Contents
Top 10 Best External Hard Drives
The evolution of computers has been along the similar lines with the evolution of the available storage space with them. While the first computers came with just a few kilobytes of space, the most upgraded versions have space of over few terabytes in general. As the need for space increased, the development of a new tech product also came up to satiate this need; here comes the age of external hard drives.
External hard drives have made it a lot easier to carry a lot of data on the go which is pretty cool as portability is the key in the present times.
Must See -: Reviews of Best xBox Steering Wheels
Features For Selection Of External Hard Drives
There are a lot of options in the external hard drive market with distinction in size, brand, and other specifications. Thus the buyers are often left gasping amongst these many options and find it difficult to choose the most suitable device.
The major issue in selection is the number of variable specifications. Here is the list of most important physical as well as technical specifications that could be held important in choosing the most suitable option out of the innumerable options available in the market.
Data storage capacity
However there are users who like their granite sealer to be odor free without imparting any kind of fragrance. So, there are options which provide odor free fragrances to the user who are allergic to certain kind of fragrances.
Safety
This is the most obvious yet most important aspect of selection. A hard drive that can hold enough data that is generally used by the user and yet have around 10 percent free space is considered ideal. The pricing of the drives go upscale with the increase in storage capacity and therefore it is advisable to carefully weigh the actual requirements and then go looking into the market.
There is no point in investing in a drive that doesn’t have enough space for your data; and it is equally illogical to hoard a drive that has too much space, which would eventually be left.
Size
Being generally meant to enhance the portability of the stored data, it is important that the external hard drive being chosen shall be of the favorable size for the user.
This means that those hard drives which are meant to store that is to be frequently moved from one place of usage to other require being tiny enough to be travelled with easily. The drives that are to be meant for generally limited mobility can be relatively larger in size as the price of the smaller drives is generally more than the larger ones.
Durability
Some work environments are pretty harsh like in the case of field reporters; such users shall always ensure that they go for a device that can work even in the slight unfavorable environment. Making an investment that requires further investment and constant protection while usage is similar to buying an expensive white elephant.
Brand value
The gadget market has some pretty large brands operating in it. These brands have their products priced higher than the usual and less famous brands to en-cash their brand value. Many times, the products offered by them is at par with the products which are priced far less.
The buyer shall make sure to look out for the ratings as well as the reviews of the small time products as well. If the reviews seem credible and standards are at par with the big guns then there isn’t any harm in trying them out; after all, every big fish was a tiny spawn once.
Power source
There are two categories here; the external powered non-portable ones and the system powered portable The first category requires a constant power supply through Firewire or eSATA cable to work.
This type has the maximum storage capacity and is usually connected to systems to be used as a supplementary internal drive. The second category requires only the USB connectivity from the system to work. These drives have comparatively less storage space but are really portable.
Presentation
This is a factor in selection for the users who have to use the drive in the public domain and have people judging according to the choice of gadgets’ present-ability. In such cases, the buyer shall not vary from shelling out some extra bucks and coming out with a device that presentable and compliments the persona of the user.
Pricing
This is usually the driving feature in the selection procedure and is given the most importance as well. It is advisable to not go and buy a hard drive in a jiffy, if possible, but keep a tab on the prices of the drives through online portals and make a move when the prices are in their most favorable stage. This small effort could end up saving some big bucks as the online discounting of the prices is usually just awesome, to say the least.
Why buy external hard drives from online stores?
The availability of the hardware at almost all the stores is one of the major achievements of the globalization of trade. The next major achievement is of online stores. E-commerce has come up to become very important part of the shopping habits of an increasing number of people.
External hard drives are amongst the most bought products from the e-commerce tech stores. There are still some inhibitions about choosing the online stores instead of the conventional stores.
Here are some of the major benefits that come along with the purchase of external hard drives from the e-commerce portals.
More options
The online portals feature the products from all the major and upcoming brands as well as multiple variants of the same type as well. This allows the buyer to carefully look out for the most suitable option for them. This facility is usually not there in the brand showrooms as they offer products from specific brands at once.
Favorable pricing
This is probably the most important part. The online portals have several discounts and offers which make the effective price of the product lesser than the conventional market. Also as there are multiple e-commerce portals, there is competitive pricing amongst them. This works in favor of the buyers who get the same products at relatively lower prices.
