As much as we try to prevent it, it happens: Our computers crash (knock on wood), and we lose our files. 

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While saving on your computer or cloud is great practice, an external drive promises content protection apart from your computer's integrated system, further limiting lost file risk. 

To find which external hard drive is the best for storing all your content, we selected the best external drives based on type (SSD or HD), storage capacity, ports, and price. 

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Seagate Backup Plus

Best external hard drive overall

Seagate/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Warranty included
• Large storage capacity
• Backup storage software

Cons

• Not much security
• Could be faster

More Details

Seagate Backup Plus tech specs:Capacity:1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TBConnectivity:USBType:Portable HDDHard disk form factor:3.5 inches

Thanks to it's comprehensive performance, storage capability, and sleek design, the Seagate Backup Plus wins our pick for the best external hard drive overall. The device is ultra portable for easy carry, and it offers a straightforward design that works with both Windows and Mac. 

The USB 3.0 drive gives easy access to your files, and you also have the ability to set up automatic backups, whether it is daily, weekly, monthly, or on-demand. 

The minimalist design makes it perfect for tight spaces, and the metal enclosure ensures it's durable enough to survive a few drops here and there. 

As a bonus, with your purchase you'll receive a free two-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, along with a two-year warranty on the device.

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LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt

Best rugged external hard drive

LaCie/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Durable
• Very fast
• USB support

Cons

• Pricey
• Cumbersome set up

More Details

LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt tech specs: Capacity:2TB, 4TB, 5TB, 8TBConnectivity:Thunderbolt, USB-CType:Portable HDD  Hard disk form factor:2.5 inches

As the name suggests, the LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt is the best rugged external hard drive for its tough design -- but it's fast, too. The incorporated Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C offers lightning-fast speeds of up to 130Mbps, giving you high-speed file transfers. 

Of course, the best part about this external hard drive is its durability. The grippy padded case that wraps around the drive's perimeter makes the Thunderbolt drop, water, and dust resistant and gives it that coveted tough, rugged design ideal for travel. 

Speaking of durability, this external hard drive comes with a three-year warranty. You'll also gain access to a free month trial of the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. 

Also: The best rugged laptops

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WD My Book Duo

Best external hard drive for storage

WD/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Tons of options for storage
• USB-3 hub included
• Simple to use

Cons

• Pricey
• Shorter warranty

More Details

WD My Book Duo tech specs:Capacity:4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 12TB, 14TB, 16TB, 18TB, 20TB, 24TB, 28TB, 36TBConnectivity:USBType:Desktop HDDHard disk form factor:3.5 inches

There is no shortage of capacities for the WD My Book Duo. Its storage ranges from 4TB all the way to 36TB, offering the largest capacity of all the best external hard drives. However, you have to pay for all that storage with a higher price tag. 

It uses USB connectivity and offers a hard disk form factor of 3.5 inches, which is larger than other models. As a desktop unit, we also recommend the WD My Book Duo for gaming. 

\If you're worried about protecting your data, this external hard drive can also deliver peace of mind with its 256-bit AES hardware encryption. You'll also have the ability switch to a RAID-1 configuration for data mirroring. 

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WD My Passport

Best budget external hard drive

WD/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Compact design
• 3-year warranty
• AES-256 hardware encryption

Cons

• Unstable
• Must purchase largest version for highest speeds

More Details

WD My Passport tech specs:Capacity:1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TBConnectivity:USBType:Portable HDD Hard disk form factor:2.5 inches

If you're looking for a more budget-conscious hard drive,  the WD My Passport is a "dialed-down" model that doesn't compromise reliable hard drive features. It's compatible with desktops and gaming consoles, making it a versatile pick. It stores a maximum of 5TB, which is enough storage for basic documents and files.

The hard drive form factor is also smaller, measuring 2.5 inches compared to the WD My Book Duo's 3.5 inches. Along with having a more portable size, The My Passport Drive gives you access to automatic backup options using WD Discovery to connect to Google Drive or Dropbox. 

Your files will also be protected by the My Passport built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption. 

