Cloud storage could also be extra in style than ever, however it hasn’t changed the necessity for exterior laborious drives. These units assist unlock area in your laptop whereas concurrently offering a dependable technique to retailer necessary recordsdata with out relying on an web connection. As a bonus, laborious drives do not require month-to-month subscription charges.
There are lots of nice decisions out there. The iStorage DiskAshur Professional 3 is thought for its software-based encryption, whereas the Lexar ES5 SSD is thought for its sturdiness.
For our March replace, we refreshed our information and added just a few new merchandise.
What’s the perfect exterior laborious drive proper now?
After dedicating numerous hours to hands-on testing and scouring on-line evaluations, the Lexar SL500 is our decide for the perfect exterior laborious drive in the marketplace. This drive stands out for being small, quick, extremely transportable, and difficult, however it’s not the one possibility. Whether or not your priorities embrace completely different storage capacities or a drive that withstands rain and mud, there is a product for you.
The very best exterior laborious drive of 2026
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Why we prefer it: Main the pack as the perfect exterior laborious drive general is the Lexar SL500. Roughly the scale of a bank card, it earns its high spot for ultrathin design and quick efficiency. The SL500 can attain learn speeds of round 2,000 MB/s and write speeds of 1,800 MB/s, making file transfers tremendous fast. Its unibody is made primarily out of aluminum, permitting the drive to outlive the occasional bump and drop.
Assessment: Lexar SL500
Who it is for: The Lexar SL500 is ideal for photographers, beginner videographers, and editors who steadily work with giant recordsdata and wish quick, dependable storage. Its design is glossy sufficient to slide simply into your pocket. I ought to point out that you would be able to purchase a particular magnetic package for the SL500 that lets the drive connect to the again of smartphones and laptops.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Arguably, the most important disadvantage of the Lexar SL500 is that your laptop should have a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 port so that you can get pleasure from its quickest speeds. With out this port, information switch speeds shall be slower. Both means, ensure that your PC helps this customary so you should utilize the drive to its fullest.
Lexar SL500 options: USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 256-bit AES software program encryption | 3.3 x 2.1 x 0.3 inches | 5-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: Western Digital’s My Passport Extremely is notable for its sturdiness each in and out. The outside of the drive is made from anodized aluminum, making it sturdy and corrosion resistant. Your recordsdata are protected by 256-bit AES encryption. If you do not know, 256-bit AES encryption is commonly utilized by governments and monetary providers for its near-impenetrable safety.
Admittedly, there is not a lot to this system. It is a easy laborious drive that does its job very properly. A number of storage capacities can be found for buy, starting from 1TB to 6TB.
Who it is for: The WD My Passport Extremely is a good match for Home windows customers who’re on the lookout for reliable, transportable storage for file backups. It really works equally properly for dwelling use, faculty, and the workplace. If you’d like one thing that works immediately with Home windows and contains administration recordsdata, you may’t get higher than the My Passport Extremely.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The WD My Passport Extremely is not notably quick and lacks options. Once more, there is not a lot to this drive. If you’d like quick switch speeds, there are higher choices on the market.
WD My Passport Extremely options: USB-C and USB 3.1 interface | 1TB to 5TB capacities | 256-bit AES {hardware} encryption | 4.33 x 3.21 x 0.55 inches | 3-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: Samsung’s T9 Transportable SSD stands out as the perfect journey possibility because of its rugged design. The outer casing is made from a particular rubberized materials that gives the drive with stable sturdiness. It could shrug off drops as much as three meters within the air. Samsung additionally outfitted its system with Dynamic Thermal Guard, enabling it to resist excessive temperatures from -40 levels to 85 levels Celsius. Plus, it helps the corporate’s Magician software program, which lets customers monitor the drive’s well being and extra.
Different notable options embrace built-in {hardware} encryption and switch speeds as much as 2,000 MB/s.
Assessment: Samsung T9 Transportable SSD
Who it is for: The Samsung T9 is ideal for content material creators who want quick, transportable storage they will depend on wherever they go. You can rapidly transfer video recordsdata from a digital camera to the drive in nearly no time. What’s extra, it is appropriate with Home windows, macOS, and Android.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The T9 has a pair destructive elements. First, whereas the rubberized materials is nice for sturdiness, it attracts mud and lint one thing terrible. Secondly, that is an costly drive. The 1TB possibility retails for $225.