Customer support
In case the device is not able to perform well or has some manufacturing defect, then it could be easily replaced or returned according to the policy of the seller. This facility makes the online transactions all the more lucrative.
Availability of reviews
Almost all the online portals feature reviews from the users and thus allows the new buyers to understand the pros and cons of the device being bought with ease. This is very helpful for the clients in making an informed purchase.
Doorstep delivery
The device being bought is delivered on the address requested from the buyer’s side. Usually, the online portals don’t even charge for this delivery. This rids the buyer from treading the busy markets elbowing and being elbowed by others while searching for the product of their choice.
How to make improve external hard drive’s life expectancy?
Being an electronic device and for the reason that it goes through rigorous writing, deleting and rewriting, external hard drives are prone to get damaged or unusable after some time of usage. Therefore it is important for the user to ensure that they use the drive properly. Here are some of the tips that could help you in ensuring that your device stays in working condition for the longer period.
- While connecting the hard drive, the user should ensure that the required firmware, as well as the device registration, is done Failing to do so could lead to the device malfunctioning and at times not getting recognized by the system because of the unavailability of files required for the same.
- Many users take a very casual approach while removing the device from the system by unplugging it directly without following the regular procedure. This is highly inadvisable as this would eventually lead to corruption in data and if done repeatedly would render the device useless.
- Moisture is the ultimate enemy of any electronic device. Therefore it is advisable to keep the external hard drive from any type of fluid which could spill on it and cause damage to the circuitry of the device causing irreparable damage to the hard drive. This would result in loss of important data as well as wastage of investment done into acquiring the device.
- It is important to only connect the drive to the verified and scanned systems. If there are any viruses or malware into the host system, then the device would end up being damaged from the same. This could lead to temporary as well permanent malfunctioning of the hardware.
- Always use the prescribed cables with the device. In case the user goes along with some other cable with unfavorable specifications, the internal alignment of the circuits might get damaged. Also, use of non-supported cables would mean that the drive would not be performing in its full capacity.
Here is the list of top 10 external hard drives for the buyers to choose from.
Top 3 Best Gas Water Heaters Reviews Under 50, 100 And 200 Dollars
#1. Seagate Ultra Slim 1TB Backup Plus
Description :
Coming from one of the premiers in the hard drive industry, this piece of style is meant for the users who wish to keep their presentation quotient at par with the exceptional styling. This hard drive is pretty much demand across all the age group users because of its brilliant style and impeccable performance.
Specifications :
This external hard drive is available in 1TB as well as 2TB variants. It is 0.38 inch in width for easy handling. It is available in gold and platinum colors and offers a maximum data transfer speed of 120 MB per second. Its weight is 3.2 ounces.
Features :
This device offers USB 3.0 connectivity for the users. IT is compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms. It also works with DropBox and Google Drive. No extra power is needed for use; it works out from the power driven from the system itself. When registering the product, the user is also entitled to 200 GB free OneDrive cloud storage for 2 years.
Reasons To Support
- The dimensions of the device make it pretty slim and easy to handle as well as portable at the same time. The device is quite thinner than the other variants in the same segment.
- The transfer speed available is pretty good.
- The device comes with the latest USB 3.0 connectivity which gives data transfer an extra push.
- The looks of the device are enough to catch the attention of any onlooker.
Reasons To Oppose
- Several issues with the durability of the device have been reported.
- The compatibility of the device with the earlier versions of operating systems is not so good which is an issue for the old school users.
- The price of the device is definitely on the higher side, and this is a problem as there are similar products available with smaller price tags.
- There are some heating issues associated with this device when compared with some other drive.
#2. Seagate Expansion 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
Description :
This hard drive from Seagate is clearly amongst the most favored options in the external hard drive market. It has gained the top rung owing to its features and enticing looks and has been there at the top ever since. Being amongst the most innovative offerings in the segment, its reign is not likely to end any soon.
Specifications :
This external hard drive is available in four variants, namely 1TB, 2TB, 3TB, and 4TB. This device is 0.6 inches wide and has a weight of around 6.4 ounces. It is available only in classic black color.
Features :
This item comes with a USB 3.0 connectivity which is also compatible with the old USB 2.0 module. It is also compatible with all the Windows OS post-Windows 7 and is, therefore, a delight for the hardcore Windows users. It is a plug and play device and therefore doesn’t require any extra software for the device to work.
