Introducing a new era of data storage and security with the best external hard drives on the market. In a digital landscape that’s constantly evolving, having a reliable and high-capacity external hard drive is no longer just a convenience – it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a creative professional dealing with large multimedia files, a student managing a trove of academic resources, or simply someone who values the safety of their cherished memories, these external hard drives are your gateway to seamless storage, effortless backups, and peace of mind.
Every PC user must have wished at least once in their life that his computer has infinite storage. We can only hope that will never going to be accomplished. But returning to the real world, PCs usually come with internal storage ranging from 256 GB to 512 GB and 1 TB in rare cases when big brands want to create stiff competition in the market. I hope you will get the best external hard drives from these lists.
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Best External Hard Drives Reddit For You In 2022
Hence this is not the case, but what’s important is having the best external hard drives at par to solve your storage problem. Hard drives are like a bank account where you can place all your photos, files, apps, videos, and whatnot. What if you run out of that space or your PC’s CPU is unable to put that pace due to full storage? Your PC will start lagging, and this is the thing you don’t want while working on your PC.
There could be N number of reasons for your hard disk drive to get fully stacked with different files. To save you from running out of space from your hard drives, we have prepared a list of the best external hard drives for you. Let’s see how this list will help you choose the best external hard drives on Reddit.
1. SAMSUNG T5 Portable SSD 1TB
First on the list is the SAMSUNG T5 portable SSD which comes with 1 TB space and is ideal for transferring heavy-sized files, games, and software. If your PC is a working station and you deal in extensive data, this external; the hard drive is definitely the best option for you.
It reads your data with super-fast speed as it is supported with V-NAND, which offers ultra-fast data transfer speed with 540MB s 9around 4.9* faster than other external SSDs). This hard drive is made up of shock-resistant metal, and you carry it easily wherever you want to.
It is highly secured with AES 256-Bit hardware encryption and optimal password protection for the security of your data. Include USB Type-C to C and USB Type-C to A cables, which can be connected to different devices easily.
Features
- Superfast read-write speeds
- Compact and portable design
- Secured encryption
- Seamless connectivity
Pros
- USB Type-C to C and USB type-C to A
- Easy to handle
Cons
- None
2. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
You cannot refuse this external hard drive because it comes with 2TB space storage at an affordable price range. It offers a USB 3.0 socket which means you can connect it seamlessly with PC, MAC, PlayStation, and Xbox. For easy and superfast reading, your data company has infused this hard drive with 120 Mbps.
With 2 Tb at par, you can store large-size data files without any storage problems. Convenient enough to play and transfer 4k videos and movies without any suffering. It also comes in different storage disks ranging from 1TB to 5 TB.
In this hard disk drive, you can easily restore your files by simply dragging the file from the external hard drive to drop in Internal storage. Even though it is easy to set up, you need to connect a portable hard drive to your device. It automatically recognizes without the need for any software.
Features
- Compatible with PS4, PC, MAC, gaming console
- It comes with 3.5 inches hard disk form factor
- Read speed of 120 Mbps
Pros
- 1-year rescue service
- Specifically made up for business and personal use
- dimensions are 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
- Easy to carry
Cons
- None
3. WD 5TB External Hard Drive
This durable and reliable hard disk drive from WD comes with 256-bit AES hardware encryption supporting MY password protection to save your files from frenemies. By the way, you would be amazed to know that it is a 5 TB hard disk favorable for those whose workstation is on their PCs.
Another booming feature is its backup software which can be set to run automatically to your schedule. Other features which you would love to encounter are a superspeed USB port with 5Gigabyte per second, USB 2.0, and USB 3.0 compatible with MAC, PC, gaming console, and.PS4.
WD 5 TB HDD is beneficial to those who work in multimedia culture, business purposes, and personal work alike. Even if you ever face any issues related to your hard drive disk company ensures you with three years limited warranty period. Its slim design makes it lightweight, around 7.4 ounces, with 4.22 x 2.95 x 0.75 inches.
Features
- USB 2.0, USB 3.0
- compatible with MAC, PC, gaming console, and.PS4.
