Last Updated on September 4, 2020 by
Nowadays, the size of data is increasing day by day. People have lots of movies, games, songs, photographs and more data to store. These are the types of data that we never want to lose and want to carry anywhere we go.
- Samsung X5 Portable SSD. The Fastest External Drive For PC.
- Dozens of 2.5-inch drive enclosures can be found online for between $10-$25 (£15-25) that will let you drop in an old drive easily, and turn it into an external hard drive or SSD.
The 20 best Portable / External Hard Drives in 2021 ranked based on 422 reviews - Find consumer reviews on ProductReview.com.au, Australia's No.1 Opinion Site. A metal-skinned gem of a platter hard drive, the LaCie Mobile Drive looks great and performs on point. It's geared to macOS users, but it will please anyone with an eye for style in their gadgets.
Sometimes, the data is private so you don’t want to store it in the cloud storage. External portable hard disks have become a part of our life to handle those huge amounts of data we come across daily. The external storage technology has increased to a tremendous amount by enabling us to store, transfer and manage GBs and TBs of data easily.
There are many brands that manufacture external hard disks for a good value for money, but from the customer point of view, an external hard disk has to be reliable and durable. Therefore, the requirements for a portable hard drive with 2TB storage or more arises. 2TB External Hard Disk is the best way to keep your favorite data with you.
So, we have done the research and going to provide you the list of top 10 cheapest 2tb external hard drives that are reliable and are a must-buy.
10 Best 2TB External Hard Drives
We have also written a 2TB external hard drive buying guide at the end of the article. There, we discuss some of the important factors of hard drives, you should consider before buying the hard drives.
Jump to What to Look for in an External Hard Drive before Buying
1. Seagate Backup Plus Slim
The Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is an ultra slim and high-efficiency hard disk drive. The compatibility features are great with both USB 2.0 and the USB 3.0 connectivity, and it works well with a wide variety of operating systems like Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android.
Large volume files are dealt with quite smoothly with exceptional data transfer speed. This hard drive did not display any heating issues or vibrations. You can easily backup your Facebook, Flicker, and other content with a useful Seagate Mobile Backup Application. The USB cable is of average quality and getting a spare wire should take care of that.
This 2TB Portable External Hard Drive would make an apt choice if you are on the lookout for a hard disk drive with at least 2TB inbuilt storage. With all its advanced features at affordable pricing, it should be a perfect choice to buy.
Pros:
- Super Slim form factor
- Very Good Overall Read & Write Performance
- Free Two Year 200GB OneDrive Subscription
- Useful bundled software
Cons:
- Poor write performance
- Windows software was sluggish, at times
- Only Available In 1/2TB Capacities
2. Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC
An external hard drive you can buy at affordable pricing, Buffalo’s MiniStation Extreme NFC could be your match made in heaven. With compatibility for both Windows OS and Mac OS, the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is very flexible. This hard drive comes with a rugged case that’s dust and water resistant, along with a built-in USB 3.0 cable.
Moreover, not only is your data kept protected from knocks and drops with the rugged shell, but it also allows 256-bit AES security features and NFC (Near Field Communication) features as well. Essentially it enables you to unlock the drive to get to your files quickly by tapping the supplied NFC card onto the drive’s body.
Pros:
- Built-in USB cable
- Hardware encryption
- Mac and PC format utility
- Ruggedized and water resistant
Cons:
- NFC card is easy to lose
- Doesn’t unlock via smartphones
3. WD My Passport Ultra 2TB
The WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is a fantastic product with the right mix of specs and features. The hard disk is slim and lightweight that makes it easy to handle and transport. It exceeds all your expectations when it comes to data transfer speeds but doesn’t come near the top of the leaderboard.
This hard drive offers a useful 256-AES encryption feature that lets you secure it with a password. It is compatible well with both Windows and Mac OS and its backup feature is extremely smart that only allows the files which have been newly added or altered. The one small flaw it has is that the encryption feature does not compatible with Linux OS. The WD My Passport Ultra 2TB Portable External Hard Drive is a stunning product from a trustworthy brand. It should make a great choice for you.
