What’s the most effective exterior drive?
Whereas cloud storage appears extra handy, many individuals nonetheless desire exterior drives for storing information in a secure and safe method. Operating low on area for these valuable household photographs or vital work recordsdata? Investing in an exterior arduous drive or solid-state drive (SSD) could possibly be precisely what you want. We have examined the highest storage choices in the marketplace that will help you discover dependable units that provide nice worth on your cash.
Storage costs have come down through the years, however high-capacity SSDs will nonetheless want an even bigger funding. That is why you can too go for conventional arduous disk drives. They are not as quick as SSDs, however they provide you extra space for storing on your greenback. When selecting your drive, bear in mind to verify what cables you may want, as this may have an effect on each compatibility and comfort.
All of CNET’s high picks for exterior arduous drives and SSDs are suitable throughout platforms, together with Home windows PCs, Macs and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. Simply take into account that you may must format the drive on your particular system. Typically, they’re going to be designated to work with a particular platform and generally they arrive with backup software program that’s platform-specific. Until in any other case indicated, all of the PC drives talked about listed here are suitable with Home windows however will be formatted for Mac. Plus, a lot of them embrace USB-C and USB-A cables or adapters. In the event that they don’t occur to be included, you’ll be able to simply purchase dongles for about $12.
Console players will need to preserve a watch out for platform-specific particulars. For instance, the PS5 helps you to retailer and play PS4 video games from an exterior drive however not PS5 video games. The Xbox Sequence X, alternatively, can retailer Sequence X video games on an exterior arduous drive, however you may need to switch them to inner storage earlier than enjoying them. Each consoles will allow you to develop inner storage. The Xbox Sequence X makes use of a proprietary Seagate-made storage enlargement card, and the PS5 makes use of a extra commonplace M.2 SSD.
With these caveats in thoughts, our present high picks for the most effective exterior arduous drive and exterior solid-state drive are beneath. These (or practically similar fashions with much less storage capability) have been used or anecdotally examined by CNET editors. We’ll replace our record of the most effective exterior arduous drives and SSDs as we check new merchandise. Ideally, you need to have redundant backups — both off-site or within the cloud — for vital information and enormous recordsdata like household photographs, in case of theft or hearth. Ensure that to encrypt your information, too.
Greatest exterior drives of 2025
Photograph Gallery 1/1
Western Digital, which owns SanDisk, sells its WD My Passport SSD as effectively this SanDisk Exterior Transportable SSD for principally the identical value. I just like the design of this mannequin somewhat higher, and it is technically ruggedized with an IP65 score, that means it may face up to a sustained spray of water. Additionally, it is dust- and shock-resistant and has a USB-C interface.
The newest model affords speeds as much as 1,050MB/s (simply over 1GB per second) and is correct round $90 for the 1TB model. Whereas step-up fashions just like the SanDisk Excessive Professional provide quicker learn/write speeds with the best pc, that could be overkill until you often work with very massive recordsdata.
Your pace will range in the event you’re transferring a mishmash of recordsdata to or from the USB drive, however when copying a single massive file you need to be capable to get near that quick switch pace.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
First launched in 2022, the WD Black P40 has come down in value and is now fairly inexpensive. It is an ultrafast SSD that is extra geared towards current Home windows PCs geared up with USB 3.2 Gen2x2 dual-lane structure that enables for a theoretical 20Gbps information switch charge. It will also be used with consoles and Macs. It is able to speeds as much as 2,000MB/s.
Rated for surviving drops of as much as 2 meters, the drive is sturdy and has an RGB lighting aspect that may be personalized with a Home windows PC.
You do pay a little bit of a premium over the WD Black D30 (see beneath), which comes with a stand and is extra geared to recreation consoles. This drive is extra future-proof as PCs are more and more geared up with USB 3.2 Gen2x2. Kingston’s XS2000 has related specs for round $10 much less for the 1TB mannequin, however some customers have famous this drive affords barely higher write speeds.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
For higher or worse, there’s at the moment just one approach to develop the storage in your Xbox Sequence X/S for next-gen Sequence X/S video games: the Seagate Growth Card. Much like the storage state of affairs with the PS5, you’ll be able to plug in any exterior SSD or arduous drive to develop the storage for normal Xbox video games (previous-gen), however you’ll be able to retailer solely native Xbox Sequence X/S video games on the sport console’s inner reminiscence or the Seagate Growth Card.
It plugs right into a proprietary slot on the again of the Xbox Sequence X/S and “replicates the Xbox Velocity Structure” (Microsoft’s inner NVMe SSD tech) with peak speeds of as much as 2.4GBps of uncooked I/O throughput. Microsoft says that is greater than 40x the throughput of the Xbox One.
