When you use your computer or gaming console frequently, you may realize that the device doesn’t have enough storage for your needs. By adding extra external storage you can have access to all your content easily.
An external hard drive can give you significant storage for videos, games, photos, and documents. Many of these storage devices automatically back up your content so you don’t have to worry about losing it.
Some are even password protected so you can prevent unauthorized users from accessing your hard drive.
When you’re shopping for an external hard drive you want to first consider the compatibility.
Some are designed for use with specific operating systems and can only be used with other systems after being reformatted. There are also some external hard drives that are designed for use with gaming consoles only.
Choosing the right amount of storage is also important when deciding which external hard drive to purchase. The following is a list of the 10 best external hard drives by consumer report.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
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10. WD 4TB Yellow My Passport Portable External Hard Drive
The WD 4TB Yellow My Passport Portable External Hard Drive has a stylish look and a re-imagined design. It’s compatible with the following systems: Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7. It can work with Mac OS X if it’s reformatted.
This external hard drive has 4TB of space so you can easily back up all your important photos, videos, documents, and other content. This unit has password protection technology with hardware encryption so you don’t have to worry about someone having unauthorized access to your data. It has auto-backup and also includes WD backup software.
9. Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 2TB Green
The Seagate Game Drive for Xbox 2TB in Green is designed to work with both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox One. The 2 TB of storage allows you to store up to 50 Xbox One games for easy access to all your favorite content. This unit has a plug and play setup with no installation required so you can get to your games quickly.
This game drive from Seagate is small and lightweight so you can take it anywhere. It doesn’t require a power cable so you can easily take it to a friend’s house or other place for gaming. This drive is instantly detected through your console so you can easily walk through the setup steps and be gaming in minutes.
8. Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Advance 1TB Portable External Hard Drive has a compact design so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. This would be ideal for students or those who travel for business and need constant access to their saved content. This hard drive comes in 4 stylish colors: black, blue, red, and white.
This external hard drive comes with a 2 year limited warranty from Toshiba. It has the option for you to download Toshiba Storage Backup Software to keep all your content safe. You can add password protection to prevent others from accessing your hard drive.
7. WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive
The WD 8TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive has 8TB of storage so you can keep all your necessary content on one storage device. This hard drive is equipped with auto backup and Time Machine compatibility so you never have to worry about losing your data.
This external hard drive can work with the following operating systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 7. It can also be reformatted to work with some Mac systems. It’s compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0 for easy connections to your devices. The hard drive has password protection so you never have to worry about your data being compromised.
6. Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive comes in black, blue, red, or white. This unit has a slim design that can easily fit into a backpack or other bag so you can take it with you when traveling. It also works well for students or business travelers.
This hard drive allows you to create backup plans using the included Seagate software so you data is always safe. It offers quick file transfer through USB 3.0 connectivity. This unit is compatible with the Playstation 4 and can also work with Mac and PC computers.
5. Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop External Hard Drive
The Seagate Expansion 8TB Desktop External Hard Drive is easy to use. You simply plug in the power cable and connect the hard drive to your device through the USB port. This hard drive works with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port for quick transfer. It can also connect through a USB 2.0 port to provide 2.0 transfer speeds.
This hard drive from Seagate works with Windows 8 or Windows 7 operating systems. It allows you to drag and drop files to the hard drive from the Windows desktop. The unit can be used with Mac systems with reformatting if desired.
4. Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External Hard Drive requires no complicated installation for use. You just plug the unit into your device to begin using it. This hard drive is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 so you can use it with many different types of devices and connections.
This external hard drive can transfer files very quickly when connected with the USB 3.0 connection. It works with the following operating systems: Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. To move items to your hard drive you can simply drag and drop them from the Windows desktop. This makes the storage process quick and easy.
3. WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive
The WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive includes an auto backup feature that can be utilized with the included WD backup software. This hard drive also has password protection and it uses encryption so that you don’t have to worry about unauthorized people being able to access the data you have stored on your hard drive.
This hard drive comes in many different colors and color combinations. It can be used with USB 3.0 for quick file transfer. It’s also compatible with USB 2.0. It works with Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. or can be reformatted for use with Mas OS X.
2. Toshiba HDTB410XK3AA Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive is an affordable option if you’re looking for a large capacity hard drive on a budget. This unit has a sleek profile so you can travel with it as needed. The contemporary design and matte finish make it smudge resistant and modern looking.
This external hard drive from Toshiba is compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. It’s easy to use and requires no software installation. It gives you the option to quickly add more storage space to your PC for photos, videos, documents, and other important content. The hard drive comes with the Toshiba 1-year limited warranty.
1. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive
The WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive offers fast data transfers for convenience. This hard drive can be connected with either USB 3.0 or USB 2.0. It has a high capacity so you can safely transfer and store all your important data.
This external hard drive can improve your PC performance by allowing you to store necessary data on the hard drive rather than having it take up space on your computer. It has a compact design that can fit into a backpack or travel bag so you can easily take it with you when you need it.
An external hard drive can provide you with a significant amount of extra storage space where you can keep videos, documents, pictures, and gaming data. These devices are relatively small and most can be taken with you wherever you may need them. Some offer extra security through encryption and password protection which can be important if you’re using your hard drive to store sensitive information. These types of hard drives are also useful if you’re using them for business as they will keep your customers’ or clients’ information safe and secure.
When choosing a hard drive you should be aware of compatibility and storage space. Both of these considerations will help you choose the option that best meets your needs. Some external hard drives will require a lengthy installation process on your device while others can be plugged in and used relatively quickly with a brief setup. If you want to choose the best external hard drive for the money, you can read online consumer reviews to find useful information on the different options available.