- Excellent large-block transfer rates
- Included WD software for local and cloud backups adds value
Cons:
- No option to exclude/include extensions.
4. Samsung T5 SSD
The Samsung T5 Portable SDD is a bit pricey, but the speed and security it comes with are worth it for those looking for durable performance. It comes in light weight (2 ounces) and small as the palm of your hand. The all-metal, shock-resistant enclosure is rugged and portable, making it safe to just stash in a bag on the go.
Moreover, it has a super fast transfer speed up to 540 MB/s that is about five times as fast as a standard HDD, making it much faster to move giant files like 4K videos and high-resolution photos. The T5 compatible with USB 3.1 Type-C and Type-A ports, and works with Windows, Mac, and Android devices.
Pros:
- Streamlined, metal enclosure
- Excellent performance
- Easy-to-use software
- Full hardware-based encryption
Cons:
- No backup software
5. Toshiba Canvio Basics
The Toshiba Canvio Basic 2TB External Hard Disk Drive is another quality device in our list. The solid build quality and sleek, compact design from Toshiba makes it a sturdy device. It is compatible with Windows OS and Mac OS. The Canvio drive can handle large volume file transfer quite smoothly.
The data transmission speed it works exceeds your expectations. You can easily connect it with Smart TV through TV USB port. Toshiba is popular name in the hard disk industry and this hard disk is unbeatable in terms of value for money and portability. This 2TB wired external hard disk drive is a great product to meet your extensive storage needs.
Pros:
- 1TB platter technology
- Pocket sized
Cons:
- The provided USB 3.0 cable is a bit short for PC use.
- Not the fastest external drive
6. Transcend StoreJet 25H3P
Transcend StoreJet 25H3P 2.5-inch 2 TB Portable External Hard Drive is what stands out the most and it gives it a sturdy and rugged look. It has superlative data transfer with 3.0 USB port. The durability of the external hard disk is also enhanced by Military-grade shock resistance with a high-tech three-stage shock protection system.
This 2TB HDD also offers a Transcend Elite Data Management Software that let you arrange and systematize your data better. This external hard disk is compatible with USB 3.0, 2.0 and supports most of the commonly used operating systems. The Transcend StoreJet external hard drive is a must-buy if durability is your biggest concern.
Pros:
- Fast transfer rates
- Three stage shock protection system
- One Touch auto backup button
- Power saving sleep mode
Cons:
Best Portable Hard Drives For Windows 10
- Only available in purple
- Drive does not ship with Mac software
7. Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive
Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive external hard disk is a perfect choice for lovers for brand Sony. The build quality is excellent, and the drive is sure to last for a long while. The attractive slim and compact design from Sony gives it an elegant look. The hard disk proves to be a steady performer with fast data transfer speed.
The hard disk offers some additional utility features such as an automatic cloud backup with preloaded Back-Up Manager software. This includes password protection security and free backup software. The drive uses AES 256-bit algorithm data encryption and password protection technologies which give complete security to your data. The Sony PSZ-HB2T/BC 2TB Pro External Hard Disk Drive is a quality product from a top brand.
- Great performance
- AES 256-bit encryption
- additional utility features
Cons:
- More expensive per-GB
8. Lenovo F309
The Lenovo F309 2TB External Hard Disk Drive is an amazing product from a trusted brand, and its reasonable pricing makes it a true value for money gadget. The hard disk feels pretty sturdy with the solid build quality it has. The sleek and compact shape it has, give it some good portability and easy handling.
The USB 3.0 connection offers easy and quick data transmission. Its performance and speed are comparable to products from more expensive brands. No compatibility issues so you can use it with different operating systems, desktops and notebooks. It has electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of up to 8 KV that guards it against shock.
Pros:
- Good performance
- sleek and compact shape
- ESD protection
- No compatibility issues
Cons:
- No backup software
9. ADATA HV620 2TB USB 3.0 Stylish and Sleek External Hard Drive
The Adata HV620 External Drive 2TB will suit those looking for a rugged storage device that can provide ample capacity without costing too much. Its performance is superb well and remains the only SSD we’ve seen that is IP68 rated. The solid-state drive that resides in this drive, it’s faster than external drives that use traditional spinning hard drives. Download mozilla firefox 2018.
