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External Hard Drives Comparison - October 2025
| 1 Best Choice  9.7Exceptional | 2  9.6Exceptional | 3  9.3Excellent | 4 Best Value  9.1Excellent | 5  8.9Very Good | 6  8.8Very Good | 7  8.6Very Good |
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ModelWD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN | Model Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400) | Model SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray | Model SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25 | Model WD 5TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 compatible - WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN | Model Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD USB 3.0 Compatible with PC, Laptop, Charcoal Grey | Model Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA |
BrandWestern Digital | Brand Seagate | Brand SAMSUNG | Brand SanDisk | Brand WD | Brand Maxone | Brand TOSHIBA |
Reviews | Reviews | Reviews  | Reviews | Reviews  | Reviews | Reviews - |
Features | ||||||
Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.8 | Storage space 9.8 | Storage space 9.4 | Storage space 9.1 | Storage space 8.4 |
Tech support 9.1 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 9.1 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 7.9 | Tech support 8.1 | Tech support 7.2 |
Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 8.6 | Simple to use 8.9 | Simple to use 9.1 | Simple to use 8.4 |
Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.9 | Movability 9.8 | Movability 9.3 | Movability 9.1 | Movability 8.6 |
Light weight 9.4 | Light weight 9.8 | Light weight 9.9 | Light weight 9.3 | Light weight 9.6 | Light weight 9.4 | Light weight 8.6 |
Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.6 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 8.6 | Lasts a long time 7.7 |
Tech Specs | ||||||
ColorBlack | Color Black | Color Titan Gray | Color Black | Color Black | Color Charcoal Grey | Color Black |
Hard Drive5 TB Portable | Hard Drive 2 TB Portable | Hard Drive 1 TB Solid State Hard Drive | Hard Drive 1 TB | Hard Drive 5 TB Portable | Hard Drive 500 GB Mechanical Hard Disk | Hard Drive 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
Product Dimensions4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | Product Dimensions 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches | Product Dimensions 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches | Product Dimensions 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches | Product Dimensions 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches | Product Dimensions 4.7 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches | Product Dimensions 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches |
Hardware PlatformPC, Mac | Hardware Platform PC, Mac | Hardware Platform PC, Mac, Android | Hardware Platform Mac | Hardware Platform PC | Hardware Platform PC, Mac | Hardware Platform PC, Mac |
Item Dimensions LxWxH4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 4.7 x 3.3 x 0.4 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches |
Item Weight8.3 ounces | Item Weight 6.7 ounces | Item Weight 2.08 ounces | Item Weight 1.76 ounces | Item Weight 7.4 ounces | Item Weight 5.5 ounces | Item Weight 5.3 ounces |
Flash Memory Size5 | Flash Memory Size 2 | Flash Memory Size 1 | Flash Memory Size 1 | Flash Memory Size 256 | Flash Memory Size 500 GB | Flash Memory Size - |
Digital Storage Capacity5 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 2 TB | Digital Storage Capacity - | Digital Storage Capacity 1 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 5 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 500 GB | Digital Storage Capacity 2000 GB |
Hard Disk Form Factor2.5 Inches | Hard Disk Form Factor 3.5 Inches | Hard Disk Form Factor - | Hard Disk Form Factor 2.5 Inches | Hard Disk Form Factor The new My Passport drive has been redesigned for you to make the most of your own journey. It features a convenient, slim form factor and is available in a range of vibrant colors.The new My Passport drive has been r | Hard Disk Form Factor 4 Inches | Hard Disk Form Factor 2.5 Inches |
Connectivity TechnologyUSB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology - | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB |
Hard Drive Size5 TB | Hard Drive Size 2 TB | Hard Drive Size - | Hard Drive Size 1 TB | Hard Drive Size The new My Passport drive has been redesigned for you to make the most of your own journey. It features a convenient, slim form factor and is available in a range of vibrant colors. | Hard Drive Size 500 GB | Hard Drive Size 2 TB |
Compatible DevicesPC, Mac | Compatible Devices PS4, PC, Gaming Console, Mac | Compatible Devices - | Compatible Devices Type C Tablet, Laptop, Desktop, Type C Smartphone | Compatible Devices - | Compatible Devices Laptop, PC, Gaming Console | Compatible Devices Desktop |
Hard Drive Interface- | Hard Drive Interface - | Hard Drive Interface USB 1.1 | Hard Drive Interface USB 3.2 | Hard Drive Interface USB 3.0 | Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA 300 | Hard Drive Interface USB 3.0 |
Specific Uses For ProductMultimedia, Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product Business, personal | Specific Uses For Product - | Specific Uses For Product Multimedia, Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product Multimedia, Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product - | Specific Uses For Product - |
Hard Disk Interface- | Hard Disk Interface - | Hard Disk Interface - | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.2 | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.0 | Hard Disk Interface Serial ATA 300 | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.0 |
Batteries1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries - | Batteries - | Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries - | Batteries - |
Form FactorPortable | Form Factor Portable | Form Factor - | Form Factor - | Form Factor The new My Passport drive has been r | Form Factor - | Form Factor - |
Review | Review | Review - | Review | Review | Review | Review - |
Available On | Available On  | Available On   | Available On | Available On | Available On | Available On |
Our Top 3 Picks
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you
9.7
1Western DigitalWD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0050BBK-WESN
9.6 Storage space9.6 Simple to use9.6 movabilityWhy we love it
The drive is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, so it can be used with a variety of devices.
The drive has a large capacity, so it can store a lot of data.
The drive is fast, so it can improve the performance of your computer.
-
9.6
2Seagate
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
9.8 Light weight9.6 Storage space9.6 Simple to useWhy we love it
This hard drive is very easy to use
You can store a lot of content on it
It is very easy to connect to your computer
-
9.3
3SAMSUNG18% Off
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC1T0T/AM, Gray
9.9 movability9.9 Light weight9.8 Storage spaceMain highlights- WORLD’S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND: Performance and reliability from the world’s #1 brand for flash memory since 2003⁵; All firmware and components are produced in-house, including our world renowned DRAM and NAND, for quality and you can trust
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ALL FOR THE SHOT: This strong, sturdy sidekick will help you see it through with shock resistance and fall protection up to 6 feet⁴; With its solid aluminum unibody construction, it’s made to withstand any adventure
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
Our ranking system
At bestchoice.com, our team curates a selection of top products from a vast array available online, using a sophisticated ranking system based on carefully defined criteria.While traditional hands-on testing has its merits, our use of AI technology offers distinct advantages. AI allows us to process and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view that goes beyond what manual testing can achieve. This approach enables us to deliver insights that are aligned with current trends and consumer preferences, ensuring our reviews are both relevant and up-to-date.
Features
Our AI-driven analysis examines key attributes, capabilities, and other critical factors tailored to each product category. This method allows us to assess effectiveness from various perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation.
Consumer Reviews
We aggregate and evaluate consumer feedback from across the internet, giving weight to ratings and reviews that reflect the most reliable insights. AI enhances this process by filtering and prioritizing data, offering a balanced view without the need for direct personal endorsements.
Popularity
Our system also considers the popularity of products, analyzing factors such as market presence, reputation, and user satisfaction. By leveraging AI, we capture a comprehensive picture of a product's standing in the market, which may not always be evident through traditional testing.
Value for money
AI allows us to compare products based on attributes like price, specifications, and user feedback, helping to determine their value for money. This data-driven approach offers an efficient and reliable way to assess how products stack up against one another in terms of cost-effectiveness.
