Best External Drives Updated August 2025

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Best External Drives
2025 Buyer's GuideUpdated August 2025
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9.9

1

9.9

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
Compare
500+ bought in past month
500+ bought in past month

9.9

1
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

9.7

2

9.7

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

9.7

2
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

9.6

3

9.6

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

9.6

3
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

9.3

4

9.3

Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare
Compare

9.3

4
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB520XK3AA
Type: Portable external HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

9.2

5

9.2

UnionSine 500GB 2.5" Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD-USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one,Xbox 360-HD-2510(Bl...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB
Transfer Rate: 103MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
Compare
Compare

9.2

5
UnionSine 500GB 2.5" Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive HDD-USB 3.0 for PC, Mac, Laptop, PS4, Xbox one,Xbox 360-HD-2510(Bl...
Type: Portable external SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB
Transfer Rate: 103MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
Compare

9.1

6

9.1

LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0/ 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive,...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare
Compare

9.1

6
LaCie Rugged Mini 2TB External Hard Drive Portable HDD - USB 3.0/ 2.0 Compatible, Drop Shock Dust Rain Resistant Shuttle Drive,...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 130 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

9.0

7

9.0

Toshiba Canvio Basics 4TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB540XK3CA
Type: Portable External SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Compare
Compare

9.0

7
Toshiba Canvio Basics 4TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB540XK3CA
Type: Portable External SSD
Storage Capacity: 1, 2, & 4TB
Transfer Rate: 5 GB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac

8.8

8

8.8

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

8.8

8
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

8.7

9

8.7

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
Compare

8.7

9
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

8.6

10

8.6

MFi Certified 128GB Photo Stick for iPhone Flash Drive,USB Memory Stick Thumb Drives High Speed USB Stick External Storage Comp...
Type: USB flash drive
Storage Capacity: 128GB
Transfer Rate: 80 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Compare
Compare

8.6

10
MFi Certified 128GB Photo Stick for iPhone Flash Drive,USB Memory Stick Thumb Drives High Speed USB Stick External Storage Comp...
Type: USB flash drive
Storage Capacity: 128GB
Transfer Rate: 80 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Compare

Our Top Choice

9.9

1

9.9

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
Compare
500+ bought in past month
500+ bought in past month

9.9

1
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 Features

Hardware Interface
Best External Drive
1. Western Digital 16TB Elements External Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
2. Samsung Portable External Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
Premium Pick
3. SAamsung T9 Portable SSD
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
4. Toshiba Canvio Basics External Hard Drive
TOSHIBA Preview TOSHIBA Preview
TOSHIBA
at Amazon
5. UnionSine Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive
UNIONSINE Preview UNIONSINE Preview
UNIONSINE
at Amazon
6. LaCie Rugged Mini External Hard Drive
LACIE Preview LACIE Preview
LACIE
at Amazon
7. Toshiba Canvio Basics External Storage Hard Drive
TOSHIBA Preview TOSHIBA Preview
TOSHIBA
at Amazon
8. WD 5 TB Portable External HDD Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
9. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
Best Value
10. BLANBOK+ 128GB Photo Stick
BLANBOK+ Preview BLANBOK+ Preview
BLANBOK+
at Amazon
Deal
Save 18% Save 32% Save 14%
Deal Save 18% Save 32% Save 14%
Type
External SSD Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD External HDD Portable External SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive
Type
External SSD Portable external SSD Portable external SSD Portable external HDD Portable external SSD External HDD Portable External SSD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD USB flash drive
Storage Capacity
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB 500GB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 128GB
Storage Capacity
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, & 22TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB 500GB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 128GB
Transfer Rate
180 MB/s 1050 MB/s Up to 2000 MB/s 5 GB/s 103MB/s 130 MB/s 5 GB/s 95 MB/s 120 MB/s 80 MB/s
Transfer Rate
180 MB/s 1050 MB/s Up to 2000 MB/s 5 GB/s 103MB/s 130 MB/s 5 GB/s 95 MB/s 120 MB/s 80 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.2 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB USB 3.0 USB 3.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB 3.0
Compatibility
Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Compatibility
Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS5, Xbox, Android Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android