Leaders in external hard drives in 2022

An external hard drive is designed to store and transfer large amounts of information that a flash drive cannot handle. This is the same hard drive (HDD) packed in a box with a power supply and a controller. It is convenient to take it on the road to transfer information, you can connect it to a TV.

For larger volumes and at a lower price, you can purchase an HDD. Writing / reading is carried out by rotating the disk and magnetic head. The vulnerability of such a drive is noise during operation, susceptibility to mechanical damage, low speed. If you need to transfer movies, music, text files, a compact but more expensive SSD will do. This drive, like a flash drive, refers to solid state drives.

The size and type of the drive is called the form factor. The following types are distinguished 1.8 ”(up to 2 TB), 2.5” (up to 4 TB).A 3.5” drive (up to 8 TB) is a desktop option, as large capacity implies both large dimensions and weight.

How to choose the right external hard drive?

What is the fundamental difference between flash drives and external hard drives?

Flash drives and external hard drives belong to completely different classes of devices. Their only similarity is in such a purpose as storing information. But there are also differences, and significant ones.

Comparison criterion	Flash drive	External hard drive
Volume	The most capacious model currently holds 2 terabytes	Portable models up to 4 terabytes, stationary network drives (NAS) can accommodate up to 12 units. The most capacious drives are 10 terabytes, that is, a total of about 120 gigabytes is obtained.
Price	A drive with a capacity of 2 terabytes costs 58 thousand rubles, and for 4000 rubles you can buy a model for 128 gigabytes	A 1 terabyte disk costs about 4 thousand rubles, 2 terabytes - 6 thousand rubles
Work speed	High-quality models for writing provide a speed of at least 80 megabytes per second, reading - from 140 megabytes	The best representatives write - 90-95 megabytes per second, read - 100-110 megabytes per second
Dimensions	Compact	Larger
Protection from external influences	Flash drives are more resistant to mechanical stress, but there are protected models in both classes.
Resource	Flash drives have a much smaller resource, but this is enough for the vast majority of users

What to look for when buying an external hard drive?

The choice of an external drive depends on the purposes, volumes and personal preferences. What parameters should be considered when choosing a drive:

1. Capacity. The smallest capacity for SSD 128 GB and 256 GB is also the most popular. This capacity is enough for movies, music, file copy;
2. Performance.The vast majority of disks are equipped with a connection device, a USB port. Modern models have USB0, with a bandwidth of up to 5 Gb / s, but the computer must also match this speed. USB 2.0 ports have slower read/write speeds, but are fine for watching movies and music. The maximum speed of SSD drives can reach 550 Mb/s;
3. The read / write speed depends on the amount of RAM: the larger it is, the higher the speed;
4. Protection from external influences is also important for the operation of the disk. SSDs are the most reliable because they don't have moving parts inside. It is resistant to external influences. The plastic case had to contain metal and rubberized parts to keep the case strong;
5. The weight of the product matters if the disc needs to be carried. Modern external drives have a weight of 140 to 300 g;
6. If the storage medium is intended to be used in conditions far from clean, protection from dust and dirt is necessary. You should choose a drive with certified protection (IPXX or military standard);
7. You also need to take care of data protection. The larger the drive, the more information you can store on it and the more you can lose it. There are hardware protection methods that are supported by conventional and solid state drives. This will help protect data from loss;
8. Before buying an external hard drive, you need to study the market, read reviews in order to choose a quality storage device. You need to decide how much disk space you need and, based on this, make a choice

Best 500GB External Hard Drives

This category presents the best models of external drives with a capacity of 500 GB.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 500 GB

This small external hard drive is almost 2 times faster than previous generation media. This model differs from competitors in high performance, as well as large capacity and support for the NVMe interface. The read speed reaches 1050 Mb / s, and the write speed is 1000 Mb / s. This model will be an excellent solution for creating materials and shooting custom films.

