Buying Guide
The Best External Hard Drive for Photos
From the Expansion 1TB to the Passport Ultra for Mac: four external drives ranked on capacity and drive type, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Photo libraries grow fast, so capacity per dollar favors hard drives. Every pick is a hard drive, ordered by capacity.
Our comparison rests on published figures for drive type, capacity (as reviewed) and connection; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 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)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive
Backup software with ransomware defense.
Best for: Buyers who want backup software with ransomware defense.
Our take Check price for WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
A lower price than the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest capacity here (5TB). | Buyers who put capacity first. | Check price for WD My Passport Ultra for Mac 5TB (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) |
| Backup software with ransomware defense. | Buyers who want backup software with ransomware defense. | Check price for WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Capacity1 of 4
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
- If budget leads, the Expansion 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
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 Seagate Portable 2TB comes closest at 2TB. A USB-C (USB 3.1) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Expansion 1TB uses a USB 3.0 connection.
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 the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the My Passport 2TB.
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
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 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 Expansion 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 My Passport 2TB on capacity (2TB). A USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Passport Ultra for Mac uses a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection.
It also comes with 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 My Passport 2TB, 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 Expansion 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
WD My Passport 2TB Portable Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
WD's My Passport adds password protection, hardware encryption and backup software to a slim 2TB drive.
Best for
- Buyers who want backup software with ransomware defense.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Expansion 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
WD offers a three-year warranty. It matches the Seagate Portable 2TB on capacity (2TB). It shares a USB 3.0 connection with the Expansion 1TB; the Seagate Portable 2TB goes with a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection.
It also comes with 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. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Seagate Portable 2TB and the pricier Passport Ultra for Mac, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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 Expansion 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 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 would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if capacity matters most to you; the Passport Ultra for Mac offers 5TB.
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 trails the group at 1TB, while the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB. Like the My Passport 2TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the Passport Ultra for Mac uses a USB-C (USB 3.1) 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. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Seagate Portable 2TB the next step up.
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
- A lower price than the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Capacity trails the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
- Durability
- We noted listed drop, water and dust claims.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
- Drive type and speed
- We recorded whether each drive is an SSD or hard drive and its read speed.
What to Look for in an External Hard Drive for Photos
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose an External Hard Drive for Photos
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put capacity first | Passport Ultra for Mac | The largest capacity here (5TB) |
| Buyers who want 18in USB 3.0 cable | Seagate Portable 2TB | An 18in USB 3.0 cable |
| Buyers who want backup software with ransomware defense | My Passport 2TB | Backup software with ransomware defense |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Expansion 1TB | A lower price than the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest when we checked |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Ultra for Mac | HDD | 5TB | USB-C (USB 3.1) | Not stated |
| Seagate Portable 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
| My Passport 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Expansion 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
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 | Expansion 1TB, Seagate Portable 2TB, My Passport 2TB |
| About $250 to $500 | Passport Ultra for Mac |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pick leads on capacity?
The Passport Ultra for Mac leads at 5TB, ahead of the Seagate Portable 2TB at 2TB; the Expansion 1TB sits at the other end with 1TB.
Which pick costs the least here?
At our last price check the Expansion 1TB was the cheapest pick and the Passport Ultra for Mac the most expensive; the Seagate Portable 2TB was the next step up from the Expansion 1TB.
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.
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.
Why does my 1TB drive show less space?
Drive makers count 1TB as one trillion bytes; Windows counts in binary units, so it shows about 931GB. No space is missing.
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 an 18in USB 3.0 cable, the My Passport 2TB for backup software with ransomware defense and the Expansion 1TB for a lower price than the Seagate Portable 2TB and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
Keep a second copy of irreplaceable photos in another place.