Best external hard drive and SSD for 2022: Mac, PC, PS4, PS5 and Xbox. Need a backup option or just more space? Here are our top picks for external storage options. The External Storage For A Laptop brands try to offer some unique features that make them stand out in the crowd. Thus hopefully, you’ll find one ideal product or another in our list. Features: You don’t need heaps of features, but useful ones. We look at the features that matter and choose the top External Storage For A Laptop based on that. Nov 24, 2021 Created for attaching external storage to your computer’s SATA bus, eSATA was a cheap way in its day to get beyond the 60MBps performance of USB 2.0. USB 3.0 put the last nail in its coffin. External hard drives are a great way to back up your computer and protect yourself from losing data. They're also useful for storing large files that you want to keep safe but don't want to keep on your computer's hard drive. Browse the top-ranked list of external storage below along with associated reviews and opinions.
Game consoles today usually come with 1TB drives (equivalent to approximately 1,000GB of hard drive storage), but the drives get full quickly if you aren't good about taking games off the drive as you add more. And most new computers don't come with much internal hard drive storage space unless you're splurging on a high-end model -- they usually have 256GB or 512GB. One way to manage it all is to find the best external hard drive and solid-state drive for your needs. External storage is a great way to maximize performance without maxing out the budget.
A traditional hard drive or mechanical drive that uses 'old' hard drive technology (mechanical platters and a moving read-write head to access data) is adequate for the majority of users, thanks to speedier USB-C and USB 3.0 (as well as 3.1/3.2) interfaces. Prices have dropped significantly in the last few years, with even the high-capacity, state of the art, all-around best external hard drive models tipping the scales at 5TB but costing just over $100. A solid-state drive doesn't have moving parts and the external SSD drive has up to four times faster read and write speed, but it costs a lot more per gigabyte.
Most of the options on this list of the best external hard drive models will work across platforms -- whether you have a Windows PC, Mac computer, PlayStation or Xbox -- so long as the drives are correctly formatted for the right platform. But a lot of the time they'll be designated as working with a specific platform out of the box and sometimes come with backup software that's platform-specific. Unless otherwise indicated, all the PC drives mentioned here are compatible with Windows but can be formatted for a Mac. Many of them include cables or adapters to accommodate USB-C and USB-A ports. But if they don't happen to be included, you can easily buy dongles for about $10.
And remember: A single backup doesn't cut it. Ideally, you'll want redundant backups either off-site or using cloud storage for key data and large files (such as family photos) in case of theft or fire. And make sure to encrypt your data, too.
One important note for console gamers is that the newer PS5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) consoles are much more restrictive about using external drives. The PS5 can store and play PS4 games from an external drive, but not PS5 games; the Xbox Series X can store Series X games, but you'll have to transfer them to the main SSD to actually play them. The Xbox Series X offers a proprietary Seagate-made storage expansion card and you can now install an M.2 SSD in your PS5 to expand storage for PS5 games.
With those caveats noted, our current top picks for the best external hard disk drive and external solid-state drive are below. These (or nearly identical models with less storage capacity) have been used or anecdotally tested by CNET editors. We'll update our list of the best external hard drives and SSDs as we test new products.
Sarah Tew/CNETWestern Digital, which owns SanDisk, sells its WD My Passport SSD as well this SanDisk External Portable SSD for basically the same price. I like the design of this model a little better and it's technically ruggedized with an IP55 rating, meaning it can withstand a sustained spray of water. It's also shock-resistant and has a USB-C interface.
The cheaper 'older' version has transfer speeds up to 550MBps while the next-gen version nearly doubles that speed with up to 1,050MBps (just over 1GB per second) and only costs slightly more for the 1TB version. The price for the 2TB model of this external drive jumps to $280 for the newer version.
Your speed will vary if you're moving a mishmash of files to or from the USB drive, but when copying a single large file you should be able to get close to those fast transfer speeds.
David Carnoy/CNETFor better or worse, there's currently only one way to expand the storage on your Xbox Series X/S for next-gen Series X/S games: the Seagate Expansion Card. Similar to the storage situation with the PS5, you can plug in any external SSD or hard drive to expand the storage for standard Xbox games (previous-gen), but you can only store native Xbox Series X/S games on the game console's internal memory or the Seagate Expansion Card.
