Best External Backup Drives Updated February 2026

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Best External Backup Drives
2026 Buyer's GuideUpdated February 2026
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1

10.0

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

10.0

1
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
2

9.8

WD 5TB 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: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

9.8

2
WD 5TB 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: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
3

9.3

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
Compare

9.3

3
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
4

9.1

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

9.1

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
5

9.0

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

9.0

5
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
6

8.9

Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , ...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 20 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox
Compare

8.9

6
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, PlayStation, & Xbox, 1-Year Rescue Service (STGX1000400) , ...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 20 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox
7

8.7

Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PlayStation - 1-Year Rescue Service (SRD0NF1)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

8.7

7
Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Xbox, & PlayStation - 1-Year Rescue Service (SRD0NF1)
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, & 5TB
Transfer Rate: 120 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
8

8.6

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

8.6

8
MFi Certified 256GB Flash Drive for iPhone iPad, Photo Stick for External Memory Storage, Easily Back Up and Save Photos Videos...
Type: USB flash drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: 20 MB/s
Hardware Interface: Lightning
Compatibility: Mac
9

8.5

Aiolo Innovation 1TB External Hard Drive Ultra Slim Portable HDD-USB 3.0 USB-C for PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one,Xbox 360
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 250GB - 5TB
Transfer Rate: 10 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox
Compare

8.5

9
Aiolo Innovation 1TB External Hard Drive Ultra Slim Portable HDD-USB 3.0 USB-C for PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one,Xbox 360
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 250GB - 5TB
Transfer Rate: 10 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox
Compare
10

7.9

Western Digital 6TB Elements Desktop USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0060HBK-NESN
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 6TB - 22TB
Transfer Rate: 175 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)
Compare

7.9

10
Western Digital 6TB Elements Desktop USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0060HBK-NESN
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 6TB - 22TB
Transfer Rate: 175 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)

Our Top Choice

1

10.0

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

10.0

1
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

Compare Features

Hardware Interface
Best External Backup Drive
1. Western Digital Elements Portable Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
2. Western Digital My Passport Ultra Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
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. Western Digital My Passport Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
6. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
7. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
Best Value
8. Sudeho Stick Flash Drive
SUDEHO Preview SUDEHO Preview
SUDEHO
at Amazon
9. Aiolo Innovation External Hard Drive
AIOLO INNOVATION Preview AIOLO INNOVATION Preview
AIOLO INNOVATION
at Amazon
Premium Pick
10. Western Digital Elements Desktop External Hard
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
Deal
Save 11% Save 33%
Deal Save 11% Save 33%
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive External HDD Portable external SSD
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive External HDD Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 250GB - 5TB 6TB - 22TB
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 250GB - 5TB 6TB - 22TB
Transfer Rate
5 GB/s 130 MB/s 120 MB/s 120 MB/s 109 MB/s 20 GB/s 120 MB/s 20 MB/s 10 GB/s 175 MB/s
Transfer Rate
5 GB/s 130 MB/s 120 MB/s 120 MB/s 109 MB/s 20 GB/s 120 MB/s 20 MB/s 10 GB/s 175 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 Lightning USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 Lightning USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac (with reformat)
Compatibility
Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac (with reformat)