TOP 14 external hard drives 2021 rating, as well as their review and tips for choosing portable HDD models

External hard drive - review and rating. Key features, technical parameters, pros and cons of the best models. Recommendations for choosing portable HDDs.

External HDD - irreplaceable accessory for mobile storage of information arrays and quick access to them at significantly faster speeds than flash drives can offer.

From this article you will learn what parameters to look for when choosing an external HDD, the advantages and disadvantages of popular models.

In addition, this review provides information on which model to prefer.

Rating TOP 14 best external hard drives

PlaceModel
Price
Top 500 GB Models
#1Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 500 GB
#2Western Digital WD Elements Portable 500 GB
#3Toshiba Canvio Ready 500 GB
Top 1000 GB Models
#1Toshiba Canvio Basics (new) 1 TB
#2Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 1TB
#3ADATA HD330 1TB
Best 2000 GB External HDDs
#1Transcend StoreJet 25M3 2TB
#2Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 2 TB
#3Western Digital WD Elements Portable 2 TB
Best 3-4TB External HDDs
#1Seagate Expansion desktop drive 3 TB
#2Seagate Backup Plus Hub 4TB
#3Lacie Mobile Drive 4 TB
Top external HDD 5-6 TB
#1Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive 5 TB
#2Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB

Criteria for choosing an external hard drive

Note! The key parameters that guarantee the reliability, performance and usability of the HDD are as follows:
  • The amount of disk space.
    A characteristic that determines the amount of information stored on the media.
    The amount of disk space is related to the cost of the accessory, the more memory, the more expensive the device.
  • Form Factor
    Most external HDDs are made in a compact 2.5-inch format.
    The 3.5-inch form factor is less common, as a rule, these are large-capacity drives.
  • Guarantee period.
    The main fleet of external HDDs has a two-year warranty period.
    But this does not mean at all that the disk will serve faithfully for a given time.
  • Connection interface.
    All modern models support 3 different versions of Ultra-Speed ​​USB port.
    The hard drive will also work fine with USB 2.0, but at a reduced speed.
  • Spindle speed.
    The portable external hard drives discussed in the review support the 5400 rpm standard.
    The reduced speed has a positive effect on the noise characteristics and energy saving devices.

Top external HDD manufacturers

Today, the production of external hard drives has been established by a number of large companies.

Keep in mind! The best representatives are presented below:
  • SEAGATE.
    Few active PC users are unfamiliar with Barracuda hard drives.
    Models for external connection of this brand are invariably included in the ratings of the best hard drives.
  • WESTERN DIGITAL.
    A cult corporation that also produces portable hard drives.
    External HDD companies are of high quality and a wide range.
  • TOSHIBA.
    The company has been operating since 1938.
    External HDDs of this brand are famous for their reliability, reasonable price and optimal technical parameters.
  • ADATA.
    A memory card manufacturer that also launched the production of hard drives.
    The brand's products are distinguished by reliability and excellent technical characteristics.

Top 500 GB Models

Note! This category combines inexpensive devices with a relatively small amount of disk space.

Despite the low cost of HDD data, protection and software support are implemented at the highest level.

TOP 3 best 500 GB models in terms of price and quality ratio.

Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 500 GB

Although the external hard drive belongs to the entry-level Expansion series, it is a worthy, incredibly compact solution for long-term storage.

The Seagate Portable Drive 500 GB connects to external equipment using a USB 3.0 interface with a maximum speed of 500 Mbps.

The device can work without an additional power source.

At the same time, the model is incredibly economical, it does not require manipulations with settings and firmware. Winchester is operational immediately after connection.

Includes USB 3.0 cable and user manual.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 500 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80 × 14.8 × 117 mm;
  • weight - 170 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • quiet work;
  • lack of heating;
  • high write / read speed;
  • democratic price;
  • reliability.

Flaws

  • easily soiled case;
  • thin plastic housing;
  • short cable to connect.

Western Digital WD Elements Portable 500 GB

The external hard drive was created taking into account the wishes of users who value the highest quality of performance and speed characteristics of storage media.