With 2m drop protection and IP55 dust and water resistance, this durable media stands up to the toughest test. The manufacturer also provided the ability to attach an external hard drive to a belt or backpack using a practical carabiner clip, which guarantees additional protection on the road.

The owner can keep the storage media highly secure with a password and integrated AES4 256-bit hardware encryption.

• high speed;
• ergonomic body made of silicone;
• the package includes an adapter for USB Type-A;
• practical form factor;
• cute design.

• does not support S.M.A.R.T.

Average price: 9000 rubles.

ADATA SC685 500 GB

This is really a mobile and small carrier, the dimensions of which are comparable to a mobile device. It is practical to use and easy to carry as it weighs only 30g. The lightweight metal body is 9.4mm thick.

This external hard drive feels good in the hand, and also protects user data well from external influences. Despite the dimensions, the media has a solid amount of memory, which is 500 GB.This SSD is connected to various devices via a 2-way USB Type-C port. Due to the high read / write speed, very fast loading of any data is guaranteed.

• high read/write speed;
• does not heat up under heavy loads;
• excellent compatibility with MacBook;
• compact;
• light weight.

• the cable that comes with the hard drive is hard.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

Seagate Ultra Touch 500 GB

Compactness, comfortable operation and excellent performance are characteristic features of this model. The device has 500 GB of memory, which makes it possible to store a large amount of data. The body of the model is made of reliable and strong plastic, has a practical form factor with rounded edges, and can also be fixed with a carabiner to a belt on a belt, backpack or bag. This drive differs from analogues in high-speed response when performing operations, at the same time, almost without taking up valuable space on the desktop. This model guarantees the creation of automatic backups, and is also an excellent solution for storing videos, pictures, music and documents.

The free demo versions of the programs included in the package will help you learn how to process images at the professional level and properly organize frames on the drive. The gadget has a 2.5-inch form factor.

• compact;
• the kit includes a program for creating backups to the Android operating system, which guarantees the integrity of pictures, videos and important documents;
• excellent speed makes it possible to play videos from a hard drive on a laptop;
• good compatibility with computers running Windows and iOS operating systems.

• not found.

Average price: 6400 rubles.

SEAGATE STCD500202.

Seagate STC500202 is a 500 GB drive, compact and lightweight. The metal case has roughness, allowing not to slip on the surface. The USB 3.0 connection interface provides good speed - 600 Mb / s.

The software provides automatic downloading of photos from social networks and saving them on the media. Easily set up data backup.

• Compactness, noiselessness;
• Convenient software.

• Short cable.

The cost is about 4000 rubles.

TOSHIBA Canvio Basics 500GB.

This is a budget option from a popular manufacturer. The case has an LED indicator of the status of work, as well as rubber "legs" that hold the disk on the surface. USB 3.0 port interface adapted for USB 2.0

The Canvio Basics model is available in five sizes: 500 GB, 750 GB, 1 TB, 1.5 TB, 2 TB. Warranty from 1 to 3 years. There is no software included, which is a minus. Nevertheless, TOSHIBA drives are attractive primarily for their reliability.

When buying a drive, you need to know that when replacing the cable, only the original one will do. The set does not include a case that may be needed for transportation.

• Good price-quality ratio;
• The presence of small rubber pads on the body.

• Slight vibration during operation;
• Short cable.

Average price: 3500 rubles.

Best 1TB drives

HP P500 1TB

This model, which has 1 TB of memory on board, can become a high-quality storage for a fairly large number of different files.High read and write speeds combined with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C guarantee superb media response.

This external hard drive is built in a 45.4g chassis, so it won't take up a lot of usable space in your pocket or bag.

The package includes a cable with a slot for connecting a USB Type-A, as well as an adapter for a USB Type-C port. This small and high-quality media guarantees lightning-fast access to data.

• small dimensions;
• high speed reading / writing data;
• Included is a cord with an adapter;
• light weight;
• doesn't make noise.

• high, according to users, the price.

