The Best Portable External Hard Drive

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. You get a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection here, which sets it apart from the Expansion 1TB and its a USB 3.0 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. 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 Canvio Advance 4TB and the rest.

It also is rated for 4TB. On capacity it sits mid-pack at 4TB: the Passport Ultra for Mac is rated for 5TB, and the Expansion 1TB comes in at 1TB. Like the Expansion 1TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the Rugged USB-C uses a USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) connection.

A password protection software security is unique to it among these picks, while the Rugged USB-C uses 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. It was priced above the Rugged USB-C and below the Passport Ultra for Mac at the time of writing.

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.

Its 2TB capacity ranks third of 5 here, behind the Passport Ultra for Mac (5TB) and ahead of the Expansion 1TB (1TB). A USB-C (USB 3.0 compatible) connection is unique to it among these picks, while the Canvio Advance 4TB uses a USB 3.0 connection. Like the YOTUO 1TB and Expansion 1TB, it has a none stated security, while the Canvio Advance 4TB uses a password protection software security.

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. Its price falls between the Expansion 1TB and the Canvio Advance 4TB, based on our last check.

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. It is the only pick here with a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection; the Passport Ultra for Mac has a USB-C (USB 3.1) connection instead. It shares a none stated security with the Rugged USB-C and Expansion 1TB; the Canvio Advance 4TB goes with a password protection software security.

As a spinning hard drive it is slower than an SSD and less tolerant of knocks while running. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the Expansion 1TB the next step up.

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. Like the Canvio Advance 4TB, it has a USB 3.0 connection, while the YOTUO 1TB uses a USB 3.0 and USB-C connection. It shares a none stated security with the Rugged USB-C and YOTUO 1TB; the Canvio Advance 4TB goes with a password protection software security.

It also offers 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. When we checked, only the YOTUO 1TB cost less, and the Rugged USB-C cost more.