The Western Digital WD Elements Portable 500 GB device can be used as a replacement for a flash drive, its volume allows you to offload disk space on a computer with a small amount of physical memory.

The device is connected to external equipment via a USB port.

The drive stands out for its high-quality assembly, the body of the device is made of matte plastic. On the working surface, the hard drive is located in a horizontal plane.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 500 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 82? 15? 111 mm;
  • weight - 134 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • affordable price tag;
  • compact dimensions;
  • informative dim indication;
  • does not require pre-formatting.

Flaws

  • average speed of work;
  • short service life;
  • slight vibration during operation.

Toshiba Canvio Ready 500 GB

A feature of an external HDD is extremely high performance with instant access to information data located on the disk.

Excellent data transfer speed is achieved primarily using the USB 3.0 interface.

The user can burn a large number of documents, photos or videos on the Toshiba Canvio Ready 500 GB disk and, if necessary, get quick access to the data.

The presented drive has a stylish modern case, standard form factor, small size and weight.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 500 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80? 15? 119 mm;
  • weight - 166 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • additional protection against impacts;
  • lack of heating;
  • high quality performance;
  • the presence of a light indicator of disk access.

Flaws

  • short USB 3.0 cable;
  • vibration during work;
  • no case included.

Top 1000 GB Models

External HDD with 1 TB of available disk space allows you to work with sufficient amounts of information.

It is worth noting! In addition to capacity, they are distinguished by excellent workmanship and a decent work resource.

Rating of the best external portable drives for 1 terabyte according to customer reviews and ratings.

Toshiba Canvio Basics (new) 1 TB

External will provide the owner with a whole terabyte of free disk space for storing high-definition video, music, games and other files.

The Toshiba Canvio Basics (new) 1 TB HDD model is made in 2.5-inch format, it has a compact size and light weight.

At the same time, the device does not require an external power source, and thanks to USB 3.0 Type-A, an external hard drive allows you to work with data at a maximum speed of this interface of 5 Gb / s.

The hard drive kit includes a USB 3.0 cable, a user manual (installed on the hard drive).

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 1000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 78? 14? 109 mm;
  • weight - 149 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • noiselessness of work;
  • high read and write speed;
  • compact dimensions;
  • excellent volume/cost ratio;
  • quality factory packaging.

Flaws

  • thin plastic housing;
  • lack of rubber feet;
  • vibration at work.

Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 1TB

The top model of the Expansion series is made in a stylish compact black plastic case in accordance with the 2.5-inch form factor.

The reduced spindle speed of this device makes the product not only ultra-economical, but also quite quiet.

The Seagate Portable Drive 1 TB device does not require a separate power supply - it fully works via the USB 3.0 bus.

Plus, the model is additionally equipped with a special energy saving mode. No special software is required to get started.

Includes USB cable and user manual.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 1000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80 × 14.8 × 117 mm;
  • weight - 170 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • fast work;
  • noiselessness;
  • small size and weight;
  • good capacity.

Flaws

  • short and hard USB cable;
  • too bright indication LED;
  • high price.

ADATA HD330 1TB

An external drive with an internal volume of 1 TB is equipped with special silicone elements on the case, which guarantee a high level of protection against various kinds of mechanical influences.

A compact accessory allows you to securely store and get quick access to various information.

The ADATA HD330 1TB model has a high speed of reading and writing data, this is facilitated by a USB 3.1 connection.

Small dimensions and weight, as well as a high degree of protection from external influences, make the device incredibly mobile; the device can be taken to work or on a trip without fear for the safety of information.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 1000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 88.9? 16.2? 132.7 mm;
  • weight - 190 g;
  • warranty - 3 years.

Advantages

  • thoughtful protection against vibration;
  • no noise;
  • presentable appearance;
  • long warranty period.

Flaws

  • very short cord included;
  • easily soiled case;
  • the price tag corresponds to the high quality.

Best 2000 GB External HDDs

Stay up to date! This category has united capacious models that guarantee high speed of transferring large files.

The quality of the construction, software support, design here are made at a decent level.