Average price: 10150 rubles.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 1TB

This rather voluminous SSD type is made of reliable and high-quality materials, which differ from others in high resistance to external influences and drops. This model allows you to very quickly connect to any computer OS via the USB Type-C interface.

This drive has a high read speed that can reach 550 MB / s, and therefore any data exchange is almost instantaneous. The volume (1 TB) makes it possible to reliably store various files: documents, pictures or videos, as well as resource-intensive programs, and the media has a high level of dust and moisture protection, which significantly increases the operational life.

• high read/write speed;
• ergonomic body made of silicone;
• The package includes a USB type A adapter.

• does not support S.M.A.R.T.

Average price: 17990 rubles.

Verbatim Surefire GX3 Gaming HDD 1TB

Surefire is a brand name from Europe that belongs to the Verbatim corporation, popular among older gamers with high quality discs and floppy disks. She did not stay away from industry trends, creating an independent brand for the release of gaming peripherals and media, which are also positioned as gaming. This model has a very high-quality cord - reliable and sufficiently long (55 cm).

On one side of the case is the favorite of most manufacturers of external hard drives Micro-B, and on the other is the traditional USB Type A. The appearance is designed in a gaming style: rounded corners, an attractive pixel pattern, backlight checks and an overall figure in the form of an X symbol with a personal logo trademark that stretches across the entire body. In the modification we are considering, there is 1 TB of memory, of which 931 MB is available to the owner. A drive with twice the capacity is also on sale. Connection is as simple as possible - you just need to connect the cable to the USB slot. By default, the media is formatted in FAT32 and includes a number of folders with documents and utilities designed mostly for creating backups.

• high speed reading / writing data;
• attractive appearance;
• lack of noise and vibration even under heavy loads;
• does not heat up.

• flimsy body;
• You can't adjust the backlight intensity.

Average price: 5690 rubles.

Verbatim Surefire GX3 Gaming SSD 1TB

A large amount of memory of this external hard drive allows the owner to store all their game projects for the console or computer in one place.With multi-color backlighting and backup software, it can be a great option for gamers. Many people know that consoles have a small amount of memory, which quickly runs out, not allowing you to install new games. This issue is solved by this model, which differs from its competitors by a high speed of writing / reading data.

This gaming media is equipped with multi-color LED backlighting and has an elegant body, designed in the style of modern consoles. At the same time, there are no moving parts, which increases the loading speed and makes it possible to save game projects to open them directly from the media. This model is equipped with high-speed flash memory and USB 3.2 GEN 1 interface, which guarantees data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps, providing the owner with an optimal solution for gaming, guaranteeing incredible performance. The same moment makes it possible to significantly save time when creating backups. This device comes with a USB-C™ adapter so you can use it with a wide variety of devices.

This external hard drive has no moving parts, making it fast, reliable, completely silent and energy efficient.

• an excellent solution for hosting computer and console game projects;
• multi-color LED backlight;
• fast loading of game projects;
• high data transfer rate, which reaches 5 Gb / s;
• software Nero Backup;
• great as an ordinary external hard drive for data storage.

• not identified.

ADATA DashDrive Durable HD680 1TB

This model is produced in a box with a photo of the carrier and information about its technical parameters. The package includes a connection cord, instructions and a warranty card. This drive is sold in black and blue colors of the case, which is made of impact-resistant plastic.

One of the main additions is an overlay made of silicone. It is designed to cushion the impact of accidental drops. The carrier has built-in shock sensors. It notifies the wearer of shaking and impact through LED type indication. In addition, this external hard drive offers hardware-based encryption based on the proven AES algorithm with a key length of 256 bits.

For practical storage of the cord, there is a groove that stretches along the body, which eliminates the possibility of losing the cord. The cord itself has a high-speed USB 3.0 interface. The port is on the side. The carbon texture located in the center of the case also looks original.