Moreover, This external drive offers great transfer speeds as well as rugged protection. Also, you don’t have to worry about missing out on storage space just because it uses an SSD – this external drive really does hit all the right notes.
Pros:
- Scratch-Prevention Design
- Sleek and Glossy
- LED Indicator Shows Transfer Status
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0
Cons:
- No free backup software
10. WD Elements 2TB Portable
The WD Elements 2TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Disk is a perfect storage solution from Western Digital. The amazing portability on offer has to be its USP. The drive is extremely lightweight, slim and compact in design and it is an easy fit into your pocket. Its plastic body makes the product extremely durable.
The drive compatible with both USB 3.0 and 2.0 connections and offers amazing transfer speed. The USB cord is of good quality, but its short length might disappoint many users. This portable drive also includes a free trial of WD SmartWare Pro automatic backup software. It can be a great choice if you are looking for a reliable 2TB external hard disk.
Pros:
- Low price.
- Huge capacity.
- No external source needed for power.
Cons:
- No free backup software
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive before Buying
Capacity: The capacity is the most important thing, you need really depends on your lifestyle. If you’re a photographer or videographer, for instance, you’ll require something with a large capacity that can store all of your media files. In that case, you should go for 4TB and above. If, however, you’re a student who just needs to back up some term documents and smartphone photos, 1TB or 2TB should be plenty.
Transfer speed: Backing up your files takes time, depends on the size of data. If you have a lot of data to backup, you could be looking at a couple of hours at the least. If speed is your concern, buy an external hard drive with transfers speeds of at least 120MB/s for writing and 130MB/s for reading.
Portability: There are a lot of pretty hefty hard drives out there, but if you’re often on the go, portability is key. Some devices are as compact in design as a deck of cards, which make them easy to put into your bag or pocket for convenient backing up.
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External hard drives are important for those who have a lot of data on their computers and want to store it in a safe and convenient location. There are tons of external hard drives on the market, and this can make it intimidating when it comes time for you to find the right drive for you. We’re going to take out a bit of the guess work by highlighting the top rated and most dependable portable hard drives on the market. These are the products that customers consistently praise for their safety and dependability.
Portable Hard Drive Reviews
These top rated external hard drives are very popular among customers because they’re lightweight, easy to take on the go, dependable, safe, and come at a price that most customers can afford. When you’re ready to purchase an HDD that is going to suit your needs, then you can feel confident buying one of these drives. Should you wish to continue your search then you can read through the following buyer’s guide to find something that is going to suit your specific needs.
Best External Hard Drive 2015
There are so many external hard drives out there and it can be quite daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you. That’s why this guide is going to highlight all the major features that you need to look out for so that you can find the perfect HDD that is going to accommodate your needs.
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11 mins to read
14 products considered
10 products reviewed
30 hours reviewing
14 products considered
10 products reviewed
30 hours reviewing
1. Toshiba
Best Overall Portable Hard Drive
This portable hard drive from Toshiba is one of the top rated models on the market due to its ample storage and sleek design. Easy to take on the go, this hard drive features a capacity of 1 TB and an ample speed of 5400 RPM. The device is powered by a USB with 3.0 powered portable add-on storage.With its simple plug and play operation you’re going to see that this device is incredibly easy to use and maintain. There’s no complicated software to install, and the device is made to accommodate large digital files with spacial storage capacity.
The design is not only sleek but it is smudge free so that you never have to deal with pesky fingerprints. All in all, this is a top rated design because it’s so easy to take on the go and makes storing all your extra data as easy as pie.
– Darius Spieth
2. Western Digital
Best Overall Portable Hard Drive – Runner Up
This is a secure portable storage device by WD with a 3 TB storage capacity, and optimal 256-bit AES hardware encryption. You get completely automatic local and cloud backup with this device, and it all comes in a stylish design that is available in a range of wonderful colors to choose from.With its USB 3.0 connectivity, you’re going to see that this drive is incredibly easy to use, and it’s formatted for Windows, but can be reformatted for Mac. With a 3 year limited warranty, this device is guaranteed to stand the test of time and gives you the storage performance that you crave.
A top rated hard drive, this device is praised by customers because it’s easy to use and lightweight enough to carry on the go. The sleek design and superior performance make this the external hard drive of choice among PC users, and even Mac users can benefit from it as well. If you’re someone who has a lot of data and you’re looking for a place to securely store it, then look no further then this expert hard drive by WD.
– Darius Spieth
3. Silicon Power
Best Budget Portable Hard Drive
Wireless Portable Hard Drive Reviews
This portable hard drive by Silicon Power is completely shock proof, and it features drop protection that meets all US military standards. With SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connection, you get the best possible transferring rate of up to 5Gb. You also get a wrap-around cable system that gives you a brilliant USB 3.0 storage design that is easy to use and built for the ultimate in performance.This works with either a PC or a Mac, and it allows you to share data and files between different platforms with ease. You also get a tremendous 3 year manufacturer warranty that backs your purchase, so you can be sure that this hard drive is going to stand the test of time and last you for years to come.
In fact, you’re going to be amazed by the overall durability and performance of this hard drive. Customers love it because it gives them a safe storage outlet that they can truly trust. When you’re ready to safely and securely store your data on a lightweight and dependable drive, then you’ve come to the right place.
– Darius Spieth
Summary of Our Top PicksThese top rated external hard drives are very popular among customers because they’re lightweight, easy to take on the go, dependable, safe, and come at a price that most customers can afford. When you’re ready to purchase an HDD that is going to suit your needs, then you can feel confident buying one of these drives. Should you wish to continue your search then you can read through the following buyer’s guide to find something that is going to suit your specific needs.
There are so many external hard drives out there and it can be quite daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you. That’s why this guide is going to highlight all the major features that you need to look out for so that you can find the perfect HDD that is going to accommodate your needs.
5. Toshiba Canvio
7. Seagate 8TB
9. Silicon Power A60
Portable Hard Drive Comparison
Toshiba | Western Digital | Silicon Power | Seagate 400 | Toshiba Canvio | Toshiba Canvio Advance | Seagate 100 | WD BU | Silicon Power A60 | WD BY | |
Capacity (TB) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Style | Classic | Classic | Modern | Drive | Contemporary | Contemporary | Drive | Classic | Modern | Modern |
Casing | Matte finish | High Gloss finish | Matte finish | Diamond Edge | Matte finish | High Gloss finish | Diamond Edge | Matte finish | Matte finish | Straight Edge |
RPM | 5,400 | 7,200 | 5,200 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 5,400 | 7,200 | 5,200 | 7,200 |
Warranty (years) | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Portable Hard Drive Buying Guide
What is a Portable Hard Drive?
You always want to back up your computer, but you may not be confident just storing data in the cloud. When you want a physical copy of your computer’s files and not just something floating in the air, then you need an external hard drive to do this for you. It can be daunting when it comes time to purchase an external hard drive, because there is so much out there to choose from. That’s why we’re going to help you out in this buyer’s guide by pointing you in the right direction.
When it comes to finding what is going to work best for your needs then consider what you’re going to be using it for, how much space you have to place it and how much storage space you need, and how often you’re going to be backing up files. You also need to consider whether you’re going to be transporting your external hard drive from place to place. If you don’t need to carry it around then it’s possible to purchase a heavier device at a lower price.
When you answer these questions then you’ll get closer to discovering which is the right external hard drive for you. Lets now take a look at some of the features that you want to consider before you buy.
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is a very important factor, and in HDDs it can range from 2GB to 4TB, dependent upon how much data you need to store. There are some drive companies that put two 4TB drives into one chassis, and this makes for a whopping 8TB HDD. This is going to be way too much for most people, but you simply need to know what’s right for you. Most computers these days come with something between 250GB to 750GB of space in the hard drive. A mini external hard drive is known as a flash drive, and this well may be enough storage space for you. But if you need something larger to store documents, photos, videos, songs and much more, then you definitely need to look for an external hard drive. If you’re looking to store a lot of videos then you may want to consider a HDD with 1TB to 2TB of storage. Should you just be storing emails and documents then you can go with something that is smaller. The more that you want to store and the larger the file type, the bigger you should go. You’re going to find the price for your drive will greatly vary dependent upon the speed and storage capacity.
