Best External Hard Drives of 2025
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How do we rank?- 2
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Our top 3 picks
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WD 20TB Elements External Hard Drive, Desktop HDD storage, USB 3.0 compatible, Fast Transfer rates, Plug-and-play storage for all your pictures, videos, music and documents, Black
The WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive provides a robust solution for those in need of extensive storage. With its impressive capacity of up to 20TB, it allows you to store a vast amount of photos, videos, music, and files, making it ideal for both personal and professional use. The drive features fast data transfer rates when connected to a USB 3.0 port, ensuring efficient file management and backup processes. Its plug-and-play simplicity means you can easily set it up with Windows 10+ PCs by connecting to a USB port, requiring no additional software installation. This external hard drive is particularly beneficial for users looking to improve their PC's performance by offloading files from a nearly full internal drive, thus speeding up their computer's operations. Built with WD's quality assurance, it combines durability and reliability, making it a dependable choice for long-term storage solutions. - 2
LaCie d2 Professional 10TB, External Hard Drive DeskTBp, for PC Mac & iPad, 1 Month Adobe CC, Data Rescue Service (STHA10000800)
The LaCie d2 Professional is a top-tier external desktop hard drive designed for creatives needing expansive storage and fast data transfer. With a massive 10TB capacity and speeds up to 260 MB/s, it’s perfect for editing and archiving large projects. Its cross-platform compatibility with Mac and PC, thanks to the USB-C connection, ensures seamless integration into any setup. The durable aluminum form factor not only provides a sleek look but also reduces noise and vibration, enhancing user experience. Additionally, the inclusion of a one-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan adds significant value for creative professionals. The drive's reliability is further underscored by a five-year limited warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services, offering peace of mind for long-term use. Whether you're a photographer, designer, or video editor, the LaCie d2 Professional is an excellent choice for expanding your creative capabilities. - 3
Seagate Portable Drive 2TB, External Hard Drive, Dark Grey, for PC Laptop and Mac, Data Rescue Services, Amazon Exclusive (STGX2000400)
The Seagate Portable Drive, 2TB, is a versatile external hard drive designed for both Windows and Mac users. Its standout feature is the simple setup process—just connect it to your computer and start using it, no extra software needed. This makes it an ideal choice for those who need a hassle-free, plug-and-play storage solution. The drive is particularly beneficial for students and professionals who require reliable data access on the go, thanks to its compact and lightweight design. Additionally, the drive comes with an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable, ensuring fast data transfer and ease of use. Customers frequently praise its portability, appreciating how easy it is to carry around. Overall, the Seagate Portable Drive offers a practical and efficient solution for expanding your storage capacity without compromising on convenience or performance.
Essential tips for choosing the external hard drives
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