• Reliable protection of photos, videos and documents in a drop-proof case, which is equipped with a shock sensor;
• cute design;
• available in two body colors;
• there is a groove for fixing the interface cord;
• high read/write speed.

• dust and small dirt adhere to the soft rubberized part, which makes the appearance sloppy.

Seagate Expansion 1TB

The line of disks in this series is represented by the STEA1000400 model, which has five modifications in terms of volumes from 500 GB to 4 TB. Connection via USB 2.0 and 3.0 is possible. The same port is also used for power supply. The speed during the passage of writing / reading - 129/121 Mb / s. Formatted to work with Microsoft.

• High speed;
• Connectivity via USB0 and USB 3.0;
• Small price.

• To work with the Mac, you need to reformat (the factory setting assumes the presence of NTFS, formatted under Microsoft);
• Only black color.

The price is from 3700 to 7600 rubles, the cost must be specified at the sales centers.

Video review and unpacking of goods:

Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB.

The Canvio Basics 1TB is a budget option with a modest design that doesn't have any superfluous elements - just a port and a status LED. On the bottom of the case there are rubber pads that allow you to conveniently place the disk on the surface. Disk space 1TB, USB 3.0 compatible with USB 2.0 Transfer rate 5Gb/s, slight vibration or noise is felt during operation.

• Compactness;
• Affordable price.

• Short cable;
• Little vibration and noise.

Average price: 4000 rubles.

Silicon Power Armor A30 1TB.

Silicon Power Armor A30 1TB refers to a portable type of external storage media. The stylish design of orange-black color the case is made of plastic and rubber. The cable can be fixed around the device. The disk is characterized by a good write/read speed, the absence of extraneous sounds and vibrations. During prolonged use, the disk does not heat up.

The disk has a warranty period of 3 years, to obtain it, you must register on the official website.

• Unusual stylish design;
• No noise and vibration at good speed;
• Warranty 3 years.

• Short cable;
• Not all devices recognize the drive.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

Video review of the device:

ADATA DashDrive Durable HD650 1TB.

This is a stylish small size external drive.The reliable case is made of composite plastic with rubber inserts and has a light weight of 201 g and dimensions of 121x81x21 mm. Even when dropped, the disc is not damaged. Due to its small size, the disc can easily fit in your pocket.

This model is available in volumes: 500 MB, 1 and 2 TB. The speed during testing is 116 Mb / s when reading and 112 Mb / s when writing. The disc works silently and is quickly recognized.

• Compact, stylish in several colors;
• Rugged housing;
• Silent operation;
• Quickly recognized.

• Weak connector, loosens over time;
• Small cable.

Average price: 5000 rubles.

Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1TB

Reliable compact external storage device. It is distinguished by the presence of two high-quality software utilities in the kit. The disc is available in volumes: 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, 3 TB and colors: black, blue, red, white and white-pink. The disk provides work through USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, the speed is corresponding to the ports.

Two powerful programs are included: NTI Backup Now EZ and Pogoplug PC, which allows remote access to files via a mobile device using a utility. On the manufacturer's website Pogoplug PC can be purchased for $30. Owners of this drive model get an additional 10 GB of cloud storage using this utility (for more information about increasing the volume, see the site). When passing through a USB 3.0 port, the write speed is 100Mb / s, read 98Mb / s.

• An easy way to access information on a disk from anywhere via the Internet;
• Automatic reliable copy program;
• Low cost.

• Not identified.

The price is from 3000 to 8000 rubles, depending on the volume.

Professional review of the hard drive - in the video:

Best 2TB drives

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD V2 2TB

This is a great file storage solution with enough storage space (2TB). This is enough to store a large number of pictures, videos or heavy programs. This device is made on the basis of a modern control controller. The drive is suitable for use both in a stationary PC and in a laptop. The connection is made via the USB Type-C slot. This media has an excellent read speed that can reach 550 Mb/s. The drive has a 1.8-inch form factor. Among other things, the case is made of reliable and high-quality materials that are highly resistant to various external influences, which significantly increases its service life.