Reasons To Support
- The design of the device is pretty handy and allows the user to use it without bothering so much about the external damage at the edges.
- It is compatible and easy to use with Xbox because of the plug and play.
- While there is no stock formatting for Mac OS, there are online solutions available for the same.
- The build quality of the product is pretty good and therefore it is better heavy duty usage.
- The dimensions of the drive make it easily portable while on the move. It is also quite light and therefore never an issue when using it as a portable data storage medium.
Reasons To Oppose
- The non-compatibility with Mac OS is a definite issue for those who have limited knowledge about the formatting of the device to suit the OS.
- There have been certain issues reported about unexplained variations in the transfer speed.
#3. Seagate Backup Plus 4TB Portable External Hard Drive
Description :
This is probably the most awesome conventional external hard drives from Seagate. With a simple yet classic design, this device is pretty much custom made for the old school tech users who do not want a too fancy but an extremely well-performing device.
Specifications :
This device is a model in 7 variants from 500 GB to 4TB. It gives a data transfer speed of 120 MB per second and therefore is a favorable choice for those looking for a swift device. The width of the device stands at 0.81 inches, and the weight is roughly around half a pound. It comes in four different colors, namely black, silver, red and blue.
Features :
The device has USB 3.0 connectivity for faster data transfer. One of the important features is its interchangeable use in Windows as well as Mac OS. It does not require any extra formatting for being used with Mac OS.
Reasons To Support
- The device is readily interchangeable for Windows and Mac OS.
- It is compatible with PlayStation 4 with a PS4 system software update of 4.50 or a higher version.
- It is USB powered and therefore does not require any extra power supply for use.
- The sleek design adds up to the overall look and appeal of the device.
Reasons To Oppose
- While the device works quite well, there are several bad sectors on the drive which are realized after running extensive diagnostics.
- The internal circuitry of the device at times gives way to a noisy operation which is troublesome while using.
- There are reports of the device stopping to respond abruptly even within some days of buying; can be isolated manufacturing errors as well.
- The speed of data transfer takes a hit when the device space is filled by more than half of its capacity.
- At times, the device hangs and needs to be ejected and reconnected for it to work again.
#4. WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive – USB 3.0 – WDBU6Y0020BBK-WESN
Description :
Very sleek and high on specifications, WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive makes for the perfect storage companion for all your important data. With USB 3.0 compatibility, you can expect speedy data transfer. Now you can conveniently free up your PC and let it work on high speed without any buffer time.
Specifications :
WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive comes with 2TB storage capacity and is supported by USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. USB 3.0 enables you to transfer data at the ultra fast speed of 5 GB/s, saving you from the irritation and the constant waiting.
Pre-formatted to be compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7, you can format the drive to make it compatible with your Mac. One can opt for this facility by referring to the Application Guide that comes with this External Drive. The product also offers auto-backup, so you don’t have to worry about your data.
Features :
Offering data storage on-the-go, WD 2TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive is one of the most reliable hard drives that let you carry important info anytime and anywhere. Beautifully designed and highly functional, this external hard drive is lightweight as well. Offering USB 3.0 compatibility, this external hard drive lets you enjoy high-speed data transfer without you carrying extra equipment.
Reasons To Support
- This external hard drive offers huge storage capacity and is lightweight at 4.73 oz.
- Easy to use and portable.
- Compatible with Windows and Mac both. Also compatible with other hosts like Xbox.
- High-speed data transfer, up to 5 GB/s.
Reasons To Oppose
- One will have to pay extra for the backup software.
- No security features.
#5. Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0
Description :
Add space to your desktop by installing Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 and let your system perform better. With a lot of data that can be stored on this hard drive, one can consolidate all its data at one place very conveniently. Now you don’t have to worry about the storage of your music, pictures, movies and other data.
Specifications :
Portable and easy to carry, the Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 comes with the attach-and-use feature. Just plug in the plug and the power adapter, and you are good to go. Offering huge storage space of 5 TB, this external hard drive lets you store all the data in one place, freeing up your PC space, allowing it to work better.
Equipped with SuperSpeed USB 3.0, you can quickly transfer all the data to your hard drive without waiting for a long time. The drive is compatible with Windows and Mac both. For Mac, you will have to reformat the drive and then use it.
