External Hard Drives
Transcend 2TB ESD310 Portable USB-C/A SSD (Metallic Silver)
- 2TB 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
Glyph Technologies 2TB Atom EX20 High Intensity NVMe SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Up to 2100 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 2100 MB/s Write Speeds
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
Apricorn 1TB Aegis NVX USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Integrated USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Cable
- Up to 1000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Rocstor 5TB DataSecure EX20 Encrypted USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable HDD
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SecureData 5TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
Patriot 4TB Transporter Lite USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 4TB 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
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
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
Istorage 5TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive (Red)
- 5TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 5TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive (Green)
- 5TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 5TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive (Blue)
- 5TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 5TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Fiery Red)
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 5TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Racing Green)
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 5TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Ocean Blue)
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 5TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Phantom Black)
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 4TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 4TB diskAshur PRO2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
SecureData SecureDrive KP 1TB Encrypted SSD with Keypad Authentication
- 1TB SSD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
LaCie 8TB Rugged RAID Shuttle USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Thunderbolt 3 Compatible
- Up to 250 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
Rocstor 12TB Rocpro D90 USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 12TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
SecureData SecureDrive BT 1TB Encrypted SSD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 1TB SSD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
CORSAIR 4TB EX400U Survivor USB4 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 (USB-C) Interface
- Read Speeds up to 4000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 3600 MB/s
Istorage 8TB diskAshur DT2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Desktop HDD (FIPS 140-2 Level 2)
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Interface
- Read/Write Speeds up to 225/223 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Beige)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Oyen Digital MiniPro RAID V4 10TB 2-Bay USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Portable Hard Drive & RAID Array (2 x 5TB)
- 2 x 5TB 5400 rpm 2.5" HDDs
- 2 x 2.5" SATA III Drive Bays
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- RAID 0, 1 & JBOD
SecureData 1TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
LaCie 8TB 1big Dock
- 8TB 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
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.