The enlargement card is available in 1TB ($150) and 2TB ($250) variations.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
That is SanDisk’s entry-level SSD, and whereas it does not have fairly the identical speedy efficiency because the step-up Excessive mannequin, it nonetheless has stable efficiency only a step or two behind with 800MB/s speeds in contrast with 1,050MB/s (that is about 1GB per second). The Excessive mannequin can be ruggedized, whereas this one is not. SanDisk says it is drop-tested to 2 meters. To get the 1TB SSD capability model prices round $85, whereas the 2TB goes for round $140. They provide greater than sufficient pace for common use (by that I imply of us who aren’t transferring round a whole lot of gigs of video recordsdata).
Photograph Gallery 1/1
You possibly can develop storage for PS4 video games in your PS5 by including an ordinary exterior SSD as a result of you’ll be able to play PS4 video games instantly from an exterior SSD. That is not the case for PS5 video games, which take up a ton of area and will be performed solely from the PS5’s inner drive or an M.2 SSD that you simply set up in a particular enlargement bay inside your PS5.
Whereas the Seagate FireCuda 530 technically is not an exterior SSD, it is not so totally different from Seagate’s Storage Growth Card for the Xbox Sequence X/S in that it is an NVMe SSD with a really excessive switch pace (as much as 7,300MB/s, based on Seagate, although my PS5 listed the highest charge at 6,800MB/s).
A number of M.2 SSDs will work with the PS5 (see our full record) however ideally, you need one with an built-in heatsink. In any other case, you may have so as to add one.
The Seagate FireCuda 530 with heatsink begins round $67 for the 500GB model and jumps to roughly $140 for the 1TB model (hottest). The 2TB goes for round $200, whereas the 4TB sells for round $600.
Learn extra: Here is The right way to Increase Your PlayStation 5 Storage
Photograph Gallery 1/1
As its identify implies, Kingston’s XS2000 is able to speeds as much as 2,000MB/s. Just like the WD Black P40 Sport Drive and SanDisk Excessive Professional (see beneath), it is an ultrafast SSD that is extra geared towards current Home windows PCs geared up with USB 3.2 Gen2x2 dual-lane structure that enables for a theoretical 20Gbps information switch charge. It will also be used with consoles and Macs. (Notice that the XS2000 is silver, whereas its predecessor is black).
Its design is a bit more plain than some SSDs on this record, however the XS2000 is compact (it is about half the scale of a harmonica), light-weight and comes with a rubber sleeve that is alleged to make the machine water-, shock- and dust-resistant, though it does not have an IP score. It is a first rate worth at roughly $105 for the 1TB mannequin.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
Should you’re searching for a high-capacity exterior drive on your Xbox One, the WD Black P10 2TB transportable arduous drive is an efficient worth at round $75 (the 5TB model is about $150). It offers you transportable storage on your coveted recreation assortment. This exterior drive additionally comes with a digital code that provides you one month of Microsoft’s Sport Go Final in the event you’re a brand new subscriber. There’s additionally an ordinary model of the transportable arduous drive, which additionally works with PCs and the PS4 for barely much less (it is lacking the Xbox branding however is in any other case the identical drive). The transportable drive can ship speeds as much as 130MBps.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
Whereas this drive works with each the PS4 and PS5, it may solely retailer PS4 video games in the event you’re utilizing it with a PS5 (you’ll be able to play PS4 video games with out lag instantly from the transportable arduous drive). The 5TB model is $148.
Notice that Seagate makes an SSD Sport Drive For Xbox however not PS4. The storage drive prices round $200 for 1TB.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
You should utilize any SSD together with your PlayStation PS4/PS5 or Xbox One, Xbox One Sequence X or Sequence S to retailer PS4 and Xbox One video games and different content material and decide up a pleasant pace bump when loading video games in contrast with an ordinary exterior arduous drive just like the WD Black P10 above. Notice that with the Xbox Sequence X, you’ll be able to solely archive Xbox Sequence X and S video games to this drive, you’ll be able to’t retailer full video games on it (the Seagate Storage Growth Card is required for that). The PS5 has the identical restriction — you’ll be able to solely retailer full PS4 video games on exterior drives.
On its floor, then, the WD Black D30 recreation drive is not all that particular. It has as much as a 900MBps switch charge, which is principally what a console’s USB 3.1 connection caps out at. It is the design that units it aside. It is thicker and extra rugged-looking than your typical SSD or flash drive and features a removable stand with rubber ft to maintain it from transferring round wherever you place it. That is an NVMe SSD (Non-Risky Reminiscence Categorical) that gives glorious efficiency and interoperability. It primarily seems to be like a mini arduous drive, which is sort of cool.
