10 Best External Hard Drives (Review) In 2021

Built specifically for gamers, the WD Black Game Drive is the best external hard drive for PS4 and Xbox One and is also compatible with PCs and Macs. If storage for video games is what you are looking for, this is the best choice external hard drive. With up to 5TB of space, it can hold up to 125 games. Whether you game on a console or on a computer, this versatile hard drive has you covered. A metal top cover provides extra durability so that you can play until you win with the knowledge that your games are safely stored on your P10 game drive. The WD Black P10 Portable Game Drive is a top tier HHD designed to take your games on the go. If you are a serious gamer, make sure to browse our list of the best gaming headsets, too.

If you are just looking for a basic external hard drive to back up your laptop, this lightweight, simple option is the hard drive for you. It provides 2TB of space which is plenty for the average user. Featuring a USB 3.0 connection, the Toshiba Canvio Basics is one of the best external hard drives for PC, as it is incredibly easy to plug in and use with the newest versions of Microsoft Windows. If you are a Mac user, you will have to format the drive for use with your Mac, but after that, you will be able to drag and drop files into your Canvio hard drive with ease. The hard drive’s sleek, matte black design will please even the pickiest of design-lovers. For more must-have tech products, check out these top wireless keyboards.

The perfect choice for photographers, the Seagate Backup Plus 5TB External Hard Drive comes with a yearlong subscription to Mylio Create, a software that organizes photos into a life calendar. It also comes with a two-month subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, giving you access to Lightroom and Photoshop for all of your photo editing needs. Compatible with both Windows and Mac, the Seagate Backup Plus features a USB 3.0 connection that you can easily plug into your computer using a USB-C cable. 

With storage options from 1TB to 5TB, the Western Digital Elements Portable External Hard Drive is a versatile option for all of your backup needs. This drive’s reliable, high capacity storage space will keep your photos and files safe and secure. A USB 3.0 connection allows for fast transfers, and it is also compatible with USB 2.0 connections. The small hard drive is easy to carry in your pocket or laptop bag so you can always have your WD Elements hard drive with you to access your stored files. It does need reformatting to use with a Mac, but it is easy to plug in and immediately use with a Windows computer.

Are you someone who drops your phone multiple times a day? Do you need something that will stand up to all types of weather and be able to go everywhere you go without worrying about your files? If so, this is your hard drive. The LaCie Rugged Hard Drive comes with a two-year warranty that includes data rescue and recovery. The device is also drop, crush, and rain resistant. You get even more value out of this package with the one month complimentary subscription to the full Adobe Creative Cloud with access to applications such as Photoshop, Premiere, and InDesign. The hard drive has a USB-C connection that can be easily connected to any new computer and a USB 3.0 adaptor that guarantees this hard drive will work even with older computers. For more awesome products for tech-savvy people, check out our choice of the best portable power banks on the market.

The WD My Passport Ultra comes out of the box ready to connect to your new Mac laptop with a USB-C connection making it one of the best external hard drives for Mac because there is no extra formatting required. Its USB 3.0 adaptor is also compatible with older computers. And this external hard drive comes ready to connect to Time Machine and back up your Mac files. An anodized metal cover provides durability while also featuring classic textures to compliment your computer and your personal style. Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption provides security for your files. If you are in the market for an even smaller and more portable storage device, check out these top USB flash drives.

If you are looking for a hard drive that can do anything and go anywhere with all the features you could ever think of, look no further. This portable and durable Silicon Power Hard Drive comes in 1TB and 2TB options for all your data backup needs. Equipped with military grade shock-proof protection and an internal suspension system, the A30 can stand up to crushes, impacts, and shocks. A scratch-resistant surface stands up to fractures and scuffs, so you don’t need to worry if things get extreme with this hard drive. You don’t even need a case! It also features a LED light that indicates your connection and transfer speeds. The USB 3.0 cable tucks conveniently around the hard drive for easy storage, and you can easily carry it wherever you go.

A cross between a classic desktop hard drive and a portable hard drive, the Seagate Backup Plus Hub does everything you could ask for and more. Available with options ranging from 4TB up to 10TB of storage, it connects to your computer through a USB cable. It also has an extra USB slot that can be used as a port to download photos from a camera or thumb drive or even to charge your phone or tablet. It can be used seamlessly with Windows or with Mac after installing software. Seagate even provides a two-month complimentary Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan subscription so you can edit all your images. The Backup Plus Hub is a great option to give you peace of mind with all your music, images, files, and videos backed up in one place.

This is a great all-around option if you are looking for a stationary desktop hard drive. This Western Digital 3 TB Hard Drive comes in options up to 14TB, so if you are looking for something for your business or you just have a lot of large files, this external hard drive has the space you need. It is simple and easy to use — simply plug it into an outlet and connect to your computer with the USB 3.0 cord to instantly add storage space. It works right out of the box for Windows PC and for Mac with reformatting. This is an affordable and reliable option for increasing storage space for anyone who has a consistent work area and will not need to move their hard drive.

Add extra storage to your Xbox and space for 50+ new games with the 2TB Seagate Game Drive for Xbox One. It will sit quietly and unobtrusively next to your Xbox, paving the way for hours of gaming previously restricted by lack of space. The device is portable size allowing you to share with friends and family. Because it is already formatted for Xbox One, all you have to do is plug it in with the USB 3.0 connection and start to play. Your Xbox will operate more smoothly than ever before, with the Seagate Game Drive taking the pressure off the built-in hard drive. With this much extra space, you’ll never have to worry about deleting games, which makes this cool device a perfect gift for gamers!