PCs to smartphones
Best Portable Hard Drives Reviews
- The speed of transferring data is fast even with large files
- The solid design of metal body makes the hard drive super durable tough
- It is lightweight and so compact it fits in the palm of your hand
Con:
- Several users have unpleasant experience with C to C connection
5. Mini Portable External Hard Drive by LaCie
We all know a friend who always drops things, and this is the highly recommended hard drive option for them. The awesome thing about it is that it offers the all-terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance. That means you can be a little clumsy sometimes, and this hard drive won't die on you at all. As for the quality, you can seamlessly connect it to USB 3.0 computers to transfer files and data in a fast speed. At the same time, this rugged external hard drive also offers premium protection for all of your datas as well. It is compact and lightweight yet super durable and cool, perhaps this might be the one you have been looking for.
Pros:
- It has transfer speed of up to 130MB/s which is fast and convenient
- The drive comes with automatic backups and folder sync to protect your files
- This hard drive is super durable, and it can withstand all minor accidents that you may have
Con:
- The process is a little slow in Lightroom
6. Extreme Portable External Hard Drive by SanDisk
Portable External Hard Drive Deals
When it comes to durability, this hard drive has to be on the list. With the ruggedized design, this hard drive is both water resistant and dust resistant, and no dust can interfere the operation at all. That is not all, it is also shock resistant as well to deliver durability at its best and top quality for you. That means no matter if you have a little accidental drops or bumps, this hard drive does not go anywhere.
Both the drive and the data inside are all safe, and that is one of the best things to have in a hard drive. As for the transfer speed, it can go as fast as 550MB/s which allows you to move high resolution file fast. With all the durability and quality, the hard drive itself is super compact and lightweight which is easy to bring along with. It is compatible with most Windows as well as Mac, and it is among the best external hard drives that you should have.
Pros:
- It is super durable, and it can withstand drops, water, and dust
- The transfer speed is fast and smooth
- The drive is compact and easy to bring along with to places
- It is ideal for PC and Mac users
Con:
- It heats up during long use
7. Rugged Portable External Hard Drive by Silicon Power
This is another rugged design external hard drive that you might want to take into consideration. It features the military grade shockproof construction that makes the drive itself super durable and tough. No drops or bumps could do any harm to the devices and the datas it stores at all. At the same time, it comes with the hexagonal pattern that covers the surface to deliver scratch-resistant function. The cool and unique part is the cable storage design that allows for simple cable carrying with ease. The data transfer speed is fast, and it works well with PCs and Macs without a single lag. It is durable, stylish, and compact, and it comes with different colors that you can choose from.
The unique thing about this hard drive is that it comes with plug & play function. This function allows you to use the hard drive right away without the need to install the software at all. That means you can copy your files and datas right away from or to your PC in just seconds. Powered by USB 3.0 technology, transferring file and data will be super and fast which is simply time saving. With sleek profile design, this external hard drive is definitely one stylish option to choose. It comes with the design of matte along with smudge-resistance finish which is absolutely cool. This portable external hard drive is available from 1TB to 4TB, which one are you going to pick?
Pros:
- The hard drive features plug & play function for easy use without software installation
- It works fast, and it is compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0
- The design of the drive is sleek and compact for easy use and portable
Con:
- It is a little slow when copying large photo files
3. Portable External Hard Drive by Seagate
There have been many users who find it difficult to use their external hard drive with some certain PCs. Worry no more with this portable external hard drive because it is designed to work with Windows and Mac computers. At the same time, you don't need to install any software at all which means you can use it right away. You can simply connect the hard drive to your computer, and it will recognize each other, simple as that. Plus with plug & play simplicity, this hard drive is very simple and easy to use. From quality to performance, this hard drive has them all. Many customers are happy with this option, you could be one of them too.