• high speed reading / writing data;
• Ergonomic body made of silicone eliminates the possibility of scratching the device;
• The package includes an adapter to USB type A.

• does not support S.M.A.R.T.

Average price: 43199 rubles.

Verbatim Store'n'Go ALU Slim 2TB

This model looks spectacular because it has a simple minimalist design. This is an ultra-thin device, dressed in an aluminum case. In terms of dimensions, the carrier can be compared with a box of matches or a bank card. The hard drive is matte. The upper part is processed with stripes, the lower part is without texture.

The body of the model looks angular, but the sides are rounded. On the front (in the lower left corner) there is a shining personal logo of the manufacturer, made of metal with a pleasant texture to the touch. There are 4 rubber feet on the bottom, as well as a sticker with technical specifications.

This device is great for transmitting information directly. This is in some way a flash card, but more capacious and overall in size. The drive will help out a lot on the road when you get into areas without wireless Internet or in the absence of a mobile signal, since dozens of movies or hundreds of your favorite tracks will always be at hand. This is evidenced even by the cord included in the package.

Inside the case is a drive made by Toshiba. The carrier performs 54 thousand rpm and has 128 MB of buffer memory. The model does not make noise even under intensive loads and consumes a minimum amount of energy, which is important when using the drive, for example, when hiking with a laptop without connecting to a network.

• small sizes;
• enough memory;
• high speed reading / writing data;
• reliable assembly.

• not identified.

Average price: 7200 rubles.

Transcend TS2TSJ25M3.

If you need to use a disc for frequent transportation, then this model is designed just for this purpose. The case is rubber, anti-slip, impact protection is made according to army standards. The connectors are not covered, so they are not protected from water ingress.

It has a high-tech hard disk suspension mechanism. On the case there is a button for remote turning off the disk (without disconnecting from the port). Also, with the help of a button on the case, automatic data copying is provided.

Support for USB 3.0 and 2.0 interface Average read speed 32 Mb/s.

• High body protection;
• Two interfaces;
• Automatic copying through the button on the case.

• Connectors loosen quickly.

Average price: 7000 rubles.

ADATA DashDrive Durable HD710 2TB.

It is also a military grade IPX7 disc with a high degree of impact protection. With a hermetically sealed connector, it can be submerged in water to a depth of one meter for 60 minutes. This is achieved thanks to the silicone body, covered with a thick rubber layer. The hard drive shows a speed of 76.5 Mb / s. USB 3.0 has a bandwidth of 5 Gb/s. Disk capacity 2 TB.

• Reinforced body protection;
• The interface cable is attached to the case.

• The software must be downloaded from the Internet.

Average price: 7000 rubles.

Western Digital My Passport 2 TB.

Western Digital is a well-known American company that has been producing hard drives since 1988. The Western Digital My Passport 2 TB external drive has speeds up to 85 Mb/s. USB 3.0 interface is supported and work through port 2.0.

The drive comes with software to create an automatic copy.

• Reliable manufacturer;
• Sufficient volume at good speed.

• There are scratch marks on the body.
• Short cable.

About 5000 rubles.

Professional video review of the device:

Best 4TB External Hard Drives

Transcend StoreJet 25M3C 4TB

Transcend Information Inc. is one of the global leaders in the production of multimedia equipment and media. The compact model we are considering, equipped with a USB Type-C interface, has a case with shockproof properties.

This media combines the excellent response of USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, ample memory (4TB) and 3-step security system, allowing the user to enjoy high speed file transfer and eliminate any worries about the integrity of the gadget.

This external hard drive comes with a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable so you can use this drive on both your old and new PC. The 3-layer security system is made to United States military standards for shock and drop protection, and provides excellent privacy protection. This model has a USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface and supports the UASP standard, which enables the model to show a high data transfer rate (up to 5 Gb / s).

