Backing up your computer is one of the most important things you can do to protect your data. According to NetApp, “Backup and recovery describes the process of creating and storing copies of data that can be used to protect organizations against data loss.”
The goal of this article is to recommend the ideal size external hard drive to use for backing up your computer. We’ll discuss how much space you need, future growth considerations, drive formats, transfer speeds, portability, security, brand reliability, and provide a final recommendation.
How Much Space Do You Need?
To determine how much storage space you need for your backups, first take stock of how much space you are currently using. The average modern PC comes with 256GB to 1TB of storage space, but power users may have multiple terabytes of data stored [1]. You can check your disk usage by going to File Explorer > This PC and viewing the breakdowns for each drive.
When backing up your computer, you’ll want enough space to store at least one full backup of all your data. Some people recommend having enough capacity for two or more backups, which allows you to retain older versions or have multiple redundant copies [2]. The advantage of multiple backups is protection against file corruption, accidental deletion, or disk failure. The downside is it takes more storage capacity.
Consider Future Growth
When selecting an external hard drive, it’s important to consider your future data storage needs. According to Our World in Data, the amount of digital data being created and stored has been growing exponentially every year. For example, experts estimate the average annual increase in computer storage usage was around 40-60% per year in the early 2000s.
With the growth of digital photos, videos, music, and other files, most people’s storage needs continue to expand over time. So while a 500GB or 1TB drive may be sufficient right now, you’ll likely need more capacity down the road. Getting an external hard drive with extra room to grow can help prevent having to upgrade again in just a year or two.
To account for future expansion, it’s generally recommended to get an external hard drive that’s at least twice as big as your current storage needs. Aim for a minimum of 1TB of capacity, with 2TB or larger being ideal if your budget allows. The small additional upfront cost is worthwhile, as it can save you from having to replace your external drive in the near future.
Drive Formats
The two main types of storage drives are hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs). HDDs use magnetic disks to store data while SSDs use flash memory chips. SSDs are typically faster, more durable, smaller, and quieter than HDDs. However, HDDs have a lower cost per gigabyte (GB) of storage.
According to ZDNet, HDDs can provide up to 22TB of storage and cost around $0.03 per GB. In comparison, SSDs currently max out around 16TB and cost around $0.20 per GB. So while HDDs have slower transfer speeds, their lower price makes them better suited for large backup needs. The higher speed and durability of SSDs make them preferable for tasks like running your operating system and applications.
When selecting a backup drive, you’ll need to weigh your budget against your need for speed. HDDs provide more storage capacity per dollar but may be frustratingly slow for tasks like transferring lots of files or running backups. SSDs deliver much faster speeds but are pricier and top out at lower maximum capacities currently. Consider which features are most important for your specific backup needs.
Transfer Speeds
When it comes to transfer speeds, there are a few key USB standards to be aware of:
USB 2.0 offers speeds up to 480 Mbps and was the most common standard for many years. It’s still sufficient for basic tasks like transferring documents or photos (https://www.anker.com/blogs/hubs-and-docks/usb-2-vs-usb-3).
USB 3.0, sometimes labeled as USB 3.1 Gen 1, provides speeds up to 5 Gbps, over 10 times faster than USB 2.0. This is fast enough for most applications like backups or transferring large files (https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2020-what-are-the-maximum-power-output-and-data-transfer-rates-for-the-usb-standards).
The latest standard is USB 3.2, which comes in two variations: Gen 1 with 5 Gbps like USB 3.0, and Gen 2 with 10 Gbps speeds. USB 3.2 Gen 2 offers the fastest transfer rates for external storage devices.
For the fastest backups and transfer of large files like high resolution photos and videos, choose an external drive that supports USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Portability
One of the major factors to consider is whether you need a portable external hard drive or a desktop external hard drive. Portable drives are smaller, lighter, and easy to transport. They are powered through the USB cable, so there are no bulky power adapters to carry around. Portable drives have modest storage capacities, typically up to 5TB. Since they are designed to be mobile, portable drives are built to withstand bumps and shakes through features like shock resistance and anti-scratch coatings.
Desktop external hard drives have much higher capacities, ranging from 3TB up to 16TB. But they are bigger, bulkier, and must be powered through an AC adapter. Desktop drives are designed to stay in one place on your desk, rather than be carried around. They do not have the durability of portable drives, lacking drop-resistant cases and ruggedness.
If you need an external drive primarily for on-the-go backups or data transfers, choose a portable drive. If capacity is your main concern and portability is not a priority, a desktop drive is the better option.
Security
When backing up sensitive or private data, ensuring the security of that data is crucial. One of the best ways to secure backup data is by encrypting the external hard drive. There are several encrypted external hard drive options available:
LaCie makes the Rugged Secure encrypted external hard drive, which uses 256-bit AES encryption and includes 1-month complimentary membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan.
Apricorn offers their Aegis Secure Key encrypted external hard drives, which feature 256-bit AES hardware encryption and software-free operation so no admin rights or installs are necessary.
Top options like the Seagate Backup Plus line at retailers such as Best Buy also offer password protection and AES-256 bit hardware encryption.
Encrypting an external hard drive prevents unauthorized access to the data in case the drive is lost or stolen. It provides an essential security layer for sensitive personal and business files.
Brand Reliability
When choosing an external hard drive, it’s important to consider the reliability of the brand. According to a Reddit thread, the major hard drive manufacturers are Western Digital (WD), Seagate, and Toshiba. Looking at backblaze’s annual hard drive failure stats, WD and HGST (owned by WD) tend to have the lowest failure rates.
For example, in 2021 WD had an average failure rate of 0.9% while Seagate had a failure rate of 1.2%. Toshiba drives were not included in the study. Overall, WD/HGST drives had the best reliability according to the stats.
When choosing a specific WD drive, their Red line is designed for NAS and RAID setups which require higher reliability. The WD Black line is focused on performance while Blue is their mainstream consumer offering.
Our Recommendation
Based on the factors discussed earlier, we recommend getting an external hard drive that is at least 1TB for most users. This gives you enough space to backup important files and accounts for future growth as your needs change over time. Specific models we suggest are:
The WD My Passport Ultra 1TB (https://www.pcworld.com/article/406861/best-external-drives.html) is a great portable option if you need to physically carry and access your drive regularly. It offers fast transfer speeds up to 5Gbps and has built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption for security.
For a desktop external drive, look at the WD My Book 6TB (https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-external-hard-drives). With 6TB of storage, you’ll have plenty of room to grow into. It’s designed to stay put on your desk and provides good value per terabyte of storage.
Going with a mainstream brand like WD ensures reliable performance and customer support if issues arise. Both models come with 3 year limited warranties.
Conclusion
When determining the size of the external hard drive you need for backing up your computer, there are several key factors to consider:
– How much data you currently have stored on your computer that needs to be backed up
– The anticipated growth of your data storage needs going forward
– The transfer speed you require
– Whether portability is important
– Your budget
– Brand reputation and reliability
With these considerations in mind, match your needs and preferences with an appropriately sized hard drive from a reputable brand. And remember, regularly backing up your irreplaceable files and data provides invaluable peace of mind and protection.