Best External Hard Drives
External drives remain the simplest way to add storage or keep backups without opening your PC. Whether you need a pocket-sized portable for travel or a high-capacity desktop unit for Time Machine, the right pick depends on how much space you need, how fast you need it, and what you are willing to spend per terabyte. I track every USB-connected drive on Amazon.com and sort them by price per TB so you can find the best value instantly.
HDD vs SSD for external storage
External HDDs offer far more capacity per dollar. A 5 TB portable HDD costs about the same as a 1 TB portable SSD. Choose an external HDD when you need bulk storage for backups, media libraries, or archives. Choose an external SSD when you need speed, shock resistance, or a truly pocket-sized form factor for working files and fast transfers.
Quick Verdict
- Who this is for
- Anyone who needs plug-and-play extra storage, laptop users, photographers, Mac and PC backup shoppers, and travellers who want a portable drive they can toss in a bag.
- What usually wins
- A 4–5 TB portable HDD for most people. A desktop 8 TB+ USB HDD if you need more capacity and don't mind a power cable. An external SSD only if speed or extreme portability is your top priority.
- Prioritise
- Capacity at the price you can afford. Most external drives use the same internal mechanisms. The best deal per TB wins.
Prices updated daily from Amazon.com. All links go directly to the retailer. Details.
Best Value External Drives
The cheapest external drives available right now, ranked by price per terabyte. Includes both portable and desktop USB drives.
Avolusion PRO-H1 Series 14TB 7200RPM USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) External Hard Drive (for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop)
OSENTRiX BX100 14TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop
Avolusion HDDGear Pro X 12TB USB 3.0 External Gaming Hard Drive (Pre-formatted for Xbox One X, S, Original)
Avolusion PRO-T8 Series 14TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive for WindowsOS Desktop PC/Laptop (Black) - 2 Year Warranty
Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - Western DigitalBWLG0140HBK-NESN
PANGQIE Portable SATA External Hard Drive HDD 2TB 1TB 500GB USB3.0 Ulra-Fast File Transfers (2TB, Blue)
OSENTRiX BX100 10TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop
Avolusion PRO-G2 12TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows/MacOS (Silver)
Portable External HDDs (2.5″)
Bus-powered 2.5-inch portable drives, no wall plug needed. Ideal for laptop backup, travel, and carrying files between machines. Capacities typically range from 1 TB to 5 TB.
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
BUFFALO 5TB MiniStation PGF Portable External Hard Drive HDD Shock Resistant, USB 3.0 (3.2 Gen 1x1) for PC, Mac
LaCie Mobile Drive, 5TB, External Hard Drive Portable - Moon Silver, USB-C 3.2, for PC and Mac, Post-Consumer Recycled, with Adobe All Apps Plan (STLP5000400)
Seagate Game Drive voor PS4/PS5 5TB, externe SSD, 2.5", USB 3.0, Blauwe ledverlichting (STLV5000202)
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra for Mac Silver, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protection, USB-C and USB 3.1 - WDBPMV0050BSL-WESN
SanDisk Professional 4TB G-Drive ArmorATD - Rugged, Durable Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 - SDPH81G-004T-GBA1D
WD 6TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, Backup Software with Defense Against ransomware, and Password Protection, USB 3.1/USB 3.0 Compatible - WDBR9S0060BBK-WESN
Intenso Memory Drive External Hard Drive 4000 GB Black
Desktop External HDDs (3.5″, 8 TB+)
High-capacity desktop external drives for stationary backup, media servers, and bulk archive storage. These require a power adapter but offer the best price per terabyte in external form.
Why this matters: Desktop externals use full-size 3.5-inch drives internally, which means higher capacities and better price per TB than portable 2.5-inch models. If the drive will sit on a desk permanently, desktop externals are the better value.
OSENTRiX BX100 14TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop
Avolusion PRO-H1 Series 14TB 7200RPM USB 3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) External Hard Drive (for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop)
Avolusion HDDGear Pro X 12TB USB 3.0 External Gaming Hard Drive (Pre-formatted for Xbox One X, S, Original)
Avolusion PRO-T8 Series 14TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive for WindowsOS Desktop PC/Laptop (Black) - 2 Year Warranty
Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - Western DigitalBWLG0140HBK-NESN
OSENTRiX BX100 10TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows or MacOS Desktop PC/Laptop
Avolusion PRO-G2 12TB USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) USB-C External Hard Drive for Windows/MacOS (Silver)
Seagate Expansion Desktop 16TB External Hard Drive – USB 3.0, 3.5" HDD for Windows & Mac, Plug-and-Play Backup Storage - STKP16000400
External SSDs
Portable solid-state drives with USB connectivity. Faster, lighter, and more shock-resistant than external HDDs, but pricier per terabyte. Best for working files, fast transfers, and rough handling.
External Hard Drives Typc-C Portable Hard Drive SSD Pattern 4TB 2TB External SSD 1TB 500GB Mobile Solid State Hard Drive USB 3.1 External SSD (Color : Black Size : 8TB) (Red 8TB)
ORICO MiniMate Plus External SSD Compatibility with Mac mini M4(10Gbps),Read Speed 2050MB/s, Write Speed 1900MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2 * 2(20Gbps), Portable Solid State Drive, M4Plus (6TB)
Typc-C Portable Hard Drive SSD Pattern 4TB 2TB External SSD 1TB 500GB Mobile Solid State Hard Drive USB 3.1 External SSD (Color : Black, Size : 8TB)
8TB External SSD Hard Drive SSD Portable SSD 1TB/2TB/4TB External Hard Drive 1TB HDD for Laptop with Type C USB 3.1 (Color : Gray, Size : 8TB)
Typc-C Portable Hard Drive SSD Pattern 4TB 2TB External SSD 1TB 500GB Mobile Solid State Hard Drive USB 3.1 External SSD (Color : Red, Size : 8TB)
8TB External SSD Hard Drive SSD Portable SSD 1TB/2TB/4TB External Hard Drive 1TB HDD for Laptop with Type C USB 3.1 (Color : Red, Size : 8TB)
SAN ZANG MASTER Magnetic Portable Solid State Drives: Ultra-Thin, Portable Design for Secure Grip, Easy Connectivity, and Reliable Performance (2, TB)
Seagate Game Drive voor PS4/PS5 2TB, externe SSD, 2.5", USB 3.0, Blauwe ledverlichting (STLV2000202)
How to Choose
External drives are straightforward, but a few decisions make the difference between a great purchase and buyer's remorse.
Portable vs desktop
2.5-inch portable drives run on USB bus power and fit in a pocket, topping out around 5 TB. 3.5-inch desktop externals need a wall plug but offer 8–24 TB capacities and better price per TB. Pick based on whether you need to carry the drive or park it on a desk.
HDD vs SSD
External HDDs win on cost per terabyte by a wide margin, often 3–5× cheaper per TB than external SSDs. SSDs are faster, lighter, and shock-proof. For bulk backup or media storage, HDD is the clear value play. For fast transfers or rough handling, SSD is worth the premium.
USB generation
USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) is fast enough for any external HDD. The drive's mechanical speed is the bottleneck, not the bus. USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) or Thunderbolt matters only for external SSDs where you want to unlock full SSD read/write speeds.
Backup software and encryption
Many external drives bundle backup software or hardware encryption. These are nice extras but should not drive your buying decision. Any drive works with built-in OS backup tools (Time Machine, File History, rsync). Buy on capacity, price per TB, and form factor first.
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