10 bestExternal Hard Drivesof June 2026
112M consumers helped this year.
5% off
1
SANDISK Extreme PRO Portable SSD 1TB (up to 2000 MB/s read speeds, Powerful NVMe Solid State Performance, IP65 rated for dust and water resistance, 256-bit AES hardware encryption) Black
SanDisk
9.9
13% off
2
Seagate Game Drive for PS4/PS5 2TB, External HDD, USB 3.0, Officially Licensed, Blue LED, incl 2 weeks Playstation+ (STLV2000202)
Seagate
9.8
12% off
3
SANDISK Extreme Portable SSD 1TB (up to 1050 MB/s read, 1,000MB/s write, NVMe SSD, USB-C, External Solid State Drive, IP65 rated for dust and water resistance, Updated Firmware) Black
SanDisk
9.7
4
Seagate Desktop 8TB, External Hard Drive HDD, USB 3.0 for PC Laptop and Mac, Black, Data Rescue Services (STGY8000400)
Seagate
9.6
5
Toshiba Canvio Partner 4TB Portable 2.5’’ External Hard Drive, USB 3.2, Mac & Windows compatible. (HDTB540EK3CB)
Toshiba
9.4
OtherUp to 5% off
SANDISK Desk Drive 8TB, Desktop External SSD, USB Type-C, Speeds up to 1000 MB/s, High-capacity Solid State Drive, back up your favorite and important content, Acronis True Image Software, Black
LaCie 2big Dock RAID, 16TB, External HDD, Thunderbolt 4, PC Mac iPad & iPhone, Data Rescue Service (STLG16000400)
WD 2TB Elements AE Portable External Hard Drive, SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0, Plug-and-Play, Formatted for Windows, Black
LaCie Rugged Mini 5TB — shock‑resistant, USB‑C Portable External Hard Drive, 2.5‑inch, for Mac & Windows — Rescue Data Recovery included
25% off
6
Seagate Portable Drive 2TB, External Hard Drive, Dark Grey, for PC Laptop and Mac, Data Rescue Services, Amazon Exclusive (STGX2000400)
Seagate
9.1
18% off
7
Seagate Expansion Desktop 6TB, External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, Data Rescue Services (STKP6000400)
Seagate
8.9
13% off
8
Seagate One Touch 4TB, Password activated hardware encryption, portable external hard drive, PC, Notebook & Mac, USB 3.0, Space Gray (STKZ4000404)
Seagate
8.6
9
Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 2TB, External Hard Drive Portable, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Black with built-in green LED bar, Xbox Certified, Data Rescue Services (STKX2000403)
Seagate
8.4
10
WD 18TB My Book external hard drive, Desktop HDD with Password Protection, USB 3.0, SuperSpeed USB, software for device management, backup, hardware encryption, works with PC and Mac, Black
WD
8.1
A Guide to Selecting the Best External Hard Drives
When choosing an external hard drive, it's important to consider your specific needs and how you plan to use the device. External hard drives are used for expanding storage, backing up data, and transferring files between devices. Understanding the key specifications will help you select a drive that meets your requirements in terms of capacity, speed, portability, and durability.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity refers to the amount of data that the external hard drive can hold. This is one of the most important factors to consider, as it determines how much information you can store. Capacities typically range from 500GB to several terabytes (TB). If you need to store large files like videos or a large number of files, opt for a higher capacity drive. For basic document storage or occasional backups, a smaller capacity may suffice.
Drive Type
External hard drives come in two main types: Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid State Drives (SSDs). HDDs are generally cheaper and offer larger storage capacities, but they are slower and more prone to physical damage. SSDs are faster, more durable, and consume less power, but they are more expensive and typically offer less storage space. Choose an HDD if you need a lot of storage at a lower cost, and an SSD if speed and durability are more important to you.
Transfer Speed
Transfer speed determines how quickly data can be read from or written to the drive. This is influenced by the drive type (SSDs are faster than HDDs) and the connection interface (such as USB 3.0, USB-C, or Thunderbolt). Faster transfer speeds are beneficial if you frequently move large files or need quick access to your data. Consider your patience level and the size of files you typically handle when deciding on the necessary speed.
Portability
Portability refers to how easy it is to carry the external hard drive around. Smaller, lighter drives are more portable and convenient for travel, while larger drives may offer more storage but are bulkier. If you plan to use the drive on the go, prioritize a compact and lightweight model. For home or office use, portability might be less of a concern.
Durability
Durability is important if you plan to use the drive in environments where it might be exposed to physical shocks, drops, or extreme conditions. Some drives are designed to be rugged and can withstand more wear and tear. If you need a drive for outdoor use or travel, look for one with a durable casing and shock resistance. For stationary use, standard durability may be sufficient.
Compatibility
Compatibility ensures that the external hard drive can connect and work with your devices. Most drives are compatible with both Windows and Mac, but some may require reformatting. Check the connection interface (USB, Thunderbolt, etc.) to ensure it matches your device's ports. Consider your current and future device ecosystem to avoid compatibility issues.
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