Do you imagine owning tons of diskettes and CDs just to save all your files and important documents? Thanks to the continuous improvement of technology, people can now save all media files in a USB or a memory card. But when these removable computer storage devices become full, you will need to transfer the files to your computer or cloud storage. It is easier to access your files if you just save them on your computer but would really eat a lot of storage space. That is why there are high-capacity storage devices like a 2TB external hard drives being sold nowadays. This will not only let you save your personal media files but can be a good back-up to your computer as well.
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Contents
- Product Comparison – The 10 Best External Hard Drives
- Point of Interest
- 1. WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External
- 2. Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics – External Hard Drives
- 3. Western digital WDC-WDBCRM0020BBK-NE – External Hard Drives
- 4. Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable External
- 5. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 6TB External
- 6. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable – External Hard Drives
- 7. Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External
- 8. SSK Portable Wireless Hard Drive Smart – External Hard Drives
- 9. LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3, 8TB USB 3.1 External Hard Drives
- 10. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard
- BUYING GUIDE
- Final Verdict
Product Comparison – The 10 Best External Hard Drives
| No | Brand Name | Product Image | Best Feature | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External |  | This is password protected. | 4.1 |
| 2 | Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics |  | It is compatible with 2.0 and 3.0 USB cables. | 4.4 |
| 3 | Western digital WDC-WDBCRM0020BBK-NE |  | This adds extra storage to an Xbox One console. | 4.5 |
| 4 | Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable External |  | It can be accessed and used immediately. | 4 |
| 5 | G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 6TB External |  | This has an aluminum case for a more stylish finish. | 3.9 |
| 6 | Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable |  | It is one of the slimmest EHD in the market. | 3.9 |
| 7 | Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External |  | This is known to be tough and shockproof. | 4.3 |
| 8 | SSK Portable Wireless Hard Drive Smart |  | You can transfer files using a wireless connection. | 4 |
| 9 | LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3, 8TB USB 3.1 |  | It is expandable up to 10TB. | 4.1 |
| 10 | WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard |  | This can store PS4 games. | 4.2 |
Point of Interest
Do I Really Need an External Hard Drive?
You might be asking yourself that question before pressing that Add to Cart button. So before browsing in Amazon, here are the reasons why you should own one very soon.
- You can use the memory space of your computer to applications and programs. Yes, you can transfer all your files from your smartphones and digital cameras to your laptop but by doing that, you are using up storage space for apps and programs. You may have noticed when your computer is close to its maximum capacity, it runs slow and frequent lag occurs. By having a 1TB external hard drive, you can store all your personal files there smoothly.
- Your files are safer with you. Many well-known security companies offer cloud storage for a fee. Yes, they assure their clients that their files are safe but unfortunately, there are also a number of good hackers that can get into your account without ringing an alarm. With an external hard drive, you can easily control who is allowed to use them.
- It is cheaper as compared to the other options that you can try. When you use cloud storage for your files, you will need to upload them. The external hard drive reliability is far much better than cloud storage particularly when you need to transfer files when there is no Internet connection.
1. WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External
Are you having doubts about getting an external hard drive due to security reasons? Do you know that there are EHDs that are password protected?
This external hard drive looks durable and classy in its black finish. The whopping 4TB storage capacity is also impressive as it will allow you to save hundreds of movies.
- It uses a 3.0 USB cable.
- This has a password protection feature.
- It is equipped with an automatic backup software.
- You can set a time when it will automatically backup your files.
- This is user-friendly.
- You can store a lot of files.
- It is difficult to use it immediately in Mac.
- It does not recognize other 3.0 cables other than the one included.
Final Thought
Windows users will love this in their initial use but Mac users will still need to do some formatting before they can use it. But once formatted, all will enjoy transferring their files and use all its features.
2. Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics – External Hard Drives
You might be one of the people who does not need a big capacity external hard drive. If you are contented in owning a 1TB EHD, check this product out.
This 1TB external hard drive is maybe one of the most affordable EHD in the market. It also transfers files fast as it is powered by a 3.0 USB technology.
- This EHD has a 1TB storage space.
- It has password protection software.
- This needs reformatting in its first use for Windows 7 up and Mac OS v10.10 up.
- You can store it anywhere as it is slim and lightweight.
- It does not need a new software installation in its initial use.
- This can transfer a 1G file within 30 minutes.
- A 1TB memory space will not be enough if you love saving videos and movies.
- Some say the USB connection is loose resulting in a file transfer failure.
Final Thought
If you just need an emergency back up for your files, this could be the one you are looking for. A 1TB is still greater than a 512mB flash drive in keeping all your important documents and files.