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WD Black P10 Game Drive

Best external hard drive for gaming

WD/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Durable
• Super fast
• Easy to grip

Cons

• Dated connection
• No SSD

More Details

WD Black P10 Game Drive tech specs: Capacity:1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TBConnectivity:USB 3.0Type:Portable, Desktop, Gaming Console HDDHard disk form factor:2.5 inches

We recommend the WD Black P10 Game Drive as the best external hard drive for gaming. You get up to 5TB of storage, which can hold up to 125 games, plus USB 3.0 connectivity, albeit with a lower hard disk form factor of 2.5 inches. 

It uses USB Type-A compatibility, coupled with a Micro-B cable and SuperSpeed interface. It's also compatible with certain Xbox and PlayStation systems.

The cable transfers data quickly, with speeds up to 5Gbps. Plus, it comes with a limited, three-year warranty. 

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SanDisk Extreme Portable

Best portable external hard drive

SanDisk/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Water-resistant
• Portable
• Fast performance at a reasonable price

Cons

• Shorter cable
• Open USB-C port

More Details

SanDisk Extreme Portable Tech Specs: Capacity:500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TBConnectivity:BluetoothType:Portable SSDHard disk form factor:2.5 inches  

If you want to take your external hard drive on the go with you, the SanDisk Extreme Portable is your best bet. It boasts a design that is both water-resistant and dust-resistant with a whopping two-meter drop protection for greater peace of mind. It is meant to work with a variety of devices, including your desktop, laptop, tablet, and even smart phone, giving you excellent flexibility.

The NVMe solid state performance means speeds of up to 1050 megabyte-per-second read speeds and up to 1000 megabyte-by-second write speeds. And, with Bluetooth technology, there is integrated password protection for extra security. 

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Samsung T7 Touch

Best external hard drive for security

Samsung/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Fingerprint lock
• Shock-resistant
• 2x faster than previous version

Cons

• Limited capacity
• Security features mean slower speeds

More Details

Samsung T7 Touch Tech Specs:Capacity:500GB, 1TB, 2TBConnectivity:USBType:Portable SSDHard disk form factor:2.5 inches  

The Samsung T7 Touch takes your security seriously, and it shows. Using USB 3.2 connectivity, it uses PCIe NVMe technology to deliver read speeds of 1,050 megabytes per second while the write speeds reach up to 1,000 megabytes per second. 

But the heightened security is what makes it special. It begins with AES 256-bit encryption to keep your information safe with a special fingerprint feature that uses your print to unlock or lock your external hard drive. If you happen to fumble, don't worry. Your data is protected there, too, with 2-meter drop resistance. Use the LED indicator to confirm your external hard drive is at work, so you always know when your data is processing. 

Review: Samsung fingerprint-protected T7 Touch portable SSD

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What is the best external hard drive?

The Seagate Backup Plus combines affordability with a portable design and a high hard disk form factor. This chart can help you see how it compares to the other best external hard drives.

Choose this best external hard drive...	If you...
Seagate Backup Plus	Want the best external hard drive you can buy. It's ultra-portable with a slim design, works with both Windows and Mac computers, and with USB 3.0, you get easy access to files on demand.
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt	This best rugged external hard drive is meant for you to travel with, even amongst life's bumps and bruises. It's drop resistant, dust, and water-proof, and ready to endure and store all your adventures.
WD My Book Duo	Need a lot of storage. This hard-disk drive might be larger than other models, but it'll protect your data with its 256-bit AES hardware encryption.
WD My Passport	Want storage without breaking the bank. At only 2.5 inches, it has a more portable design yet still packs in a 256-bit AES hardware encryption.
WD Black P10 Game Drive	Need something that can cover your games. This best gaming external hard drive was designed to keep up with your Xbox and PS4 given it can hold up to 125 games.
SanDisk Extreme Portable	Want a lightweight, portable external hard drive that won't weigh you down. It's also water and dust-resistant and speeds up to 1050 megabyte-per-second read speeds.
Samsung T7 Touch	Want the best security for your external hard drive. This model incorporates special features like a fingerprint lock option to better secure your data.

Which is the right external hard drive for you?

