External Hard Drives Comparison - April 2025

Our Top 3 Picks
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you9.8
1SAMSUNG49% OffSAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC2T0T/AM, Gray
9.9 movability9.9 Light weight9.8 Storage spaceWhy we love it
Fast data transfer
Can be used with multiple devices
Samsung recommends using the included cables for optimal performance
9.7
2SeagateSeagate 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 movabilityWhy 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
9.6
3Western DigitalWD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0200HBK-NESN
9.8 Simple to use9.6 Storage space9.4 lasts a long timeWhy we love it
Large capacity storage
Quick data transfers
Easy setup for Windows
External Hard Drives Buyer's Guide

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.

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.