External Hard Drives
Apricorn 22TB Aegis Padlock DT FIPS 140-2 Level 2-Validated External Desktop Drive
- 22TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
TEAMGROUP 8TB T-CREATE EXPERT P32 Desk USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 1700 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 1700 MB/s
Apricorn 24TB Aegis Padlock DT FIPS 140-2 Level 2-Validated External Desktop Drive
- 24TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
OWC 4TB Envoy Pro Elektron USB-C External SSD (Silver)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1011 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
ProGrade Digital 8TB PG10 USB4 External SSD Windows Only
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Read Speeds of up to 2500 MB/s
- Write Speeds of up to 2500 MB/s
Rocstor 32TB Rocpro D90 USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 32TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
Rocstor 28TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 28TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
Rocstor 32TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 32TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
G-DRIVE 24TB G-DRIVE PROJECT Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive
- 24TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x PRO-BLADE SSD Mag Slot
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Read Speeds up to 260 MB/s
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 Hardware-Encrypted Solid State Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
- 256-bit AES-XTS Hardware Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption
Istorage 4TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Red)
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 4TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Green)
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 4TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Blue)
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 4TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Black)
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 4TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Fiery Red)
- 4TB 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 4TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Racing Green)
- 4TB 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 4TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Ocean Blue)
- 4TB 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 4TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Phantom Black)
- 4TB 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 22TB diskAshur DT2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive (FIPS Level 2)
- 22TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certified
- Up to 286 MB/s Read Speed
Istorage 22TB diskAshur DT3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 22TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 22TB diskAshur DT2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive (FIPS Level 3)
- 22TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Certified
- Up to 286 MB/s Read Speed
LaCie 30TB 1big Dock
- 30TB 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
Oyen Digital 30TB Novus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Rugged Desktop Hard Drive
- 30TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 270 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5 Compatible
Oyen Digital 8TB Helix Dura USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Portable NVMe SSD
- 8TB 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 22TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 22TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Istorage 4TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 4TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
G-DRIVE 26TB G-DRIVE PROJECT Thunderbolt 3 External Hard Drive
- 26TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x PRO-BLADE SSD Mag Slot
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Read Speeds up to 260 MB/s
Istorage 24TB diskAshur DT3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 24TB 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.