Are you trying to find external backup drives among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling external backup drives on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 12 hours of research and did 69 external backup drives tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best external backup drives you can buy today
- Slim durable design to help take your important files with you
- Vast capacities up to 6TB[1] to store your photos, videos, music, important documents and more
- Back up smarter with included device management software[2] with defense against ransomware
- Help secure your important files with password protection and hardware encryption
- 3-year limited warranty
- English (Publication Language)
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- Compact design with stylish, textured finish and color options to fit your lifestyle.
- Automatic backup software to easily back up your content (free download, for Windows PC only).
- Password protection software to help prevent unauthorized access to your data (free download, for Windows PC only).
- USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatible.
- Easy-to-use desktop hard drive—simply plug in the power adapter and USB cable.Specific uses: Business, personal.Special feature : Compact. Hard disk description : Mechanical Hard Disk.
- Fast file transfers with USB 3.1
- Drag-and-drop file saving right out of the box
- Automatic recognition of Windows and Mac computers for simple setup (Reformatting required for use with Time Machine)
- Enjoy peace of mind with the included limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services
- English (Publication Language)
- Massive capacity, up to 22TB capacity. (1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- Trusted storage built with WD reliability
- Massive capacity, up to 18TB capacity (1 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Business, personal
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- Ideal for the home, office, or dorm, the Seagate Desktop Drive offers 8TB of enormous desktop storage for photos, movies, music, and more
- An external hard drive for Windows or Mac computers, simply back up with a quick drag and drop
- The perfect laptop hard drive or PC drive, just plug into to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- Includes an 18 inches USB 3.0 cable and 18 watt power adapter
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Compatibility: It is compatible with Microsoft Windows, and provides fast and stable performance for PC, Laptop. No reformat required, just plug it in and play.
- iPhone 16/15 USB C Photo Stick: iPhone USB C flash drive is mainly designed for the iPhone 15 Series and features USB-C and USB 3.0 connectors. Compatible with iPhone 16/15, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, it allows easy data transfer between devices.
- One Click Backup: For iPhone iPad, Requires download of JD Drive app to use. This photo stick lets you back up photos/videos/contacts with one click. Just plug it into your iPhone or iPad to easily transfer and free up storage. No internet or WiFi needed.
- iPhone External Storage: iPhone flash drive offers expanded storage, letting you store and access files, photos, videos directly from the drive, frees up space, providing a cost-effective solution for creators and anyone with extensive media.
- Plug & Play Photo stick for Android PC: This photo stick is Plug & Play for Android PC quick data transfer with no app needed. Connect the usb c photo stick to your phone, it's recognized as external storage, allowing easy file access and management.
- Secure Data & Great iPhone Storage: iPhone memory stick built-in encryption options, providing an added layer of security for your stored data.You can password-protect your files, ensuring that your photos and videos remain private and protected even if the photostick is lost or stolen. All data is physically stored on this iPhone USB stick Not in an App. This provides an added layer of data protection and peace of mind. (Note: once the file is encrypted,it becomes invisible on the Android/PC).
- Compatible Devices: JD Drive app required (except for Android/PC/Mac devices). Available for download from the App Store. iOS 9.0 or Later required. | Android device requires USB-C port & OTG support | Support iPhone 16/15 Series/iPad/Android (USB-C port)
- Note: This iPhone USB drive only has USB-C & USB 3.0 connectors. To use this photo stick with an iPhone that has a Lightning port, you will need a USB-C to Lightning male adapter (Adapter not included).
- PLS Note: "NCHKQ" marked on the iPhone flash drive serves as the batch number for identification purposes. The iPhone Photo storage stick you received may be different, ("NCHKQ" The batch number is not unique) which can help to trace product information.
- Compatible With:Microsoft Windows/ Mac/ PS4/ Xbox One(No need reformat)
- Latest Model:Equipped with USB 3.0 connection, this portable hard drive enables you to backup massive data in seconds, delivering ultra fast transfer speed to improve your PC performance
- Designed for PC and Mac:This external drive is ready to go without extra power supply or software installation needed
- Slim Style Handy Sized Design:11.5 X 8 X 1 cm, light weight hard disk drive protected by sturdy and compact case, comfortably fits your palm
- Package Content:Portable external hard drive, 19-inch USB 3.0 hard drive cable, user’s manual, 3-Year friendly manufacturer warranty. (1MB=1,000,000 bytes, 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. The actual usable storage capacity may be less, 320GB ≈ 298GB)
- Massive capacity, up to 18TB capacity (1 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).date transfer rate:600.0 megabytes_per_second.Operating temperature: 5°C to 35°C, Non-op. temperature: –20°C to 65°C.
- Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
- 2.5" HDD External Hard Drive supports Windows / Mac / Linux / Android. TEYADI external hard drive can be connected with multiple devices like PC, Laptop and MAC. It improves performance by transferring data at lightning speed. Our Portable hard disk's USB 2.0/3.0 version provides read and write speeds up to 10 Gbps .
- The motherboard adopts noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- This external drive is ready to use without external power supply or software installation needed. Ideal extra storage for your computer and game console.
- What You Get - 1 X Portable Hard Drive, 1 X USB3.0 Cable, 1 X User Manual, 3 Years Manufacturer Warranty And Lifetime Technical Support. (If For Any Reason You Are Not Satisfied, Please Contact Us And We Promise To Make It Right For You.)
- Tip: The file system selected when the hard disk is formatted at the factory may not be very compatible with the computer operating system, you can follow the steps in the picture to format it, and then you can use it normally.
- Store and access 1TB of photos and files on the go with Seagate Backup Plus Slim, an external hard drive for Mac and Windows
- This portable external hard drive features a minimalist brushed metal enclosure, and is a stylish USB drive
- Simply plug this external hard drive for Mac and Windows into a computer via the included USB 3.0 cable to back up files with a single click or schedule automatic daily, weekly, or monthly backups. Reformatting may be required for use with Time Machine.
- Edit, manage, and share photos with a one-year complimentary subscription to Mylio Create and a two-month membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
- Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included two-year limited warranty
- Top Quality Micro USB 3.0 Cable A to Micro B Cable.
- Length: 4FT/120CM
- Compatible with most USB 3.0 external portable and desktop hard drives.
- USB 3.0 cables offer a throughput of up to 4.8Gbps when used with a USB 3.0 host and device - an astounding 10x the capability of USB 2.0 (480Mbps)
- Features Premium quality SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Type A to Micro B M/M device cables Double-shielded, twisted-pair data wiring minimizes cross talk for error
- Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) to show off your style and make every play personal.
- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
- Watch & record live Over-the-Air broadcasts from your TV antenna
- Schedule one-time and recurring recordings
- Automatically skip commercials
- Manage your Tablo DVR's settings
- Access live & recorded TV from your Tablo, anytime, and anywhere!
- English (Publication Language)
- Reed, Jack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 208 Pages - 03/26/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- [4-in-1 Total Backup Solution] Scheduled Backup, Cloud Backup, PC Backup (i.e. Image Backup), File & Folder Backup. Available in both CD-ROM and Download (with instructions inside the package)
- Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista and XP
- Backup to your NTI Cloud, OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox accounts.
- Backup entire hard disk in your PC to local, external or network disk drives.
- Create bootable USB pen drive or bootable backup hard disk drive for disaster recovery. Strong Security with 256-bit encryption. And many more features!
- NOTE: Download instructions and Activation Key are available upon purchase. Each software license is a perpetual or permanent license. You pay a one-time fee only, this is not an annual subscription!
- [How-to Demo Videos] Included in the CD
- Designed, sold & supported by Twelve South, a family-owned small business in Charleston, South Carolina
- Helps create an organized workspace by elevating hard drives and other peripherals off your desk
- Adds a space-saving shelf that mounts to the back or front of your iMac or Apple Display. (Not compatible with iMac M1)
- Holds up to 3.5 pounds of hard drives, peripherals – even a MacBook
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Meyers, Mike (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 368 Pages - 11/11/2022 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill (Publisher)
How to choose a good external backup drives
Does the idea of finding a fantastic external backup drives make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in external backup drives. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top external backup drives products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top external backup drives on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top external backup drives brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top external backup drives based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the external backup drives were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good external backup drives, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your external backup drives.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting external backup drives for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our external backup drives. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what external backup drives should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on external backup drives.