Transfer Speed
If you want to back your computer up every week or so then most external hard drives are going to work for you. If you’re going to be using it to store large files then you need something that has more space and works more quickly. Look for a hard drive with USB 3.0 capability instead of USB 2.0. 2.0 is quite common but it’s not going to be sufficient for your needs. 3.0 is going to work faster so that you can quickly and more efficiently store larger and more complicated files. Speed is an important consideration because there’s nothing more frustrating than sitting around waiting for these things to upload and be saved. If you’re merely storing documents then the speed shouldn’t be such a huge consideration, but if you’re storing larger files then speed is definitely going to be an important consideration. Keep in mind that not all external hard drives work with all computers, so you need to make sure that they’re compatible. There’s also Thunderbolt to consider, which is gaining in popularity these days. This was developed by Intel as a collaboration with Apple. Thunderbolt is incredibly fast, and in fact, it is one of the fastest out of all the ports. Just keep in mind that this is going to come with a huge price tag.
Best Portable Hard Drive Reviews
Portability
Portability is an important consideration when it comes to external hard drives. Should you want to keep your drive at home, then you can purchase one that weighs a bit more and costs less. If you need to tow it back and forth from home and work then it makes more sense to spend extra money on something that is lightweight. In fact, there are pocket-sized devices that are so lightweight you’re not even going to realize that you’re carrying them around. You also want to consider practical features such as enhanced data protection, and this reduces the risk of failure caused by shock should the device be dropped. You want to make sure that no matter which portable storage device you purchase that it is built from durable materials so that it is safe in the case of shock or damage. You want to avoid purchasing anything that seems flimsy and seek something that has solid, durable materials such as aluminum or plastic.
When it comes to a desktop style drive, they are technically portable but they’re mostly designed to stay in place and require a power adaptor. Should you want something that is thin and more lightweight that you simply plug this into your computer without using an external power source, then this kind of desktop drive is not the right choice for you. You want to be sure to find one that comes with a built-in fan if you’re using it more frequently or when it comes to heavy file transfers. This built-in fan is going to help you to extend the life of the HDD.
Safety
You want to definitely be sure that your hard drive comes with hardware-based encryption which is much more dependable than software-based. This is particularly important should you want to purchase a portable mobile drive to carry around, and it’s also great when you are storing very sensitive information. When you carry your private files around it makes them more prone to theft and loss, and that’s why encryption gives you that extra level of protection.
Reliability
Should you be someone who is new to using HDDs then you want something that is reliable and easy to use. Be sure to choose a drive that comes with included software, as this will just make things much easier in the long run. But no matter what you purchase it isn’t going to be fail-safe, so you want to get something that is backed by a warranty. Look for a warranty that lasts longer than one year.
Compatibility
You need to take into consideration whether you have a PC or a Mac before you purchase an external hard drive. Some HDDs are only compatible with one kind of computer or the other. If you’re buying a PC specific hard drive for a Mac, you’re either going to need to reformat the hard drive that you buy or just purchase one that’s specifically designed to be compatible with your computer.
Conclusion
Owning an external hard drive is a smart choice if you’re someone that has a lot of data on your computer and you want to safely and effectively store it. There are numerous hard drives out there and that’s why it can be daunting when it comes time to find the right one for you.
The buyer’s guide is intended to help you understand which drive might be right for your particular needs. Asking yourself certain questions about how much data you have and how you plan to use the drive is going to help you to find something that will fulfill your needs. The top rated drives that we discussed above are smart choices, and they’re guaranteed to serve the needs of most computer users.
Should you need something that is different then you can continue your search online to find a drive that meets your specifications. It really comes down to how portable you need the drive to be, as well as how much data you need to store on the device.