External Hard Drives
Oyen Digital 24TB Novus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Rugged Desktop Hard Drive
- 24TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 270 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Compatible
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
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
Lexar 4TB SL500 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Rocstor 18TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 18TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
Istorage 2TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Red)
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 2TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Green)
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 2TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Blue)
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 2TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Black)
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Fiery Red)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 with Integrated Cable
- Read Speeds up to 362 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 358 MB/s
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Racing Green)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 with Integrated Cable
- Read Speeds up to 362 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 358 MB/s
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Ocean Blue)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 with Integrated Cable
- Read Speeds up to 362 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 358 MB/s
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Phantom Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 with Integrated Cable
- Read Speeds up to 362 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 358 MB/s
Exascend 2TB Nitro USB4 Portable SSD (Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 3100 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 3000 MB/s
Istorage 12TB diskAshur DT2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Desktop HDD (FIPS 140-2 Level 2)
- 12TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Interface
- Read/Write Speeds up to 225/223 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
SecureData SecureDrive KP 2TB Encrypted SSD with Keypad Authentication
- 2TB SSD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Rocstor 20TB Rocpro D90 USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 20TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
OWC 2TB Guardian USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Istorage 2TB diskAshur PRO2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (FIPS 140-2 Level 2)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 294/319 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
SecureData SecureDrive BT 2TB Encrypted SSD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 2TB SSD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Istorage 2TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
G-DRIVE 18TB G-DRIVE Enterprise-Class USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 18TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm Ultrastar Enterprise-Class HDD
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 270 MB/s
SecureData 2TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
G-DRIVE 12TB G-DRIVE PROJECT Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive
- 12TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x PRO-BLADE SSD Mag Slot
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Read Speeds up to 250 MB/s
Rocstor 22TB Rocpro D90 USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 22TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
Rocstor 20TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 20TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
Oyen Digital 24TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 24TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 270 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
Istorage 12TB diskAshur DT3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 12TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
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.