Buying Guide
The Best External Hard Drive for Backup
We weighed four external drives on capacity and drive type; the Passport Ultra for Mac has the largest capacity, and the Seagate Portable 1TB costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
A backup drive should hold everything you need to restore, with room to grow. Every pick is a hard drive, ordered by capacity.
We ranked these external drives on drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these external drives ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Capacity
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TBThe largest capacity here (5TB).
Best for: Buyers who put capacity first.
Check price for WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Toshiba Canvio Advance 4TBA USB 3.0 connection.
Best for: Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection.
Check price for Toshiba Canvio Advance 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Apricorn Aegis Padlock 2TBAn administrator password feature at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Seagate Portable 1TB costs less.
Check price for Apricorn Aegis Padlock 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard DriveA lower price than the Canvio Advance 4TB and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $150.
Check price for Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest capacity here (5TB). | Buyers who put capacity first. | Check price for WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A USB 3.0 connection. | Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection. | Check price for Toshiba Canvio Advance 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An administrator password feature at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Seagate Portable 1TB costs less. | Check price for Apricorn Aegis Padlock 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Canvio Advance 4TB and the rest when we checked. | Keeping the cost under $150. | Check price for Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Capacity1 of 4
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB
WD's My Passport Ultra for Mac arrives formatted for macOS and connects by USB-C.
Best for
- Buyers who put capacity first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Seagate Portable 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It adds 256-bit AES hardware encryption and the largest capacity here, 5TB. Nothing else here matches its 5TB capacity; the Canvio Advance 4TB comes closest at 4TB. It is the only pick here with a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection; the Aegis Padlock 2TB has a USB 3.0 connection instead.
It also comes with formatting for Mac out of the box, a metal cover and a USB-C connection. As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It was priced above the Canvio Advance 4TB and below the Aegis Padlock 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 5TB
- Connection
- USB-C (USB 3.1)
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- Password, 256-bit AES hardware encryption
Pros
- Formatting for Mac out of the box
- Metal cover
- USB-C connection
- Largest capacity of the picks (5TB)
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 1TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
Toshiba Canvio Advance 4TB
What the Canvio Advance 4TB brings to the table is a USB 3.0 connection.
Best for
- Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Seagate Portable 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 4TB. Its 4TB capacity ranks second of 4 here, behind the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB) and ahead of the Seagate Portable 1TB (1TB). It shares a USB 3.0 connection with the Aegis Padlock 2TB; the Seagate Portable 1TB goes with a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection.
No other pick in this guide offers a password protection software security; compare the Seagate Portable 1TB, which has a none stated security. 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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper Seagate Portable 1TB and the pricier Passport Ultra for Mac, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 4TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- Password protection software
Pros
- USB 3.0 connection
- Capacity of 4TB, ahead of the Aegis Padlock 2TB
- Password protection software security, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 4
Apricorn Aegis Padlock 2TB
The Aegis Padlock 2TB is built around an administrator password feature.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Seagate Portable 1TB costs less.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Seagate Portable 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it is rated for 2TB. On capacity it sits mid-pack at 2TB: the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB, and the Seagate Portable 1TB comes in at 1TB. Like the Canvio Advance 4TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the Passport Ultra for Mac uses a USB-C (USB 3.1) 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. Only the Passport Ultra for Mac came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks.
Key specs
- Drive type
- HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed)
- 2TB
- Connection
- USB 3.0
- Durability claim
- Not stated
- Security
- PIN, AES-XTS 256-bit hardware encryption
Pros
- Administrator password feature
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Seagate Portable 1TB
- An administrator password feature at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
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
- Keeping the cost under $150.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the Passport Ultra for Mac offers 5TB.
Why we like it
Mac users reformat it first. On capacity it trails the group at 1TB, while the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB. It is the only pick here with a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection; the Passport Ultra for Mac has a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection instead.
A none stated security is unique to it among these picks, while the Canvio Advance 4TB uses a password protection software security. You also get 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. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Canvio Advance 4TB the next step up.
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 Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB)
The catch
It gives ground on capacity, where the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB.
