External Hard Drives
WD 5TB Elements USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface (5 Gb/s)
- Bus Powered
- Includes USB-C Cable
Rocstor 4TB Commanderx EC31 7200 rpm USB 3.1 External Hard Drive
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Port with 10 Gb/s Speeds
- 7200 rpm Spin Speed
- Integrated Power Supply
Transcend 4TB StoreJet 25M3C Type-C External HDD (Iron Gray)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Bus Powered
- Rugged Anti-Drop Protection
SecureData 500GB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External SSD
- 500GB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
SecureData 2TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
Transcend 4TB StoreJet 25H3 External Hard Drive (Purple)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
WD 5TB WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive
- 5TB Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 130 MB/s
- Compact, Portable Form Factor
WD 5TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Istorage 512GB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 512GB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Rocstor 2TB Rocpro D90 External SSD
- 2TB Maximum Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
- Lightweight Aluminum Enclosure
Istorage 1TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Kanguru 1TB UltraLock USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 NVMe External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 675 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 575 MB/s
Rocstor 2TB DataSecure EX20 Encrypted USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable HDD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
LaCie 8TB d2 Professional USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port
- Up to 290 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- 7200 rpm Disk Speed
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External Solid-State Drive with Keypad
- XTS-AES 256-bit Encryption
- 1TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 360 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External SSD with Bluetooth
- XTS-AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 1TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 360 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External Hard Disk Drive with Keypad
- XTS-AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 4TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 140 MB/s Transfer Rate
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External HDD with Bluetooth
- XTS-AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 4TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 140 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
SANDISK 1TB Creator Phone USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 950 MB/s
Samsung 1TB P9 USB4 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4
- Sequential Read Speeds up to 4000 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds up to 3700 MB/s
Istorage 2TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 HDD (Fiery Red)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Racing Green)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Istorage 2TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Phantom Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Novachips 2TB Express USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Sustained Read Speed: 1800 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1700 MB/s
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.