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External Hard Drives Comparison - April 2025

Overview:
1
Best Choice
9.8Exceptional
2
9.7Exceptional
3
9.6Exceptional
4
Best Value
9.3Excellent
5
9.2Excellent
6
9.1Excellent
7
9.0Excellent
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Model

SAMSUNG 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
Model
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
Model
WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0200HBK-NESN
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
UnionSine 750GB 2.5" Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD-USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one,Xbox 360-HD-2510(Black)
Model
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra, Blue, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBFTM0050BBL-WESN
Model
Maxone 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD USB 3.0 Compatible with PC, Laptop, Charcoal Grey

Brand

SAMSUNG
Brand
Seagate
Brand
Western Digital
Brand
WD
Brand
UnionSine
Brand
WD
Brand
Maxone

Reviews

59,370 reviews
Reviews
637,677 reviews
Reviews
60,354 reviews
Reviews
369,837 reviews
Reviews
24,429 reviews
Reviews
24,306 reviews
Reviews
118,200 reviews

Features

Storage space

9.8
Storage space
9.6
Storage space
9.6
Storage space
9.6
Storage space
9.4
Storage space
9.4
Storage space
9.1

Tech support

9.1
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
9.1
Tech support
8.9
Tech support
9.6
Tech support
7.7
Tech support
8.1

Movability

9.9
Movability
9.6
Movability
9.1
Movability
9.6
Movability
9.9
Movability
9.1
Movability
9.1

Simple to use

9.6
Simple to use
9.6
Simple to use
9.8
Simple to use
9.6
Simple to use
9.4
Simple to use
9.1
Simple to use
9.1

Light weight

9.9
Light weight
9.8
Light weight
9.3
Light weight
9.4
Light weight
9.6
Light weight
9.4
Light weight
9.4

Lasts a long time

9.6
Lasts a long time
9.3
Lasts a long time
9.4
Lasts a long time
9.1
Lasts a long time
9.6
Lasts a long time
9.1
Lasts a long time
8.6

Worth the money

9.6
Worth the money
9.4
Worth the money
9.3
Worth the money
9.4
Worth the money
9.1
Worth the money
9.1
Worth the money
9.1

Tech Specs

Hard Drive

2 TB Solid State Hard Drive
Hard Drive
2 TB Portable
Hard Drive
20 TB usb 3
Hard Drive
2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk
Hard Drive
750 GB Mechanical Hard Disk
Hard Drive
5 TB Portable
Hard Drive
Mechanical Hard Disk

Color

Titan Gray
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Black
Color
Blue
Color
Charcoal Grey

Hardware Platform

PC, Mac, Android
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac w/ Reformat
Hardware Platform
PC
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac
Hardware Platform
PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one

Item Weight

2.08 ounces
Item Weight
6.7 ounces
Item Weight
1.98 pounds
Item Weight
4.6 ounces
Item Weight
7.8 ounces
Item Weight
8.1 ounces
Item Weight
8.1 ounces

Product Dimensions

3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
Product Dimensions
4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
Product Dimensions
5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 inches
Product Dimensions
4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inches
Product Dimensions
4.56 x 3.15 x 0.5 inches
Product Dimensions
4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches
Product Dimensions
-

Hard Drive Interface

Solid State
Hard Drive Interface
-
Hard Drive Interface
USB 1.1
Hard Drive Interface
USB 2.0/3.0
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.0
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.1
Hard Drive Interface
USB 3.0

Flash Memory Size

2
Flash Memory Size
2
Flash Memory Size
-
Flash Memory Size
2
Flash Memory Size
750 GB
Flash Memory Size
5000 GB
Flash Memory Size
1 TB

Item Dimensions LxWxH

3.3 x 2.2 x 0.3 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
5.31 x 1.89 x 6.53 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.35 x 3.23 x 0.59 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.56 x 3.15 x 0.5 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH
-

Compatible Devices

Windows 7 or higher Mac OS X 10.10 or higher Android Lollipop or higher
Compatible Devices
PS4, PC, Gaming Console, Mac
Compatible Devices
PC, Mac
Compatible Devices
Desktop, Laptop, Gaming Console
Compatible Devices
-
Compatible Devices
PC
Compatible Devices
-

Digital Storage Capacity

2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
2000 GB
Digital Storage Capacity
2 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
-
Digital Storage Capacity
5 TB
Digital Storage Capacity
-

Connectivity Technology

USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
-
Connectivity Technology
USB
Connectivity Technology
-

Specific Uses For Product

Multimedia, Personal, Business
Specific Uses For Product
Business, personal
Specific Uses For Product
Personal, Business
Specific Uses For Product
-
Specific Uses For Product
-
Specific Uses For Product
Personal, Gaming, Business
Specific Uses For Product
-

Hard Disk Description

Solid State Hard Drive
Hard Disk Description
-
Hard Disk Description
usb 3
Hard Disk Description
Mechanical Hard Disk
Hard Disk Description
-
Hard Disk Description
Portable
Hard Disk Description
-

Hard Disk Interface

Solid State
Hard Disk Interface
-
Hard Disk Interface
USB 1.1
Hard Disk Interface
USB 2.0/3.0
Hard Disk Interface
-
Hard Disk Interface
USB 3.1
Hard Disk Interface
-

Hard Drive Size

2 TB
Hard Drive Size
2 TB
Hard Drive Size
20 TB
Hard Drive Size
-
Hard Drive Size
-
Hard Drive Size
5 TB
Hard Drive Size
-

Hard Disk Form Factor

-
Hard Disk Form Factor
3.5 Inches
Hard Disk Form Factor
3.5 Inches
Hard Disk Form Factor
2.5 Inches
Hard Disk Form Factor
-
Hard Disk Form Factor
2.5 Inches
Hard Disk 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
  • 9.8
    1
    SAMSUNG
    49% Off

    SAMSUNG 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 movability
    9.9 Light weight
    9.8 Storage space

    Why we love it

    Fast data transfer
    Can be used with multiple devices
    Samsung recommends using the included cables for optimal performance
  • 9.7
    2
    Seagate

    Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)

    9.8 Light weight
    9.6 Storage space
    9.6 movability

    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
  • 9.6
    3
    Western Digital

    WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0200HBK-NESN

    9.8 Simple to use
    9.6 Storage space
    9.4 lasts a long time

    Why we love it

    Large capacity storage
    Quick data transfers
    Easy setup for Windows

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.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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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