Best External Backup Drives Updated May 2025

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Best External Backup Drives
2025 Buyer's GuideUpdated May 2025
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10.0

1

10.0

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
Compare
Picked by 603 people this week!
Picked by 603 people this week!

10.0

1
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

9.8

2

9.8

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

9.8

2
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

9.7

3

9.7

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
Compare
Compare

9.7

3
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

9.4

4

9.4

Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
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

9.4

4
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive HDD — USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox -1-Year Rescue Service (STGX2000400)
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

9.3

5

9.3

WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0050B...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 95 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
Compare
Compare

9.3

5
WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBU6Y0050B...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 95 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox

9.2

6

9.2

MFi Certified 256GB Flash Drive for iPhone iPad, Photo Stick for External Memory Storage, Easily Back Up and Save Photos, USB M...
Type: USB flash drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: 20 MB/s
Hardware Interface: Lightning
Compatibility: Mac

9.2

6
MFi Certified 256GB Flash Drive for iPhone iPad, Photo Stick for External Memory Storage, Easily Back Up and Save Photos, USB M...
Type: USB flash drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: 20 MB/s
Hardware Interface: Lightning
Compatibility: Mac

8.9

7

8.9

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
Compare
Compare

8.9

7
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

8.8

8

8.8

NEWQ Hard Drive for Phone Computer: 2 TB Photo Stick Portable Storage Device External HDD USB Flash for iPhone & iPad & Android...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2TB
Transfer Rate: Not indicated
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare
Compare

8.8

8
NEWQ Hard Drive for Phone Computer: 2 TB Photo Stick Portable Storage Device External HDD USB Flash for iPhone & iPad & Android...
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 2TB
Transfer Rate: Not indicated
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

8.7

9

8.7

Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB-C USB 3.0, Silver for PC, Mac, & Tablet - HDTX120XSCAA
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 125MB/s - 142MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, tablet
Compare
Compare

8.7

9
Toshiba Canvio Flex 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB-C USB 3.0, Silver for PC, Mac, & Tablet - HDTX120XSCAA
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 125MB/s - 142MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, tablet

8.6

10

8.6

Samsung T7 Shield Portable External Solid State Drive USB 3.2 1TB, IP65 Water Resistant, Compatible with PC/Mac/Android/Gaming ...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox

8.6

10
Samsung T7 Shield Portable External Solid State Drive USB 3.2 1TB, IP65 Water Resistant, Compatible with PC/Mac/Android/Gaming ...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox

Our Top Choice

10.0

1

10.0

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
Compare
Picked by 603 people this week!
Picked by 603 people this week!

10.0

1
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

Compare Features

Hardware Interface
Best External Backup Drive
1. Samsung Portable External Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
Premium Pick
2. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD Hard Drive
SANDISK Preview SANDISK Preview
SANDISK
at Amazon
3. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
4. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
5. WD 5 TB Portable External HDD Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
Best Value
6. Sudeho Stick Flash Drive
SUDEHO Preview SUDEHO Preview
SUDEHO
at Amazon
7. Western Digital My Passport Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
8. NewQ 2TB Portable External HDD
NEWQ Preview NEWQ Preview
NEWQ
at Amazon
9. Toshiba Canvio Flex Portable External Hard Drive
TOSHIBA Preview TOSHIBA Preview
TOSHIBA
at Amazon
10. SAMSUNG T7 Shield Portable External SSD
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
Deal
Save 29% Save 8% Save 13% Save 5% Save 45% Save 35%
Deal Save 29% Save 8% Save 13% Save 5% Save 45% Save 35%
Type
Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD
Type
Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity
500GB, 1 & 2TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB
Storage Capacity
500GB, 1 & 2TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate
1050 MB/s Up to 1050 MB/s 120 MB/s 120 MB/s 95 MB/s 20 MB/s 109 MB/s Not indicated 125MB/s - 142MB/s Up to 1050 MB/s
Transfer Rate
1050 MB/s Up to 1050 MB/s 120 MB/s 120 MB/s 95 MB/s 20 MB/s 109 MB/s Not indicated 125MB/s - 142MB/s Up to 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 Lightning USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0
Hardware Interface
USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 Lightning USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, tablet Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, tablet Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox