8 Best External Hard Drives [Tested and Reviewed]

Western Digital is a California-based company specializing in storage. The My Passport comes in black, blue, and red, and starts at 2 TB storage. The benchmark test measured the transfer speed at 124.1 MB/s for reading and 120.7 MB/s for writing. During data transfer, 1 GB of data took an average of 9.7 seconds, and 100 GB of data took around 15 minutes and 19 seconds. Though this isn't the fastest of the models, the speed was within the average range of the drives we tested.

This external hard drive has extensive security features, including encryption and password locking. This means that data should remain fairly secure even in the event of hacking. There is no shock resistance or anti-slip coating, resulting in a thin and compact size, ideal for bag pockets or other tight storage spaces.

The My Passport Ultra, from storage manufacturer Western Digital, is a high-end portable HDD with an aluminum shell. It comes in 2 TB and 4 TB variations with different shades of blue. Benchmark tests clocked this model at an average of 131.9 MB/s for reading and 128 MB/s for writing. During actual data transfer, 1 GB took an average of 9.2 seconds and 100 GB took around 14 minutes and 35 seconds. This was an average result in terms of all the products tested; not particularly slow or fast.

The My Passport Ultra features both encryption and password locking, making it a very secure choice. It is thin and easy to carry, and also has non-slip rubber at each corner on the back, making it good for desk work.

The Canvio Basics from Japanese home appliance manufacturer Toshiba has a rounded design and is available only in black. In benchmark testing, the Canvio Basics averaged 150.4 MB/s in reading and 160.8 MB/s in writing. It took an average of 8.0 seconds to transfer 1 GB of data, and 12 minutes, 20 seconds to transfer 100 GB of data. This was the fastest transfer speed out of all the external hard drives we tested.

This drive received a lower rating for security, with no encryption function provided. In terms of size, it is larger and thicker than other portable models. Additionally, it lacks shock resistance, so shouldn't be carried around, but remains a good choice for anyone looking for fast transfer speeds.

Seagate Technology is a storage product manufacturer. Its Portable External Hard Drive is simple and black, and comes with three years of product support. Benchmark testing measured this drive's reading speed at an average of 137.6 MB/s and writing at 136.0 MB/s. When transferring data, 1 GB took an average of 8.6 seconds, and 100 GB took 12 minutes, 59 seconds, making it relatively fast among the drives tested.

The drive is not particularly secure, with no encryption functions offered. But it is portable and compact in addition to its speed, making it is a good choice if you're not handling particularly sensitive data.

The One Touch from American manufacturer Seagate Technology comes in six different colors. Benchmark tests for the One Touch measured reading at approximately 73.5 MB/s and writing at 66.0 MB/s. In the actual transfer of data, 1 GB transferred at an average of 8.5 seconds and 100 GB transferred at 13 minutes and 47 seconds. The benchmark scores measured the drive as slow, but it was not that slow in tests measuring actual use.

The One Touch doesn't come with encryption, but does come with a password lock function, which requires the downloading of a toolkit in accordance with the user guide. The drive itself is about half an inch thick, making it a good choice for anyone looking for a compact model.

Western Digital is a US-based storage product manufacturer. The WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD is the most affordable entry model in the company's external hard drive lineup. Benchmark testing gave the WD 2TB Elements Portable HDD an average of 113.4 MB/s in reading and 109.2 MB/s in writing. It took 1 GB of data an average of 10.5 seconds to transfer, and 100 GB took 16 minutes, 51 seconds to transfer, giving it the slowest transfer speed among the models tested.

This drive lacks security functions, and no encryption is offered. It is relatively large and thick. The low price is one of this external drive's high points, but we recommend choosing one of the company's higher-end models if it is within your budget.

The Rugged Mini from LaCie, a storage product manufacturer, has a shock-resistant orange cover. Benchmark testing for the LaCie Rugged Mini measured reading at an average of 72.6 MB/s and writing at 68.8 MB/s. In actual data transfer, 1 GB took around 8.3 seconds and 100 GB took 13 minutes and 46 seconds. The benchmark scores were low, but the actual transfer speeds were among some of the fastest we tested.

The LaCie Rugged Mini is a good choice for outdoor use because of its IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. According to independent drop tests, the drive performs well in terms of shock resistance. The rubber cover, however, has a smooth texture, making it potentially slippery on desks or uneven surfaces. Its large, thick body makes it bulky to carry, but it remains a strong choice if you're looking for something waterproof or dustproof.

The G-DRIVE ArmorATD from Sandisk, famous for its flash memory products, is a shock-resistant model with rubber covering around its case. In the benchmark test, the G-DRIVE ArmorATD averaged 136.5 MB/s for reading and 132.2 MB/s for writing. In data transfer, 1 GB transferred at an average of 9.2 seconds and 100 GB transferred at an average of 14 minutes, three seconds, giving the drive average ratings among the products tested.

The G-DRIVE ArmorATD has an IP54 rating against water and dust, and can be used even in a light rain, though care must be taken not to let water enter the terminal area itself. It passed drop tests held by the manufacturer. The body is thick due to the shock-absorbing cover, but this drive is a good choice for anyone looking for shock resistance.