When it comes to choosing an external hard drive, one of the most important factors to consider is the storage capacity, which is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). The amount of storage space you need depends on what you plan to use the external drive for and how much data you need to store. Here are some key considerations to help determine the right storage capacity for your needs.
What Will You Use the External Hard Drive For?
Think about what types of files and data you need to store on the external drive. This could include:
- Backing up your computer
- Storing photos, videos, and music
- Extra storage space for games
- Archiving important documents
- Transferring files between devices
If you mainly need an external drive for backing up your computer files, a smaller capacity like 500GB may be sufficient. But if you have lots of media files like photos and videos to store, you’ll likely need a larger drive of 1TB or more.
How Much Data Do You Need to Store?
Calculate how much storage space you currently use across your devices to get a sense of how much capacity you need for an external drive. Here are some tips:
- Check the storage usage on your computer’s hard drive.
- Look at the file sizes of your photos, videos, music library and documents.
- Consider how much data you plan to store in the future – will your needs increase over time?
Add up the total amount of data you want the external drive to accommodate to determine the minimum capacity you should look for.
Popular External Hard Drive Capacities
Here is an overview of some of the most common external hard drive storage options:
500GB
A 500GB external hard drive provides 500 gigabytes of storage space, which equals around:
- 125,000 photos
- 140,000 songs
- 500 hours of videos
This capacity is suitable for basic backup and storage needs for documents, photos, music and small videos.
1TB
A 1TB (terabyte) external hard drive offers 1,000 gigabytes of storage, or roughly:
- 250,000 photos
- 300,000 songs
- 1,000 hours of video
A 1TB drive can store hundreds of movies and thousands of photos, songs, and documents. It’s a popular choice for gamers and media storage.
2TB
A 2TB external hard drive doubles the storage of a 1TB drive with 2,000 gigabytes. It can hold around:
- 500,000 photos
- 600,000 songs
- 2,000 hours of video
With the ability to store so much media and files, a 2TB drive is ideal for people who have large photo libraries or video collections.
4TB
A 4TB drive quadruples the capacity of a 1TB drive with 4,000 gigabytes. That’s room for:
- 1,000,000 photos
- 1,000,000 songs
- 4,000 hours of HD video
The extremely large capacity makes a 4TB+ external drive suitable for storing enormous media collections, performing system backups, gaming, and other storage-heavy uses.
8TB
An 8TB external drive offers a massive 8,000GB of storage. It can store:
- 2,000,000 photos
- 2,000,000 songs
- 8,000 hours of HD video
With the ability to hold so many photos, videos, movies and files, an 8TB+ external hard drive is ideal for backing up multiple computers and archiving huge amounts of data.
Typical File Sizes
Here are some typical file size ranges to help estimate storage needs:
| File Type | Typical Size Range |
|---|---|
| Songs | 5-10MB per song |
| Photos | 2-10MB per photo |
| SD video | 35-80MB per minute |
| HD video | 130-270MB per minute |
| Documents | 25-100KB per document |
Knowing typical file sizes makes it easier to calculate storage needs for media libraries, backups, and other data.
Consider Future Storage Needs
When deciding on an external hard drive, it’s a good idea to think about how your storage needs might grow down the road. The more capacity you have, the longer your drive will be able to accommodate new files and data.
Here are some points to consider about future storage needs:
- Will you accumulate more files that need backing up over time, like photos and videos?
- Do you create large files for work that take up more space?
- Might you use the drive to store files from multiple computers or devices?
- Will you use the drive more actively vs. archiving older files?
Getting a drive with some extra breathing room above your current needs allows space for unexpected additions down the line.
Hard Drive Formats
External hard drives come in two main file system formats – NTFS for Windows and HFS+ for Mac. Some drives are pre-formatted while others can be reformatted if needed. Here are some tips:
- NTFS drives are only fully readable & writable on Windows
- HFS+ drives are only fully readable & writable on Mac
- Drives can be reformatted, but this erases all data
- Some drives come with software so they can work with both Mac and Windows
So if you have both Windows and Mac computers, choose a drive that’s compatible with both or can be reformatted. Just make sure to backup any data first.
Drive Speed
Faster external hard drives allow quicker file transfers and backups. Here are some speed measurements to look for:
- RPM – Higher RPMs (revolutions per minute) indicate faster hard disk speeds. Common RPM values are 5400, 7200 and 10,000+ RPM.
- USB standards – Faster USB standards mean quicker data transfer rates. Look for at least USB 3.0 or the newer USB 3.1/USB-C.
- Thunderbolt – Thunderbolt ports provide extremely quick transfer speeds, especially useful for media files.
So when speed is essential like for video editing, choose an external drive with fast RPM, USB/Thunderbolt specs, or even solid state flash storage for optimal performance.
Portability vs. Desktop Drives
If you need to transport your external drive or access files from multiple devices, choose a lightweight portable drive. But if the drive stays in one place like by your desktop, a desktop external drive with AC power offers larger capacities for less cost.
Key differences between portable and desktop external drives:
- Portable – Smaller, lightweight, powered by USB cable. Capacities from 500GB to 5TB.
- Desktop – Larger, heavier, requires AC power. Capacities from 3TB to 10TB+.
So opt for portable if you need mobility and desktop if you need max capacity in one place.
Additional Features
Some other features that are nice bonuses on external hard drives include:
- Hardware encryption for added security
- Rugged, waterproof construction if you’ll use the drive outdoors
- Backup software for easier file backups
- Cables, adapters and mounts included for convenience
- Personalization options like color choices if that matters to you
Just remember – the main considerations are storage capacity, speed, compatibility, and portability. Extra features are just handy perks.
Brand Recommendations
Sticking with well-known hard drive brands is a safe bet for reliability. Some top manufacturers include:
- Western Digital
- Seagate
- Samsung
- Toshiba
- ADATA
- G-Technology (great for Mac)
- LaCie (great for media files)
Research top-rated external hard drives on sites like Amazon, Newegg and BestBuy.
Conclusion
Choosing the right external hard drive ultimately comes down to your specific needs in terms of storage capacity, speed, size, and features. Here are some final tips:
- Calculate your current and future storage needs
- Choose a reputable brand for reliability
- Select the right format for Mac vs. Windows
- Opt for faster drive speeds if needed
- Decide if portability is required or capacity is most important
With so many great options available, you can easily find an external hard drive that checks off everything on your wish list. Focus on your usage needs and budget to narrow down the choices and select a drive that will serve you well for years to come.