Transcend StoreJet 25M3 2TB

External in a stylish and practical case made of rubberized plastic boasts shock-absorbing properties, lack of slipping in the hands and on the surface with careful preservation of the contents of the disk.

The Transcend StoreJet 25M3 2TB HDD accessory allows you to safely store all sorts of data up to 1000GB.

The external hard drive in question will greatly offload the disk space of a home or work computer.

Connection to a PC is carried out via USB 3.1 interface. The service life of the device declared by the manufacturer is 1080 days.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 2000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80.8? 16.1? 129.5 mm;
  • weight - 185 g;
  • warranty - 1 year.

Advantages

  • affordable price;
  • nice design;
  • protected rubberized case;
  • compact size, light weight.

Flaws

  • lack of a complete cover;
  • not the most outstanding read / write speed;
  • very hard cable to connect.

Seagate Expansion Portable Drive 2 TB

The company's highest-capacity model features a stylish, rugged 2.5-inch chassis and 2TB capacity, enough to store thousands of hours of video, tens of thousands of music tracks, and hundreds of thousands of digital images.

The use of the USB 3.0 interface in this model made it possible to increase the maximum speed of transmitted information up to 5000 Mbps.

The low spindle speed has made Seagate's Expansion STEA2000400 series incredibly economical.

Users can do without a separate power cable - the device receives a sufficient amount of power through the USB port when connected.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 2000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80 × 14.8 × 117 mm;
  • weight - 170 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • large amount of memory;
  • modern stylish design;
  • high write and read speed;
  • auto sleep without disconnecting from a computer / laptop;
  • wakes up quickly when requested.

Flaws

  • case resistant to scratches;
  • short service life;
  • high price.

Western Digital WD Elements Portable 2 TB

The external HDD is a high-performance hard drive with a large amount of memory, allowing you to store even extensive multimedia libraries.

Delays in writing and reading files allow you to avoid the high speed characteristics of the presented hard drive.

First of all, this is achieved using a USB connection of the third version.

The Western Digital WD Elements Portable 2 TB device operates in silent mode.

Its exterior design is designed in classic black.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 2000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 82 × 21 × 111 mm;
  • weight - 230 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • quiet work;
  • compact dimensions;
  • housing with rubber pads on the bottom;
  • auto-sleep for extended periods of inactivity.

Flaws

  • occasionally not detected when connecting;
  • very short USB cable;
  • Too bright LED indication.

Best 3-4TB External HDDs

If the cost of the models discussed above ranges from 3 to 4.5 thousand rubles, then the giants for 3-4 TB will cost users 5-7 thousand.

Important! The impressive volume and workmanship of premium devices are worth the money.

Seagate Expansion desktop drive 3 TB

This is a kind of limitless ocean of memory, in which you can store an impressive amount of movies, music, photos, games, documents and other files that are demanding on the amount of free disk space.

The Seagate Expansion desktop drive 3TB external drive has 3TB of free space.

With 32 MB of buffer capacity and a USB connection version 3 interface, users get guaranteed fast work with fast loading and unloading of files and programs to disk and external equipment.

The maximum channel speed is 5 Gbps. Outwardly, this HDD is distinguished by a stylish futuristic design in black.

The disk works using additional power (adapter for which is included).

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 3000 GB;
  • size — 3.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 36.6 × 120.6 × 176 mm;
  • weight - 950 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • modern appearance;
  • auto-shutdown at the end of the system;
  • high file transfer speed even via USB 2.0;
  • high quality of the device itself and packaging.

Flaws

  • at the time of accessing the disk, the sound of the heads is heard;
  • does not come out of sleep very quickly;
  • high price tag.

Seagate Backup Plus Hub 4TB

An external HDD with a capacity of 4000 GB will be useful at home, at work, on business trips and travels for storing and quickly accessing information recorded on it.

This model is additionally equipped with a USB 3.0 hub.

This allows you to back up files from any platform and any size very quickly, without a drop in speed.

The monolithic plastic case in this device is non-separable, resistant matte surface eliminates abrasion and scratches.