3. Western digital WDC-WDBCRM0020BBK-NE – External Hard Drives
Today, games are bought online and can be downloaded directly to a game console unlike before wherein you needed to buy a game in CD form. Downloading games will use a lot of space of your Xbox One. Good thing, that an external hard drive adds more storage space to your console.
Who gamer would not love an extra storage space for their Xbox One? This external hard drive not only will let you download more games but you are able to play them in your friends’ Xboxes, anytime and anywhere.
- This EHD has a storage capacity of 2 terabytes.
- It is 2.0 and 3.0 USB compatibility.
- It has a speed up to 5 gigabits per second.
- You are able to load and play your games smoothly.
- You just need to plug it in your Xbox to play.
- It can store up to 150 games with still an ample space left.
- The transfer speed is slow when moving large files.
- It does not have a pre-installed software if you want to use it as a computer back-up.
Final Thought
This EHD is specially made for Xbox One gamers thus it might not run as smooth as it is when used as a backup for other game consoles or your computer. This is great, especially you want to play your own games without bringing your Xbox One all the time.
4. Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable External
When you are on a vacation, it is expected that you will be taking a lot of photos and videos on your phone. And by using your smartphone as your main camera, its memory will surely be full. You should always bring an external hard drive to back up the storage of your phone.
This EHD looks sleek and thin that it can fit in any of your bag pockets. Its 1TB storage capacity is great for keeping numerous multimedia files.
- This portable EHD has a 1 TB storage.
- It works very well with USB 3.0 as well as 2.0 for fast transfers.
- This can store 16,600 hours of digital music, up to 1,000 hours of videos, and 320,000 photos.
- It also works as extra storage for Xbox One, Wii, and PS4 games.
- This does not ask for additional software when plugged into a computer.
- The EHD is so small and does not take a lot of space in a bag or cabinet.
- The USB cable is too sensitive when bumped causing a transfer to stop.
- A few experiences sudden disconnecting issues.
Final Thought
A good external hard drive must be compact, reliable, and easy to use. This might be one of the best 1TB EHD you can buy. Not only you can save all of your travel photos and videos, but you can also play your favorite games with this.
5. G-Technology G-DRIVE USB 3.0 6TB External
Do you know that external hard drives are not all black? If you are not a fan of this color, you might like to get your hands on this silver EHD.
The aluminum enclosure of this external hard drive will really stand out and can be a great accent to your worktable. Aside from its beautiful design, its 6TB space is also striking to anyone who has a great number of files.
- This is plug-and-play on a Mac computer and can be reformatted on Windows easily.
- It is powered with a USB 3.0 cable.
- This weighs 2.44 pounds.
- A large number of EHD owners says that this is the most user-friendly they have used.
- It is faster compared to other external hard drives.
- The aluminum case makes it durable.
- This might be too heavy for an everyday-carry.
- Some Windows users find the reformatting time-consuming.
Final Thought
This is not recommended to be brought on your travels or in school for its weight. But if you have an office in your home, this is perfect in saving all your important documents and business files. It can keep all your Powerpoint and video presentations without hurting its 6TB space.
6. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable – External Hard Drives
As a photography or videography enthusiast, you might have a lot of memory cards so you do not miss any moments in building up your portfolio. If you are looking for a storage device to keep all your works, you will need a trusty external hard drive.
This EHD is so slim that it will not be bulky when you put it in your jeans back pocket or your clutch bag. The 2 terabytes capacity of this EHD will allow you to save a hundred thousands of photos and a huge number of HD videos.
- This has a Seagate backup software.
- It includes an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable.
- Its weight is 4.8 ounces.
- This is slim and very lightweight perfect for bringing it anywhere.
- It works excellent in saving all PS4 games with no lag experiences.
- It is fast in copying and moving files to and from a computer.
- Some needed to reformat their EHDs more than once.
- It creates a noise when you are backing-up or transferring your files.
Final Thought
Overall, this external hard drive offered by Seagate is a good buy especially when you are always on-the-go. You will never need to carry multiple memory cards with you as you can move the files fast from your camera to this EHD.
7. Silicon Power 2TB Rugged Portable External
A wildlife photographer or an oceanographer requires staying in their respective fields for weeks or even months to study. During this time, they need a tough external hard drive so all their valuable data will be saved whatever weather conditions they will face.
Seeing that this external hard drive is shockproof, one can rest assured that it will not get easily broken when dropped. The ultra-rugged casing protects the EHD from damage caused by water droplets, fall, and dust.
- It has a built-in cable slot and a USB 3.0 interface.
- The external hard drive is protected by Armor A60.
- This has a storage space of 2 TB.
- The cable is secured in the slot for easy storing.
- The Armor A60 has a warranty of 3 years.