Pros:
- This hard drive is easy to use, and it is very easy to set up with a simple connection
- It works with Windows and Mac computers
- The design of this portable drive is compact and lightweight which is portable
- The process of transferring data is fast and smooth
Con:
- It is a bit noisy when running, but the noise is not too loud
4. Portable External SSD by Samsung
The interesting thing about this external hard drive is its super fast read-write speed that goes up to 540MB/s. On top of that, it comes with USB type C to C and USB type C to A cables. That makes it even more convenient since the hard drive is compatible with many different devices. The best part is its 3.1 Gen2 that makes the speed of file transferring unbelievably fast compared to the others. As for the style, this hard drive is simple yet stylish which is ideal for every user out there. The top to bottom metal design along with super compact size makes this hard drive one stylish kind to have. Not to mention that it comes with optional password protection and hardware encryption, this hard drive is amazing. There are 4 colors available, you should check them out.
Pros:
- The hard drive is compatible with many different devices from PCs to smartphones
Best Portable Hard Drives Reviews
- The speed of transferring data is fast even with large files
- The solid design of metal body makes the hard drive super durable tough
- It is lightweight and so compact it fits in the palm of your hand
Con:
- Several users have unpleasant experience with C to C connection
5. Mini Portable External Hard Drive by LaCie
We all know a friend who always drops things, and this is the highly recommended hard drive option for them. The awesome thing about it is that it offers the all-terrain durability of drop, crush, and water resistance. That means you can be a little clumsy sometimes, and this hard drive won't die on you at all. As for the quality, you can seamlessly connect it to USB 3.0 computers to transfer files and data in a fast speed. At the same time, this rugged external hard drive also offers premium protection for all of your datas as well. It is compact and lightweight yet super durable and cool, perhaps this might be the one you have been looking for.
Pros:
- It has transfer speed of up to 130MB/s which is fast and convenient
- The drive comes with automatic backups and folder sync to protect your files
- This hard drive is super durable, and it can withstand all minor accidents that you may have
Con:
- The process is a little slow in Lightroom
6. Extreme Portable External Hard Drive by SanDisk
Portable External Hard Drive Deals
When it comes to durability, this hard drive has to be on the list. With the ruggedized design, this hard drive is both water resistant and dust resistant, and no dust can interfere the operation at all. That is not all, it is also shock resistant as well to deliver durability at its best and top quality for you. That means no matter if you have a little accidental drops or bumps, this hard drive does not go anywhere.
Both the drive and the data inside are all safe, and that is one of the best things to have in a hard drive. As for the transfer speed, it can go as fast as 550MB/s which allows you to move high resolution file fast. With all the durability and quality, the hard drive itself is super compact and lightweight which is easy to bring along with. It is compatible with most Windows as well as Mac, and it is among the best external hard drives that you should have.
Pros:
- It is super durable, and it can withstand drops, water, and dust
- The transfer speed is fast and smooth
- The drive is compact and easy to bring along with to places
- It is ideal for PC and Mac users
Con:
- It heats up during long use
7. Rugged Portable External Hard Drive by Silicon Power
This is another rugged design external hard drive that you might want to take into consideration. It features the military grade shockproof construction that makes the drive itself super durable and tough. No drops or bumps could do any harm to the devices and the datas it stores at all. At the same time, it comes with the hexagonal pattern that covers the surface to deliver scratch-resistant function. The cool and unique part is the cable storage design that allows for simple cable carrying with ease. The data transfer speed is fast, and it works well with PCs and Macs without a single lag. It is durable, stylish, and compact, and it comes with different colors that you can choose from.
Pros:
- The military grade design makes this hard drive super durable
- It works fast, and it is compatible with PCs and Macs
- This hard drive is easy and safe to use, and it is also stylish
Con:
- The cable somehow doesn't fit well in its storage place
8. Portable External Hard Drive by G-Technology
With the stylish and aluminum design, this hard drive is one cool option to choose. The style is something, and the quality as well as the performance that it delivers is another thing. This compact external hard drive comes with the capacity of 4TB that can store a lot of data. At the same time, it is also USB-C ready as well as USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible as well. This hard drive is very easy and convenient to use and you can also use it with Windows and Mac. It is cool and functional, and there are different colors and capacity that you can choose from. The choice is all yours, so take a look.
