Best External Hard Drives (HDD & SSD)
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If you just want reliable storage, here’s the short list I actually recommend—clear on speed, capacity, durability, and warranty so you don’t guess.
How I researched
I verified specs, warranties, and model numbers on manufacturer pages/manuals and matched them to the exact Amazon listings (US variants). I also focused on clarity most lists skip: warranty terms, model numbers, and install/ownership trade-offs.
WD My Passport (5TB, WDBPKJ0050BBK-WESN) — Best for everyday backups (most capacity per dollar, portable HDD)
A simple, pocketable drive for photos, school/work files, and Time Machine/Windows backups.
Why it wins: dependable 5TB in a 2.5″ bus-powered drive with password protection and a 3-year limited warranty.
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
Pros
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5TB in a pocketable 2.5″ drive
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Hardware password protection (Windows app)
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Included backup software
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3-year limited warranty
Cons
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Slower than SSDs for large transfers
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Windows unlock/software needed for encryption
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you routinely move 4K/8K video or project libraries, an SSD below will be far faster. Photographers who drop gear should consider a ruggedized pick.
Scores: Performance 3/5 · Portability 5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 5/5
Warranty/returns: 3-yr limited from WD; Amazon return window depends on seller (couldn’t verify listing-specific period).
Shadow alternate: Seagate One Touch 5TB — similar capacity with password-activated encryption.
Samsung T7 Shield (2TB, MU-PE2T0R/AM) — Best portable SSD for speed + durability
Great balance of NVMe-class speed and real ruggedness for travel and field work.
Why it wins: up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s read/write and IP65 dust/water resistance in a rubberized shell.
- GO THE DISTANCE: Withstand whatever adventure with the wildly reliable T7 Shield; It’s designed for the elements with water1, dust2 and drop3 resistance—all, of course, at lightning speeds
- YOUR CONTENT CAPTURED: Take on the project, then transfer all your heavy files within seconds with the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable Solid-State Drive; Compatible with PC, Mac, Android devices, gaming consoles and more
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVME technology that brings you fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s4, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
Pros
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Much faster than HDDs
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IP65 dust/water rating
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Drop-resistant design
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Compact and light
Cons
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Pricier than HDDs per TB
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Needs USB-C/USB-A adapter for older ports
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you only do monthly backups and value maximum TB per dollar, a portable HDD is cheaper. For desktop archival capacity, see the 20TB pick.
Scores: Performance 5/5 · Portability 5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5
Warranty/returns: Limited warranty per Samsung (couldn’t verify US term on the spec page). Amazon return window depends on seller (couldn’t verify listing-specific period).
Shadow alternate: SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 — similar speed/rugged focus. (ASIN not verified.)
Crucial X10 Pro (4TB) — Best portable SSD for editing straight from the drive
A fast creator-grade SSD that can handle working directly off the disk.
Why it wins: rated up to 2,100/2,000 MB/s with IP55 and 7.5-ft drop protection.
- Ultra-fast Speeds: Designed for professional creators, this external SSD delivers fast data access with up to 2,100MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write speeds for a seamless workflow. Unlike a hard drive, SSDs offer significantly faster performance
- Built to Last: Perfect for field work and all-weather shoots with IP55 water and dust resistance. Plus, drop resistant up to 7.5 ft (2 meters). This portable drive includes a lanyard loop, activity light, and SSD password protection for on-the-go security.
- Broad Compatibility: External drive connects effortlessly with Windows, Mac, iPad Pro, Chromebooks, Android, Linux, PS4, PS5, and Xbox via USB-C and USB-A for easy and fast file transfers
Pros
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Very fast reads/writes
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IP55 water/dust rating
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Drop protection to 7.5 ft
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Compact, USB-C
Cons
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Costs more than T7 Shield at times
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Some user reports of reliability concerns (evidence mixed)
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If ultimate ruggedness (IP65) matters, T7 Shield is safer. For pure bulk storage on a desk, go desktop HDD.
Scores: Performance 5/5 · Portability 5/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5
Warranty/returns: Limited warranty per Crucial (couldn’t verify term on the public spec page). Amazon return window depends on seller (couldn’t verify listing-specific period).