Features :
The Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 is a highly functional product which gives all your data storage woes a rest. With its unique plug-and-play feature, it is very easy to connect this hard drive to any host and use it.
With its installation taking mere seconds, you will not have to wait long to use this product. The product comes with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. So you don’t have to worry about the compatibility. With the “Drag-and-drop” feature, it is fairly easy to operate this hard drive.
Reasons To Support
- Works with multiple hosts.
- Huge data storage of 5 TB.
- Sleek Design.
Reasons To Oppose
- Short Warranty of 1 year.
- Needs a power adapter to operate.
#6. WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive – USB 3.0 – WDBYNN0010BBK-WESN
Description :
Now get extra storage space for your photos, music, movies and other data in fun colors. Compact and easy to use, WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive, fits in the hand of the user. Highly portable, this fun external hard drive and can be carried anytime and anywhere.
Specifications :
With a storage capacity of 1 TB, WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive is a convenient and a highly functional device in today’s technologically driven world. Portable and easy to use, this external hard drive comes with the famed WD reliability.
The body is shockproof and sleek in design. The hard drive comes with USB 3.0 which allows ultra fast transfer speed. It also has a USB 2.0 port. So you don’t have to worry about the compatibility. Pre-formatted for Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7, this external hard drive can be formatted and used for Mac as well. For auto backup, WD Backup Software is provided. WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive also comes with hardware encryption.
Features :
High on design and sleek, WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive is a style statement of sorts. Highly functional and easy to use, this external hard drive comes with WD Backup and WD Security Software. With WD Backup, you can create a backup for your music, pictures, movies and documents at your own convenience. With the unique password protection feature, the hard drive comes with 256 bit AES hardware encryption. The product also comes with 3 years limited warranty.
Reasons To Support
- The data transfer is super fast.
- Lots of color options.
- Comes with Hardware encryption software.
- Offers the Backup feature.
Reasons To Oppose
- Real time backup facility is not available.
#7. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable Hard Drive – Black
Description :
Offering easy-to-use, functional and an affordable external hard drive, Toshiba has come up with Canvio Basics 1 TB Portable Hard Drive for all those who need extra data storage space. Basic in looks with a glossy top, this external hard drive focuses more on the usage than on looks.
Specifications :
Offering a huge storage space of 1 TB, Toshiba Canvio Basics 1 TB Portable Hard Drive comes with USB 3.0, offering high-speed transfer up to 5 GB/s. The hard drive comes with an inbuilt backup software which you can schedule as and when you like. The external hard drive does not need a software to install before using.
So you can simply plug in the device and it will be ready to use. The speed of the hard drive is 5400 RPM, and an average seeks time of 12ms. The internal shock sensor and the Ramp-Loading Technology save your hard drive if you accidently drop it. The hard drive is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. You can also use it with Mac by formatting the drive.
Features :
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable Hard Drive offers a huge storage space of 1 TB for all your digital content. With a smudge free casing, this external hard drive can be carried anywhere and at anytime. With no installation software required, you can simply plug the hard drive and start using it. One Year standard Limited warranty with the Internal Shock Sensor and Ramp-Load Technology make this drive one of the sturdiest.
Reasons To Support
- Automatic File Backups facility is available.
- It is lightweight and can be carried conveniently.
Reasons To Oppose
- The plastic casing does not look sturdy.
- Very slow as compared to other hard drives.
#8. Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1TB Portable Hard Drive, Red
Description :
Compact, designer, and sleek define the Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1 TB Portable Hard Drive. With inbuilt storage of 1 TB and also an extended 10 GB cloud storage space makes this external hard drive the true on-the-go storage device. Offering backup and restore options, this hard drive lets you enjoy your digital data whenever and wherever.
Specifications :
Offering a storage space of 1 TB, the Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1TB Portable Hard Drive, lets you back up your entire desktop or laptop very conveniently. Equipped with USB 3.0, you can enjoy high-speed transfer without waiting for too long. With a size of 0.77 (H) X 3.07 (W) X 4.29 (D), this is one of the most compact and easy to carry hard drives available in the market.
You can simply slip it in your pocket, and you are ready to go. The drive is formatted with NTFS which makes it Windows compatible. This drive is also compatible with Mac for which you will have to reformat the drive. The drive comes with NTI Backup Now EZ for backup.
