Buying Guide
The Best Seagate Portable External Drives
Seagate sells plain hard drives, encrypted drives and SSDs under similar names. These five cover the range.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Seagate's portable range includes the basic Portable and Expansion hard drives, the password-protected One Touch, and small SSDs. The names overlap, so this guide sorts them by use.
Every pick is a Seagate drive, compared on its Amazon listing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Seagate Value
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive
2TB with drag-and-drop on Windows and Mac.
Best for: Everyday backups
Our take Check price for Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Best Secure Seagate
Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password
Password with hardware encryption and two-year warranty.
Best for: Sensitive files
Our take Check price for Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password (opens in a new tab)
Best Seagate SSD
Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB
Palm-sized SSD with a USB-A adapter.
Best for: Speed and portability
Our take Check price for Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Best for Consoles
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox listed.
Best for: Console backups
Our take Check price for Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Simplest Seagate
Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
Plain 1TB USB 3.0 drive.
Best for: One backup job
Our take Check price for Seagate Expansion Portable 1TB External Hard Drive (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Seagate Value1 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
- Everyday backups
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. On capacity it ties with the One Touch 2TB at 2TB. Like the Seagate Portable 1TB, it has a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection, while the Ultra Touch SSD uses a USB-C with USB-A adapter 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. When we checked, only the Seagate Portable 1TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the One Touch 2TB cost more.
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 Ultra Touch SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Best Secure Seagate2 of 5
Seagate One Touch 2TB Portable Hard Drive with Password on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's One Touch adds password-protected hardware encryption and a brushed-metal case to a 2TB hard drive.
Best for
- Sensitive files
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Expansion 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its warranty runs two years with Rescue data recovery. It matches the Seagate Portable 2TB on capacity (2TB). It shares a USB 3.0 connection with the Expansion 1TB; the Seagate Portable 1TB goes with a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection.
It also offers scheduled or one-click backups. 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 Seagate Portable 2TB and the Ultra Touch SSD, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: HDD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 2TB
- Connection: USB 3.0
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: Password, hardware encryption
Pros
- Brushed-metal enclosure
- Scheduled or one-click backups
- Two-year warranty with Rescue data recovery
- Capacity of 2TB, ahead of the Ultra Touch SSD
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Best Seagate SSD3 of 5
Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Seagate's Ultra Touch SSD is a palm-sized fabric-covered SSD with a USB-A adapter in the box.
Best for
- Speed and portability
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Expansion 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
An Android app manages phone backups. Its fabric-covered shell is palm-sized, and it ships with a USB-A adapter and an Android app for phone backups. Some Macs need it reformatted first.
It includes a year of Mylio Create and two months of Adobe CC Photography. It matches the Seagate Portable 1TB and the Expansion 1TB on capacity (1TB). You get a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection here, which sets it apart from the Expansion 1TB and its a USB 3.0 connection. 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 One Touch 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Drive type: SSD
- Capacity (as reviewed): 1TB
- Connection: USB-C with USB-A adapter
- Durability claim: Not stated
- Security: None stated
Pros
- Fabric-covered palm-sized design
- Included USB-A adapter
- Android app for phone content
- USB-C with USB-A adapter connection, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Best for Consoles4 of 5
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 1TB Seagate Portable lists PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox support and a year of Rescue data recovery.
Best for
- Console backups
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Expansion 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Mac users reformat it first. On capacity it ties with the Ultra Touch SSD and the Expansion 1TB at 1TB. Like the Seagate Portable 2TB, it has a USB 3.0 (USB-A) connection, while the Ultra Touch SSD uses a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection.
It also offers 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. When we checked, only the Expansion 1TB cost less, and the Seagate Portable 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & 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
Cons
- Costs more than the Expansion 1TB at the time of writing
Simplest Seagate5 of 5
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
- One backup job
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.
It matches the Ultra Touch SSD and the Seagate Portable 1TB on capacity (1TB). It shares a USB 3.0 connection with the One Touch 2TB; the Ultra Touch SSD goes with a USB-C with USB-A adapter connection. 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 undercut the Seagate Portable 1TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is capacity; for more, 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
- Plain 1TB USB 3.0 drive
Cons
- Capacity trails the Seagate Portable 2TB (2TB)
How We Chose These Seagate Portable External Drives
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Security and extras
- We checked for password protection, encryption and backup software.
- Connection
- We checked the USB standard and connector each maker names.
- 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.
What to Look for in a Seagate Portable External Drive
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a Seagate Portable External Drive
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday backups | Seagate Portable 2TB | 2TB with drag-and-drop on Windows and Mac |
| Sensitive files | One Touch 2TB | Password with hardware encryption and two-year warranty |
| Speed and portability | Ultra Touch SSD | Palm-sized SSD with a USB-A adapter |
| Console backups | Seagate Portable 1TB | PC, Mac, PlayStation and Xbox listed |
| One backup job | Expansion 1TB | Plain 1TB USB 3.0 drive |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seagate Portable 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | Not stated |
| One Touch 2TB | HDD | 2TB | USB 3.0 | Not stated |
| Ultra Touch SSD | SSD | 1TB | USB-C with USB-A adapter | Not stated |
| Seagate Portable 1TB | HDD | 1TB | USB 3.0 (USB-A) | 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 1TB, Seagate Portable 2TB, One Touch 2TB |
| About $150 to $250 | Ultra Touch SSD |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Can I run PC games from an external SSD?
Yes. Launchers such as Steam can add a library folder on an external drive. Load times depend on the drive and port; an SSD on a 10Gbps port is far quicker than a hard drive.
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.
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.
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.
Bottom Line
The Seagate Portable 2TB is the value choice for backups. The One Touch adds encryption and a longer warranty, the Ultra Touch SSD is the small, fast option, and the 1TB Portable and Expansion suit smaller jobs.