My recommendations can help you find the best external hard drive for your needs. Here is a look at the unique value each of these external hard drives has to offer: 

Best external hard drive	Cost	Capacity	Type	Hard Disk Form Factor
Seagate Backup Plus	$89	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB	Portable HDD	3.5"
LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt	$184	2TB, 4TB, 5TB, 8TB	Portable HDD	3.5"
WD My Book Duo	$485	4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 12TB, 14TB, 16TB, 18TB, 20TB, 24TB, 28TB, 36TB	Desktop HDD	3.5"
WD My Passport	$50	1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB	Portable HDD	2.5"
WD Black P10 Game Drive	$80	1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB	Desktop / Gaming console HDD	2.5"
SanDisk Extreme Portable	$80	500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB	Portable SSD	2.5"
Samsung T7 Touch	$129	500GB, 1TB, 2TB	Portable SSD	2.5"

How did we choose these best external hard drives?

To find the best external hard drives, we considered type, storage capabilities, ports, and the price. 

• Type:There are two main types of external storage: solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard drives (HDDs). Composed of flash memory, external hard drives tend to run slower than SSDs but they also are the more affordable of the two options.  

• Storage:There is a vastly different amount of storage available from one external hard drive to the next. Before you buy, consider how much storage you need for your files. One or two terabytes is generally the standard for most people, but there are many, many options to choose from. For example, the best external hard drives are available with different capacities for storage, ranging from 500 gigabytes to 36 terabytes. 

• Ports:Most external hard drives allow for USB connections, but some offer USB-C connections for your more modern devices. There are also some external hard drives that allow for Bluetooth connections, such as the SanDisk Extreme Portable hard drive.

• Price:We always keep price at the forefront so you can find something that matches your budget. When you buy an external hard drive, it is easy to spend anywhere from$50 to nearly$500, depending on which best external hard drive you choose. 

Is an SSD better than an internal hard drive?

A solid-state drive (SSD) offers portability in its design, so you can take it on the go with you. In addition, you'll have ample storage options. They're easy to use, and they work with a variety of popular devices.  

More: SSD vs. HDD: WHat's the difference, and which should you buy? 

A desktop drive not only chains you to a specific device, but it also provides a greater amount of memory than SSDs. Furthermore, you'll gain faster transfer speeds and quicker booting, making them perfect for larger data transfers/storage. 

How long do external drives last?

An SSD typically lasts around ten years, which is far more than traditional hard drives, which usually last between three and five years. Most external hard drives come with limited warranties from its manufacturer. 

If durability is a concern, I recommend searching for an external hard drive with a durable body, especially one that's metal constructed. That way, if you travel often and have the occasional whoops, you won't have to worry about replacing it. 

If you do plan to travel often, consider also having a backup device that can go the distance with you.

How much does an external hard drive cost?

While the exact cost can vary, the best external hard drives range from$52 to more than$425 in price. The more storage you need, the more the cost will increase. 

That's why you want to consider your purposes first before buying one. If your intention is to save documents and spreadsheets, you can get away with an inexpensive unit. However, if you're an avid gamer, you'll want an external hard drive with generous storage space. 

Of all options, cloud storage is often the cheapest solution upfront. While you won't have an external HDD, you can save automatically to the provider's server. 

Are there alternative external hard drives worth considering?

I included a diverse selection of hard drives based on storage capacity, price, and purpose. If you need a few more options, here are other top-notch options to consider:

PIN COMBINATION OPTION

iStorage DiskAshur DT2

This external hard drive is the first to offer a pin combination to unlock and use it. When in use, you'll also have AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption for peace of mind protection. 

View at Amazon

COMPACT OPTION

LaCie Mobile Drive

The compact design is capable of holding up to 5TB of data. It's compatible with Windows and Mac devices through USB 3.0 and USB-C. 

View at Amazon

DURABLE ALTERNATIVE

SanDisk Professional G-Drive ArmorATD

This external hard drive provides durability with an anodized aluminum enclosure. It's also IP54 dust-resistant and water-resistant, as well as crush resistant up to 1,000 pounds. 

View at Amazon

For other ideas, check out our expert picks for the best computers, the best all-in-one computers, and the best gaming PCs.

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