- Superspeed USB port with 5Gigabyte per second
- WD comes with 256-bit AES hardware encryption support.
Pros
- Slim design
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
4. Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB
Next on the list is a 2TB external hard drive from Toshiba. It is preferred by multimedia, personal, and business users to back up and store high-sized data. The best use one can have is cross-device compatibility, where not only can you connect this hard drive to a PC or MAC, but too to iPad and Android tablets for easy transfer of data and other related files, respectively.
It is simply elegant in design with a sleek, satin silver finish, and its lightweight design will complement your style statement. With USB-C and USB-A cable portability, you have the flexibility to easily connect to either old or new devices without the need for a USB adapter, hence providing you with a versatile storage system. Again it also supports USB-C ready and USB 3.0 compatible.
Features
- Cross-device compatibility
- Versatile storage
- Simple elegance
Pros
- USB-C ready and USB 3.0 compatible.
- USB-C and USB-A cable
- Available in 4 TB also
Cons
- None
5. WD 10TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive
This 10 TB hard drive from WD is nothing but a giant vault of storage. Its biggest flex is its sleek design with a high capacity of storage ideal for easy, add-on storage of your important photos, music, videos, and files. Optimal for business purposes and personal use.
When our PC’s internal drive is fully occupied, we delete those files or apps that are least important to us. Hence our space gets free, but still, it feels agony while deleting. When using a WD 10TB hard drive, you can transfer your files to this hard disk letting your device work flexibly.
It has a plug-in and plays without letting you download any software installation to make this hard drive work. These hard disk drives are formatted for NFTS, compatible with Windows 10+, and can be reformatted for Mac. USB 3.0 offers fast data transfer rates, and USB 2.0 is also there to support you.
Features
- Add-on storage with high capacity
- Faster data transferring rate
- Plug-in-and-play simplicity
- Hard disk form factor 3.5 inches
Pros
- USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatibility
- Formatted for Windows 10+
- It also comes in a 20TB size
- Compatible with PC, PS4, Mac, and Xbox
Cons
- None
6. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB
Toshiba’s Canvio series is one of the prominent series in building hard disk drives for PCs. Although known by a tiny audience in the market the best in functions and features at an affordable price. A 4 TB-sized hard disk drive is also available. Its hard disk form factor is 5 inches and hosts for personal use, gamers, and business purpose.
With a sleek profile design and matte, smudge-resistant finish, it will be a sight of attraction for users. It is home to features like plug-ins and plays; direct data transfer without the need to install any software.
Toshiba has made this hard drive formatted NTFS for Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, and reformatting for Mac OS v10.12/ OS X v10.11 and v10.10. USB 2.0 is compatible with no external AC power cord and supports USB 3.0 ports for speedy data transfer.
One should go for this external hard disk drive, especially for gamers who love to play massive size games with heavy graphics. Therefore, they need a lot of storage back in their PC. Not only favorable to gamers but from the business point of view, considering the space required for your files and other related data, one should seek SSD.
Features
- Sleek design
- Plug-in and play
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports for speedy data transfer
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can take everywhere
- Massive storage
Cons
- Lacks cross-device compatibility
7. Seagate Portable 5TB External Hard Drive
Comes in various sizes like 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, and 5TB maximum available sizes. One of the important factors when choosing a hard disk is always seeing its data reading speed; by the way, this SSDs data reading speed is 120 megabytes per second which are good for a 5TB hard drive.
It works efficiently with Windows and Mac computers and easily creates a backup just by dragging and drop of any file or application which you want to remove or vice versa. To set up your hard drive, you need to connect the portable hard drive to your computer for automatic recognition but to help it, you will need software.
Also, to make your work easier and save your precious time while working, it is supported with plug-in and play and an 18-inch USB 3.0 cable. These two features have different benefits for you; 1. Plug-in and play simplicity, where you can directly connect your hard drive to a computer with the help of a USB drive for sharing and receiving data. 2. USB 3.0 cable supports a faster data transfer rate, saving you time.