It plugs into a proprietary slot on the back on the Xbox Series X/S and 'replicates the Xbox Velocity Architecture' (Microsoft's internal NVMe SSD tech) with peak speeds of up to 2.4GBps of raw I/O throughput. Microsoft says that's more than 40x the throughput of the Xbox One.
The expansion card now comes in a more affordable 512GB version for $140 along 1TB ($220) and 2TB ($400) versions. The 2TB version can be hard to find in stock.
David Carnoy/CNETYou can expand storage for PS4 games on your PS5 by adding a standard external SSD because you can play PS4 games directly from an external SSD. However, that's not the case for PS5 games, which take up a ton of space and can only be played from the PS5's internal drive or an M.2 SSD that you install in a special expansion bay inside your PS5.
While the Seagate FireCuda 530 technically isn't an external SSD, it's not so different from Seagate's Storage Expansion Card for the Xbox Series X/S in that it's an NVMe SSD with very high transfer speeds (up to 7,300MBps, according to Seagate, though my PS5 listed the top rate at 6,800MBps ).
Several M.2 SSDs will work with the PS5 (see our complete list) but ideally, you want one with an integrated heatsink. Otherwise, you'll have to add one.
The Seagate FireCuda 530 with heatsink starts at $140 for the 512GB version and jumps to $210 for the 1TB version (most popular), $400 for the 2TB version and over $1,000 for the 4TB version.
Read more: Here's how to boost your PlayStation 5 storage
Now playing:Watch this: Install an M.2 SSD in your PS5 with a heatsink upgrade
AmazonIf you're looking for a high-capacity external drive for your Xbox One, the WD Black P10 2TB portable hard drive is a good value at around $80 (the 5TB version is about $140). It gives you portable storage for your coveted game collection. This external drive also comes with a digital code that gives you one month of Microsoft's Game Pass Ultimate if you're a new subscriber. There's also a standard version of the portable hard drive, which also works with PCs and the PS4 for slightly less (it's missing the Xbox branding but is otherwise the same drive). The portable drive can deliver speeds up to 130MBps.
AmazonFor $115, you can get an external drive so you don't have to worry about managing the storage space on your PS4 (you can play games without lag directly from the portable hard drive). The 2TB version of the Seagate Game Drive is about $30 less at $80. But you might as well spend the extra dough and get 4TB for this portable external hard drive.
Note that Seagate makes an SSD Game Drive For Xbox but not PS4. The storage drive costs around $200 for 1TB.
David Carnoy/CNETYou can use any SSD with your PlayStation PS4/PS5 or Xbox One, Xbox One Series X or Series S to store PS4 and Xbox One games and other content and pick up a nice speed bump when loading games compared with a standard external hard drive like the WD Black P10 above. Note that with the Xbox Series X, you can only archive Xbox Series X and S games to this drive, you can't store full games on it (the Seagate Storage Expansion Card is required for that). The PS5 has the same restriction -- you can only store full PS4 games on external drives.
On its surface, then, the WD Black D30 game drive isn't all that special (it has up to a 900MBps transfer rate, which is basically what a console's USB 3.1 connection caps out at). But it's really its design that sets it apart. It's thicker and more rugged-looking than your typical SSD or flash drive and includes a detachable stand with rubber feet to keep it from moving around wherever you place it. This is an NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express) that provides efficient performance and interoperability. It essentially looks like a mini hard drive, which is kind of cool.
The standard version works with PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and One X and S consoles, as well as PCs. The Xbox version shown in the image simply includes an Xbox logo and a month of Game Pass Ultimate, a $15 value, for $20 more. Alas, only new subscribers can use the included code, so if you already have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you're really paying the extra $20 for the logo.
The 1TB version starts at $130 while the 2TB version starts at $260.
David Carnoy/CNETSanDisk makes the Extreme Portable SSD (see above) that delivers speeds up to 1,050MB per second transfer rates. But if you're a photographer or videographer looking for an even faster SSD drive for your PC or Mac, the Extreme Pro Portable SSD is the way to go for extra storage space. The latest version is capable of delivering up to 2,000MBps (2GBps) read/write speeds if you pair it with the right equipment: In order to get the maximum speed, you need a host system that supports USB Gen 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds.
