External Hard Drives
Kingston 2TB XS1000R USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD (Red)
- 2TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1050 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 1000 MB/s Write Speed
WD 4TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Apricorn 256GB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 Hardware-Encrypted Solid State Drive
- 256GB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
- 256-bit AES-XTS Hardware Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption
TEAMGROUP 1TB T-Create Expert P34F Find My USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- Integrates with Find My for Tracking
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 1000 MB/s
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 Micro-B Interface
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Standard
Seagate 1TB One Touch USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD (Black Woven Fabric)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 1030 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Lexar 1TB SL500 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Fortress FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Samsung 1TB T9 Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Port (20 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Sequential Read Speed: 2000 MB/s
Istorage 512GB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Black)
- 512GB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
ProGrade Digital 1TB PG30 Ultra Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Read & Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speeds of 300 MB/s
Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Blue)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Rocstor 1TB Rocsecure EX32 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Secure Token Key Authentication
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 | Mini-USB
- AES 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
ProGrade Digital 1TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 MB/s
Transcend 2TB ESD300 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD (Sky Blue)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 950 MB/s
WD 2TB My Passport SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable SSD (Red)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Glyph Technologies 1TB Atom Pro NVMe Thunderbolt 3 SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3
- Up to 2800 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 2600 MB/s Write Speed
Apricorn 4TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 4TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Oyen Digital 8TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 230 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
OWC 1TB Envoy Pro FX External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 & USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 2800 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 2TB Blackbox Plus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 560 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Rocstor 10TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 10TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
OWC 1TB Express 1M2 80G USB4 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SecureData 4TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
Istorage 1TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Apricorn 1TB Aegis Fortress USB 3.2 Gen 1 SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Integrated USB-A Cable
- Up to 350 MB/s Data Transfer Rate
- 8MB Buffer Size
Apricorn 8TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
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.