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External Hard Drives Comparison - October 2025
Overview: Are you in the market for an external hard drive? Look no further! Our comprehensive reviews provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and select the best external hard drive for your needs.
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 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD - Up to 2000MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE81-4T00-G25
Model
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Model
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN
Model
SanDisk 2TB 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 - SDSSDE61-2T00-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
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA
Brand
SAMSUNG
Brand
SanDisk
Brand
Seagate
Brand
WD
Brand
SanDisk
Brand
WD
Brand
TOSHIBA
Reviews
61,083 reviews
Reviews
18,549 reviews
Reviews
637,677 reviews
Reviews
369,837 reviews
Reviews
82,194 reviews
Reviews
94,641 reviews
Reviews
-
Features
Movability
9.9
Movability
9.9
Movability
9.6
Movability
9.6
Movability
9.8
Movability
9.3
Movability
8.6
Storage space
9.8
Storage space
9.8
Storage space
9.6
Storage space
9.6
Storage space
9.8
Storage space
9.4
Storage space
8.6
Tech support
9.1
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
7.9
Tech support
7.0
Light weight
9.9
Light weight
9.9
Light weight
9.8
Light weight
9.4
Light weight
9.3
Light weight
9.6
Light weight
8.9
Simple to use
9.6
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
7.9
Tech Specs
Color
Titan Gray
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Hard Drive
1 TB Solid State Hard Drive
Hard Drive
4 TB
Hard Drive
2 TB Portable
Hard Drive
2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk
Hard Drive
2 TB
Hard Drive
5 TB Portable
Hard Drive
2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk
Product Dimensions
3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
Product Dimensions
0.41 x 2.28 x 4.36 inches
Product Dimensions
4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
Product Dimensions
4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 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
4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac, Android
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Hardware Platform
PC
Hardware Platform
Mac
Hardware Platform
PC
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Item Dimensions LxWxH
3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
0.41 x 2.28 x 4.36 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 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
4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches
Item Weight
2.08 ounces
Item Weight
2.75 ounces
Item Weight
6.7 ounces
Item Weight
4.6 ounces
Item Weight
1.76 ounces
Item Weight
7.4 ounces
Item Weight
5.3 ounces
Hard Drive Interface
USB 1.1
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.2
Hard Drive Interface
-
Hard Drive Interface
USB 2.0/3.0
Hard Drive Interface
ESATA
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.0
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.0
Flash Memory Size
1
Flash Memory Size
4
Flash Memory Size
2
Flash Memory Size
2
Flash Memory Size
2
Flash Memory Size
256
Flash Memory Size
-
Digital Storage Capacity
-
Digital Storage Capacity
4 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
5 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2000 GB
Connectivity Technology
-
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Compatible Devices
-
Compatible Devices
Type C Tablet, Laptop, Desktop, Type C Smartphone
Compatible Devices
PS4, PC, Gaming Console, Mac
Compatible Devices
Desktop, Laptop, Gaming Console
Compatible Devices
Type C Tablet, Laptop, Desktop, Type C Smartphone
Compatible Devices
-
Compatible Devices
Desktop
Hard Disk Interface
-
Hard Disk Interface
USB 3.2
Hard Disk Interface
-
Hard Disk Interface
USB 2.0/3.0
Hard Disk Interface
ESATA
Hard Disk Interface
USB 3.0
Hard Disk Interface
USB 3.0
Hard Drive Size
-
Hard Drive Size
4 TB
Hard Drive Size
2 TB
Hard Drive Size
-
Hard Drive Size
2 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
2 TB
Hard Disk Form Factor
-
Hard Disk Form Factor
-
Hard Disk Form Factor
3.5 Inches
Hard Disk Form Factor
2.5 Inches
Hard Disk Form Factor
4 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
2.5 Inches
Specific Uses For Product
-
Specific Uses For Product
Storage
Specific Uses For Product
Business, personal
Specific Uses For Product
-
Specific Uses For Product
-
Specific Uses For Product
Multimedia, Personal, Business
Specific Uses For Product
-
Batteries
-
Batteries
1 Unknown batteries required.
Batteries
-
Batteries
-
Batteries
1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Batteries
1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Batteries
-
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
-
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
-
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
-
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
5400
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
500 RPM
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
-
Hard Drive Rotational Speed
5400 RPM
Special Feature
-
Special Feature
-
Special Feature
-
Special Feature
Portable
Special Feature
Unknow
Special Feature
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
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you
9.7
1
SAMSUNG
10% 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
9.9movability
9.9Light weight
9.8Storage space
Main 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
Show more
9.4
2
SanDisk
21% Off
SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD - Up to 2000MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE81-4T00-G25
9.9movability
9.9Light weight
9.8Storage space
Why we love it
Save time with NVMe solid state performance and up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.
Forged aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink for higher sustained speeds.
Travel worry free with a 5 year limited manufacturer warranty and extra protection features.
Main highlights
Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance(4), and a handy carabiner loop for securing your drive all deliver extra peace of mind when you’re out in the world.
Travel worry-free with a 5-year limited warranty(2) and a forged aluminum chassis-silicone shell combo that offers a premium feel and added protection.
Save time storing and transferring data with powerful NVMe solid state performance featuring up to 2000MB/s(1) read/write speeds.
Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app(5)
A forged aluminum chassis acts as a heatsink to deliver higher sustained speeds in a portable drive that’s tough enough to take on any adventure.
Show more
9.3
3
Seagate
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
9.8Light weight
9.6movability
9.6Storage space
Why 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
Main highlights
To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
Show more
External Hard Drives Buyer's Guide
Written by Jim Williams
Introduction
External hard drives are portable storage devices that are used to store and back up data. They are an essential accessory for anyone who needs to store or transfer large amounts of data, whether it’s in the form of media files, documents, or software. When choosing an external hard drive, there are a few things to consider, such as capacity, connection type, and data transfer speed. In this buying guide, we will discuss the different types of external hard drives and their features to help you make the right choice.
Types of External Hard Drives
The two most common types of external hard drives available are HDD and SSD. HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is the traditional type of hard drive and is usually cheaper than SSD (Solid State Drive). HDD is better for storing large amounts of data, while SSD is faster and more reliable but more expensive. Both types come in different sizes, from 500GB to 4TB, depending on your storage needs.
Capacity
The capacity of an external hard drive is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Depending on your storage needs, you can find an external hard drive with a capacity that fits your requirements. If you need to store large amounts of data, such as media files, choose a hard drive with a higher capacity.
Connection Type
External hard drives are available in two connection types: USB and Thunderbolt. USB is the most common connection type, and is compatible with most computers and devices. Thunderbolt is faster and more advanced, but requires a Thunderbolt-compatible device. It is also more expensive than USB.
Data Transfer Speed
Data transfer speed is an important factor to consider when choosing an external hard drive. It is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) and determines how quickly data can be transferred from the hard drive to your computer or device. The higher the data transfer speed, the faster the transfer of data.
Conclusion
Choosing the right external hard drive for your needs can be a daunting task. It is important to consider your storage needs, connection type, and data transfer speed to ensure you get the most out of your purchase. With the information provided in this buying guide, you should now be able to make an informed decision when selecting an external hard drive.
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.
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9.9 
9.7
1SAMSUNG10% Off
Save time with NVMe solid state performance and up to 2000MB/s read/write speeds.
Written by Jim Williams
