External Hard Drives
Lexar 2TB Professional Go USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD
- 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
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra USB 3.0 Type-C External Hard Drive (Blue)
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB 3.0 Type-C Interface (USB 3.1 Gen 1)
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Encryption
WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.2 Gen 1 Portable Hard Drive
- 6TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Bus Powered
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Oyen Digital 8TB Novus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Rugged Desktop Hard Drive
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 270 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Thunderbolt 3 and 4 Compatible
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
Istorage 1TB diskAshur PRO3 USB 3.2 Gen1 Encrypted Portable SSD
- 1TB Capacity
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- 3 x Encryption Modes
- FIPS 140-3 Level 3 Ready
SmallRig 2TB Multifunctional Portable SSD
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Host Interface
- 1 x USB-C PD Port (100W)
- 1 x UHS-II SDXC Card Slot
Samsung 2TB T7 Shield Portable SSD with MagSafe/Cold Shoe SSD Holder (Black)
- 2TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Port (10 Gb/s)
- PCIe NVMe Technology
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
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
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
WD 14TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 14TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Oyen Digital 4TB Helix Dura USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Portable NVMe SSD
- 4TB 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
Glyph Technologies 4TB Atom EX20 High Intensity NVMe SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 Interface
- Up to 2100 MB/s Read Speeds
- Up to 2100 MB/s Write Speeds
LaCie 16TB 1big Dock
- 16TB IronWolf Pro 7200 rpm SATA 3.5" HDD
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 | 1 x USB-A 3.0
- DisplayPort 1.4 Output for 8K Displays
- SDXC and Compact Flash Card Slots
Oyen Digital 4TB U35 Bolt+ USB4 Portable SSD
- 4TB 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
ProGrade Digital 4TB PG10.5 Pro Mini External SSD
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- Max Read Speed: 4000 MB/s
- Max Write Speed: 3500 MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 1250 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
Glyph Technologies 4TB Atom EX80 High-Intensity USB4 80 Gb/s Portable SSD with Location Track
- 4TB Storage Capacity
- 80 Gb/s USB4 Interface
- Up to 7000 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
WD 24TB My Book Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
- 24TB Storage Capacity
- Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
- Includes AC Adapter
- 256-Bit AES Hardware Encryption
Glyph Technologies 8TB Blackbox Plus USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External SSD
- 8TB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Up to 560 MB/s Data Transfer Speed
- Bus Powered
Oyen Digital 30TB HDX Pro C USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 External Enterprise Hard Drive
- 30TB Capacity
- 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Ports
- Up to 270 MB/s Read & Write Speeds
- Daisy-Chain Capable | AC Powered
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
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
Verbatim 512GB USB 3.2 Gen 2 Pocket SSD
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 1000 MB/s
Silicon Power 1TB Vault A80 External Hard Drive
- 1TB Storage Capacity
- USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Interface (5 Gb/s)
- Compliant with Drop Tests up to 9.8'
- IPX7 Rating (Water-Resistant)
Silicon Power PX10 Plus Gen 2 Portable SSD (512GB, Black)
- Records Apple ProRes 4K at 60p
- 1050 MB/s Data Speeds
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Aluminum Construction
Transcend 512GB ESD300 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD (Sky Blue)
- 512GB Storage Capacity
- USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Interface
- Read Speeds up to 1050 MB/s
- Write Speeds up to 900 MB/s
Silicon Power PX10 Plus Gen 2 Portable SSD (1TB, Black)
- Records Apple ProRes 4K at 60p
- 1050 MB/s Data Speeds
- 10 Gb/s USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
- Aluminum Construction
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.