External Hard Drives
Rocstor 6TB Commanderx EC31 7200 rpm USB 3.1 External Hard Drive
- 6TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Port with 10 Gb/s Speeds
- 7200 rpm Spin Speed
- Integrated Power Supply
Apricorn 2TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Rocstor CommanderX EC31 2TB 3.5" External Solid State Drive (Silver)
Rocstor 8TB Rocpro D90 USB 3.2 Gen 2 External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- 7200 rpm
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 10 Gb/s Transfer Rate
TEAMGROUP 2TB T-Create Expert P34F Find My USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- Integrates with Find My for Tracking
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 1000 MB/s
Istorage 3TB diskAshur PRO2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD
- 3TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Oyen Digital 2TB Helix Dura USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Portable NVMe SSD
- 2TB 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
ProGrade Digital 1TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 MB/s
Glyph Technologies 1TB Atom Pro NVMe Thunderbolt 3 SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3
- Up to 2800 MB/s Read Speed
- Up to 2600 MB/s Write Speed
Apricorn 500GB Aegis NVX USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 500GB Storage Capacity
- Integrated USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Cable
- Up to 1000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Rocstor 8TB Commanderx EC31 7200 rpm USB 3.1 External Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Port with 10 Gb/s Speeds
- 7200 rpm Spin Speed
- Integrated Power Supply
Rocstor 2TB Rocsecure EX31 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Secure Token Key Authentication
- Micro-USB 3.1 Gen 1 | Mini-USB
- AES 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Istorage 1TB diskAshur PRO2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (FIPS 140-2 Level 2)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 294/319 MB/s
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Istorage 2TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
SecureData SecureDrive BT 4TB Encrypted HDD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 4TB HDD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Apricorn 4TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 4TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Rocstor 8TB Rocpro D91 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External HDD (TAA Compliant)
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Hot-Swappable Design
- Preformatted for Mac
SecureData SecureDrive KP 4TB Encrypted HDD with Keypad Authentication
- 4TB HDD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Oyen Digital 10TB Novus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Rugged Desktop Hard Drive
- 10TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 270 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Compatible
Istorage 1TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Red)
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 1TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Green)
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 1TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Blue)
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 1TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Black)
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
Istorage 1TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Fiery Red)
- 1TB 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 1TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Racing Green)
- 1TB 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 1TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Ocean Blue)
- 1TB 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 1TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable SSD (Phantom Black)
- 1TB 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
Rocstor 2TB Rocsecure EX32 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- Secure Token Key Authentication
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 | Mini-USB
- AES 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
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.