External Hard Drives
Novachips 4TB Express USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Sustained Read Speed: 1800 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1700 MB/s
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Blue)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Glyph Technologies 2TB Atom EX40 High Intensity USB4 NVMe SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 Interface
- Up to 4000 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 4000 MB/s Write Speeds
Angelbird 2TB SSD2GO PKT USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Max Read & Write Speeds: 1800 MB/s
- Sustained Read Speeds: 1700 MB/s
SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD Kit (2-Pack)
- 2 x 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 800 MB/s Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 2TB Atom EX80 High-Intensity USB4 80 Gb/s Portable SSD with Location Track
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 7000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 4TB Blackbox Plus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 560 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Glyph Technologies 4TB Atom EV USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 1 GB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Samsung 4TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Samsung 4TB T7 Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Titan Gray)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Samsung 4TB T9 Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Port (20 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Sequential Read Speed: 2000 MB/s
OWC 4TB Express 1M2 80G USB4 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
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
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
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
Glyph Technologies 8TB Atom EX40 High Intensity USB4 NVMe SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB4 Interface
- Up to 4000 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 4000 MB/s Write Speeds
Lexar 512GB Air Elite Legends Series USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable SSD (AFA Edition)
- Officially Licensed AFA Design
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 390 MB/s
LaCie 2TB Mobile Drive Secure USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 130 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
WD 500GB WD_BLACK D30 Game Drive USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD for Xbox
- Free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Membership
- 500GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 900 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
Silicon Power 2TB Vault A80 External Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Interface (5 Gb/s)
- Compliant with Drop Tests up to 9.8'
- IPX7 Rating (Water-Resistant)
WD 1TB My Passport Ultra USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive (Silver)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Type-C Interface (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
Digiera 1TB LPS2000M Endura USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Host Port
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Digiera 1TB LPS2000 Porta Hub External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Host Port
- 1 x 480 Mb/s USB-C 2.0 Data Port
- 1 x USB-C Power Delivery Port (30W)
Lexar 1TB SL500 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD (AFA Edition)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
TEAMGROUP 1TB T-Create Expert P34F Find My USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- Integrates with Find My for Tracking
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 1000 MB/s
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External HDD with Bluetooth
- XTS-AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 1TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 140 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
WD 4TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Red)
- 4TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Bus-Powered, No External Power Required
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
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.