Pros:
- The hard drive transfers files fast and smooth
- It is compatible with many different devices for easy and convenient use
- The aluminum design is stylish and cool
- The hard drive is compact and lightweight
Con:
- It makes a little noise while transferring the data
9. Military Quality External Hard Drive by Transcend
Transcend is one of the well-known brands when it comes to high quality hard drives like this one. The design of military-grade shock resistance along with advance 3-stage shock protection system makes this portable hard drive super tough. Daily drops and bumps will not change the quality of it at all, and that is a great part. At the same time, it also delivers the easy plug and play operation that does not need any drives at all. You can also use it desktop or notebook as well, and very easy with a USB port. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OS C, Linux, and pretty much almost anything. The data transfer speed is fast, and there are different colors and capacity options that you can select. Take a look and see if you can pick a perfect option.
Pros:
- The transfer speed is fast due to the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface
- The hard drive comes with anti-shock protection for extra durability
- It is compact and lightweight which is easy to bring along with to places
Con:
- It does not come with a backup software
10. Hardware Encrypted Portability External Hard Drive by Apricorn
As you can see, the design and the look of this hard drive is already different from the others. It comes with the compact and rugged design along with the wear resistant key pad that keep your data safe. At the same time, it delivers military grade of FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption Algorithm for extra security. As for the transfer speed, it provides super fast USB 3.0 connection to make data transfer ten times faster. It is very easy and safe to use, and the quality is amazingly durable. The cable is easy to store and use, and this portable hard drive is one of the best to have. If you have confidential data and information, this is the perfect hard drive to store them.
Pros:
- The hard drive is tough and durable for long term use
- It encrypts and keep everything inside safe and secure
- The design of the hard drive is compact and lightweight for easy portability
- It is very easy to use, and it is compatible with most PCs and Macs
Con:
- It does not have a stylish look
You may also like to read this: Top Best GPS Running Watch Review
Portable Hard Drive Reviews
These top rated external hard drives are very popular among customers because they're lightweight, easy to take on the go, dependable, safe, and come at a price that most customers can afford. When you're ready to purchase an HDD that is going to suit your needs, then you can feel confident buying one of these drives. Should you wish to continue your search then you can read through the following buyer's guide to find something that is going to suit your specific needs.
There are so many external hard drives out there and it can be quite daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you. That's why this guide is going to highlight all the major features that you need to look out for so that you can find the perfect HDD that is going to accommodate your needs.
14 products considered
10 products reviewed
30 hours reviewing
1. Toshiba
Best Overall Portable Hard Drive
This portable hard drive from Toshiba is one of the top rated models on the market due to its ample storage and sleek design. Easy to take on the go, this hard drive features a capacity of 1 TB and an ample speed of 5400 RPM. The device is powered by a USB with 3.0 powered portable add-on storage.With its simple plug and play operation you're going to see that this device is incredibly easy to use and maintain. There's no complicated software to install, and the device is made to accommodate large digital files with spacial storage capacity.
The design is not only sleek but it is smudge free so that you never have to deal with pesky fingerprints. All in all, this is a top rated design because it's so easy to take on the go and makes storing all your extra data as easy as pie.
– Darius Spieth
2. Western Digital
Best Overall Portable Hard Drive – Runner Up
This is a secure portable storage device by WD with a 3 TB storage capacity, and optimal 256-bit AES hardware encryption. You get completely automatic local and cloud backup with this device, and it all comes in a stylish design that is available in a range of wonderful colors to choose from.With its USB 3.0 connectivity, you're going to see that this drive is incredibly easy to use, and it's formatted for Windows, but can be reformatted for Mac. With a 3 year limited warranty, this device is guaranteed to stand the test of time and gives you the storage performance that you crave.
