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External Hard Drives Comparison - August 2025
| 1 Best Choice  9.7Exceptional | 2  9.6Exceptional | 3  9.4Excellent | 4 Best Value  9.2Excellent | 5  9.1Excellent | 6  8.9Very Good | 7  8.8Very 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 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400) | 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 SanDisk 1TB 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 - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25 | 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 Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA | Model Maxone 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD USB 3.0 Compatible with PC, Laptop, Charcoal Grey |
BrandWestern Digital | Brand Seagate | Brand WD | Brand SanDisk | Brand WD | Brand TOSHIBA | Brand Maxone |
Reviews | Reviews | Reviews  | Reviews | Reviews | Reviews  | Reviews |
Features | ||||||
Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 9.6 | Simple to use 8.9 | Simple to use 8.6 | Simple to use 9.1 | Simple to use 8.6 | Simple to use 9.1 |
Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.6 | Storage space 9.4 | Storage space 9.8 | Storage space 9.4 | Storage space 8.9 | Storage space 9.1 |
Tech support 9.1 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 7.9 | Tech support 8.9 | Tech support 7.7 | Tech support 7.0 | Tech support 8.1 |
Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.6 | Movability 9.3 | Movability 9.8 | Movability 9.1 | Movability 8.4 | Movability 9.1 |
Light weight 9.4 | Light weight 9.8 | Light weight 9.6 | Light weight 9.3 | Light weight 9.4 | Light weight 8.9 | Light weight 9.4 |
Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 9.3 | Lasts a long time 9.1 | Lasts a long time 8.6 | Lasts a long time 8.6 |
Worth the money 9.4 | Worth the money 9.4 | Worth the money 8.6 | Worth the money 9.3 | Worth the money 9.1 | Worth the money 8.4 | Worth the money 9.1 |
Tech Specs | ||||||
color Black | color Black | color Black | color Black | color Blue | color Black | color Charcoal Grey |
item weight 8.3 ounces | item weight 6.7 ounces | item weight 7.4 ounces | item weight 1.76 ounces | item weight 8.1 ounces | item weight 5.3 ounces | item weight 7.8 ounces |
flash memory size 5 | flash memory size 2 | flash memory size 256 | flash memory size 1 | flash memory size 5000 GB | flash memory size 2 TB | flash memory size 1 TB |
hardware platform PC, Mac | hardware platform PC, Mac | hardware platform PC, Linux, Mac w/ Reformat | hardware platform Mac | hardware platform PC, Mac | hardware platform PC, Mac | hardware platform PC, Mac |
customer reviews4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 269, 493 ratings 4.7 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 261, 709 ratings 4.7 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 94, 066 ratings 4.6 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 60, 374 ratings 4.6 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 12, 544 ratings 4.5 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 77, 537 ratings 4.7 out of 5 stars | customer reviews 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 48, 895 ratings 4.5 out of 5 stars |
hard drive interface USB 3.0 | hard drive interface USB 3.0 | hard drive interface USB 3.0 | hard drive interface USB 3.2 | hard drive interface USB 3.0 | hard drive interface USB 3.0 | hard drive interface USB 2.0/3.0 |
hard drive 5 TB Portable | hard drive 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk | hard drive 5 TB Portable | hard drive 1 TB Solid State Drive | hard drive 5 TB Mechanical Hard Disk | hard drive 2 TB Mechanical Hard Disk | hard drive 1 TB External hard drives |
product dimensions 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | product dimensions 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches | product dimensions 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches | product dimensions 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches | product dimensions 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches | product dimensions 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches | product dimensions - |
item dimensions lxwxh 4.35 x 3.23 x 0.82 inches | item dimensions lxwxh 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches | item dimensions lxwxh 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches | item dimensions lxwxh 0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 inches | item dimensions lxwxh 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.83 inches | item dimensions lxwxh 4.3 x 3.1 x 0.55 inches | item dimensions lxwxh - |
language English | language - | language English | language English, English, English, English | language English, English, English, English, English | language - | language - |
hard drive rotational speed 7200 RPM | hard drive rotational speed - | hard drive rotational speed 7200 RPM | hard drive rotational speed - | hard drive rotational speed 7200 RPM | hard drive rotational speed 5400 RPM | hard drive rotational speed - |
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
9.7
1Western Digital14% OffWD 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 Storage space9.6 movabilityWhy we love it
Compact and portable design.
Easy plug-and-play setup.
Reliable storage solution.
-
9.6
2Seagate12% Off
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
9.8 Light weight9.6 Simple to use9.6 Storage spaceWhy we love it
Easy drag-and-drop file backup.
Compatible with PC and Mac.
Compact and portable design.
-
9.4
3WD
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
9.6 Light weight9.4 Storage space9.3 movabilityWhy we love it
Ample 5TB storage capacity.
Durable and portable design.
Includes encryption for security.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