Compatible with Macs and Windows PCs, it's technically ruggedized with an IP55 rating, meaning this can withstand a sustained spray of water. It's also shock-resistant and has a forged aluminum chassis that acts as a heatsink. It has a USB-C interface and includes both USB-C to USB-C and USC-A to USB-C cable. The 1TB version is around $230 while the 2TB model jumps to $364.
AmazonThe Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB is one of the more compact non-SSD drives, making it the best external hard drive for those who are looking to save some space. And at less than $60, this backup drive is also a good value. This Seagate external hard drive can also be connected to Macs that have a thunderbolt port. Available in a few color options, it also comes in 1TB ($55), 4TB ($93) and 5TB ($115) versions, but the higher-capacity drives are thicker.
WDThis drive is about as future-proof -- and backward-compatible -- as they come. You pay a bit of a premium over the standard WD drive, but this newer model offers a USB-C connection, meaning it has the latest and greatest USB cable connectivity for Macs and PCs. No USB-C on your system? No problem: Western Digital also tosses in a USB-A to USB-C adapter, so this storage device will work with pretty much any computer straight out of the box.
AmazonThe WD My Book desktop drive is available in up to a 18TB configuration, but the 8TB is the best value at around $200. It's so popular it's often out of stock.
Read our WD My Book (Fall 2016) review.
AmazonAfter Seagate acquired LaCie several years ago, LaCie became the company's premium brand and this external HDD 5TB model can be found on a lot of video editors' desks (including plenty at CNET). This rugged hard disk drive uses a USB-C interface, is compatible with Mac and Windows PCs and is water- and shock-resistant. A 4TB Thunderbolt with USB-C version is available for Thunderbolt-equipped Macs for about $200.
David Carnoy/CNETCrucial's X6 external SSD is considered entry-level because it's just not as fast as higher-end models, which can offer read/write speeds that are twice or even four times as fast (the Crucial X8 is the step-up model). Even so, the X6 is about 4x faster than a drive that isn't solid-state, with transfer speeds of up 540MBps for the 1TB and 2TB versions and up to 800MBps for the new 4TB version, which has one of the lowest prices for a 4TB SSD at around $450.
Comparatively, the 4TB SanDisk Extreme SSD, which has a transfer speed rating of up to 1,050MBps, costs $700. So you're basically looking at a $240 savings if you're willing to take a bit of a speed hit (again, at least the 4GB version of the Crucial X6 has been bumped up to 800MBps from 540MBps).
Be the first to know the newest hot deals from CNET.
More home computing recommendations
- 3 great VPNs for Xbox in 2022
- Best Mac VPN of 2022
- Best MacBook for 2022
- What to look for in a cheap gaming laptop
- Best Chromebooks for 2022
- Best printer for 2022
- Best Android VPNs of 2022
- Best controllers and accessories for Xbox Cloud Gaming
For quite a while, people have been storing backups of their data on their external storage drives. But what is external storage?
Let’s answer this question and talk about other important aspects of storing your data away from your computer.
Trust us, you’ll be thanking us later.
What Is External Storage?
This storage type, also often referred to as auxiliary or secondary storage, is becoming more and more popular.
It’s a place you can store data on, that’s not inside your computer’s base or memory. It can be removable or non-removable, temporary or permanent, wired or wireless.
It’s relatively low cost, and it doesn’t require you to open up the system.
Keeping data externally doesn’t always work the same. For example, individual users usually use it for backups and computer file transfers. Enterprises, however, can utilize it as primary storage. To do that, they have to connect it to servers through Ethernet or Fibre Channel switches. Obviously, they can also use it as a secondary option.
As you can guess, this calls for different types of external storage.
Types of External Storages
Not so long ago, we were in the cassette tape and floppy disk era. Now, storage options come in all shapes and forms. The most popular ones are:
CD
Compact Discs or CDs have been around since 1982. They’re one of the oldest types of external data storage devices still in use. But at the time, the 700 megabytes these things could store was massive.
Once they became a thing, several different types emerged, including:
- Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM): You can’t erase or write over whatever you have on it
- Recordable (CD-R): You could write on only once
- Rewritable (CD-RW): You have the option to erase and write over up to 1000 times
Over time, CDs became outdated as we started working with larger files and portable storage devices with higher capacity emerged.