Samsung T9 Transportable SSD options: USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 2.4-inch type issue | 5-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: Most exterior laborious drives include some type of software-based encryption to guard recordsdata. The iStorage DiskAshur Professional 3 is one in every of them, however it takes one step additional by incorporating AES-XTS 256-bit encryption. In brief, AES-XTS is a model of AES-256 that makes use of the XTS block cipher mode for stronger encryption. You may consider it as nearly double encryption. Relaxation assured understanding your info is locked up tight.
What’s loopy is that it isn’t simply the software program that’s tremendous powerful. As ZDNET Senior Contributing Author Adrian Kingsley-Hughes factors out in his assessment, the inner elements are actually “encased in layers of robust epoxy resin.” So even when somebody was in a position to steal and crack open the drive, the one technique to entry your recordsdata is “irreparably injury them.”
Assessment: iStorage DiskAshur Professional 3
Who it is for: We suggest the iStorage DiskAshur Professional 3 to anybody who needs most information safety. Companies that deal with confidential recordsdata, IT admins, and authorities staff all recognize the extent of safety this drive gives. It does not require downloading a particular app to make use of, and it connects to Home windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Who ought to look elsewhere: This isn’t a finances system. Costs for this drive start at $345 for the 512GB possibility and go over $2,000 for the 8TB mannequin. Should you simply want further storage for paperwork, pictures, or video video games, a less expensive and sooner exterior drive shall be a greater worth.
iStroage DiskAshur Professional 3 options: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 500GB to 2TB capacities | 2.5-inch type issue | 3-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: Apple places a number of work into guaranteeing iPhone cameras are among the many greatest on smartphones. House owners can document movies in ProRes, a visually lossless format that delivers immaculate picture high quality. The issue with these movies is that they take up a number of space for storing. The answer to this conundrum is to get an exterior laborious drive, and the perfect is the Lexar ES5.
It is excellent for iPhone homeowners as a result of it helps Apple ProRes video recordings. In truth, you may shoot movies on to the drive in as much as 4K decision at 60 FPS. It additionally helps MagSafe, so you may connect the drive to the again of an iPhone utilizing the magnetic steel ring included with the acquisition.
Assessment: Lexar ES5
Who it is for: The Lexar ES5 is good for iPhone homeowners and content material creators who need further storage for movies and pictures with out carrying a cumbersome laborious drive. I ought to level out that this can be a sturdy system, boasting a rugged silicone shell that may face up to drops from as much as three meters.
Who ought to look elsewhere: Just like the earlier entry, this isn’t an affordable laborious drive. Costs begin at $200 for the 1TB possibility. You should use the Lexar ES5 with the Samsung Galaxy S25 fashions. It accepts movies as much as 8K decision at 30FPS from a Galaxy S25 Extremely, for instance. That is nice, however because of MagSafe assist, the drive is healthier fitted to iPhones.
Lexar ES5 options: USB 3.2 Gen-2 2×2 interface | 1TB to 8TB capacities | 3-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: The Western Digital Components laborious drive is the go-to alternative for many who want a considerable amount of storage with out the additional {hardware} and setup complexities of a NAS (Community Hooked up Storage) system. A number of storage choices can be found, starting from 6TB all the best way up to an enormous 26TB. What’s fascinating concerning the Components is that it is fairly cost-efficient.
The 26TB mannequin retails for about $655, or roughly $25 per terabyte. That is a cost-per-storage ratio that is powerful to beat. You may typically discover 2TB drives costing $100 on-line. Efficiency is stable, with Amazon consumer evaluations praising the drive’s dependable efficiency.
Who it is for: The WD Components is an effective drive for information hoarders, video editors, drone pilots, or anybody managing large file libraries. The excessive storage capability makes it simple to maintain the whole lot in a single place. It is also a good selection for owners who desire a backup drive for a number of desktops without having an NAS system.
Who ought to look elsewhere: One of many extra widespread complaints you see on-line concerning the Components drive is its noise. Should you look by Amazon consumer evaluations, you may discover individuals saying the system makes a clicking sound or an audible hum. Also, it is large, measuring 6.53 x 5.31 x 1.89 inches. Along with its giant measurement, the drive does not run on a battery. You may have to hold round its energy adapter should you journey with it.
