External Hard Drives
Istorage 3TB diskAshur2 USB 3.1 Encrypted Portable HDD (Phantom Black)
- 3TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
Oyen Digital 1TB U35 Bolt+ USB4 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB-C Interface (USB4)
- NVMe PCIe 5.0 x4 | TLC NAND Flash
- Up to 6000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
Apricorn 512GB Aegis Fortress USB 3.2 Gen 1 SSD w/ PIN Access
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 350 MB/s Transfer Rate
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- 8MB Buffer Size
Silicon Power PX10 Plus Gen 2 Portable SSD (4TB, Black)
- Records Apple ProRes 4K at 60p
- 1050 MB/s Data Speeds
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Aluminum Construction
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
Oyen Digital 8TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 230 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
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
Exascend 2TB Element USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD (Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 20 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Data Transfer Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Istorage 2TB diskAshur DT3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 2TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
SecureData SecureDrive KP 5TB Encrypted HDD with Keypad Authentication
- 5TB HDD Capacity
- Keypad Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
SecureData 4TB SecureDrive DUO USB 3.1 Gen 1 Hardware-Encrypted External Hard Drive
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus-Powered
Oyen Digital 2TB Helix Mag40 USB4 Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 2800 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Apricorn Aegis 480GB Padlock USB 3.0 Solid State Drive
- 480GB Capacity
- Super Speed USB 3.0 Interface
- Up to 300 Mb/s Data Transfer
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
Rocstor 4TB DataSecure EX20 Encrypted USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable HDD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Lexar 1TB SL500 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set (2-Pack)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Glyph Technologies SecureDrive+ Professional Encrypted External SSD with Bluetooth
- XTS-AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 2TB Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 360 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
OWC 1TB Guardian USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 1000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SecureData SecureDrive BT 5TB Encrypted HDD with Bluetooth Authentication
- 5TB HDD Capacity
- Bluetooth Authentication
- Admin/User Mode
- Read-Only Mode
Rocstor 1TB DataSecure EX20 Encrypted USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 355 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
SANDISK 1TB PRO-G40 SSD Thunderbolt 3 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 3000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 2500 MB/s
Istorage 2TB diskAshur M2 256-Bit Encrypted External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- Up to 370 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Bus Powered
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
Oyen Digital 8TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 230 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
Istorage 4TB diskAshur3 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 Hard Drive (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 HDD (Fiery Red)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 with Integrated Cable
- Read/Write Speeds up to 148/140 MB/s
- 5400 rpm
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.