![External Storage Devices For Computers External Storage Devices For Computers](https://img.audiofanzine.com/images/u/category/normal/other-external-storage-devices-1064.jpg)
Pros:
- Higher quality sound
- Long lifespan
- Cover art
- Rarely crash
Cons:
- CD drive required
- Small capacity
- Cumbersome
- Fragile
DVD
Next came Digital Versatile Discs or DVDs. They’re similar to CDs in that they also rely on laser light to store and retrieve data.
While similar in some aspects, these storage devices are also quite different. The biggest distinction is their capacity. A DVD is capable of storing 4.7GB of data.
You can choose from several options:
- Random Access Memory (DVD-RAM): A slower, earlier version of DVD-R.
- Recordable (DVD-R): You can write on it once. After that, it becomes read-only.
- Rewritable (DVD-RW): You can write and erase from as many times as you want.
In addition to the types mentioned above, DVD+R and DVD+RW exist. They’re basically the same thing but these two allow the use of the drag-and-drop feature.
Most often, people store movies and videos on DVDs, while they use CDs for music and pictures. Both became obscure, however, when some new portable computer storage devices arrived.
Pros:
- Larger capacity than CDs
- Cheap
- Good quality
- Long lifespan
Cons:
- DVD drive required
- Data difficult to change
- Cumbersome
- Fragile
External Hard Drives
Next on the list, we have external hard drives. These things have become one of the most common places to store backup data.
Usb External Storage Devices For Computers
But what are external hard drives?
They’re exactly the same as the drives you have on your computer, but portable. You can also connect them with other computers.
Because they are portable, they’re often used for sharing data with other people. You can even partition your disk to ensure everyone has their own storage space.
When it comes to types of external hard drives, you can choose between HDD and SSD.
The latter is slowly becoming a standard as it comes with some perks no user can ignore. It:
- reads and writes data faster
- make no noise
- conserves energy
- has a longer lifespan
These large data storage devices don’t come at the same price. If you need it just for storing backup, you can go for an HDD. On the other hand, if you often transfer files, an SSD might be a better solution.
Moving terabytes of data can sometimes take days.
Good news, though – there are companies that can do it for you. Then, they’ll ship you a hard drive with your backup on it.
Pros:
10 Examples Of Storage Devices
- Capacity
- Accessible
- Better performance
Cons:
- Not as secure
- Cables
Flash Drive
Flash drives are another popular form of external storage device.
They’re small gadgets you can use to store and transfer data quickly. You may find them under several different names including USB flash drives, pen drives, thumb drives, etc.
They come in different shapes, sizes, and capacities. Often, a 32GB USB flash drive is enough for all kinds of purposes. Initial devices didn’t come close to this in terms of capacity while the latest ones go even up to 2TB.
Over time, flash drives have become one of the most popular PC storage devices. They’re not made specifically for computers, however. Some of them you can even connect directly to your smartphone or tablet device.
They also have some other purposes like gig sticks for musicians or USB brochures.
While flash drives may seem simple, they’ve gone a long way since emerging. Now, you can even find options with password protection and fingerprint scanning for extra security.
Some new flash drives are suitable for users who may use them in harsh conditions. They’re rugged and waterproof, meaning that almost nothing can harm your digital content.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Security features (some devices)
- Speed
Cons:
- Easy to misplace
- Connectivity
- Security
- Mechanical damages
Memory Cards
Memory cards are smaller than flash drives but still offer plenty of storage.
Generally, they’re used as external phone storage but can also act as backup devices for your computer. To access one from your computer, you need a memory card slot or a reader.
Just like USB flash drives, new iterations of these things go all the way up to 2TB.
Some of the most popular options are:
- SD card: A standard card for all kinds of devices.
- MicroSD card: A tiny version of the standard SD card.
- CF card: Previously used for cameras. Slowly being replaced by SD cards.
In case you want to get external storage for an Android phone or tablet, finding a suitable card isn’t going to be tough.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Size
- Capacity
- Compatibility (mobile and computers)
Cons:
- Speed
- Upgrading
- Data corruption
- Lifespan
External Storage vs Internal Storage vs Cloud Storage
If you’ve read everything so far, you’re probably wondering which data storage devices to use.
Internal, external, and cloud storage all share some common functions but are good in different scenarios. You can puteach of them to good use.
