External Hard Drives
ProGrade Digital 16TB PG10 USB4 External SSD
- 16TB Storage Capacity
- 40 Gb/s USB-C Interface (USB4)
- Max Read Speed: 2500 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 2500 MB/s
Toshiba 1TB Canvio Advance USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive (Black)
- 1TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- NTFS Preformatted
Silicon Power 1TB PC60 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Portable External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 540 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 500 MB/s Write Speeds
Silicon Power 1TB DS72 Dual USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD (USB-C / USB-A)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Connector
- 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 Connector
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Buffalo 5TB MiniStation USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 5TB Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connection
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speeds
- Native Lock & Go Password Protection
WD 2TB My Passport for Mac USB 3.1 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Midnight Blue)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
G-DRIVE 1TB G-DRIVE ArmorATD USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 5 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 130 MB/s
- Bus Powered
Silicon Power 5TB Vault A60 External Hard Drive
- 5TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Interface (5 Gb/s)
- Silicone Material (Shockproof)
- IPX4 Rating (Water-Resistant)
Apricorn 500GB Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 500GB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 Micro-B Interface
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Standard
Lexar 1TB Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Male Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Samsung 1TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
Glyph Technologies 1TB Atom EV USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Up to 1 GB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
WD 5TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive (Black)
- 5TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
- Bus-Powered, No External Power Required
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
SanDisk 2TB Creator Phone USB 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 950 MB/s
TEAMGROUP 4TB T-CREATE CinemaPr P31 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Data Transfer Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Bus Powered
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
OWC 1TB Envoy Pro FX External SSD
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- Thunderbolt 3 & USB 3.2 Gen 2
- Up to 2800 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Oyen Digital 2TB U35 Bolt+ USB4 Portable SSD
- 2TB 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 6TB Aegis Padlock DT USB 3.0 External Desktop Drive
- 6TB Capacity
- USB-B 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
- PIN Management
Apricorn 8TB Aegis Padlock DT FIPS 140-2 Level 2-Validated External Desktop Drive
- 8TB Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B Interface
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Validated
- AES-XTS 256-Bit Hardware Encryption
WD 4TB My Passport SSD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Portable SSD (Gray)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Apricorn 5TB Aegis Fortress L3 FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Encrypted Portable Hard Drive
- 5TB Capacity
- USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 Micro-B Interface
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- FIPS 140-2 Level 3 Standard
Lexar 4TB SL500 USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 2000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1800 MB/s
Lexar 2TB Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD (2-Pack)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Male Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Angelbird 4TB SSD2GO PKT USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Portable SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Max Read & Write Speeds: 1800 MB/s
- Sustained Read Speeds: 1700 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 2TB Aegis Fortress L3 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 2TB Capacity
- Up to 5 Gb/s Data Transfer Speed
- Real-Time AES-XTS 256-Bit Encryption
- Integrated 10-Digit PIN Keypad
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.