Buying Guide
The Best External Hard Drive
Four external drives compared, from the YOTUO 1TB to the Rugged USB-C, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
External hard drives offer the most space for the money for backups and archives. Every pick is a hard drive, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and connection; where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
Undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
A plain plug-in design.
Best for: Buyers who want plain plug-in design.
Our take Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
An 18in USB 3.0 cable.
Best for: Buyers who want 18in USB 3.0 cable.
Our take Check price for Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive
A native USB-C connection at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
| A plain plug-in design. | Buyers who want plain plug-in design. | Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
| An 18in USB 3.0 cable. | Buyers who want 18in USB 3.0 cable. | Check price for Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
| A native USB-C connection at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
YOTUO 1TB Portable External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: capacity of 1TB, behind the Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB).
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.
On capacity it ties with the Expansion 1TB at 1TB. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. Worth noting too: 0.16kg weight.
It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers undercutting the Expansion 1TB on price when we checked. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Expansion 1TB was closest. What it gives up: capacity of 1TB, behind the Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB); by contrast, the Seagate Portable 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Key dimensions & 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 Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB)
Also Consider2 of 4
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 capacity matters most to you; the Seagate Portable 2TB offers 2TB.
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.
On capacity it ties with the YOTUO 1TB at 1TB. You also get 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.
It was priced above the YOTUO 1TB and below the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing. It gives ground on capacity, where the Seagate Portable 2TB is rated for 2TB.
Key dimensions & 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
- USB 3.0 connection, the only one here
Cons
- Capacity trails the Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB)
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's Portable 2TB is a plain USB 3.0 hard drive with an 18in cable.
Best for
- Buyers who want 18in USB 3.0 cable.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the YOTUO 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the low-cost way to add backup space to any laptop. It matches the Rugged USB-C on capacity (2TB). A USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the YOTUO 1TB uses a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection.
It also offers drag-and-drop file saving on Windows and Mac and a low price per terabyte. 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. Its price falls between the Expansion 1TB and the Rugged USB-C, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB 3.0 (USB-A)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- 18in USB 3.0 cable
- Drag-and-drop file saving on Windows and Mac
- Low price per terabyte
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the YOTUO 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB Portable Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The LaCie Rugged USB-C puts a native USB-C connector on a 2TB drive rated against drops, dust and rain.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the YOTUO 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It suits a MacBook without adapters. The LaCie Rugged shell is built to survive drops, dust and rain, which suits carrying footage between sites. It connects over USB-C and works with USB 3.0 ports on older machines.
It matches the Seagate Portable 2TB on capacity (2TB). You get a USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) connection here, which sets it apart from the Expansion 1TB and its a USB 3.0 connection. You also get Mac and PC compatibility.
As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible)
- Durability claim: Drop, shock, dust and rain resistant
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Native USB-C connection
- Mac and PC compatibility
- Resistance to drops, dust and rain
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the YOTUO 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the YOTUO 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Durability
- We noted listed drop, water and dust claims.
- Drive type and speed
- We recorded whether each drive is an SSD or hard drive and its read speed.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
SSD or hard drive
A portable hard drive gives the most terabytes per dollar and suits backups. A portable SSD is several times faster, lighter and more tolerant of drops, which suits working files and games.
Size for what you store
1TB suits documents and a few games. 2TB or more suits photo libraries, video and large game libraries. Hard drives reach larger sizes for the money.
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.
Password and encryption
Hardware encryption with a password protects a drive that could be lost. Software-only encryption depends on an app being available on each computer.
Mac and Windows formatting
Many drives ship formatted for Windows. On a Mac, reformat to APFS for Time Machine, or exFAT to share the drive with a Windows PC.
Match the port
A 1,050MB/s SSD needs USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps); a 2,000MB/s SSD needs Gen 2x2 (20Gbps), which few laptops and no Macs offer. On a slower port the drive simply runs at the port's speed.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | 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 18in USB 3.0 cable | Seagate Portable 2TB | An 18in USB 3.0 cable |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Rugged USB-C | A native USB-C connection at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
| Rugged USB-C | HDD | 2TB | USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) | Drop, shock, dust and rain resistant |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | YOTUO 1TB |
| About $100 to $150 | Expansion 1TB, Seagate Portable 2TB, Rugged USB-C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on capacity?
The Seagate Portable 2TB leads at 2TB, ahead of the Rugged USB-C at 2TB; the Expansion 1TB sits at the other end with 1TB.
Which pick costs the least here?
At our last price check the YOTUO 1TB was the cheapest pick and the Rugged USB-C the most expensive; the Expansion 1TB was the next step up from the YOTUO 1TB.
Will these work with PS5 or Xbox?
Consoles can store and play older-generation games from USB drives. Current-generation games usually must run from internal storage; check the console's own rules.
Is a portable SSD good for backups?
It works, but a hard drive gives more capacity per dollar for backups. Keep a second copy somewhere else for anything irreplaceable.
Does the cable matter?
Yes. Use the included cable or one rated for the drive's speed; a charging-only or USB 2.0 cable limits transfers.
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 2TB for an 18in USB 3.0 cable and the Rugged USB-C for a native USB-C connection at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Hard drives dislike drops; carry an SSD if you travel.