WD Digital Components options: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 4TB to 24TB capacities | 3.5-inch type issue | 2-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: Toshiba’s Canvio Fundamentals is a really becoming title for this difficult drive as a result of it’s as fundamental as you are going to get. It is a easy plug-and-play drive with no further setup required. It is able to go proper out of the field; all you want is a USB cable. The system is appropriate with each USB 3.0 and a pair of.0, enabling quick information switch speeds.
This drive is also compact with the 1TB mannequin measuring 3 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches and weighing 149g. The 4TB is a bit greater, measuring 3 x 4.3 x 0.59 inches and weighing 217.5 grams. Whichever you get, know that the system will simply slip into your pocket. It is also powerful, sporting a glossy design coated in a matte, smudge-resistant end.
Who it is for: We suggest the Toshiba Canvio Fundamentals to college students and professional customers on the lookout for an reasonably priced laborious drive. It really works properly for backing up paperwork, pictures, and movies, in addition to offering further space for storing on laptops.
Who ought to look elsewhere: As a result of this can be a finances drive, it lacks lots of the extras you see on higher-end fashions. The Canvio Fundamentals doesn’t encrypt its recordsdata. It doesn’t include backup software program, nor does Toshiba provide lengthy guarantee protection. You solely get a yr.
Toshiba Canvio Fundamentals options: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 2.5-inch type issue | 1-year restricted guarantee
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Why we prefer it: We’re rounding out the information with the Western Digital My Guide Duo. As you may see within the picture, this exterior laborious drive is considerably completely different from most others. It is large, measuring 6.3 x 3.94 x 7.09 inches. It comes with two particular person drives, therefore the phrase “Duo” within the system’s title. This second drive can be utilized in one in every of two methods.
It may be used alongside the primary, doubling the unit’s storage capability. Or it may be used as a redundant backup of the primary drive in a RAID array. That means, if one drive fails or information is corrupted, your recordsdata shall be secure on the opposite drive. Drive failure is uncommon, however it could occur, particularly if you’re transferring a number of information. If in case you have irreplaceable information, an exterior laborious drive like this is a vital a part of the answer to forestall information loss.
Who it is for: The Western Digital My Guide Duo is primarily meant for professionals and content material creators who retailer necessary or irreplaceable information. The safety in opposition to information loss will present a profound peace of thoughts. Should you work on giant tasks or preserve long-term archives, RAID assist makes it a better option than a single exterior drive.
Who ought to look elsewhere: The My Guide Duo is large and costly. It is meant to take a seat on a desk or in its personal area. This isn’t a good selection in order for you one thing transportable. Also, just like the Western Digital Components drive, it could get loud.
WD My Guide Duo options: USB 3.2 interface | 20TB to 44TB capacities | 6.3 x 3.94 x 7.09 inches | 3-year restricted guarantee
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Newest information on exterior laborious drives
There is not a lot current information on exterior laborious drives. Lots of the entries on this listing are just a few years outdated now and nonetheless maintain up. Nevertheless, we did see an fascinating announcement from Western Digital. In early February, the corporate revealed it was engaged on two new applied sciences to enhance laborious drive efficiency: Excessive Bandwidth Drive Know-how (HBDT) and Twin Pivot.
The previous, in line with Western Digital, goals so as to add further learn and write heads to the laborious drive to extend bandwidth, whereas Twin Pivot introduces a second actuator to units to be able to “improve each capability and efficiency.” The result’s 4 occasions the throughput good points. If these applied sciences are launched to Western Digital laborious drives, it could enable them to carry out at a degree near that of SSDs, whereas probably being cheaper.
Newest updates
- March 2026: We revamped all the information. The introduction and lots of the entries left from the final replace have been rewritten. A couple of new laborious drives have been added. We additionally refreshed the FAQ part.
Different exterior laborious drives to think about
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Lexar’s TouchLock Transportable SSD is a light-weight drive that makes use of NFC (Close to Discipline Communication) for safety as a substitute of passwords or biometrics.
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Take a high-speed SSD and wrap it in powerful alloy and silicone armor, and you’ve got the Mecha O20. This intelligent mixture permits the alloy to dissipate the warmth generated by the drive, whereas the silicone encompass gives glorious shock resistance.
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For extra, try how a lot RAM your PC truly wants and the perfect computer systems you should buy.