- It can transfer hundreds of high-quality photos, documents, and high-definition videos in minutes.
- Some say their Silicon Power EHD did not last a year.
- The cable easily falls off from its slot.
Final Thought
If you know someone who is an avid wildlife explorer, you could refer this item to them or surprise them with this. This is a tough and durable EHD and also perfect for saving all their discoveries.
8. SSK Portable Wireless Hard Drive Smart – External Hard Drives
Have you watched a movie from your external hard drive to your phone wirelessly? How about, an EHD that also acts as your power bank? If you are drawn in buying such product, learn more about it here.
One of the stunning features of this EHD is its WiFi hotspot option where it allows you wireless transfers from your phone. It also allows you to stream videos without connecting via USB cable.
- This external hard drive has a max 1TB storage space.
- It has a 300Mbps wireless transfer speed.
- This is compatible with Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and Mac Os.
- Up to 10 users/devices can connect and transfer data altogether.
- It can also serve as extra storage for your computer by connecting it with its USB cable.
- This has an app to let you connect the EHD to devices wirelessly.
- When you use this as your PC’s EHD, the WiFi hotspot cannot be enabled.
- You need to recharge this external hard drive.
Final Thought
If you and your friends love exchanging photos to be uploaded on your social media accounts, this external hard drive is perfect for you. You can transfer and copy each other media files all the same time and share your favorite ones with the world.
9. LaCie d2 Thunderbolt 3, 8TB USB 3.1 External Hard Drives
Some external hard drives are so powerful that they are not only able to save hundreds of thousands of your files but can also power your laptop. If you need an EHD and power juice in one, this might interest you.
One cannot deny that its power to charge a laptop is really astounding as not all EHDs cannot have this feature. Its 8TB can be expanded to 10TB allowing you to save more media files.
- It is protected with an aluminum enclosure.
- This has a cooling fan.
- It can transfer up to 240 MB per second.
- You will spend less time moving files from your smartphone or camera.
- It is compatible with a Windows or Mac Os computers.
- This is durable and will not overheat when transferring numerous large files.
- This is expensive.
- You need to install software before you can use it.
Final Thought
This might be one of the high-range EHDs but is worth your money. It is made and engineered to give the fastest transfer speeds without damaging the hard drive. If the typical 2TB EHD is not enough, then this is the one you have been needing.
10. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard
It is very annoying when you cannot download more of your favorite games in your PS4 due to a full memory space. You need to buy an EHD so you can play any games that you like.
This EHD looks simple in its classic black color. It is also slim and portable that you can store it anywhere.
- It has a 2.0 and 3.0 USB compatibility.
- This has a weight of 8.8 ounces.
- It has a storage capacity of 2TB.
- Saved games in this EHD runs smoothly.
- The instructions will make it easy to setup without a lot of effort
- It is small and handy.
- Some say their EHDs are not recognized by their Windows/Mac OS.
- It has a slower writing speed than other EHDs.
Final Thought
It is recommended to save large games one at a time to avoid sudden disconnections. This is still a good backup for your PS4 and computer with the correct formatting and transferring of files.
BUYING GUIDE
Using an external hard drive is more recommended than uploading your files to cloud storage. You can access all your files anytime and anywhere even without an Internet connection. In order for you to choose which one is for you from the best external hard drive 2020 list, check this product guide first.
- Capacity – This is without a doubt, the most important feature you should consider when buying an external hard drive. You would want to purchase a high storage external storage so you can keep all your documents and media files in one place. It is great to pick from hundreds of movies for a date night, isn’t it?
- Price – An external hard drive price is more expensive than a regular 256gb flash drive. It is because its capacity is much larger than your memory card. It is best to allocate at least a hundred dollars to purchase a decent external hard drive.
- Transfer Speed – Since you will be transferring hundreds of files all at a time, it is very important that transfer rate of your external hard drive is fast. You would not want to waste time waiting for the files to be moved.
- Portability – Do you travel often? Or do you always need to clear up the memory space of your phone? Consider buying a portable EHD. There are some that have the same size as your wallet so you can easily bring it with you all the time. If you are planning it to be just connected to your laptop at home, then you can skip this tip.
- Durability – External hard drives are costly that is why you need to buy a tough external hard drive that can manage shocks and accidental falls.
Final Verdict
After reading this external HDD review, you might have decided to get one really soon or will start saving up to buy a 2TB external hard drive for all your files. Instead of buying USB flash drives or memory cards for your images, videos, and music files, it is easier and cheaper to buy just one EHD and create separate folders for each. You can also easily share with your family and friends media files that they need by plugging your EHD to their computer or smartphone. Gone are the days that you need to delete memories from a recent trip due to a memory full as you can save all of them in an external hard drive.
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