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External Hard Drives Comparison - May 2025
Overview: Are you in the market for an external hard drive? Look no further! Our comprehensive reviews provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and select the best external hard drive for your needs.
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PS4 - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX4000400)
Model
UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 HDD Storage for PC,Mac, Desktop, Laptop, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360-Super Fast Transmission-HD-2510(Black)
Model
Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTCA20XK3AA
Model
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBU6Y0020BBK, Black
Model
Western Digital 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive HDD, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 Compatible, Black - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
Model
Maxone 500GB Portable External Hard Drive, Ultra Slim USB3.0 HDD Storage Compatible for PC, Desktop, Laptop, Charcoal Grey
Here are the top 3 recommended products with more information to help you find the right product for you
9.7
1
Seagate
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PS4 - 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX4000400)
9.9Light weight
9.6Simple to use
9.6Storage space
Main highlights
To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition—no software required
This USB drive provides plug-and-play simplicity with the included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable
Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap—just drag-and-drop!
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9.6
2
UnionSine
UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 HDD Storage for PC,Mac, Desktop, Laptop, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360-Super Fast Transmission-HD-2510(Black)
9.9movability
9.6Simple to use
9.6Light weight
Main highlights
【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
【Upgraded version】 - The mirror logo strip is combined with the striped non-slip design. The rounded corners of the shell are more suitable for holding. The strips play a heat dissipation function to ensure a stable and fast transmission process.
【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - The external Hard Drive is used in conjunction with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports to provide ultra-fast transfer speed. The theoretical read speed is up to 125MB/s, and the write speed is up to 103MB/s.
【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
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9.4
3
Toshiba
Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTCA20XK3AA
9.9movability
9.8Storage space
9.6Light weight
Main highlights
USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible.
Password protection software to help prevent unauthorized access to your data (free download, for Windows PC only).
Compact design with stylish, textured finish and color options to fit your lifestyle.
Automatic backup software to easily back up your content (free download, for Windows PC only).
2-year manufacturer's limited warranty.
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External Hard Drives Buyer's Guide
Written by Leanna Gil
Introduction
External hard drives are portable storage devices that are used to store and back up data. They are an essential accessory for anyone who needs to store or transfer large amounts of data, whether it’s in the form of media files, documents, or software. When choosing an external hard drive, there are a few things to consider, such as capacity, connection type, and data transfer speed. In this buying guide, we will discuss the different types of external hard drives and their features to help you make the right choice.
Types of External Hard Drives
The two most common types of external hard drives available are HDD and SSD. HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is the traditional type of hard drive and is usually cheaper than SSD (Solid State Drive). HDD is better for storing large amounts of data, while SSD is faster and more reliable but more expensive. Both types come in different sizes, from 500GB to 4TB, depending on your storage needs.
Capacity
The capacity of an external hard drive is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Depending on your storage needs, you can find an external hard drive with a capacity that fits your requirements. If you need to store large amounts of data, such as media files, choose a hard drive with a higher capacity.
Connection Type
External hard drives are available in two connection types: USB and Thunderbolt. USB is the most common connection type, and is compatible with most computers and devices. Thunderbolt is faster and more advanced, but requires a Thunderbolt-compatible device. It is also more expensive than USB.
Data Transfer Speed
Data transfer speed is an important factor to consider when choosing an external hard drive. It is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s) and determines how quickly data can be transferred from the hard drive to your computer or device. The higher the data transfer speed, the faster the transfer of data.
Conclusion
Choosing the right external hard drive for your needs can be a daunting task. It is important to consider your storage needs, connection type, and data transfer speed to ensure you get the most out of your purchase. With the information provided in this buying guide, you should now be able to make an informed decision when selecting an external hard drive.
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Features
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Popularity
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Value for money
AI allows us to compare products based on attributes like price, specifications, and user feedback, helping to determine their value for money. This data-driven approach offers an efficient and reliable way to assess how products stack up against one another in terms of cost-effectiveness.
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9.4 
9.7
1Seagate
Written by Leanna Gil
