Top rated External hard drives

Here’s a ranking of the top rated External hard drives. To give you a quick overview, we’ve added the most important information about each product. This page always stays fresh and updates automatically.

1. WD Elements Portable

WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN - Elements Portable 2TB External 2.5" USB 3.0, Black

The portable storage from WD Elements with USB 3.0 offers maximum data transfer rates, universal connectivity, and up to 2TB capacity for budget-conscious consumers seeking reliable, high-capacity storage on the go. Protect your files with the free 30-day trial of WD SmartWare Pro and back up your files on your WD Elements drive or in the cloud.

Maximum Transfer Rates
When connected to a USB 3.0 port, the portable storage from WD Elements delivers maximum performance for data transfers. Transfer a full-length HD movie in a fraction of the time it takes with USB 2.0. Performance may vary depending on the user's hardware and system configuration.

USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 Compatibility
Seamlessly works with the latest USB 3.0 devices and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices.

High Capacity in a Small Case
The small, lightweight design offers high storage capacity, making the portable storage from WD Elements the ideal companion for value-conscious consumers who want to take their important files with them.

Free Trial of WD SmartWare Pro Backup Software
WD Elements includes a free trial of the WD SmartWare Pro backup software. This allows you to back up files on the local WD Elements drive or in the cloud. A cloud account is required for cloud backup. Cloud services may change, be discontinued, or interrupted at any time and may vary by country.

Improve PC Performance
If your internal hard drive is nearly full, your PC will slow down. Don’t delete files. Free up space on your internal hard drive by transferring files to your WD Elements and get your PC moving again. 

2. LaCie Rugged USB-C

The LaCie Rugged Raid can be used with both PC and Mac, offering a groundbreaking combination of capacity, speed, mobility, and reliability. The LaCie Rugged is the ultimate solution for business travelers and can be tailored to meet any performance or complete data security requirements. With 5 TB in Raid 0, the LaCie Rugged provides enormous storage capacity to transfer all the content needed for ongoing projects. Take more photos, recordings, and content on your travels than ever before, using just a single solution. 

3. WD Elements Desktop

The WD Elements desktop hard drive with USB 3.0 offers reliable additional storage, ultra-high data transfer rates, and universal connectivity options for devices with USB 3.0 and 2.0. With a capacity of up to 3 TB and the renowned WD quality in a sleek design, you also receive a free trial of the WD SmartWare Pro backup software for local and cloud data backup. 

4. WD Elements Black

The Western Digital Elements Black external hard drive offers an impressive storage capacity of 18 TB, making it ideal for extensive backups, media libraries, and professional content. With a compact 3.5-inch format and an elegant black finish, it is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The hard drive supports USB 3.0 for fast data transfers of up to 5 Gbit/s and is backward compatible with USB 2.0, ensuring versatile connectivity. It is designed for desktop use and requires an external power supply, providing consistent performance for demanding storage applications. The simple plug-and-play functionality on Windows and macOS makes it easy to use without the need for additional software.

- 18 TB storage capacity for extensive backups and media libraries
- USB 3.0 interface for fast data transfers up to 5 Gbit/s
- Backward compatible with USB 2.0 for versatile connectivity
- Compact design in a 3.5-inch format for desktop use
- Plug-and-play functionality without additional software requirements. 

5. WD My Passport

Those who are flexible get more out of life. Secure your valuable memories on the go with the My Passport mobile hard drive. This high-capacity storage medium offers a seamless USB connection and allows easy access to your important files anytime and anywhere. Use the included Acronis True Image for Western Digital software for reliable data backup, including ransomware protection. Never lose files again – with the My Passport mobile hard drive, you can safely store your memories and have them readily available at all times.

Sleek Design
A slim and durable design that makes your life on the go effortless and comfortable. Thanks to its robust construction, the hard drive is a reliable companion for your adventures.

Large Capacity
With a storage capacity of up to 6 TB, you can take your photos, videos, music, and important documents with you anywhere, keeping everything securely in hand.

Easy Backups. Including Ransomware Protection.
The included Acronis True Image for Western Digital software simplifies the scheduling of backups for your valuable files. Additionally, back up your important applications and protect your computer system from data loss due to ransomware attacks.

Protection for Important Data
Protect your files from unauthorized access at home or on the go. Use the included software for added security with password protection and integrated 256-bit AES encryption.

