Best External Hard Drives
Top external hard drives ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
WD My Passport 5TB
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Hardware encryption built-in
- Compact portable design
- 5TB in pocket size
Cons
- Slow 5400 RPM drive speed
- USB-A cable included, not USB-C
Don't buy this if…
- The included cable is USB-A; if your laptop only has USB-C ports, you will need an adapter or a separate cable.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Built-in USB hub
- 8TB desktop capacity
- Affordable per TB
Cons
- Requires AC power outlet
- Not portable
Don't buy this if…
- This is a desktop drive that requires wall power; it cannot run from USB bus power alone and is not designed for travel.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- IP65 water and dust resistant
- 1,050 MB/s SSD speed
- Drop-proof to 3 meters
Cons
- Premium price for 2TB
- Warms up during sustained transfers
Don't buy this if…
- While IP65 rated, the USB-C port is not waterproof when the cable is connected; do not submerge or expose to water during use.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Rugged drop and crush resistance
- Trusted by creative professionals
- Bus-powered USB-C
Cons
- HDD speed, not SSD
- Heavier than standard portables
Don't buy this if…
- Despite the rugged exterior, this contains a spinning hard drive that is vulnerable to shock during active read/write operations.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Massive 12TB capacity
- Simple plug-and-play
- Good cost per TB
Cons
- Requires AC power
- No encryption features
Don't buy this if…
- Contains a white-label WD drive that may vary in specifications between units; the internal drive model is not guaranteed.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-compact with carabiner loop
- IP65 rated
- 1,050 MB/s SSD speed
Cons
- 1TB may not be enough for large libraries
- Thermal throttling under sustained load
Don't buy this if…
- Sustained large file transfers can cause the drive to throttle speeds as it heats up; allow cool-down periods between large copies.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Very affordable per TB
- Auto-backup software included
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Slow HDD speeds
- Plastic build feels less premium
Don't buy this if…
- The bundled backup software is Windows-only; Mac users will need to reformat the drive and use Time Machine instead.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Hardware encryption
- Automatic backup software
- 6TB at a fair price
Cons
- Requires AC power
- Drive inside is not user-replaceable
Don't buy this if…
- If you forget your encryption password, there is no recovery option; WD cannot reset the hardware encryption.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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