Best External Hard Drives

2025 Reviews by NewsCenter24

Navigating the many choices for an external hard drive can be challenging. Our team spends hours doing research on every model, and we summarize that information in clear, precise comparisons. Our top pick is based on the factors that are important to our readers, the most popular external hard drive models, and our data-driven analysis of all the available options.

Here are the 10 External Hard Drives that our team of experts reviewed, with useful information so you can easily compare products to find the one that's right for you.

1
9.9
SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s, USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, IP65 Water and Dust Resistance, Updated Firmware - Ext...
  • Type: Portable external SSD
  • Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB
  • Transfer Rate: Up to 1050 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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2
9.8
Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - Western Digit...
  • Type: External HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 4TB - 20TB
  • Transfer Rate: 168 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
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3
9.6
WD 1TB My Passport, Portable External Hard Drive, Black, backup software with defense against ransomware, and password protecti...
  • Type: Portable external HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
  • Transfer Rate: 109 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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4
9.5
WD 4TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - ‎WDBU6Y0040...
  • Type: External HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
  • Transfer Rate: Up to 5 GB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & USB 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)
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5
9.4
Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PS4, & Xbox - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX5000400), Black
  • Type: Portable external HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
  • Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox
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6
9.2
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 1TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, St...
  • Type: Portable external SSD
  • Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1 & 2TB
  • Transfer Rate: 1050 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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7
9.0
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0/ 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive,...
  • Type: External HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
  • Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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8
8.8
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA
  • Type: Portable external HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
  • Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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9
8.7
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0020B...
  • Type: Portable external HDD
  • Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
  • Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac
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10
8.6
SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, St...
  • Type: External SSD
  • Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1 & 2TB
  • Transfer Rate: 1000 MB/s
  • Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
  • Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Android
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