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External Hard Drives

10 Best External Hard Drives 2026 in the United States

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NEWQ 1TB E

NEWQ

NEWQ 1TB External Hard Drive for iPhone, iPad, MacBook - USB 3.0, 2.0, 2.0 3.0 - Compatible with iOS & Android, Store Photos, Videos, Music, Documents

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#1

Winner

Crucial X1

Crucial

Crucial X10 2TB Portable SSD, Up to 2,100MB/s, USB 3.2 USB-C, External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Windows, Mac & Android, Durable Storage for Games, Photos & Files, Black - CT2000X10SSD9C02

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Sponsored

NEWQ 1TB E

NEWQ

NEWQ 1TB External Hard Drive for iPhone, iPad, MacBook - USB 3.0, 2.0, 2.0 3.0 - Compatible with iOS & Android, Store Photos, Videos, Music, Documents

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#2
4TB SanDis

Sandisk

4TB SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD with USB4, Up to 3800 MB/s Read and 3700MB/s Write, USB-C, USB 3.2, Backwards Compatible, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance - SDSSDE82-4T00-G25

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#3
LaCie Rugg

LaCie

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 2TB External SSD – TB5, speeds 6700/5300MB/s (STNA2000400)

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#4
WD_BLACK 8

WD_BLACK

WD_BLACK 8TB D10 Game Drive - Portable External Hard Drive HDD Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, PC, & Mac - WDBA3P0080HBK-NESN

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#5
LaCie d2 P

LaCie

LaCie d2 Professional 16TB

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#6
WD 20TB El

WD

WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0200HBK-NESN

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#7
SAMSUNG T7

Samsung

SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 4TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, Students, Professionals, MU-PC4T0T/AM, Gray

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#8
Seagate Ex

Seagate

Seagate Expansion 14TB External Hard Drive HDD - USB 3.0, with Rescue Data Recovery Services (STKP14000402)

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#9
Seagate Ga

Seagate

10%OFF

Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.2 Gen 1, Black with built-in green LED bar , Xbox Certified, 3 year Rescue Services (STKX2000400)

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#10
Western Di

WD

Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive - USB 3.0

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#3

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 2TB External SSD – TB5, speeds 6700/5300MB/s (STNA2000400)

7.3  score

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 2TB External SSD – TB5, speeds 6700/5300MB/s (STNA2000400)

LaCie

7.3  score

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Rating
7.3
Drive Type (HDD vs SSD)
Data Transfer Speed
Portability and Durability

Most important from
310 reviews

Drive Type (HDD vs SSD)
The SSD handles large data transfers efficiently, with seamless connectivity and no noticeable delays even when running extensive sound libraries.
Data Transfer Speed
The drive delivers blazing fast speeds, transferring large files like 70GB movies in under 10 seconds and completing encrypted backups in minutes.
Portability and Durability
Its compact and lightweight design fits easily in a shirt pocket, making it extremely portable for on-the-go use.
Connectivity
A sensitive mini Thunderbolt 3 cable can cause connection interruptions if the device or computer is moved frequently, especially outdoors.

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 2TB is an excellent choice for high-performance external storage, especially suited for creative professionals working with large files like 8K video. Its 2TB SSD provides ample storage with ultra-fast data transfer speeds up to 6700MB/s read and 5300MB/s write, significantly faster than typical external drives. This allows for quick file transfer and smooth editing without lag.

This drive is notable for its durability, featuring an IP68 rating that makes it resistant to water, dust, drops from up to 3 meters, and heavy pressure—ideal for outdoor or challenging work environments. It connects via Thunderbolt 5, offering fast and seamless compatibility with newer Mac computers, although users without Thunderbolt ports may find it less convenient. Weighing just 4 ounces and compact in size, it is highly portable.

While the rugged build and high speeds come with a premium price compared to ordinary external drives, the 5-year warranty and included data recovery service provide valuable security for important data. This product is well-suited for creative professionals or anyone needing a very fast, tough external SSD. However, casual users seeking basic backups or more affordable, slower storage may find it more than necessary.

Check price

Rating
7.3
Drive Type (HDD vs SSD)
Data Transfer Speed
Portability and Durability

Most important from
310 reviews

Drive Type (HDD vs SSD)
The SSD handles large data transfers efficiently, with seamless connectivity and no noticeable delays even when running extensive sound libraries.
Data Transfer Speed
The drive delivers blazing fast speeds, transferring large files like 70GB movies in under 10 seconds and completing encrypted backups in minutes.
Portability and Durability
Its compact and lightweight design fits easily in a shirt pocket, making it extremely portable for on-the-go use.
Connectivity
A sensitive mini Thunderbolt 3 cable can cause connection interruptions if the device or computer is moved frequently, especially outdoors.

Buying Guide for the Best External Hard Drives

Choosing the right external hard drive is all about understanding your storage needs, how you'll use the drive, and what devices you'll connect it to. Begin by figuring out how much space you might need and what you're storing — for example, large video files need more room than photos or documents. Think about how you plan to use the drive: Will it stay on your desk or will you carry it around? Do you want fast file transfers or just somewhere reliable to back up your data? Identifying your main usages will help guide your decision through the wide range of options available.
Storage CapacityStorage capacity refers to how much data an external hard drive can hold. It's usually measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). The right choice depends on your files: for documents and basic photos, lower capacities (like 500GB to 1TB) work well, while spaces like 2TB or more are better for large photo, video, music collections, or backups. Think ahead about future needs—if you expect to store more things, a bigger capacity might save you from needing a new drive soon.
Drive Type (HDD vs SSD)External drives come mainly as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) or Solid State Drives (SSDs). HDDs use spinning disks and usually offer more space for less money, making them great for backups and storing lots of files. SSDs store information without moving parts, so they're faster, quieter, lighter, and more resistant to drops, but tend to cost more. If you want speed and portability, an SSD is a good fit. If you mostly need lots of space for backups, an HDD is often enough.
Data Transfer SpeedTransfer speed describes how quickly files can move between your computer and the drive. This is mainly affected by the drive type (SSDs are faster) and the connection (like USB 3.0, 3.1, or Thunderbolt). If you're regularly moving large files or using the drive for editing directly, higher speeds (using SSDs and fast ports like Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 Gen 2) will make tasks quicker. For backups or smaller files, lower speeds are usually fine.
Portability and DurabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to carry the drive around. Slimmer, smaller drives are easier to travel with, while desktop-style drives are bigger and meant to stay put. Durability is about how well the drive can handle bumps, drops, or moisture. If you'll often travel or use the drive outdoors, choose a compact, rugged model, perhaps with a shock-resistant or water-resistant design. For staying at home or the office, regular drives are usually adequate.
ConnectivityConnectivity means the kind of cable or port the drive uses to connect to your device, like USB-A, USB-C, or Thunderbolt. The port affects both compatibility (will it fit your device?) and speed. Some drives come with multiple cables or adapters, which is handy if you plan to use it with different computers. When choosing, think about the ports available on your laptop or desktop and try to pick a drive that matches or can easily be adapted.

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