10 Best External Hard Drives in 2022 (Seagate, Buffalo, and More)

Coming with a dual-drive option and sporting a storage capacity ranging from 3TB to 24TB, this is an excellent desktop-class external hard drive to get. Other features include a USB 3.0 port interface and WD backup, plus, it's compatible with Apple Time Time Machine. You can also encrypt your hardware with a password. 

A few Mac users had difficulty setting this hard drive up with their device, as it needs to be reformatted first. Some also wished the hard drive had an indicator light to show if it’s properly plugged. 

On the other hand, many reviewers loved that this device offered a lot of storage. It’s super easy to set up for Windows users, and, overall, this is the hard drive to get for mass storage needs.

This product was made to stand out, from its bright orange exterior to the Thunderbolt port that makes it super convenient for Apple users. Upon initial setup, you can choose to have two drives, one for PC and one for Mac, or take advantage of the drive's full size for just one OS. It's also shock-, water-, and even dust-resistant.

According to a few reviewers, the connectors the hard drive came with don't connect properly. They were too loose and would disconnect, so replacing the cables is advised. 

Meanwhile, many reviewers thought this was a well-designed hard drive due to its versatile ports. It's particularly a must-have for Mac users. 

For those who want an extra layer of security over their external HDD files, there’s Buffalo’s MiniStation. It comes with a special NFC enabled smart card to unlock and access your files on your mobile devices on top of password encryption. It's also dust- and water-resistant, and has a built-in cable that neatly wraps around the frame. 

A few reviewers noted this hard drive requires more setting up compared to others since it comes encrypted and requires software downloading and installing before using the hard drive. 

After the initial setup, many reviewers loved the product's capacity, speed, and overall performance. It's also durable and built to last. The attached cable, which minimizes the risk of misplacement, was also a hit with reviewers. 

The first thing you'll notice about this hard drive is that it's ultra-compact and slim; it's less than an inch thick! Meanwhile, the all-aluminum, anti-scratch, water-resistant and shockproof surface helps keep your valuable data safe. It can be used for PCs, laptops, and gaming consoles, flaunting USB 3.0 tech. 

A few reviewers had issues setting up the hard drive initially, adding that the instruction manual didn’t help. Some also had problems with the hard drive not recognizing their operating system without tweaking. 

Still, many others loved the hard drive for its slim and portable design. It provided the right storage capacity for their needs.  

This external hard drive has a beautiful, solid aluminum casing that blends seamlessly with Apple devices. Plus, it's designed as a plug-and-play hard drive for Macs and has an amazing 10TB storage capacity (also offered in 18TB). Unlike other drives, you will need to reformat this if you want to use it on a Windows OS. It comes with USB 3.0 technology as well.

A few reviewers weren’t satisfied with the customer support when discussing technical difficulties such as intermittent connection, overheating, or failing to recognize an operating system. 

Still, many reviewers who’ve used previous G-Drive models noted this one performs well. It’s reliable, fast, works smoothly, and functions as advertised.

If you are looking for a portable external hard drive that can take a beating, then Silicon Power’s offering is for you. It’s military-grade shockproof, water-resistant, and rocks USB 3.0 technology. This one is also ideal for video game enthusiasts, as it works with the Xbox and PlayStation in addition to Windows and Mac OS'.

A few reviewers noted that the hard drive came with cheap cables and attachments. They advise replacing the cables for a more secure connection. 

However, the product was a hit among many others due to its rugged, heavy-duty design. Many have been using it for years with no issues. It works fast and flawlessly. 

This hard drive is designed to be sleek and lightweight for spacious capacity while on-the-go. It's small enough to fit in a pocket yet can still accommodate auto-backup tasks scheduled daily, weekly, or monthly. And it also comes with a complimentary two-month Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan membership for all the creatives out there.

A few reviewers were stumped that their hard drives stopped working in a year or so for no reason. Customer support wasn’t responsive either for technical difficulties. 

Meanwhile, many satisfied customers bring the hard drive with them wherever they go, noting it lives up to their needs. The model has acquired a loyal fan base who only go to this brand for hard drive needs.

The Canvio Basics is your portable hard drive that uses plug-and-play operation. You can choose storage capacities from 500GB to 4TB to accommodate your needs. The sleek, matte-black design boasts of a smudge-proof finish. It also comes with a built-in shock-resistant sensor. 

A few reviewers complained that the hard drive was more disposable than durable as it stopped working in less than a year or two. Comsequently. some users experienced intermitted performance with the hard drive. 

Meanwhile, many others stated the hard drive transfers data quickly and was very easy to use. With careful handling, the product performed reliably.

This hard drive is one of the best among desktop-type external hard drives. It sports an 8TB to 16TB storage capacity and it's perfect for laptops or desktops overflowing with files and that need seamless transfers and backups. It supports USB 3.0 and 2.0 cables and is capable of network sharing. 

A few reviewers weren’t satisfied with the speed performance of the hard drive, and customer support wasn't the best at handling complaints. 

Still, many found this to be a very reliable hard drive. It works even for Linux operating systems. It’s easy to set up, functions as advertised, and provides the extra needed space. 

Western Digital has been one of the standards in the hard drive industry for many years. This hard drive is portable, lightweight, and has storage capacities running from 1TB to 5TB. It also has a USB 3.0 port and PC or Mac compatibility. When plugged into a router configured for network sharing, it can share files on the network.

A few reviewers weren’t satisfied with the cable that the hard drive came with, noting it was sometimes unresponsive, so it may be better to buy a separate one. It also requires extra care to avoid falls or drops, which could permanently damage the device. 

However, many other reviewers said that this is an easy-to-use hard drive. It’s simple to format and works seamlessly with various operating systems.