Features :
Compact in design with the high-end metallic finish, Toshiba Canvio Connect II 1TB Portable Hard Drive is available in many fun colors like blue, white, red, black and satin gold. Supported by PogoPlug PC, you can create an additional backup or storage space of 10 GB.
Accessible on Desktop and the laptop both, you can enjoy the cloud storage facility anywhere. The drive also comes with password-protected data encryption facility for complete security assurance. NTI Backup Now EZ lets you create a backup of files in a jiffy.
Reasons To Support
- Data Security with password protection.
- Impressive design and compact in size.
- Available in many colors.
- Cloud Storage facility.
Reasons To Oppose
- PC must remain on to use the cloud storage software.
- The drive may not be compatible with a few USB 2.0 ports.
#9. Transcend 1 TB StoreJet M3 Military Drop Tested USB 3.0 External Hard Drive
Description :
One of the sturdiest external hard drives available, Transcend 1 TB StoreJet M3 Military Drop Tested USB 3.0 External Hard Drive is known for its safety features. The highly durable casing will save your data even in the most vulnerable conditions. With 1 TB storage, you can back up your entire PC or laptop if required.
Specifications :
Offering storage up to 1 TB, the Transcend 1 TB StoreJet M3 Military Drop Tested USB 3.0 External Hard Drive comes with 3 stage shock protection system that saves your hard drive under the most testing conditions. The 3 stages include the outer silicone cover, hard casing, and the internal hard drive suspension damper.
These absorb shock like no other. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 makes ultra-speed data transfer which allows 3 times more speed than the regular USB 2.0 port. The One Touch Auto Backup system allows instant backup facility and data sync. The drive is compatible with Windows systems and Mac as well.
Features :
Transcend 1 TB StoreJet M3 Military Drop Tested USB 3.0 External Hard Drive offers huge storage capacity with fast data transfer speed. Confirming to its Military grade standards, this external hard drive is for those who work in rather rough conditions.
The three protective layers, i.e. the rubber casing, hard shell and the silicone layer save your hard drive from getting damaged. The Transcend Elite Data Management Software allows incremental backups and also a password protected hardware for you to safeguard your data.
Reasons To Support
- Highly durable and sturdy casing.
- One-Touch Backup.
- Password Protected Hardware system.
Reasons To Oppose
- Data Backup software is different from usual.
#10. WD 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive – USB 3.0
Description :
An extension to all your precious pictures, music, movies and documents, WD 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive – USB 3.0 offers convenience and functionality. Compatible with multiple hosts, this hard drive is exactly what you have always wanted.
Specifications :
The 4TB variant external hard drive from WD makes use of both USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. Having a single drive, this external HDD can take up to 8TB and is protected by the 256-bit AES hardware encryption along with WD Security Software. Coming with a 3 year limited warranty period, this HDD weighs about 3 pounds and is easily portable from one place to another. Being Windows ready, the user would have to reformat the device to make it compatible with the Mac OS.
Features :
The WD external HDD comes with a redefined image and provides universal connectivity. Password protected with hardware encryption, this HDD comes with auto backup of the WD software while accessing on Windows and is Apple Time-Machine compatible while using it on Mac.
The redefined and the compact image of the HDD offer a sense of reliability to the users. Fit for both commercial and residential purposes, the user is able to get the complete benefit of WD, both on the inside and the outside. As the device is Windows ready, the user can directly use it when out of the box and it runs perfectly on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Minor reformatting is required for other operating systems.
Reasons To Support
- Password protected hardware encryption offers maximum safety for the files.
- Compact size of the HDD makes it easy to carry around.
- Offers complete backup for all files.
- The device is easy to use and offers maximum capacity.
Reasons To Oppose
- The HDD must be reformatted for OS apart from Windows.
- The enclosure loses out on its value.
- There have been cases of single drive failures.
- No recovery options for certain catastrophes.
Last Words
There are a lot of options available in the market which would eventually be helpful in satisfying the major need of data storage, but it is always advisable to go for a closely tested device to ensure that you don’t have to repent about its unsuitability after making an expensive purchase.
After going through the above information about these external hard drives, the buyer shall weigh in the actual requirements and then move ahead with buying the most appealing option out of this lot.
Thank Me Leter For These :
Leave a Reply