• case with shock-resistant properties;
• innovative 3-level protection system against shocks and falls;
• high data transfer rate;
• option to automatically create backups by pressing one key;
• unique software of the company - Elite.

• not found.

Average price: 12990 rubles.

Toshiba Canvio Ready 3.2 4TB

This model operates on the basis of USB 3.2 Gen 1 technology, which allows it to demonstrate high data transfer rates (up to 5 Gb / s). Combined with the successful implementation of Plug and Play technology, this makes it possible to store and securely store 4 TB of multimedia information in one place with lightning speed.

The model has a special design that guarantees a balanced load, which eliminates the possibility of damage to the media when used in mobile mode. In addition, there is a shock sensor that stops the power supply in order to protect information under mechanical stress.

• compactness;
• does not heat up even under heavy loads;
• high data transfer rate;
• does not make noise;
• game projects and series installed on the media do not hang during playback.

• very slippery because there are no rubber feet.

Average price: 12490 rubles.

Western Digital My Passport Ultra 4 TB

This small drive supports USB-C™ technology and, with an innovative exterior design (made of metal) that will harmonize perfectly with the user's computer, allows you to easily expand the device's memory.

This model is perfectly compatible with gadgets running on the Windows® 10 operating system, so it only needs to be connected to the slot, and password protection and hardware-type encryption guarantee the confidentiality of user information. 4 TB of memory and a 3-year manufacturer's warranty guarantee that this drive will stand out from the competition with a long service life.

This small drive features a USB-C interface, which is a quick and practical way to increase the amount of storage on a user's computer, while an included USB 3.1 adapter ensures compatibility with previous generation PCs.

• supports USB-C™ and USB 3.1;
• optimized software for creating backups in automatic mode;
• password protection and hardware-type encryption with a 256-bit key;
• large amount of memory;
• three-year manufacturer's warranty.

• not identified.

Average price: 13600 rubles.

Seagate STDR4000200.

Seagate has been a world leader in storage solutions for over 40 years.

The model is attractive, first of all, with its compact shape and large capacity. 4 TB is enough for data storage and backup. It is difficult to find a drive with such a 2.5” form factor on sale.The previous version of Seagate 4TB Backup Plus Slim with the same capacity has two 2TB drives. The speed of such a disk will certainly be higher due to RAID, but in the case of RAID 0, reliability is reduced (if both disks fail).

USB 3.0 Connection A CD with the Seagate Dashboard Copy Software is included with the drive. The presence of the NTFS driver allows you to work with two operating systems: Microsoft and MacOS (for Macintosh computers).

• Large volume;
• Easy-to-use software;
• Compact shape;
• Connection via USB 3.0 port.

• High price.

Average price: 9000 rubles.

Western Digital My Passport 4 TB.

This disc is suitable for large amounts of information. There is also a USB 3.0 connection, and support for USB 2.0. With the help of the software that is attached, you can set up backups according to your schedule, set a password for protection. It is possible to add a “return if found” message when prompted for a password in case the disk is lost.

• Large volume;
• Automatic copy;
• Password protection;
• USB 2.0 support;
• Stylish case in several colors;
• Three year warranty.

• There may be slight vibration during operation.

Disc package - in the video:

Average price: 9500 rubles.

What to choose anyway?

When choosing an external drive, you need to focus, first of all, on the volume. Currently, the smallest drive is 500 GB. What can be recorded on such a medium:

• 300 films;
• 2000 good quality CD albums;
• Copies of information from a PC.

The most popular and affordable are 1 TB disks. This volume is quite enough to record two hundred films of FullHD quality.

Two terabytes - such a disk can be used to completely copy the system, 4K UltraHD quality films, 50 pieces.

4 TB drives for very large volumes, in most cases, they are stationary, designed for professionals.

When choosing an external drive, the manufacturer is of no small importance, since reliability is the main indicator of a storage device. Appearance and strength are also relevant for a certain group of users.