Finding the best backup disk suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Reviews
1. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable Hard Drive External USB 3.0, Blue + 2mo Adobe CC Photography (STDR2000102)
Feature
Create easy customized backup plans with included Seagate softwareThe portable hard drive is USB-powered-no power supply necessary
Quick file transfer with USB 3.0 connectivity; dimensions 114,5L x 76W x 20,35H mm
The portable HDD works interchangeably on PC and Mac computers
Includes 2-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan (must redeem by January 31, 2020)
Description
Seagate Backup Plus Slim is an easy way to protect and share your digital life. The portable hard drive will help protect our most important files. The sleek and protective metal finish is available in classic black, silver, red, or blue. Choose your flavor and join the millions of satisfied customers with one of Seagates most popular and trusted portable drives.2. WD 2TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBS4B0020BBK-WESN
Feature
Automatic backupWD discovery software for WD backup; WD security and WD Drive utilities
Password protection with hardware encryption
Reimagined design
USB 3.0 port; USB 2.0 compatible
Description
My Passport is the trusted; portable storage that perfectly complements your on-the-go lifestyle. Designed to fit in the palm of your hand; theres plenty of space to store a massive amount of photos; videos; music and documents. Perfectly paired with WD backup software and password protection; the My Passport drive helps keep your files safe.3. Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEA2000400)
Feature
Easy and simple to use - plug it in and goFast file transfers with SuperSpeed USB 3.0
Compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0
Powered by USB port. System requirements is windows 8, windows 7 operating system
Drag and drop file saving for Windows, right out of the box
Description
The Seagate Expansion portable drive provides extra storage for your ever-growing collection of files. Instantly add space for more files, consolidate all of your files to a single location, or free up space on your computer's internal drive to help improve performance. Setup is straightforward; simply plug in the included USB cable, and you are ready to go. The drive is automatically recognized by the Windows operating system, so there is no software to install or configure. Saving files is easy toojust drag-and-drop. Take advantage of the fast data transfer speeds with the USB 3.0 interface by connecting to a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port. USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 for additional system compatibility. System Requirements: Windows 7 or higher, SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port (required for USB 3.0 transfer speeds or backwards compatible with USB 2.0 ports at USB 2.0 transfer speeds, compatibility may vary depending on the user's hardware configuration and operating system). Box Contents: Seagate Expansion Drive, 18-inch USB 3.0 Cable, and Quick Start Guide. When switching from a PC to a Mac you may find that you are unable to write files to an external hard drive you had been using with your PC. If this is the case this is because your drive is formatted with NTFS, a file system that you can only write files to with Microsoft Windows. If you want to write files to it from your Mac you will need to reformat it. Note : Formatting your drive will erase all the files currently on it. Back up all of the files on the drive before erasing it4. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable External SSD - USB-C, USB 3.1 - SDSSDE60-1T00-G25
Feature
High-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds let you move hi-res photos and videos fast (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on drive capacity, host device, OS and application.)Ruggedized, water- and dust-resistant (IP55-rated) (IEC 60529 IP55: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use.)
Shock-resistant solid state core for greater durability (Shock-resistant (up to 1500G) and vibration-resistant (5g RMS, 10-2000 HZ), Non-Operating Temperature(from -20C to 70C), operating temperature (from 0C to 45C))
Compact and pocket-sized
For PC and Mac users
Built by SanDisk, a technology leader and pioneer of the modern day SSD, to deliver superior performance
3-year limited manufacturer warranty
Description
The ruggedized SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD delivers high-speed transfers with up to 550MB/s read speeds.** This makes it perfect for saving and editing hi-res photos and videos. With an IP55 rating, it also stands up to rain, splashes, spills and dust.(1) | *1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes; 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less. | **Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on drive capacity, host device, OS and application. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. | (1) IEC 60529 IP55: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use. | (2) Up to 2M (6.5) on a concrete floor | (4) Shock-resistant (up to 1500G) and vibration-resistant (5g RMS, 10-2000 HZ), Non-Operating Temperature (from -20 degrees Celsius to +70 degrees Celsius), Operating Temperature (from 0 degrees Celsius to +45 degrees Celsius) | (5) Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7 and macOS High Sierra, Sierra or Mac OS X El Capitan
5. WD 6TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBWLG0060HBK-NESN
Feature
High capacity in a simple and compact designImprove PC performance
USB 3.0 ready; USB 2.0 compatible
WD quality and reliability
Description