Shadow alternate: SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 — similar speed tier. (ASIN not verified.)
LaCie Rugged Mini (5TB, STJJ5000400) — Best rugged HDD for travel backups
For shooters who want high capacity with physical protection on the go.
Why it wins: compact 5TB HDD with drop, rain, and pressure resistance plus a 3-year limited warranty.
- Students: Store music, video, and confidential school documents on a secure device that fits in a backpack
- Travelers: Protect valuable data from loss, theft, or accident while on the road
- Photographers: Small form factor and toughness make this product perfect for use in the field or to safely deliver large files to customers and partners,and encryption adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access
Pros
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Rugged sleeve and design
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5TB capacity in 2.5″ form
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Rain/pressure resistance
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3-year limited warranty
Cons
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HDD speeds, not SSD
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Micro-B cable; USB-C adapter needed
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you regularly edit 4K footage on location, jump to an SSD. If you only back up at a desk, desktop HDDs are cheaper per TB.
Scores: Performance 3/5 · Portability 4/5 · Ease of Use 4/5 · Value 4/5
Warranty/returns: 3-yr limited per LaCie; Amazon return window depends on seller (couldn’t verify listing-specific period).
Shadow alternate: LaCie Rugged SSD (NVMe) — faster, pricier solid-state option.
WD Elements Desktop (20TB, WDBWLG0200HBK-NESN) — Best for massive, plug-and-play capacity
A dependable, desk-powered drive when you need lots of space for archives and backups.
Why it wins: up to 20TB with simple USB 3.0/3.2 Gen 1 connectivity and a 2-year limited warranty.
- High-capacity add-on storage.Compatibility : Windows 10 plus, Reformatting required for use with MacOS.
- Fast data transfers
- Plug-and-play ready for Windows PCs
Pros
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Huge capacity per dollar
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Simple plug-and-play setup
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Desktop power for long backups
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2-year limited warranty
Cons
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Needs power adapter
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Not portable pocket gear
Trade-offs / Who should skip
If you travel, grab a portable drive. If you want Seagate’s Rescue Data Recovery Services included, consider Expansion Desktop instead.
Scores: Performance 3/5 · Portability 2/5 · Ease of Use 5/5 · Value 5/5
Warranty/returns: 2-yr limited per WD; Amazon return window depends on seller (couldn’t verify listing-specific period).
Shadow alternate: Seagate Expansion Desktop 16TB (STKP16000400) — similar concept, includes Rescue Data Recovery Services.
Buying guide
Pick HDD vs SSD first. If you care about speed (editing video, Lightroom catalogs), get an SSD like Samsung T7 Shield or Crucial X10 Pro. If you mainly archive or run scheduled backups, a 5TB portable HDD (WD My Passport) or a desktop HDD (WD Elements) gives far more space per dollar.
Portability & power. Portable drives are bus-powered via USB; desktop drives need an AC adapter but run cooler on long backups.
Ruggedness. Look for IP ratings and drop specs if you travel—T7 Shield (IP65) and LaCie Rugged lines are built for rough conditions.
Warranty tiers. Consumer HDD warranties range from 1–3 years; desktop WD Elements is 2-yr, My Passport 3-yr; Seagate’s Expansion Desktop in the US is 1-yr but includes Rescue Data Recovery Services. If warranty length matters, verify the exact model/region.
Connectivity. Newer SSDs are USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2); older PCs may need a USB-A cable/adapter (often included). HDDs typically use Micro-B USB 3.0. Check your ports.
FAQs
Q: Can I store PS5 games on these and play from the drive?
A: You can store PS5 titles on USB drives but must move them back to internal NVMe to play. PS4 titles play from USB.
Q: Time Machine or Windows File History—HDD or SSD?
A: Either works. If backups run in the background and speed isn’t critical, HDDs offer better $/TB. For frequent, on-the-go snapshots, an SSD is nicer to carry.
Q: Do I need extra software?
A: Not really—macOS and Windows can back up natively. Brand utilities can add encryption/backup scheduling if you prefer (e.g., WD Discovery, Samsung Portable SSD software).
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