External Hard Drives
Kingston 960GB IronKey Vault Privacy 80 External SSD
- 960GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Interface
- Max Read Speed: 250 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 250 MB/s
Samsung 2TB T7 Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Titan Gray)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
CORSAIR 2TB EX400U Survivor USB4 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 (USB-C) Interface
- Read Speeds up to 4000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 3600 MB/s
WD 12TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 12TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
TEAMGROUP 4TB T-CREATE CinemaPr P31 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Data Transfer Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
WD 4TB My Passport SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable SSD (Gray)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Apricorn 6TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 6TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Glyph Technologies 2TB Atom EX40 High Intensity USB4 NVMe SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 Interface
- Up to 4000 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 4000 MB/s Write Speeds
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress L3 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 1TB Capacity
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speed
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- Integrated 10-Digit PIN Keypad
ProGrade Digital 2TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 MB/s
Oyen Digital 2TB U35 Bolt+ USB4 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB-C Interface (USB4)
- NVMe PCIe 5.0 x4 | TLC NAND Flash
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
Oyen Digital 4TB Helix Dura USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Portable NVMe SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Transfer Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 SSD
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Host Connection
Oyen Digital 20TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 20TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 270 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
SanDisk 4TB Creator Series USB 3.2 Gen 2 Desk Drive
- 4TB of SSD Storage
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- AC Powered
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Fortress L3 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Capacity
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speed
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- Integrated 10-Digit PIN Keypad
ProGrade Digital 4TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 MB/s
SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD V3
- 4TB Total Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 7.6TB Blackbox Plus USB 3.2 Gen 2 External U.2 SSD
- 7.6TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1000 MB/s Sustained Read Speeds
- Up to 1000 MB/s Sustained Write Speeds
iodyne 4TB Pro Mini Thunderbolt 4 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 4 Interface
- Sustained Data Transfers of 3 GB/s
- XTS AES-256 Encryption
Glyph Technologies 8TB Atom EV USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 1 GB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
TEAMGROUP 16TB T-CREATE EXPERT P32 Desk USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 16TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
TEAMGROUP 512GB T-Create Expert P34F Find My USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- Integrates with Find My for Tracking
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 1000 MB/s
WD 2TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Sky)
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Bus-Powered, No External Power Required
Apricorn 500GB Aegis Padlock Encrypted USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hard Drive with PIN Access
- 500GB Capacity
- USB 3.0 Interface (up to 5 Gb/s)
- 256-bit AES-XTS Hardware Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption
G-DRIVE 1TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 5 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 130 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Silicon Power 1TB PC60 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 540 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 500 MB/s Write Speeds
Transcend 512GB ESD310 Portable USB-C/A SSD (Metallic Silver)
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB-A & USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Connectors
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 950 MB/s
Silicon Power PX10 Plus Gen 2 Portable SSD (1TB, Black)
- Records Apple ProRes 4K at 60p
- 1050 MB/s Data Speeds
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Aluminum Construction
Portable & USB Hard Drives
An external hard disk drive is a standalone storage device that provides additional space for your data. You can use it to backup important files from your computer's internal hard drive and to transfer files between computers. It has a larger storage capacity than other external storage devices, like USB drives and memory cards.
Portable vs. Desktop External Hard Drives
A portable external storage drive is smaller and lighter than a desktop model. It's a compact unit that houses a 2.5-inch hard drive in a protective enclosure. Desktop external hard disks have bigger housings, and usually use larger 3.5-inch hard drives. You can turn the internal hard disk in your old laptop (2.5-inch) or desktop PC (3.5-inch) into an external storage unit with the right hard drive enclosure.
Another difference between desktop and portable external hard drives is their power sources. Portable units are bus-powered. This means that they draw power with the same USB cable used for transferring data. Desktop units have separate AC adapters and draw more power. Hard drive arrays are another class of external storage devices. These have two or more drive bays for 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hard disks. They serve as network-attached servers and support RAID levels that help them prioritize data redundancy, transfer speed, and storage capacity.
What's the Difference Between SSD and HDD?
A USB external hard drive can store files on a solid-state drive or a hard disk drive. While HDDs record data on spinning platters, SSDs use flash memory chips. With no moving parts, SSDs are faster and more durable. They’re also quieter and use less power. However, HDDs are more affordable and available in higher capacities.
Some brands offer SSDs in multiple form factors. For example, you can find 2.5-inch (direct replacement for laptop HDDs), M.2, and PCIe solid state drives in the HP hard drive line. Note that you need a 2.5-inch SSD and a 2.5-inch drive enclosure to build a SATA external hard drive. SATA, or Serial ATA, is a high-speed bus interface for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to computer motherboards. An external SATA (eSATA) drive enclosure connects a SATA HDD or SSD to a computer via USB.
Consider Speed When Selecting External Storage Drives
The overall data transfer speed of an external storage device depends on the speed of the drive used and the speed of the connection between the drive and your computer. Connection interface options for external drives include USB 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1, as well as eSATA and Thunderbolt. USB 3.0 external hard drives are 10 times faster than models with USB 2.0.
Most brands offer hard disks in two drive speeds: 5400 and 7200 rpm. Each type has its merits. For example, if you’re looking for a portable Toshiba hard drive, pick one with a 5400 rpm HDD. It has a lower power draw and is quick enough for everyday use. Pick a model with a 7200 rpm HDD if you regularly transfer large files and need a desktop external drive.
Keep important files safe by regularly backing them up onto an external hard disk. Find the right one, including fast SSD options, in the extensive selection of portable storage devices at B&H Photo and Video.