The usual model works with PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and One X and S consoles, in addition to PCs. The Xbox model proven within the picture merely consists of an Xbox brand and a month of Sport Go Final, a $15 worth, for $20 extra. Alas, solely new subscribers can use the included code, so if you have already got a Sport Go Final subscription, you are paying the additional $20 for the emblem.
The 1TB model is $150 or much less when on sale.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
SanDisk makes the Excessive Transportable SSD (see above) that delivers speeds as much as 1,050MB per second switch charges. Should you’re a photographer or videographer searching for a good quicker SSD drive on your PC or Mac, the Excessive Professional Transportable SSD is the best way to go for additional space for storing. The newest model can ship as much as 2,000MBps (2GBps) learn/write speeds in the event you pair it with the best tools. To get the utmost pace, you want a number system that helps USB Gen 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds.
Appropriate with Macs and Home windows PCs, it is technically ruggedized with an IP65 score, that means it may face up to a sustained spray of water and is dust-resistant. It is also shock-resistant (3-meter drop safety) and is supplied with a solid aluminum chassis that acts as a heatsink. It has a USB-C interface and consists of each USB-C-to-USB-C and USB-A-to-USB-C cables. The 1TB model is round $130 whereas the 2TB has dipped to round $220.
Notice: Some customers say they’ve encountered reliability points with this drive and even had recordsdata mysteriously erased. SanDisk has acknowledged some firmware issues with sure drives. It is unclear if these points have been resolved or not, however we did not encounter any issues with the check drive we had been utilizing.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
SanDisk’s flagship Professional-G40 SSD begins at round $180 for a 1TB drive, whereas the 1TB model of Different World Computing’s Envoy Professional FX goes for $280. Each provide top-end speeds (the Envoy Professional FX will get as much as a 2,800MB/s switch pace whereas the Professional-G40 tops out barely greater at as much as 3,000MB/s). Whereas the drive will work simply fantastic with Home windows and Linux computer systems, OWC has lengthy catered to the Mac market, and this exterior SSD definitely performs effectively with Macs.
Sure, it prices greater than the Professional-G40, nevertheless it appears very effectively constructed with an aluminum chassis that does an excellent job dissipating warmth (it does not warmth up an excessive amount of). Alas, it does not include some form of carrying case, nevertheless it’s a formidable drive in the event you can afford it and are searching for ultrafast switch pace.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
Sure, even drive makers like Seagate are beginning to incorporate recycled supplies into their merchandise. The Extremely Contact is available in 4TB and 5TB storage capacities (we tried the 5TB) and except for the eco angle, it is a fairly commonplace mechanical drive that options USB-C connectivity (sure, it is suitable with quite a lot of units, together with Macs, Home windows machines and Chromebooks). It weighs in at 267g or 0.589 kilos.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
This drive affords related specs to the SanDisk Excessive SSD, with as much as 1,050MB learn/write speeds, nevertheless it does not have a ruggedized exterior. I’ve used one often and it is held up effectively and affords a comparatively quick efficiency. I’ve included it right here as a result of the 2TB is healthier priced than some comparable 2TB fashions.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
The WD My Ebook desktop drive is on the market in as much as a 24TB configuration. This drive has been round for some time and is geared towards individuals who want quite a lot of storage however do not need to pay a ransom to get it.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
After Seagate acquired LaCie a number of years in the past, LaCie grew to become the corporate’s premium model, and this exterior HDD 5TB mannequin will be discovered on quite a lot of video editors’ desks (together with lots at CNET). This rugged arduous disk drive makes use of a USB-C interface, is suitable with Mac and Home windows PCs and is water- and shock-resistant. A 4TB Thunderbolt with USB-C model is on the market for Thunderbolt-equipped Macs for about $260.
Photograph Gallery 1/1
Essential’s X6 exterior SSD is taken into account entry-level as a result of it is simply not as quick as higher-end fashions, which may provide learn/write speeds which can be twice and even 4 instances as quick (the Essential X8 is the step-up mannequin). Even so, the X6 is about 4x quicker than a drive that is not solid-state, with a switch pace of as much as 540MB per second for the 1TB and 2TB variations and as much as 800MB/s for the brand new 4TB model, which has one of many lowest costs for a 4TB SSD at round $280.
