Best External Drives Updated February 2026

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Best External Drives
2026 Buyer's GuideUpdated February 2026
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1

10.0

WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBHJS0060B...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)

10.0

1
WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBHJS0060B...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)
2

9.7

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

9.7

2
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
3

9.4

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

9.4

3
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
4

9.2

MFi Certified 256GB Flash Drive for iPhone Photo Stick, USB Memory Stick High Speed iPhone Flash Drive, External Memory Storage...
Type: Portable
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: Up to 80 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0, Lightening
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

9.2

4
MFi Certified 256GB Flash Drive for iPhone Photo Stick, USB Memory Stick High Speed iPhone Flash Drive, External Memory Storage...
Type: Portable
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: Up to 80 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0, Lightening
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
5

9.1

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

9.1

5
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
6

9.0

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students ...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 2000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android
Compare

9.0

6
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External Solid State Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 2,000MB/s for Gaming, Students ...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 2000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android
7

8.9

SanDisk 1TB 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: 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare

8.9

7
SanDisk 1TB 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: 1050 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
8

8.8

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

8.8

8
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
9

8.6

WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0160HBK-NESN
Type: External SSD
Storage Capacity: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB
Transfer Rate: 180 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox
Compare

8.6

9
WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 for plug-and-play storage - WDBWLG0160HBK-NESN
Type: External SSD
Storage Capacity: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB
Transfer Rate: 180 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox
10

8.5

Flash Drive for iPhone 256GB, 4 in 1 USB Type C Memory Stick, Photo Stick External Storage Thumb Drive for iPhone iPad Android ...
Type: Thumb drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: 40 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.0
Compatibility: Mac, iPhone, Android

8.5

10
Flash Drive for iPhone 256GB, 4 in 1 USB Type C Memory Stick, Photo Stick External Storage Thumb Drive for iPhone iPad Android ...
Type: Thumb drive
Storage Capacity: 256GB
Transfer Rate: 40 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.0
Compatibility: Mac, iPhone, Android

Our Top Choice

1

10.0

WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBHJS0060B...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)

10.0

1
WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBHJS0060B...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB
Transfer Rate: Up to 5000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac (with reformat)

Compare Features

Hardware Interface
Best External Drive
1. WD Elements Portable External Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
2. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
3. Western Digital My Passport Ultra Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
4. BLANBOK+ Photo Stick
BLANBOK+ Preview BLANBOK+ Preview
BLANBOK+
at Amazon
5. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
Premium Pick
6. SAamsung T9 Portable SSD
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
7. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2
SANDISK Preview SANDISK Preview
SANDISK
at Amazon
8. Seagate Portable Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
9. Western Digital 16TB Elements External Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
Best Value
10. ZARMST Flash Drive for iPhone
ZARMST Preview ZARMST Preview
ZARMST
at Amazon
Deal
Save 33% Save 21%
Deal Save 33% Save 21%
Type
Portable external SSD External HDD Portable external HDD Portable Portable external HDD Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD External SSD Thumb drive
Type
Portable external SSD External HDD Portable external HDD Portable Portable external HDD Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD External SSD Thumb drive
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB 256GB
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, 5, & 6TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 256GB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 500GB, 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB 256GB
Transfer Rate
Up to 5000 MB/s 20 GB/s 130 MB/s Up to 80 MB/s 120 MB/s Up to 2000 MB/s 1050 MB/s 120 MB/s 180 MB/s 40 MB/s
Transfer Rate
Up to 5000 MB/s 20 GB/s 130 MB/s Up to 80 MB/s 120 MB/s Up to 2000 MB/s 1050 MB/s 120 MB/s 180 MB/s 40 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0, Lightening USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.0
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0, Lightening USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2, USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.0
Compatibility
Windows, Mac (with reformat) Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Mac, iPhone, Android
Compatibility
Windows, Mac (with reformat) Windows, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, iOS, Android Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Mac, iPhone, Android