Buying Guide
The Best Hard Drives for Time Machine Backup
Five external drives ranked on capacity and drive type; the YOTUO 1TB is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Time Machine works with any external drive you format for it; a hard drive gives the most space for the money. Every pick is a hard drive.
The order reflects drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and connection from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard DriveUndercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB.
Check price for YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard DriveA plain plug-in design.
Best for: Buyers who want plain plug-in design.
Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard DrivePC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility.
Best for: Buyers who want PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility.
Check price for Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ADATA HD710 Pro 2TBA USB 3.0 connection.
Best for: Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection.
Check price for ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard DriveThe top of this price range, adding backup software with ransomware defense.
Best for: Spending more than the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
YOTUO's 1TB drive ships with both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections and a silicone sleeve.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB.
Skip if
- Pass on it if capacity of 1TB, behind the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB (2TB) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It weighs 0.16kg. It stores and plays PS4 and Xbox One games directly, and a silicone sleeve cushions drops. It works with Windows, Mac and Linux.
It matches the Expansion 1TB and the Seagate Portable 1TB on capacity (1TB). As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. The nearest alternative on capacity is the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB at 2TB, against 1TB here.
It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB, since it offers undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Expansion 1TB was the next step up.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 1TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0 and USB-C
- Durability claim
- Silicone sleeve
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- Both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections
- Silicone sleeve
- 0.16kg weight
- Undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked
Cons
- Capacity of 1TB, behind the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB (2TB)
The catch
The main gap: capacity of 1TB, behind the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB (2TB). If that matters, the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Also Consider2 of 5
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
The Expansion Portable is Seagate's simplest drive: a 1TB USB 3.0 hard drive with no extras.
Best for
- Buyers who want plain plug-in design.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the YOTUO 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits a single backup job. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD, but it costs less per terabyte for backups. It needs no power adapter and draws power over USB.
It shares a USB 3.0 connection with the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB and My Passport 2TB; the Seagate Portable 1TB goes with a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection. It also comes with a plain plug-in design, USB 3.0 and a compact enclosure. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper YOTUO 1TB and the pricier Seagate Portable 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 1TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- Plain plug-in design
- USB 3.0
- Compact enclosure
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
The 1TB Seagate Portable lists PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox support and a year of Rescue data recovery.
Best for
- Buyers who want PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB offers 2TB.
Why we like it
Mac users reformat it first. On capacity it ties with the YOTUO 1TB and the Expansion 1TB at 1TB. No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection; compare the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB, which has a USB 3.0 connection.
It also offers the lowest price tier among Seagate drives here. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable. It ships formatted for Windows, so a Mac user reformats it (exFAT for both systems, APFS for Time Machine).
As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. When we checked, only the Expansion 1TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB cost more.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 1TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0 (USB-A)
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility
- One year of Rescue data recovery
- The lowest price tier among Seagate drives here
- USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection, the only one here
Cons
- Capacity trails the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB (2TB)
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
Capacity is its weakest area, and the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB covers it better at 2TB.
Worth a Look4 of 5
ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB
The ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB is built around a USB 3.0 connection.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the YOTUO 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it is rated for 2TB. On capacity it ties with the My Passport 2TB at 2TB. Like the Expansion 1TB and My Passport 2TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the YOTUO 1TB uses a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection.
It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It was priced above the Seagate Portable 1TB and below the My Passport 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Durability claim
- Shockproof, waterproof, dustproof
- Security
- None stated
Pros
- USB 3.0 connection
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the YOTUO 1TB
- HDD drive type
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive
WD's My Passport adds password protection, hardware encryption and backup software to a slim 2TB drive.
Best for
- Spending more than the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the YOTUO 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
WD offers a three-year warranty. On capacity it ties with the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB at 2TB. Like the Expansion 1TB and ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the YOTUO 1TB uses a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection.