Comparatively, the 4TB SanDisk Excessive SSD, which has a switch pace score of as much as 1,050MB/s, prices $300. So that you’re principally a $20 financial savings in the event you’re prepared to take a little bit of a small pace hit (once more, at the very least the 4GB model of the Essential X6 has been bumped as much as 800MB/s from 540MB/s).
Finances
Earlier than anything, you may need to determine how a lot you are prepared to spend on a brand new arduous drive. Compact solid-state drives that use flash reminiscence are pricier than slower and greater mechanical drives, however they’ve gone down in value over the past couple of years. At this time, you will get a 1TB exterior SSD for as little as $65 or so. Very high-capacity SSDs are typically fairly dear, so in the event you’re wanting for lots of storage for not an excessive amount of cash, you may seemingly need to go for a mechanical drive.
Capability
Exterior drives begin at 500GB and go all the best way as much as 22TB or so. For lots of people, particularly in the event you’re a quicker SSD, the storage candy spot is 1TB or 2TB. Should you want greater than that, you may seemingly be deciding between spending rather a lot on a 4TB SSD or choosing a extra inexpensive however slower 4TB or 5TB mechanical drive.
Knowledge switch pace
Stable state drives are delivering quicker and quicker information switch speeds. SSDs that provide the quickest speeds are additionally fairly dear. You will need to resolve simply what sort of efficiency you need and want primarily based in your use case and the PC you’ve got (to get the quickest switch pace you want a pc with the most recent USB expertise). Until you often switch large video recordsdata, you in all probability do not want a “professional” stage storage machine. Notice that even the slowest SSDs are typically about 5 instances as quick as a conventional mechanical drive.
Compatibility
Most exterior drives are suitable with all kinds of computer systems, together with Macs, Home windows PCs and Chromebooks. Issues get extra difficult while you get into the realm of recreation consoles. To retailer PS5 or Xbox Sequence X or S video games, you may must buy a drive particularly for that process. You should utilize most exterior drives to retailer and play PS4 video games or commonplace Xbox One video games (off the drive), however you may want to put in an inner drive to retailer and play PS5 video games. Xbox Sequence X and S machines require you to purchase both the WD Black C50 enlargement card or Seagate Storage enlargement card to retailer and play Xbox Sequence X or S video games.
Safety
A few of chances are you’ll be storing delicate information in your exterior storage drive. If that is the case, search for drives that embrace security measures, together with encryption.
We check exterior drives primarily based on three key standards, evaluating equally styled and priced fashions. These standards are design, efficiency and worth.
- Design: We assess not solely the scale and weight of the drive (portability components) however its general construct high quality and sturdiness, together with water-, shock- and dirt resistance.
- Efficiency: We consider learn/write efficiency by transferring 50GB of recordsdata to and from each a PC and a Mac pc a number of instances. We additionally consider how a lot a drive heats up.
- Worth: We examine drives with related efficiency specs towards one another and assess how good a price they’re primarily based on their value for a similar capability drive.
Many drives are plug-and-play, however you might have to format a drive on your specific working system. Some drives include their very own software program utilities to arrange the drive for no matter working system you are utilizing.
Most of immediately’s drives use USB-C interfaces and infrequently include a USB-C-to-USB-A adapter that permits you to join the drive to older USB-A ports. To get most speeds, you may want to attach the drive through USB-C.
USB-C connectors have 4 metallic pins which can be used to switch information. They’re generally known as “lanes.” USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) use one TX lane to transmit information and one RX lane to obtain information. A lot of the newest computer systems provide at the very least these speeds, and extra computer systems are getting USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which affords as much as two lanes of 10 Gbps operation for a theoretical 20Gbps information switch charge.
USB4 and Thunderbolt ports (Macs use Thunderbolt) permit you to switch information in addition to video and audio. Which means you’ll be able to join each exterior drives and shows. Thunderbolt/USB4 affords as much as a 40Gbps theoretical information switch charge. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports look and act like USB-C ports and assist USB-C connectivity. A pc with commonplace USB-C ports doesn’t assist Thunderbolt units.
To get the quickest speeds, you sometimes want a suitable USB-C cable (the drive ought to include the best cable to maximise information switch charges). A Thunderbolt-compatible cable is required for computer systems geared up with Thunderbolt ports to realize a most information switch pace. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports appear to be USB-C ports and use a cable that appears like a USB-C cable however has a Thunderbolt insignia on it. Earlier Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 ports used their very own kind of connector (the port additionally accommodates a Mini DisplayPort cable for connecting to displays). You should purchase an adapter that converts a Thunderbolt 2 cable to Thunderbolt 3 and 4. There are additionally USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cables.
USB sorts and theoretical burst switch speeds.
