Best External Hard Drives Updated May 2025

Join the millions that have trusted BuyersGuide.org to help them make smarter buying decisions. Let our independent expert reviews and data-driven shopping recommendations help you find the one that's right for you.

Best External Hard Drives
2025 Buyer's GuideUpdated May 2025
Sort by:

10.0

1

10.0

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
Picked by 1131 people this week!
Picked by 1131 people this week!

10.0

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

9.8

2

9.8

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
Compare

9.8

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

Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - Western Digit...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 4TB - 20TB
Transfer Rate: 168 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox
Compare
Compare

9.6

3
Western Digital 8TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0 external hard drive for plug-and-play storage - Western Digit...
Type: External HDD
Storage Capacity: 4TB - 20TB
Transfer Rate: 168 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB 3.0 & 2.0
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox

9.5

4

9.5

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

9.5

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

9.3

5

9.3

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

9.3

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

9.1

6

9.1

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

9.1

6
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

9.0

7

9.0

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

9.0

7
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

8.9

8

8.9

Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, St...
Type: External SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1 & 2TB
Transfer Rate: 1000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Android
Compare
Compare

8.9

8
Samsung T7 Portable SSD, 2TB External Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 1,050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Reliable Storage for Gaming, St...
Type: External SSD
Storage Capacity: 500GB, 1 & 2TB
Transfer Rate: 1000 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C 3.2
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, Android

8.8

9

8.8

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

8.8

9
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

8.6

10

8.6

NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router: Portable Hard Drive SD Card Reader & Mini WiFi Range Extender for Travel | Wireless Access Ex...
Type: Card reader
Storage Capacity: N/A
Transfer Rate: 1300 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB, SD card
Compatibility: Windows, most smartphones
Compare
Compare

8.6

10
NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router: Portable Hard Drive SD Card Reader & Mini WiFi Range Extender for Travel | Wireless Access Ex...
Type: Card reader
Storage Capacity: N/A
Transfer Rate: 1300 MB/s
Hardware Interface: USB-C, USB, SD card
Compatibility: Windows, most smartphones
Compare
We also considered 10 others:

Our Top Choice

10.0

1

10.0

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
Picked by 1131 people this week!
Picked by 1131 people this week!

10.0

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 Features

Hardware Interface
Best Hard Drive
1. Seagate Portable External Hard Drive
SEAGATE Preview SEAGATE Preview
SEAGATE
at Amazon
2. Samsung Portable External Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
Premium Pick
3. Western Digital Elements Desktop Hard Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
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. Toshiba Canvio Basics External Hard Drive
TOSHIBA Preview TOSHIBA Preview
TOSHIBA
at Amazon
7. WD 5 TB Portable External HDD Drive
WESTERN DIGITAL Preview WESTERN DIGITAL Preview
WESTERN DIGITAL
at Amazon
8. Samsung T7 Portable SSD Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Preview SAMSUNG Preview
SAMSUNG
at Amazon
9. Toshiba Canvio Basics External Storage Hard Drive
TOSHIBA Preview TOSHIBA Preview
TOSHIBA
at Amazon
Popular
10. NewQ Filehub AC750 Travel Router & Card Reader
NEWQ Preview NEWQ Preview
NEWQ
at Amazon
Deal
Save 13% Save 6% Save 8% Save 5% Save 5%
Deal Save 13% Save 6% Save 8% Save 5% Save 5%
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external SSD External HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External SSD Portable External SSD Card reader
Type
Portable external HDD Portable external SSD External HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD Portable external HDD External SSD Portable External SSD Card reader
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 4TB - 20TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB N/A
Storage Capacity
1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 4TB - 20TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 1, 2, & 4TB 1, 2, 4, & 5TB 500GB, 1 & 2TB 1, 2, & 4TB N/A
Transfer Rate
120 MB/s 1050 MB/s 168 MB/s 120 MB/s 109 MB/s 5 GB/s 95 MB/s 1000 MB/s 5 GB/s 1300 MB/s
Transfer Rate
120 MB/s 1050 MB/s 168 MB/s 120 MB/s 109 MB/s 5 GB/s 95 MB/s 1000 MB/s 5 GB/s 1300 MB/s
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 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-C 3.2 USB 3.0 USB-C, USB, SD card
Hardware Interface
USB 3.0 & 2.0 USB-C 3.2 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-C 3.2 USB 3.0 USB-C, USB, SD card
Compatibility
Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, Android Windows, Mac Windows, most smartphones
Compatibility
Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox Windows, Mac Windows, Mac Windows, Mac, PS4, Xbox Windows, Mac, Android Windows, Mac Windows, most smartphones