WD elements desktop storage with USB 3.0 offers reliable, high-capacity, add-on storage, and universal connectivity with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 devices. The simple and compact design features up to 6TB capacity plus WD quality and reliability.6. Toshiba Canvio Advance 2TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Blue (HDTC920XL3AA)
Feature
Compact design with four vibrant color options to fit your lifestyleUp to 3TB of storage capacity to store your growing files and content
Toshiba Storage Backup Software (downloadable) to easily back up your content and schedule your backup to run automatically
Toshiba Storage Security Software (downloadable) to help prevent unauthorized access to your data with a password lock feature
Includes Toshiba 2-year standard limited warranty
Description
The Canvio Advance portable hard drive allows creators to do what they do bestanywhere their lives take themoffering high storage capacity, 24/7 access to your stored content and the time-tested reliable performance they need. Whenever and wherever creativity strikes, Canvio Advance offers the space to create. The Toshiba Canvio Advance provides up to 3TB of storage so you can store thousands of pictures, videos, music, or a variety of large files on a small 2.5" portable drive. The new Toshiba Canvio Advance features a minimalist design as well as clean edges, a sleek, high-gloss surface, and color options to inspire youit's your life, your style, your speed. Keep your files safe and secure with features such as password protection and scheduled backup. Work at the speed of inspiration with the lightning fast transfer speeds of Canvio Advance. With USB 3.0 you'll be able to transfer and backup files on the go while powering the drive through your laptop's USB connection. These new durable external hard drives are built to Toshiba's world-class quality standards and backed by a standard 2-year warranty, so you can feel confident to create wherever inspiration moves you. Access all of your stored content with peace of mind from the Canvio Advance portable hard drive.7. WD My Book Desktop External Hard Drive
Feature
Auto backup with included WD Backup software and Time Machine compatibilityPassword protection with hardware encryption
Reimagined design.Trusted drive built with WD reliability
Operating System- Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 operating systems. MacOS High Sierra, Sierra (10.12), El Capitan (10.11) operating systems (reformatting required)
USB 3.0 port; USB 2.0 compatible. Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for User Manual.
Description
The My Book drive is trusted desktop storage designed to complement your personal style with a massive amount of space to store your photos, videos, music and documents. Equipped with password protection and perfectly paired with WD Backup or Apple Time Machine, My Book desktop storage helps keep your files safe.8. Seagate Backup Plus Hub 4TB External Desktop Hard Drive Storage + 2mo Adobe CC Photography (STEL4000100)
Feature
Two integrated high-speed USB 3.0 ports allow you to connect & recharge USB devicesBackup hard drive formatted for Windows computers out of the box
Install the provided NTFS driver for Mac and use the drive interchangeably between Windows and Mac computers without reformatting
Run a one-click backup or schedule an automatic backup plan to protect your files
Includes 2-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which must be redeemed by January 31, 2020
Description
The Seagate Backup Plus Hub portable hard drive optimizes external storage with simple local or cloud file backup for computers and mobile devicesand an intelligent USB hub to charge and manage USB-connected devices. High-speed USB 3.0 and 2.0 connectivity offers plug-and-play functionality on your PC. The backup hard drive is formatted for Windows computers: Just install the provided NTFS driver for on your Mac computer, and you can use the drive interchangeably between Windows and Mac computers without reformatting. The two front-facing intelligent USB 3.0 ports amplify the functionality of your portable drive by allowing you to charge and connect two external devices, like your phone, tablet, or cameraeven if your computer is in off/standby mode. Via the downloadable Seagate Dashboard software, you are provided with tools for local, mobile, cloud, and social media backup. Run a one-click backup or schedule an automatic backup plan to protect your files in your Seagae Backup Plus Hub drive at your convenience.9. Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STGX2000400)
Feature
Leverage simple drag-and-drop usabilityExpand your computer's capacity with a lightweight, compact solution
Take advantage of instant plug-and-play PC compatibility
Transfer files Fast with USB 3.0 that is backward compatible with USB 2.0
Description
Simple, compact, and PC compatible, the Seagate portable drive is perfect for additional on-the-go storage and to take large files with you when you travel. Setup for PC is simple and straightforward; simply connect a single USB cable and you are ready to go. The drive is powered from the USB cable, so there is no need for an external power supply. Plus, it is automatically recognized by the Windows operating system, so there is no software to install and nothing to configure. Just connect and take advantage of the fast data transfer speeds with the USB 3.0 interface by connecting to a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port.10. WD 2TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - WDBYFT0020BBK-WESN
Feature
Auto backup with included WD Backup softwarePassword protection with hardware encryption
Reimagined design
Trusted drive built with WD reliability
USB 30 port; USB 20 compatible SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7 Requires reformatting for Mac OS X operating system