Features
- Compatible with PS4, PC, MAC, gaming console
- It comes with 3.5 inches hard disk form factor
- Read speed of 120 Mbps
Pros
- 1-year rescue service
- Specifically made up for business and personal use
- dimensions are 4.6 x 3.15 x 0.58 inches
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Not so lightweight
8. LaCie Mini 2TB external hard drive
With a capacity of up to 5TB, this insane external hard drive from LaCie is a small but mighty USB 3.0 portable hard drive. It is just a perfect fit for those who are busy creatives, offering premium protection for photos, footage, and more while working either on a PC or your Mac.
Its build quality is fierce, has the power to withhold the pressure of a 1-ton car with ease, and still works efficiently. Do not worry when it can withhold the pressure of 1 ton. It can also save your data when you drop it from 4 feet above or more. Not only drop-resistant, but it is also shock-resistant.
Well, it is rain and dust-proof too, which helps to save your precious files and all from the incessant rain. While reading and transferring your data with a speed of 130 Mbps will help you to complete your task as fast as you want. This hard drive is protected with password protection so that no one accesses your personal details without your permission.
Features
- Shocks, drop, dust, and rainproof.
- USB 3.0, 4 times faster than USB 2.0 but is also USB 2.0 compatible
- Fast transfer speeds with 130Mb/s
Pros
- Lightweight
- Insane build quality
- It comes with pouch protection
Cons
- Require reformatting to run in Mac
9. LaCie Mini 5TB External Hard Drive
With an extra capacity of 5TB in the pocket, this external hard disk drive from LaCie is fashioned for business and personal users. It comes with a USB 3.0 portable hard drive for a faster rate of data transfer at ease. Quickly and easily enhance the connectivity with PC and Mac devices with Rugged’s reversible USB-C cable, and for otherwise purposes, USB 3.0 adapter is also there in the packet.
Being made of the best building material, it is dust, rain, shock, and drop resistant. Even you can savor the fast USB-C 130Mb/s speed for better and quick transfer speed and help in backup and image browsing. Its hard disk form factor is 2.5 inches.
While reading and transferring your data with a speed of 130 Mbps will help you to complete your task as fast as you want. This hard drive is protected with password protection so that no one accesses your personal details without your permission.
Features
- Shocks, drops, dust, and rainproof.
- USB 3.0, is 4 times faster than USB 2.0 but is also USB 2.0 compatible
- Fast transfer speeds with 130Mb/s
Pros
- Lightweight
- Insane build quality
- It comes with pouch protection
Cons
- Require reformatting to run in Mac
10. Toshiba Canvio Basics 4TB External Hard drive
Toshiba’s Canvio series has different variants of storage devices ranging from 1TB to 4 TB. And this we present you a 4TB hard drive with loads of capacity backed by Toshiba. It is a powerful hard drive disk that offers premium performance. Its hard disk form factor is 5 inches and hosts for personal use, gamers, and business purpose.
With a sleek profile design and matte, smudge-resistant finish, it will be a sight of attraction for users. It is home to features like plug-ins and plays; direct data transfer without the need to install any software.
Toshiba has made this hard drive formatted NTFS for Microsoft Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, and reformatting for Mac OS v10.12/ OS X v10.11 and v10.10. USB 2.0 is compatible with no external AC power cord needed and also supports USB 3.0 ports for speedy data transfer.
One should go for this external hard disk drive, especially for gamers who love to play massive size games with heavy graphics. Therefore, they need a lot of storage back in their PC. Not only favorable to gamers but from a business point of view, considering the space required for your files and other related data, one should handpick this versatile storage device.
Features
- Sleek design
- Plug-in and play
- USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports for speedy data transfer
Pros
- Easy to use
- Can take everywhere
- Massive storage
Cons
- Lacks cross-device compatibility
Just as the best external hard drives prioritize data security, a feature-rich motherboard can contribute to an added layer of protection. Many modern motherboards come equipped with advanced security features, including secure boot options, hardware-level encryption, and secure storage interfaces. These features work in tandem with your external hard drive’s encryption capabilities, ensuring that your data remains confidential and secure from potential threats.
In conclusion, the dynamic synergy between the best motherboards and top external hard drives is a testament to the interconnected nature of modern computing. As you explore the realms of storage expansion, backup solutions, and data management, don’t overlook the vital role that your motherboard plays in optimizing your overall computing experience.
