The Best External Hard Drive

External hard drives are an affordable and convenient way to expand storage or back up your computer. Portable options like the 5TB Western Digital My Passport Ultra connect via a single USB cable, making them easy to use and carry. Desktop drives, while requiring both a USB connection and a power outlet, offer faster performance and are ideal for frequent file access and everyday tasks.

The Western Digital My Passport Ultra offers high capacity at an affordable price, supports both Windows and Mac, includes USB-C and USB-A connectors, and comes with a three-year warranty.

Who this is for

External drives are ideal for backing up files or expanding PC storage without internal upgrades. Portable drives, powered by a single cable, are compact and perfect for regular backups or quick transfers. For handling large media files, consider a faster desktop hard drive or a portable SSD, though desktop drives need external power and are less durable, while SSDs are pricier.

Regular backups are essential, as internal drives can fail unexpectedly. Set up automatic backups to both an external drive and the cloud for maximum security against data loss from technical failures, theft, or disasters.

How we picked

An ideal external hard drive should work seamlessly, requiring minimal setup and maintenance while quietly handling your storage needs. Desktop drives can be bulky and unattractive, so we assess if smaller, portable drives can meet most people’s needs effectively.

Key Features to Look For:

• Input: We prioritize drives with modern USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (Type-B, Micro-B, or Type-C) and exclude Thunderbolt-exclusive models due to high costs and marginal performance improvements.
• Performance: Drives are tested under real-world conditions to ensure they handle typical tasks efficiently.
• Price: We focus on models under $150, assessing value based on cost per terabyte.
• Capacity: 4 TB and 5 TB drives offer a great balance of cost and storage for most users, though larger capacities are available for niche needs.
• Reliability: While all hard drives eventually fail, replacing backup drives every 3–6 years is recommended. Use cloud backups alongside physical drives for added security.
• Durability: Hard drives are more prone to damage from drops due to moving parts. SSDs are more robust and faster but costlier. Choose based on how often the drive will be moved and your handling care.
• Extras: Desktop drives often include power switches, reducing energy use and making transportation easier. Backup software can be handy but is not essential, as free alternatives or built-in OS utilities suffice.
• Warranty: Most drives offer a 2–3 year warranty. While a longer warranty is preferable, reliability and performance are more critical factors.
• Speed: Spindle speed (rpm) impacts performance but is not the primary factor in real-world tasks. Data transfer and usability often depend more on overall design and technology.

How we tested

Based on our research and criteria, we select external desktop and portable hard drives for each round of testing. Initial tests use HD Tune to measure performance benchmarks. For real-world results, we transfer a 15 GB folder with a Blu-ray movie and a 31 GB music folder, repeating each test six times to calculate average read and write speeds and exclude anomalies.

After testing, we review hundreds of Amazon ratings for the finalists. We exclude drives with over 5% one-star reviews, as this rate is unusually high. While every drive has occasional complaints about failures or compatibility, we prioritize models with minimal negative feedback.

Our pick: Western Digital My Passport Ultra (5 TB)

We recommend portable hard drives for their simplicity and versatility, whether for backing up files, expanding storage, or transferring data between computers. For most users, the Western Digital My Passport Ultra (5 TB) is the top choice, offering excellent value with its high capacity and competitive cost per terabyte. It features a durable USB-C port, which is easier to use and more reliable than older Micro-B connectors.

At around $26 per terabyte, the My Passport Ultra stands out as a better deal than competitors. For example, the 4 TB Toshiba Canvio Advance Plus is slightly cheaper per terabyte but has a lower capacity and uses a less robust Micro-B connector. Similarly, the Toshiba Canvio Flex costs more at $28 per terabyte and maxes out at 4 TB, making the My Passport Ultra the superior option.

It includes a three-year warranty, longer than most drives’ two-year coverage, offering extra peace of mind. For greater durability, consider a pricier portable SSD.

The My Passport Ultra includes a user-friendly USB-C cable and a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter, ensuring compatibility with various ports. The short cable works well for desk setups, even with a laptop stand.

Real-world file transfers, in minutes

Drive	Large-file read average	Large-file write average	Small-file read average	Small-file write average
Western Digital My Passport Ultra (5 TB)	2:16	2:18	4:48	4:53
Toshiba Canvio Advance Plus (4 TB)	1:52	1:54	3:23	2:59
Toshiba Canvio Flex (4 TB)	1:56	1:55	4:05	4:07
Toshiba Canvio Gaming (4 TB)	1:48	1:58	4:06	4:07
LaCie Mobile Drive (5 TB)	11:18	1:53	38:03	4:00
Seagate Backup Plus Slim (2 TB)	2:01	2:03	4:34	24:57

Flaws but not dealbreakers

While it’s slower than other hard drives for file transfers, it’s still fast enough for laptop backups or occasional file copying. With the decreasing price of 1 TB portable SSDs, they’re becoming more competitive with 4 TB and 5 TB hard drives, so consider an SSD if speed matters more than storage.

The My Passport Ultra is pre-formatted for Windows PCs. Mac users can either reformat it or buy the Mac-compatible version.