Choosing an external hard drive can be a daunting task with all the options available. When looking for the best external hard drive, there are several key factors to consider – storage capacity, transfer speed, portability, durability, compatibility, price, and warranty/customer support. In this guide, we will examine the top choices for best buy external hard drives based on ratings, reviews and expert recommendations. We will provide an overview of the main features to look for and provide specific best buy recommendations in various storage capacities and use cases.
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive
Here are some of the key considerations when choosing an external hard drive from retailers like Best Buy:
Storage Capacity
How much storage capacity do you need? Common external hard drive sizes include:
- 1-2 TB – Good for basic storage of documents, photos, music etc.
- 3-4 TB – Ideal for storing a large photo/video library or music collection.
- 5-8 TB – Great for storing very large files like high resolution photos and video.
- 10+ TB – For extremely large storage needs like professional media files.
Transfer Speed
Faster transfer speeds allow you to move files on and off the drive more quickly. Look for USB 3.0+ compatibility.
Portability
If you plan to transport the drive frequently, look for a compact and lightweight option.
Durability
For drives that will see a lot of use, look for solid construction with metal casings and shock resistance.
Compatibility
Make sure the drive is compatible with your operating system (Windows, Mac, etc.) and has the ports/connections you need.
Price
External hard drives vary greatly in price according to their storage capacity, speed, durability features and brand reputation. Consider how you will use the drive when weighing cost.
Warranty
Look for at least a 1-2 year warranty from the manufacturer.
Best External Hard Drives Under $100
These affordable external hard drives offer great value for basic storage needs:
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 2TB |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
This slim and lightweight Seagate drive offers easy plug-and-play connectivity with PC and Mac. It provides fast file transfers over USB 3.0 at this price point.
WD Elements 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 2TB |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 2 Years |
WD builds drives to demanding requirements for durability, shock tolerance and long-term reliability. This compact drive works right out of the box with Windows PCs.
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 1TB |
| Connection: | USB 2.0, 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
An entry-level 1TB drive good for storing photos, music, video and documents. Toshiba is a reliable brand and this model offers plug-and-play operation.
Best External Hard Drive Under $200
Stepping up to the $100-$200 range provides more storage capacity along with added speed, durability and portability:
Samsung T5 500GB Portable External SSD
| Storage: | 500GB SSD |
| Connection: | USB 3.1 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
With transfer speeds up to 540 MB/s, this solid state drive is almost 5 times faster than traditional external hard drives. It has a durable metal casing that can withstand drops of up to 6 feet.
Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 2TB |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 2 Years |
This slim and portable Seagate drive is compatible with Windows and Mac. It offers automatic backup software and 200GB of cloud storage for added convenience.
WD My Passport 4TB Portable External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 4TB |
| Connection: | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
WD’s popular My Passport drive provides high capacity storage in a compact, colorful and stylish design. It comes with password protection software built-in for added security.
Best External Hard Drives Under $500
In the premium price range, these external drives deliver maximum speed, capacity and durability:
Samsung X5 Portable SSD 500GB
| Storage: | 500GB SSD |
| Connection: | Thunderbolt 3 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
The ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 interface delivers read speeds up to 2,800 MB/sec. The durable magnesium alloy body can take a 9.8 foot drop without damage.
Seagate FireCuda Gaming SSD 1TB External Solid State Drive
| Storage: | 1TB SSD |
| Connection: | USB 3.2 Gen2x2 |
| Warranty: | 5 Years |
Optimized for high performance gaming with read speeds up to 2000MB/s. Features an RGB LED bar to provide transfer status and gaming ambience.
WD Black P50 Game Drive 1TB External SSD
| Storage: | 1TB SSD |
| Connection: | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 |
| Warranty: | 5 Years |
WD’s rugged external SSD delivers read speeds up to 2000MB/s for enhanced gaming. Portable form factor with shock resistance to withstand bumps and drops.
Best Portable External Hard Drives
These portable external drives provide ample storage capacity with compact, slim designs:
Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 500GB External SSD
| Storage: | 500GB SSD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
This slim SSD drive has a fabric enclosure for durability. Provides fast 400MB/s data transfers over USB 3.0 along with built-in password protection.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 1TB External SSD
| Storage: | 1TB SSD |
| Connection: | USB 3.1 Gen 2 |
| Warranty: | 5 Years |
Rugged water and dust resistant design with read speeds up to 550MB/s. Compact and shockproof build for portability.
LaCie Rugged Mini 1TB External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 1TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 |
| Warranty: | 2 Years |
Provides fast transfer speeds over USB 3.0 in a compact and mobile design. Rubber sleeve for shock resistance up to 4 feet drop.
Best External Hard Drives for Xbox One
Add more storage capacity to your Xbox One with these top-rated external drives:
WD_Black 5TB P10 Game Drive for Xbox One
| Storage: | 5TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Specifically made for Xbox One to seamlessly play and store over 125 games. Sleek green design and up to 130MB/s transfer speeds.
Seagate Game Drive 4TB External Hard Drive for Xbox One
| Storage: | 4TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
Plug-and-play setup for Xbox One. Compact size with Xbox green accents. Official Xbox licensed product.
Toshiba Canvio Basics 2TB Portable External Hard Drive for Xbox One
| Storage: | 2TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
Simple plug-and-play operation with Xbox One using USB 3.0. Compact and portable design. Officially licensed for Xbox One.
Best External Hard Drives for PS4
Get more storage for your PS4 games and media with these top external drives:
WD_Black 2TB Game Drive Portable External Hard Drive for PS4
| Storage: | 2TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Sleek and compact drive to expand PS4 storage. Compatible with PS4 and PS4 Pro models. Up to 140MB/s transfer speeds.
Seagate Game Drive 2TB External Hard Drive for PS4
| Storage: | 2TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 1 Year |
Works right out of the box with PS4 just by plugging it in. Slim and portable design. PS4 licensed product.
Silicon Power 1TB Rugged Portable External Hard Drive for PS4
| Storage: | 1TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Military-grade shockproof and IPX4 water-resistant protection. Supports PS4 and PS4 Pro. Rugged rubber case.
Best Secure External Hard Drives
These external drives offer ample capacity along with built-in security features:
WD My Passport Ultra 4TB Portable External Hard Drive
| Storage: | 4TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
Password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Stylish metal and matte design. Compatible with PC and Mac.
Seagate Backup Plus Hub 6TB External Desktop Hard Drive
| Storage: | 6TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0, USB 2.0 |
| Warranty: | 2 Years |
High capacity drive with integrated USB hub. Includes backup software and anti-virus protection.
Apricorn Aegis Padlock 1TB USB 3.0 Encrypted Hard Drive
| Storage: | 1TB HDD |
| Connection: | USB 3.0 |
| Warranty: | 3 Years |
PIN access padlock and 256-bit AES encryption. Dust and water resistant rugged aluminum case.
Conclusion
When shopping for the best external hard drive, it’s important to consider the right balance of storage capacity, speed, portability and security features for your specific needs and budget. By outlining the top options across various storage sizes, use cases and price points, this guide provides a helpful starting point to select the ideal external drive from Best Buy or any other major retailer. Focus on identifying the key factors like drive type, interface speed, size and warranty length as opposed to getting caught up in brands alone. Taking the time to determine the best external hard drive for your storage requirements will ensure you purchase a drive that meets your needs and lasts for years to come.