A top rated hard drive, this device is praised by customers because it's easy to use and lightweight enough to carry on the go. The sleek design and superior performance make this the external hard drive of choice among PC users, and even Mac users can benefit from it as well. If you're someone who has a lot of data and you're looking for a place to securely store it, then look no further then this expert hard drive by WD.
– Darius Spieth
3. Silicon Power
Best Budget Portable Hard Drive
This portable hard drive by Silicon Power is completely shock proof, and it features drop protection that meets all US military standards. With SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connection, you get the best possible transferring rate of up to 5Gb. You also get a wrap-around cable system that gives you a brilliant USB 3.0 storage design that is easy to use and built for the ultimate in performance.This works with either a PC or a Mac, and it allows you to share data and files between different platforms with ease. You also get a tremendous 3 year manufacturer warranty that backs your purchase, so you can be sure that this hard drive is going to stand the test of time and last you for years to come.
In fact, you're going to be amazed by the overall durability and performance of this hard drive. Customers love it because it gives them a safe storage outlet that they can truly trust. When you're ready to safely and securely store your data on a lightweight and dependable drive, then you've come to the right place.
– Darius Spieth
Summary of Our Top PicksThese top rated external hard drives are very popular among customers because they're lightweight, easy to take on the go, dependable, safe, and come at a price that most customers can afford. When you're ready to purchase an HDD that is going to suit your needs, then you can feel confident buying one of these drives. Should you wish to continue your search then you can read through the following buyer's guide to find something that is going to suit your specific needs.
There are so many external hard drives out there and it can be quite daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you. That's why this guide is going to highlight all the major features that you need to look out for so that you can find the perfect HDD that is going to accommodate your needs.
5. Toshiba Canvio
7. Seagate 8TB
9. Silicon Power A60
Portable Hard Drive Comparison
Toshiba | Western Digital | Silicon Power | Seagate 400 | Toshiba Canvio | Toshiba Canvio Advance | Seagate 100 | WD BU | Silicon Power A60 | WD BY | |
| Capacity (TB) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Style | Classic | Classic | Modern | Drive | Contemporary | Contemporary | Drive | Classic | Modern | Modern |
| Casing | Matte finish | High Gloss finish | Matte finish | Diamond Edge | Matte finish | High Gloss finish | Diamond Edge | Matte finish | Matte finish | Straight Edge |
| RPM | 5,400 | 7,200 | 5,200 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 7,200 | 5,200 | 7,200 |
| Warranty (years) | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Portable Hard Drive Buying Guide
What is a Portable Hard Drive?
You always want to back up your computer, but you may not be confident just storing data in the cloud. When you want a physical copy of your computer's files and not just something floating in the air, then you need an external hard drive to do this for you. It can be daunting when it comes time to purchase an external hard drive, because there is so much out there to choose from. That's why we're going to help you out in this buyer's guide by pointing you in the right direction.
When it comes to finding what is going to work best for your needs then consider what you're going to be using it for, how much space you have to place it and how much storage space you need, and how often you're going to be backing up files. You also need to consider whether you're going to be transporting your external hard drive from place to place. If you don't need to carry it around then it's possible to purchase a heavier device at a lower price.
When you answer these questions then you'll get closer to discovering which is the right external hard drive for you. Lets now take a look at some of the features that you want to consider before you buy.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is a very important factor, and in HDDs it can range from 2GB to 4TB, dependent upon how much data you need to store. There are some drive companies that put two 4TB drives into one chassis, and this makes for a whopping 8TB HDD. This is going to be way too much for most people, but you simply need to know what's right for you. Most computers these days come with something between 250GB to 750GB of space in the hard drive. A mini external hard drive is known as a flash drive, and this well may be enough storage space for you. But if you need something larger to store documents, photos, videos, songs and much more, then you definitely need to look for an external hard drive. If you're looking to store a lot of videos then you may want to consider a HDD with 1TB to 2TB of storage. Should you just be storing emails and documents then you can go with something that is smaller. The more that you want to store and the larger the file type, the bigger you should go. You're going to find the price for your drive will greatly vary dependent upon the speed and storage capacity.
