External Hard Drives
Istorage 30TB diskAshur DT2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive (FIPS Level 3)
- 30TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Certified
- Up to 286 MB/s Read Speed
Apricorn Aegis 4TB Padlock USB 3.0 Solid State Drive
- 4TB Capacity
- Super Speed USB 3.0 Interface
- Up to 300 Mb/s Data Transfer
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Apricorn 4TB Aegis Padlock USB 3.0 Hardware-Encrypted Solid State Drive
- 4TB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s)
- 256-bit AES-XTS Hardware Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated Encryption
Apricorn 4TB Aegis Fortress FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable SSD
- 4TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Rocstor 8TB Rocpro P33 USB-C Portable SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Bus Powered
- Plug-and-Play
Rocstor 8TB Rocpro D90 External SSD
- 8TB Maximum Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
- Lightweight Aluminum Enclosure
Rocstor 8TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD (TAA Compliant)
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
Rocstor 8TB DataSecure EX20 Encrypted USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SecureData SecureDrive KP 8TB Encrypted SSD with Keypad Authentication
- 8TB SSD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Rocstor 8TB Rocsecure EX31 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- Secure Token Key Authentication
- Micro-USB 3.1 Gen 1 | Mini-USB
- AES 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
SecureData SecureDrive BT 8TB Encrypted SSD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 8TB SSD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
SecureData 8TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
FREEFLY 4TB External SSD for Ember S2.5K/S5K Cameras
- For FREEFLY Ember S2.5K & S5K Cameras
- Requires Ember Media Expander
- U.2/USB 4 NVMe SSD Storage
- 4TB of Capacity
FREEFLY 1.28TB External SSD with Pre-Record for Ember S2.5K/S5K Cameras
- For FREEFLY Ember S2.5K & S5K Cameras
- Requires Ember Media Expander
- Record After it Happens with Pre-Record
- U.2 NVMe pSLC SSD Storage
Glyph Technologies 15.36TB Blackbox Plus USB 3.2 Gen 2 External U.2 SSD
- 15.36TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1000 MB/s Sustained Read Speeds
- Up to 1000 MB/s Sustained Write Speeds
SecureData SecureDrive KP 16TB Encrypted SSD with Keypad Authentication
- 16TB SSD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
SecureData SecureDrive BT 16TB Encrypted SSD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 16TB SSD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
SecureData 16TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External SSD
- 16TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
Istorage 16TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Phantom Black)
- 16TB 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 16TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 16TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 16TB diskAshur PRO2 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD (FIPS Level 3)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Certified
- Up to 362 MB/s Read Speed
Istorage 16TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Red)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 16TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Green)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 16TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Blue)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 16TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Black)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 16TB diskAshur2 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Red)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated
- Up to 362 MB/s Read Speed
Istorage 16TB diskAshur2 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Green)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated
- Up to 362 MB/s Read Speed
Istorage 16TB diskAshur2 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Blue)
- 16TB Capacity
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS PUB 197 Validated
- Up to 362 MB/s Read Speed
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.