Let’s start with internal memory.
When you do some research on external devices, it may seem like hard drives in your computer aren’t as useful. This isn’t necessarily true.
Internal hard drives come with their own perks. Just the fact that you don’t have to handle them when using your PC proves it.
Another difference between an internal and external hard drive is that the former is less likely to get damaged. You’re never going to carry it around, and human handling often causes some major stress.
So, what should you remember about internal memory?
Pros:
- Stable
- Less susceptible to damage
Cons:
- Not portable
- Easier to hack into
- Difficult to replace
The best part of external storage devices – you can also take them with you without bringing the entire computer. You can store backups on them just in case, too.
Also, think about space. If you want more space on your computer, you’d need to install the new drive. With external storage, you just plug in a USB port. Similarly, you can always buy more devices.
It does come with some drawbacks, though. When carrying your hard disk or memory card around, there’s always a chance it gets damaged or stolen, for example.
Pros:
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Easy to replace
Cons:
- More likely to break
- Can get stolen
You can, of course, also store your data on the internet. It’s pretty much as if you were using wireless storage devices for your backup but without any hardware.
Although the data is kept on a physical server, you can still access it from anywhere, as long as you’re connected to the internet.
The cloud has recently gained popularity. Whether you want extra space on your computer or you need external storage for an Android, the cloud is the place to be. With just a few clicks, you can store your data online and access it from anywhere.
Although it’s been around for quite some time, this tech is still in its early days. Judging from what we’ve seen so far, it has the potential to replace other types of storage entirely.
Some of the most popular cloud storage providers at the moment are:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
With most of these online file storage options, you usually pay a monthly fee. You can go for a free option as well, but those usually come with limited space.
For many, it’s all about getting the least expensive backup cloud solution.
Another thing we have to mention about the cloud is the sync feature. External storage transfer speeds on the cloud are quite high. Still, copying files into your backup folders can be a bit tiresome.
Well, this tech can do this for you. As long as the sync feature is on, it will automatically create backups for all new files and folders it finds on your computer.
Cloud is also the best way for large companies to store data and make it accessible for all employees. According to cloud computing statistics, 81% of all enterprises employ a multi-cloud strategy in their operations.
While we’re somewhat far away from that, it is still the perfect option to choose when looking for data storage. Just remember that you need internet access to get your files. Go offline and reaching your data will be impossible.
Pros:
- Accessible
- Low-cost
- Scalable
- Secure
Cons:
- Lack of total control
- Internet-dependent
- Difficult to migrate
Security and Data Protection
Whether or not you have backups on your portable computer storage devices, you still have to ensure your data is safe.
After all, the last thing you want to do is put your data out there for hackers to collect.
But that’s not the only threat out there. What if you lose your external USB flash drive or hard disk?
Luckily, you can ensure no one can go through your folders. There’s an entire set of strategies and processes to follow to protect your data.
Let’s go through the steps:
First of all, keep all types of malware at bay. Your best bet is investing in powerful antivirus software.
The next thing to keep in mind is encryption. Regardless of what type of external computer storage you keep your data on, you can encrypt it. This way only you’ll have access to certain information.
That’s because when encrypting your data, you change its format to unintelligible. Later, you can return it to its previous form by decrypting it. To do this, you need a unique key password, which is made of unfathomably long numbers.
Of course, you don’t have to come up with the key password. The encryption software you choose will do all the work for you.
Another important step is to create a strong password. Rather than remembering all the passwords and typing them in every time, you can have a password manager do it all for you.
Also, ensure both your computer and external devices are up-to-date.
Enterprises are supposed to be even more careful when it comes to their data. As a result, businesses often invest a lot in data protection.
Wrap Up
So, what is external storage?
It’s the ultimate protection for your data. Whether your computer gets hacked or damaged, you can still access all your files on an external storage device.
Plus, if you want to transfer or share your digital content, you have an easy way to do so.
Ever since it emerged, the cloud has become the most popular type of storage around. If things keep moving in the same direction, there’s no doubt it’ll replace all types of computer storage devices almost entirely. Some old external storage options are already dying out. Just think about CDs and DVDs.
That doesn’t mean, however, that it’s the option you have to go with. Choose what fits your needs now – you can always adapt later.