How We Chose
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 lined up four drives on drive type, capacity, connection and security, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and all 4 compared fields are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Passport Ultra for Mac to the Seagate Portable 1TB, state drive type, capacity and connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The Passport Ultra for Mac for the largest capacity here (5TB); the Canvio Advance 4TB for a USB 3.0 connection; the Aegis Padlock 2TB for an administrator password feature at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Seagate Portable 1TB ($100 to $150) to the Aegis Padlock 2TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive for Backup
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Capacity
Across these 4 picks capacity spans 1TB (the Seagate Portable 1TB) to 5TB (the Passport Ultra for Mac). The Canvio Advance 4TB comes second at 4TB, in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 for the Passport Ultra for Mac.
Extras that separate them
The Canvio Advance 4TB: a USB 3.0 connection. The Aegis Padlock 2TB: an administrator password feature. The Seagate Portable 1TB: one year of Rescue data recovery.
An M.2 SSD inside a clear external enclosure How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the Seagate Portable 1TB; $150 to $250 buys the Canvio Advance 4TB; $250 to $500 buys the Passport Ultra for Mac and the Aegis Padlock 2TB at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put capacity first: the Passport Ultra for Mac. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Seagate Portable 1TB costs less: the Aegis Padlock 2TB. Keeping the cost under $150: the Seagate Portable 1TB.
A small M.2 SSD next to an external drive enclosure 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.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive for Backup
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put capacity first | Passport Ultra for Mac | The largest capacity here (5TB) |
| Buyers who want USB 3.0 connection | Canvio Advance 4TB | A USB 3.0 connection |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Seagate Portable 1TB costs less | Aegis Padlock 2TB | An administrator password feature at the highest price in the group |
| Keeping the cost under $150 | Seagate Portable 1TB | A lower price than the Canvio Advance 4TB and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Passport Ultra for Mac leads on capacity at 5TB, ahead of the Canvio Advance 4TB at 4TB.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Connection | Durability claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Ultra for Mac | HDD | 5TB | USB-C (USB 3.1) | Not stated |
| Canvio Advance 4TB | HDD | 4TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Aegis Padlock 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Seagate Portable 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Seagate Portable 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Aegis Padlock 2TB the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Seagate Portable 1TB |
| About $150 to $250 | Canvio Advance 4TB |
| About $250 to $500 | Passport Ultra for Mac, Aegis Padlock 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Canvio Advance 4TB compare with the Passport Ultra for Mac on capacity?
The Passport Ultra for Mac leads at 5TB, with the Canvio Advance 4TB at 4TB. The spread runs down to the Seagate Portable 1TB at 1TB.
What does the Aegis Padlock 2TB add over the Seagate Portable 1TB?
The spec sheets show capacity (2TB against 1TB) in its favour. On our last price check the Seagate Portable 1TB was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Aegis Padlock 2TB in the $250 to $500 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if capacity decides your purchase.
Why is the Passport Ultra for Mac our Largest Capacity pick?
The label rests on the largest capacity here (5TB). On capacity it leads the Canvio Advance 4TB, 5TB against 4TB, a 25% margin. The Seagate Portable 1TB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts capacity first.
Do the Passport Ultra for Mac and the Canvio Advance 4TB differ on connection?
The Passport Ultra for Mac uses USB-C (USB 3.1); the Canvio Advance 4TB and the Aegis Padlock 2TB use USB 3.0; the Seagate Portable 1TB uses USB 3.0 (USB-A).
What extras do the Passport Ultra for Mac and the Canvio Advance 4TB include?
The Passport Ultra for Mac: formatting for Mac out of the box. The Canvio Advance 4TB: a USB 3.0 connection. The Aegis Padlock 2TB: an administrator password feature.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Passport Ultra for Mac, chosen for the largest capacity here (5TB). Look at the Canvio Advance 4TB for a USB 3.0 connection, the Aegis Padlock 2TB for an administrator password feature at the highest price in the group and the Seagate Portable 1TB for a lower price than the Canvio Advance 4TB and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies, two media, one off-site.
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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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