Designed for the Environment
The casing of this hard drive is made of over 50% recycled plastic. The packaging is made of over 50% recycled paper and is fully recyclable.

Technical Specifications
- Capacity: 2 TB
- Connection: Micro-B
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0
- Transfer Speed: Up to 5 Gb/s
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 107.19 mm x 74.93 mm x 13.46 mm. 

6. WD My Book

Store large amounts of photos, videos, music, and documents on the My Book desktop storage. With multiple terabytes of storage capacity, the My Book drive is the ideal place for all your digital data. Set up automatic backups and determine how often and when your data is backed up. The My Book desktop drive features WD Backup software for Windows and is compatible with Apple Time Machine for Mac. With built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption and WD Security, you can set your own password to protect your content. This ensures that your content remains confidential and secure. You can configure WD Security to automatically unlock the device on your computer, allowing you to quickly and conveniently access your data without having to enter the password each time. 

7. WD My Passport - for Mac

My Passport for Mac - 2 TB (Blue)
Model Number: WDBA2D0020BBL-WESN
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1
- Transfer Speed: up to 5 Gb/s

Those who are flexible get more out of life.
Safeguard your precious memories on the go with the My Passport for Mac mobile hard drive. This high-capacity Mac storage device, compatible with USB-C, offers a seamless USB connection and allows easy access to your valuable files anytime, anywhere. Use the included Acronis True Image for Western Digital software for reliable data backup, including ransomware protection. Never lose files again – with the My Passport mobile hard drive, you can securely store your memories and have them readily available at all times.

Ready for Macs. Optimized for Windows.
The My Passport for Mac mobile hard drive is ready to use right out of the box and can be universally connected thanks to its USB-C compatibility. To ensure the hard drive works seamlessly with computers running Windows 10+, a downloadable HFS+ driver is available without the need for reformatting.

Sleek Design
A slim and durable design that makes your life on the go effortless and comfortable. Thanks to its robust construction, the hard drive is a reliable companion for your adventures.

Large Capacity
With a storage capacity of up to 6 TB, you can take your photos, videos, music, and important documents with you anywhere, keeping everything securely in hand.

Easy Backups. Includes Ransomware Protection.
The included Acronis True Image for Western Digital software simplifies the scheduling of backups for your valuable files. Additionally, back up your important applications and protect your computer system from data loss due to ransomware attacks.

Protection for Important Data
Protect your files from unauthorized access at home or on the go. Use the included... 

8. Toshiba Canvio Basics

High-capacity storage in a practical, compact, matte black case. The Canvio Basics hard drives from Toshiba are available in various sizes and are perfect for storing data, music, movies, and pictures. These devices are powered via USB and can be connected to a PC or laptop with a single USB cable. The portable hard drives with USB 3.0 technology are much faster than, yet still compatible with, USB 2.0 devices, allowing for quick transfers while organizing your files. The device is ready to use with Microsoft Windows and is powered through the USB cable. Intuitively drag and drop files to and from your PC or laptop. 

9. LaCie Rugged Mini

Whether it's falls, rain, dust, or external forces – thanks to their immense durability, the Rugged Shuttle hard drives are the ideal choice for creative storytellers. These compact, rugged, and always-ready devices are perfect for data exchange on film sets or in music studios – and for delivering finished projects to your clients. 

10. LaCie Mobile Drive

The LaCie Mobile Drive combines portability and capacity. The drive features an elegant design by Neil Poulton and is made from recycled materials. It offers plug-and-play compatibility with PC, Mac, and iPads with USB-C ports. Backups can be created with just one click or automatically, and the 2 TB to 5 TB of storage provides ample space for countless photos, playlists, documents, and more.

Secure files with a single click or schedule automatic backups. The hard drive casing and packaging are made from recycled aluminum, plastic, and packaging materials. The sleek and portable design was created by Neil Poulton. Enjoy long-term security with the included limited 3-year warranty and the Rescue data recovery service for 3 years. Benefit from a free one-month subscription to all Adobe Creative Cloud apps with access to fantastic photo and video editing applications. Experience USB-C speeds of 130 MB/s for file transfers, backups, and browsing images.

Included in the box:
USB-C cable
Quick start guide
LaCie toolkit: backup and mirroring software
Rescue Data Recovery Services for data recovery. 

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