FAQ’s
1. What is an external hard drive, and why do I need one?
An external hard drive is a portable storage device that connects to your computer via USB, Thunderbolt, or other interfaces. It provides additional storage space outside of your computer’s internal storage, allowing you to store files, documents, photos, videos, and more. External hard drives are essential for expanding your storage capacity, creating backups, and keeping your data safe in case of computer failure.
2. What’s the difference between HDD and SSD external hard drives?
HDD (Hard Disk Drive) external hard drives use spinning disks to store data, while SSD (Solid State Drive) external hard drives use flash memory. SSDs are faster, more durable, and more energy-efficient compared to HDDs. They offer quicker data access and transfer speeds, making them ideal for tasks like video editing or gaming. HDDs tend to be more affordable and offer larger storage capacities.
3. How do I choose the right external hard drive for my needs?
Consider factors such as storage capacity, performance, portability, and budget. Determine whether you need more storage space or faster data access. SSDs are great for speed, while HDDs offer cost-effective storage for larger files. Also, check compatibility with your computer’s ports and operating system.
4. Can I use an external hard drive with both Windows and Mac computers?
Yes, but you might need to format the external hard drive to be compatible with both operating systems. Windows typically uses NTFS, while macOS uses HFS+ or APFS. Formatting the drive to exFAT allows it to be read and written on both Windows and Mac systems without limitations.
5. Are there any security features on external hard drives?
Many external hard drives offer encryption features to protect your data. Some have built-in hardware encryption, while others provide software options. Using encryption ensures that even if your external hard drive is lost or stolen, your data remains secure.
6. How do I back up my data using an external hard drive?
You can manually copy and paste files onto the external hard drive, but it’s more efficient to use backup software. Many external hard drives come with software that automates the backup process. You can also use built-in backup tools in your operating system, such as Windows Backup and Time Machine on macOS.
7. Can I use an external hard drive to run applications or games?
Yes, you can store applications and games on an external hard drive. However, running them directly from the external drive might result in slower loading times compared to running them from your computer’s internal drive, especially if you’re using an HDD.
8. How do I safely disconnect an external hard drive?
Before unplugging the external hard drive, make sure all data transfers are complete. On Windows, use the “Safely Remove Hardware” option in the taskbar. On macOS, click the “Eject” button next to the external drive in Finder. This ensures that no data is being written or read, reducing the risk of data corruption.
9. Can I upgrade the storage capacity of my external hard drive?
Most external hard drives have a fixed storage capacity. If you need more storage, you’ll likely need to purchase a new external drive with a larger capacity. However, some external drives allow you to replace or upgrade the internal drive with the help of a technician.
10. How do I maintain the health and longevity of my external hard drive?
Avoid dropping or exposing the drive to extreme temperatures or moisture. Keep it in a cool, dry place when not in use. Regularly back up your data to prevent loss in case of drive failure. Also, consider defragmenting HDDs periodically to optimize performance, but SSDs don’t require defragmentation.
11. Do these external hard drives suit AMD Ryzen CPUs?
A: Yes, without any doubt, they are not best suited for AMD Ryzen, but they function pretty well with Intel-backed PCs too.
12. Is anything related to the slower running of the PC because of hard drives?
A: No, it is the internal drive of your computer that gets filled with time, making you forcibly run slower than its actual speed rate.
13. How many HDDs can we connect to our PC at a time?
A: Usually, the motherboard comes with 4 to 6 SATA slots so that you can connect 6 (max) HDDs to your computer at a time.
Wrapping Up
Getting the correct hard drive for your PC is essential not for storage purposes only but safety and security-wise also. Sometimes when HDD gets crashed or the PC is infected with the virus, your PC and HDD are under threat, along with your stored and backup files. We’ve listed you with the Best External Hard Drives to get you the right and secured encryption HDD. I hope you must have been through the list. Listed HDDs are trusted and have the best reviews from users.
Kiran Kotte is a 25 years old Youtuber. He is a tech geek and also codes sometimes. He writes on various topics like Technology, Blogging, Web designing, and SEO. He runs various other blogs under various niches.