Buying Guide
The Best External Hard Drive for Laptop
We weighed five external drives on capacity and rated read speed; the Passport Ultra for Mac has the largest capacity, and the Seagate Portable 2TB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A laptop drive should be bus-powered and small enough to carry. These are ordered by capacity.
We ranked these external drives on drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and max read speed using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these external drives ourselves, and where a maker leaves out max read speed, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Capacity
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB
The largest capacity here (5TB).
Best for: Buyers who put capacity first.
Our take Check price for WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
A lower price than the X9 2TB and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TB
An IP55 rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Our take Check price for Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s)
An IP65 water and dust rating.
Best for: Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a lightweight textile-covered design.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Capacity1 of 5
WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Skip it if you need to know its rated read speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It adds 256-bit AES hardware encryption and the largest capacity here, 5TB. On capacity it leads this guide at 5TB, ahead of the Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB). No other pick in this guide offers a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection; compare the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection.
You also get 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. When we checked, only the X9 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB cost more. If you want a confirmed rated read speed, look to the X9 2TB instead: it offers 1,050MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its rated read speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It is the low-cost way to add backup space to any laptop. On capacity it ties with the X9 2TB, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the One Touch SSD 2TB at 2TB. No other pick in this guide offers a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection; compare the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection.
You also get 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.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the X9 2TB was closest. If you want a confirmed rated read speed, look to the X9 2TB instead: it offers 1,050MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
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
- USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection, the only one here
Cons
- No published rated read speed
Also Consider3 of 5
Crucial X9 Portable SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 2TB X9 keeps the 1,050MB/s rating and IP55 build of the 1TB model.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP55 rating.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Seagate Portable 2TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It has room for a larger game library. It is rated IP55 for water and dust and survives drops of up to 7.5 feet, so it can travel in a camera bag. It works with consoles as well as Windows, Mac and iPad Pro.
On capacity it ties with the Seagate Portable 2TB, the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the One Touch SSD 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the SanDisk Extreme 2TB at 1,050MB/s. No other pick in this guide offers a USB-C (USB 3.2) connection; compare the SanDisk Extreme 2TB, which has a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. When we checked, only the Seagate Portable 2TB cost less, and the Passport Ultra for Mac cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB-C (USB 3.2)
- Durability claim: IP55, drops up to 7.5ft
- Security: None stated
Pros
- IP55 rating
- Drop resistance up to 7.5ft
- 2TB for a larger game library
- Rated read speed of 1,050MB/s, ahead of the One Touch SSD 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD 2TB (1050MB/s) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The earlier SanDisk Extreme offers 1,050MB/s reads, an IP65 rating and 3m drop protection.
Best for
- Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Seagate Portable 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 2TB size suits games and video. SanDisk rates it for 3-metre drops and IP65 water and dust resistance, up from the earlier 2-metre and IP55 ratings. A carabiner loop lets you clip it to a bag.
Password protection uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and the Memory Zone app helps manage files. On capacity it ties with the Seagate Portable 2TB, the X9 2TB and the One Touch SSD 2TB at 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the X9 2TB at 1,050MB/s.
It is the only pick here with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection; the Passport Ultra for Mac has a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection instead. You also get NVMe performance in a small body. It was priced above the Passport Ultra for Mac and below the One Touch SSD 2TB at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,050MB/s
- Connection: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C)
- Durability claim: IP65, drops up to 3m
- Security: None stated
Pros
- IP65 water and dust rating
- Drop protection up to 3m
- NVMe performance in a small body
- Rated read speed of 1,050MB/s, ahead of the One Touch SSD 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Seagate One Touch SSD 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's One Touch SSD wraps a 2TB drive rated to 1,030MB/s in a light textile cover.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the Passport Ultra for Mac offers 5TB.
Why we like it
It was the lowest-priced drive here at the time of writing and carries a three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery. It matches the Seagate Portable 2TB, the X9 2TB and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB on capacity (2TB). Its 1,030MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the X9 2TB leads at 1,050MB/s.
You get a USB 3 (as listed) connection here, which sets it apart from the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and its a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) connection. It also offers a lightweight textile-covered design and a six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the SanDisk Extreme 2TB and the rest. The trade-off is capacity; for more, the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Max read speed: 1,030MB/s
- Connection: USB 3 (as listed)
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Lightweight textile-covered design
- Three-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Six-month Mylio Photos+ subscription and a Dropbox Backup trial
- USB 3 (as listed) connection, the only one here
Cons
- Capacity trails the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB)
- Rated read speed trails the X9 2TB (1,050MB/s)
- Costs more than the Seagate Portable 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Drive type and speed
- We recorded whether each drive is an SSD or hard drive and its read speed.
- Durability
- We noted listed drop, water and dust claims.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive for Laptop
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Where these picks differ: capacity
Among these picks, capacity runs from 2TB on the One Touch SSD 2TB to 5TB on the Passport Ultra for Mac. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive for Laptop
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put capacity first | Passport Ultra for Mac | The largest capacity here (5TB) |
| Spending as little as possible | Seagate Portable 2TB | A lower price than the X9 2TB and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want IP55 rating | X9 2TB | An IP55 rating |
| Buyers who want IP65 water and dust rating | SanDisk Extreme 2TB | An IP65 water and dust rating |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | One Touch SSD 2TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a lightweight textile-covered design |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Drive type | Capacity (as reviewed) | Max read speed | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Ultra for Mac | HDD | 5TB | Not listed | USB-C (USB 3.1) |
| Seagate Portable 2TB | HDD | 2TB | Not listed | USB 3.0 (USB-A) |
| X9 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB-C (USB 3.2) |
| SanDisk Extreme 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,050MB/s | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) |
| One Touch SSD 2TB | SSD | 2TB | 1,030MB/s | USB 3 (as listed) |
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 $100 to $150 | Seagate Portable 2TB |
| About $150 to $250 | X9 2TB |
| About $250 to $500 | Passport Ultra for Mac, SanDisk Extreme 2TB, One Touch SSD 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on rated read speed?
The X9 2TB, at 1,050MB/s. The SanDisk Extreme 2TB follows at 1,050MB/s, while the One Touch SSD 2TB has 1,030MB/s.
Which pick costs the least here?
At our last price check the Seagate Portable 2TB was the cheapest pick and the One Touch SSD 2TB the most expensive; the X9 2TB was the next step up from the Seagate Portable 2TB.
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.
How long do portable drives last?
It depends on use and handling. Check the warranty length as a signal of the maker's confidence, and replace a drive that reports errors.
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.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Passport Ultra for Mac, chosen for the largest capacity here (5TB). Look at the Seagate Portable 2TB for a lower price than the X9 2TB and the rest when we checked, the X9 2TB for an IP55 rating and the SanDisk Extreme 2TB for an IP65 water and dust rating if those matter more to you.
Bus-powered drives run from the laptop's USB port with no adapter.