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External Hard Drives Comparison - September 2024
| 1 Best Choice  9.7Exceptional | 2  9.6Exceptional | 3 Best Value  9.5Excellent | 4  9.3Excellent | 5  9.1Excellent | 6  8.9Very 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 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black | Model Western Digital 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - Western DigitalBWLG0200HBK-NESN | 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 |
BrandWD | Brand Seagate | Brand Western Digital | Brand SanDisk | Brand WD | Brand TOSHIBA |
Reviews | Reviews | Reviews  | Reviews | Reviews | Reviews - |
Features | |||||
Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 9.8 | Simple to use 8.6 | Simple to use 8.9 | Simple to use 8.1 |
Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.1 | Movability 9.8 | Movability 9.3 | Movability 8.6 |
Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.8 | Storage space 9.4 | Storage space 8.9 |
Tech support 9.1 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 9.1 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 7.9 | Tech support 7.2 |
Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.4 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 8.9 |
Tech Specs | |||||
ColorBlack | Color Black | Color Black | Color Black | Color Black | Color Black |
Hard Drive5 TB Portable | Hard Drive 5 TB Portable | Hard Drive 20 TB usb 3 | Hard Drive 2 TB | Hard Drive 5 TB Portable | Hard Drive 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk |
Product Dimensions4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | Product Dimensions 4.61 x 3.15 x 0.79 inches | Product Dimensions 5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 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 PlatformPC, Mac | Hardware Platform PC, Mac | Hardware Platform PC, Mac w/ Reformat | Hardware Platform Mac | Hardware Platform PC | Hardware Platform PC, Mac |
Item Dimensions LxWxH4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 4.61 x 3.15 x 0.79 inches | Item Dimensions LxWxH 5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 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 |
Digital Storage Capacity5 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 5 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 2000 GB | Digital Storage Capacity 2 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 5 TB | Digital Storage Capacity 2000 GB |
Item Weight8.3 ounces | Item Weight 9.2 ounces | Item Weight 1.98 pounds | Item Weight 1.76 ounces | Item Weight 7.4 ounces | Item Weight 5.3 ounces |
Connectivity TechnologyUSB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB | Connectivity Technology USB |
Hard Drive Size5 TB | Hard Drive Size 5 TB | Hard Drive Size 20 TB | 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 |
Compatible DevicesPC, Mac | Compatible Devices PS4, PC, Gaming Console, Mac | Compatible Devices PC, Mac | Compatible Devices Type C Tablet, Laptop, Desktop, Type C Smartphone | Compatible Devices - | Compatible Devices Desktop |
Hard Disk Form Factor2.5 Inches | Hard Disk Form Factor - | Hard Disk Form Factor 3.5 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 |
Flash Memory Size5 | Flash Memory Size 5 TB | Flash Memory Size - | Flash Memory Size 2 | Flash Memory Size 256 | Flash Memory Size - |
Hard Drive Interface- | Hard Drive Interface - | Hard Drive Interface USB 1.1 | Hard Drive Interface ESATA | Hard Drive Interface USB 3.0 | Hard Drive Interface USB 3.0 |
Hard Disk Interface- | Hard Disk Interface - | Hard Disk Interface USB 1.1 | Hard Disk Interface ESATA | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.0 | Hard Disk Interface USB 3.0 |
Specific Uses For ProductMultimedia, Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product - | Specific Uses For Product Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product - | Specific Uses For Product Multimedia, Personal, Business | Specific Uses For Product - |
Batteries1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries - | Batteries - | Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. | Batteries - |
Hard Disk Description- | Hard Disk Description Portable | Hard Disk Description usb 3 | Hard Disk Description - | Hard Disk Description - | Hard Disk Description Mechanical Hard Disk |
Review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review - |
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
1WDWD 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 Simple to use9.6 movability9.6 Storage spaceWhy 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 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
9.6 Simple to use9.6 movability9.6 Storage spaceWhy we love it
This external hard drive is easy to use and store
You can access and backup 5TB of content
The USB drive is plug and play with a included USB 3.0 cable
-
9.5
3Western Digital28% Off
Western Digital 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - Western DigitalBWLG0200HBK-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
Written by Jim WilliamsIntroduction
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.
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The BestChoice.com Team selects top-of-the-line items from a wide selection and conducts rigorous evaluations on almost all the products available on the internet. We rank each product based on how well it matches our criteria.We can ensure that the product is well-tested with the help of our expertise, experts, and artificial intelligence technology. BestChoice.com requires consistent care for the products we review, ensuring that our assessments are always accurate and up to date.
Features
Our team of experts analyzes key attributes, capabilities, significance, and many more depending on the type of product to determine its effectiveness.
Consumer Reviews
We ensure an evaluation of the ratings using references all over the internet for each product. With the help of our AI technology and professional review teams, we give weight to the worth of individual user experiences.
Popularity
Popularity is an important criterion in choosing a product. Several factors contribute to the popularity of the products on our site, including prestige, relevance, reputation, news, and more.
Value for money
BestChoice.com compares product attributes to price, examines tech specs, ratings and reviews, and more.When compared to other criteria, does the pricing seem reasonable? In order to provide genuine value for money, our team must answer that question with advanced calculations.
Value for money
BestChoice.com compares product attributes to price, examines tech specs, ratings and reviews, and more.When compared to other criteria, does the pricing seem reasonable? In order to provide genuine value for money, our team must answer that question with advanced calculations.