The Seagate Backup Plus Hub 4TB drive can act as a backup charger for other mobile devices.

Additionally, the manufacturer offers to take advantage of cloud storage space with an available volume of up to 200 GB.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 4000 GB;
  • size — 3.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 41 × 198.1 × 118 mm
  • weight - 1050 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • the presence of a built-in USB hub;
  • huge amount of file storage;
  • stylish design;
  • convenient luminous indicator on the front panel.

Flaws

  • high price;
  • big weight;
  • not too fast when working with files over 2 GB;
  • vertical execution - potentially negatively affects the HDD resource.

Lacie Mobile Drive 4 TB

The model, made in accordance with the 2.5-inch form factor, is a reliable and high-quality portable storage device up to 4 TB.

It is based on a powerful and capacious HDD storage device.

Ultra-Speed ​​USB 3.1 ensures lightning-fast data transfer.

This hard drive comes with a pair of interface cables with USB Type-C and USB output ports, which allows you to seamlessly connect the device to the necessary equipment.

The powerful metal body of the compact size Lacie Mobile Drive 4 TB is made in an elegant design that perfectly matches the high performance and reliability of the device.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 4000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 91.2? 20? 124 mm;
  • weight - 400 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • high build quality;
  • robust aluminum body;
  • high read and write speed;
  • quiet work.

Flaws

  • heavy model;
  • slight heating during operation;
  • no rubber feet.

Top external HDD 5-6 TB

Need to know! Premium models with a huge amount of disk space cannot be called compact and cheap.

But these devices very capacious and fast, fully meeting the needs of the most demanding users.

Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive 5 TB

An external hard drive will be the best purchase for users who need additional storage for large amounts of data.

Five thousand gigabytes allow you to store huge audio and photo collections, large archives of video files.

The Seagate Backup Plus Portable Drive 5TB is protected from dust, moisture, and shock with a durable plastic case stylized as metal.

Quality is guaranteed by user reviews and the brand name - Seagate has long established itself as one of the most reliable manufacturers of storage devices.

The latter confirms the quality and extended warranty period of the device.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 5000 GB;
  • size — 2.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 80 × 20.9 × 115.3 mm;
  • weight - 265 g;
  • warranty - 3 years.

Advantages

  • large amount of memory;
  • high build quality;
  • low noise level;
  • does not require additional power;
  • cute design.

Flaws

  • not the most compact dimensions;
  • activity indicator light is not informative;
  • plastic case.

Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB

External HDD, presented in a stylish black design, has a powerful metal case with plastic inserts in 3.5-inch format.

This hard drive allows you to save up to six terabytes of information, combining all the data available to the user in one place.

The connection of the device to the computer is made via the USB interface of the third version with a throughput reaching an impressive 5 Gb / s.

Although the Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB weighs almost a kilogram, it is quite portable.

For full operation, the device requires additional power. An adapter and a USB cable for this purpose are included in the scope of delivery.

Specifications:

  • HDD capacity - 6000 GB;
  • size — 3.5?;
  • dimensions (W? H? D) - 48 × 165.8 × 135 mm;
  • weight - 950 g;
  • warranty - 2 years.

Advantages

  • impressive capacity of disk space;
  • high data transfer rate;
  • stylish appearance;
  • durable metal case;
  • quality connection cable.

Flaws

  • the power button is located on the rear panel;
  • vibration during operation;
  • impressive price tag.

Reviews

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Conclusion

When choosing an external hard drive, it is important to evaluate Not only its volume but also quality, assembly security and cost.

According to reviews, tests and user reviews, the best HDDs discussed in the article include:

  • high-quality and reliable Toshiba Canvio Ready 500 GB;
  • affordable and fast ADATA HD330 1 TB;
  • compact, stylish Western Digital WD Elements Portable 2 TB;
  • productive and powerful Lacie Mobile Drive 4 TB;
  • super large, fast Western Digital WD Elements Desktop 6 TB.

Useful video

From this video you will learn what to look for and how to choose the right external hard drive:


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