Transfer Speed
If you want to back your computer up every week or so then most external hard drives are going to work for you. If you're going to be using it to store large files then you need something that has more space and works more quickly. Look for a hard drive with USB 3.0 capability instead of USB 2.0. 2.0 is quite common but it's not going to be sufficient for your needs. 3.0 is going to work faster so that you can quickly and more efficiently store larger and more complicated files. Speed is an important consideration because there's nothing more frustrating than sitting around waiting for these things to upload and be saved. If you're merely storing documents then the speed shouldn't be such a huge consideration, but if you're storing larger files then speed is definitely going to be an important consideration. Keep in mind that not all external hard drives work with all computers, so you need to make sure that they're compatible. There's also Thunderbolt to consider, which is gaining in popularity these days. This was developed by Intel as a collaboration with Apple. Thunderbolt is incredibly fast, and in fact, it is one of the fastest out of all the ports. Just keep in mind that this is going to come with a huge price tag.
Portability
Portability is an important consideration when it comes to external hard drives. Should you want to keep your drive at home, then you can purchase one that weighs a bit more and costs less. If you need to tow it back and forth from home and work then it makes more sense to spend extra money on something that is lightweight. In fact, there are pocket-sized devices that are so lightweight you're not even going to realize that you're carrying them around. You also want to consider practical features such as enhanced data protection, and this reduces the risk of failure caused by shock should the device be dropped. You want to make sure that no matter which portable storage device you purchase that it is built from durable materials so that it is safe in the case of shock or damage. You want to avoid purchasing anything that seems flimsy and seek something that has solid, durable materials such as aluminum or plastic.
When it comes to a desktop style drive, they are technically portable but they're mostly designed to stay in place and require a power adaptor. Should you want something that is thin and more lightweight that you simply plug this into your computer without using an external power source, then this kind of desktop drive is not the right choice for you. You want to be sure to find one that comes with a built-in fan if you're using it more frequently or when it comes to heavy file transfers. This built-in fan is going to help you to extend the life of the HDD.
Safety
You want to definitely be sure that your hard drive comes with hardware-based encryption which is much more dependable than software-based. This is particularly important should you want to purchase a portable mobile drive to carry around, and it's also great when you are storing very sensitive information. When you carry your private files around it makes them more prone to theft and loss, and that's why encryption gives you that extra level of protection.
Reliability
Should you be someone who is new to using HDDs then you want something that is reliable and easy to use. Be sure to choose a drive that comes with included software, as this will just make things much easier in the long run. But no matter what you purchase it isn't going to be fail-safe, so you want to get something that is backed by a warranty. Look for a warranty that lasts longer than one year.
Compatibility
You need to take into consideration whether you have a PC or a Mac before you purchase an external hard drive. Some HDDs are only compatible with one kind of computer or the other. If you're buying a PC specific hard drive for a Mac, you're either going to need to reformat the hard drive that you buy or just purchase one that's specifically designed to be compatible with your computer.
Conclusion
Owning an external hard drive is a smart choice if you're someone that has a lot of data on your computer and you want to safely and effectively store it. There are numerous hard drives out there and that's why it can be daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you.
The buyer's guide is intended to help you understand which drive might be right for your particular needs. Asking yourself certain questions about how much data you have and how you plan to use the drive is going to help you to find something that will fulfill your needs. The top rated drives that we discussed above are smart choices, and they're guaranteed to serve the needs of most computer users.
Should you need something that is different then you can continue your search online to find a drive that meets your specifications. It really comes down to how portable you need the drive to be, as well as how much data you need to store on the device.
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