It also offers backup software with ransomware defense. It connects by USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop such as a MacBook Air needs an adapter or a USB-C cable. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. Only the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- Password, hardware encryption
Pros
- Backup software with ransomware defense
- Three-year limited warranty
- Slim enclosure
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the YOTUO 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Hard Drives for Time Machine Backup
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five drives on drive type, capacity, connection and durability claim, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and durability claim is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the YOTUO 1TB to the My Passport 2TB, state drive type, capacity and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Expansion 1TB, the Seagate Portable 1TB and the My Passport 2TB give no durability claim.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the YOTUO 1TB ($50 to $100) to the My Passport 2TB ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Hard Drive for Time Machine Backup
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity across these picks
Across these 5 picks capacity spans 1TB (the Seagate Portable 1TB) to 2TB (the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB). If capacity is your first filter, the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB sets the ceiling at 2TB.
Extras that separate them
The Seagate Portable 1TB: one year of Rescue data recovery. The ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB: a USB 3.0 connection. The My Passport 2TB: a three-year limited warranty.
A small M.2 SSD next to an external drive enclosure Where your budget lands
$50 to $100 buys the YOTUO 1TB; $100 to $150 buys the Expansion 1TB, the Seagate Portable 1TB, the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB and the My Passport 2TB at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB: the YOTUO 1TB. Spending more than the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the My Passport 2TB.
An M.2 2280 SSD held in a hand Drop and water ratings
IP ratings and drop heights are manufacturer claims. They matter for drives that travel in bags; a drive that stays on a desk needs less.
How to Choose a Hard Drive for Time Machine Backup
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB | YOTUO 1TB | Undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want plain plug-in design | Expansion 1TB | A plain plug-in design |
| Buyers who want PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility | Seagate Portable 1TB | PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility |
| Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection | ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB | A USB 3.0 connection |
| Spending more than the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | My Passport 2TB | The top of this price range, adding backup software with ransomware defense |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB leads on capacity at 2TB, ahead of the My Passport 2TB at 2TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Connection | Durability claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YOTUO 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 and USB-C | Silicone sleeve |
| Expansion 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Seagate Portable 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
| ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Shockproof, waterproof, dustproof |
| My Passport 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The YOTUO 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the My Passport 2TB the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | YOTUO 1TB |
| About $100 to $150 | Expansion 1TB, Seagate Portable 1TB, ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB, My Passport 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the My Passport 2TB add over the YOTUO 1TB?
The spec sheets show capacity (2TB against 1TB) in its favour. On our last price check the YOTUO 1TB was in the $50 to $100 tier and the My Passport 2TB in the $100 to $150 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if capacity decides your purchase.
Why is the My Passport 2TB our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the top of this price range, adding backup software with ransomware defense. The YOTUO 1TB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits spending more than the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Do the YOTUO 1TB and the Expansion 1TB differ on connection?
The YOTUO 1TB uses USB 3.0 and USB-C; the Expansion 1TB, the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB and the My Passport 2TB use USB 3.0; the Seagate Portable 1TB uses USB 3.0 (USB-A).
What extras do the YOTUO 1TB and the Expansion 1TB include?
The YOTUO 1TB: both USB 3.0 and USB-C connections. The Expansion 1TB: a plain plug-in design. The Seagate Portable 1TB: PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility.
Who should choose the YOTUO 1TB?
The YOTUO 1TB carries our Lowest Price Here label for undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Expansion 1TB.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the YOTUO 1TB, chosen for undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked. Look at the Expansion 1TB for a plain plug-in design, the Seagate Portable 1TB for PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox compatibility and the ADATA HD710 Pro 2TB for a USB 3.0 connection if those matter more to you.
Choose a drive at least twice the size of the data you back up.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best External SSDs
- Related guideThe Best Portable SSD Drives
- Related guideThe Best External Storage for a Laptop: SSDs and Hard Drives
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget External SSDs
- Similar guideThe Best Time Machine Backup Drives
- ExplainerPortable SSD vs external hard drive: which one for backups, games and carrying files
- ExplainerUSB speed names decoded for external SSDs: USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB4 and Thunderbolt
- Also see: ssds and storageDo You Need an M.2 SSD Heatsink?
- Similar guideThe Best External Drives for Mac Backup
- Topic hubAll external storage guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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