Glyph Technologies 8TB Atom Pro NVMe Thunderbolt 3 SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3
- Up to 2800 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 2600 MB/s Write Speed
WD 2TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.0 Interface
- Includes Micro-USB to USB Type-A Cable
- Preformatted for Windows
SanDisk 1TB Creator Phone USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 950 MB/s
WD 5TB My Passport Ultra USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive for Mac (Silver)
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Type-C Interface (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
SanDisk 2TB Creator Series Pro USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2
- Read and Write Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
WD 26TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 26TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AC Powered
- USB 2.0 Compatible
Lexar 512GB SL200 Portable USB 3.1 Type-C External SSD
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Type-C Interface
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
- Up to 550 MB/s Read Speed
WD 4TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Sky)
- 4TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Bus-Powered, No External Power Required
WD 4TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.1 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Midnight Blue)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
WD 14TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 14TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 3800 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 3700 MB/s
Lexar 4TB ARMOR 700 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD (2-Pack)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Up to 2000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO USB4 Portable SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 3800 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 3700 MB/s
Transcend 250GB ESD270C Portable SSD
- 250GB Capacity
- Read Speed up to 520 MB/s
- Write Speed up to 460 MB/s
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
Toshiba 1TB Canvio Advance USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive (Black)
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- NTFS Preformatted
Patriot 512GB Transporter Lite USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
WD 2TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
WD 2TB My Passport Ultra USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive (Silver)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Type-C Interface (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
PNY 1TB Pro Elite V2 USB Type-C Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connectivity
- Up to 1100 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
WD 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 18TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AC Powered
- USB 2.0 Compatible
WD 18TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 18TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
OWC 2TB Express 1M2 USB4 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- OWC Aura Ultra IV PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 3836 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
LaCie 10TB 1big Dock
- 10TB IronWolf Pro 7200 rpm SATA 3.5" HDD
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 | 1 x USB-A 3.0
- DisplayPort 1.4 Output for 8K Displays
- SDXC and Compact Flash Card Slots
OWC 8TB Express 1M2 USB4 External SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- OWC Aura Ultra IV PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 3836 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
CORSAIR 1TB EX300U USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read and Write Speeds up to 1100 MB/s
- Bus Powered, Plug-and-Play
Samsung 1TB T7 Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Titan Gray)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Silicon Power 4TB Bolt B75 Pro External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 520 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 420 MB/s Write Speeds
WD 14TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 14TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AC Powered
- USB 2.0 Compatible
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.


