Getting yourself one of the best external hard drives can be one of the most crucial decisions for you as most of the work we’re doing nowadays heavily depends on data and computers.
As COVID-19 has limited physical working to a minimum, people are readily jumping to the opportunity of working from homes and using their laptops to the best.
If you have many essential personal files or work files, an external hard drive disk (HDD) or solid-state disk (SSD) can quickly help you back up those files and secure them physically.
SSD drives excel at providing you with quick read and write speeds, which makes them a great choice for storing files you’ll need to constantly edit or to work in real-time right from the drive.
On the other hand, HDD drives offer a lot of storage in compact spaces. This makes them affordable, which allows you to get one with a lot of storage space on a budget. Hence, making these the perfect choice for creative professionals such as YouTube content creators that require a lot of storage space for their media files.
However, HDD drives come with some caveats, such as slow transfer speeds and less durability than SSDs.
So, here’s the real question:
What should you be looking for in an External Drive?
There are different aspects to SSDs and HDDs, and here are some factors that you should be aware of to make a smart purchase:
1. Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is mainly the primary reason you should be looking to get an external drive. However, 1TB, 2TB, 5TB can get a little confusing.
What should be your preferred choice for a storage capacity? With the recent developments, a single terabyte of storage space can quickly be filled, so the best sweet spot, in our opinion, is any drive with a capacity of at least 2TB.
2. Performance
All hard drives are mechanically operated, and they spin around to read and write data. This makes hard drives considerably slower than SSDs, and that’s why if you want a fast performing external drive, you should get a fast SSD.
That said, if you’re sure about getting an external HDD, then a 7200 RPM drive would be the best.
3. Connectivity
USB-C vs. Thunderbolt, the eternal battle!
Remember the connectivity port can make a massive difference in performance. While USB-C 3.1 and 3.2 connectivity standards are acceptable at delivering good performance, Thunderbolt support takes it to the next level by providing outstanding performance with both read and write speeds.
We recommend you pay a little more for Thunderbolt connectivity if you want to edit videos directly from your drive. If it isn’t you, then you’ll be good with USB-C to access your files.
4. Durability and Portability
The last and probably the most crucial factor for frequent travelers. It would help if you always look for well-built external drives that can last you for a decent amount of time as that would increase your chances of safely storing backups.
SSD vs. HDD: Which Should You Pick?
Here are the key differences that you can expect from SSDs and HDDs:
- Better read and write speeds with SSDs
- SSDs are much more portable, compact and durable as compared to HDDs
- HDDs provide better storage capacities
- HDDs are much more affordable
In Short; If you’re looking to get faster performance and durability, get an SSD, and if you want a large storage capacity and an affordable price tag, then HDDs are your best bet.
Why should you buy an external drive over cloud storage services?
Hard drives are a better choice for people who need larger storage capacities, such as content creators and firms requiring to store a lot of data daily.
These are also better for physical storage and can be a primary storage location than cloud storage services.
Cloud storage requires an active internet connection to store everything and costs you a lot of money if you have vast amounts of data stored.
Some advantages of physical storage over cloud storage are:
- External drives can be used offline without a need for an active internet connection.
- Eternal storage drives are reliable and fast.
- External drive capacity is also cheaper as compared to cloud storage.
Now that we’ve covered everything about external storage drives, let us look at the choices available on the market:
The External Hard Drive Choices (HDD)
- WD 5TB Elements – Best External Hard Drive to buy in 2022 ˅
- Seagate Portable 2TB – Best Budget-Friendly Hard Drive ˅
- WD Black 5TB P10 Game Drive – Best Hard Drive for Gaming in 2022 ˅
- Seagate Game Drive 4TB – Best External Hard Drive for Xbox ˅
- Transcend Rugged 1TB StoreJet – Best Built External Hard Drive ˅
The Solid State Drive Choices (SSD)
- Plugable 2TB Thunderbolt – Best External SSD in 2022 ˅
- SAMSUNG X5 Portable – Best Slim External SSD to buy in 2022 ˅
- WD Black 2TB P50 Game Drive – Best Gaming External SSD to buy in 2022 ˅
- SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD 1TB – Best Drive for Video Production ˅
- Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB – Best Budget-Friendly External SSD ˅
Best Hard Drive Disks (HDD) for Video Editing and Storage in 2022
1. WD 5TB Elements – The Best External Hard Drive for Video Storage
Pricing: $105
Western Digital is renowned for making hard discs, and it stands true with the WD Elements. The drive provides a decent amount of storage and also excellent performance overall.
This version isn’t going to blow you out but is worthy enough to daily drive without any hassle.
In short, it is a great storage device for everyone and should be your primary choice if you want a lot of storage at an affordable price tag.
Performance and Capacity
The performance is decent with a 7200 RPM cycle, and it connects up using a USB 3.1 connection that allows it to reach faster read and write speeds. It also comes in various choices for storage space, but our choice is the 5TB version as it delivers the best bang-to-buck ratio.
Build Quality
The plastic build provides a decent build quality and is also lightweight making it perfect for travel.
However, note that hard drives are mechanical and can be corrupted, or worse, they can be unfunctional if you don’t use them with care.
Pros:
- Affordable cost
- Impressive storage capacity
Cons:
- Slow compared to SSDs
- It is not that durable and can provide issues with rough usage
2. Seagate Portable 2TB – The Best Budget-Friendly Hard Drive
Pricing: $60
Seagate is another great storage drive manufacturer, and it delivers with the Portable drive.
You can expect decent performance similar to the WD drive and can also get it at an affordable price.
The capacity is also at the sweet spot, which makes it perfect for budget-friendly people.
Performance and Capacity
The 7200 RPM delivers decent read and write speeds, and with a primary USB 3.0 connection, you could easily take advantage of the extra headroom of performance it provides.
The 2TB capacity is also great for a regular individual, and it also offers higher storage variants for sale.
Build Quality
The build is nothing spectacular, but it assures you a slim plastic body that is durable enough for regular use.
However, we would recommend you to take care of it as if you use it roughly, it could result in a non-functional drive.
Pros:
- Decent amount of storage
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Average performance
- Bad build quality
3. WD Black 5TB P10 Game Drive – Best Hard Drive for Gaming
Pricing: $150
The Black series from WD is a game-changer for regular hard drives as they use a memory controller similar to SSDs, which lets them deliver excellent speeds and impressive read and write performance.
This is the best hard drive for gamers, and if you’re one, go pick this up.
Performance and Capacity
The WD Black drive performs much better than any regular 7200 RPM drive as it also comes equipped with a memory controller similar to SSDs and connects through a USB 3.1 port that improves performance and stability.
The large 5TB capacity also ensures that you can store any file or backup and even backup your entire Steam library without any hassle.
Build Quality
The rugged build quality is excellent and solves the durability issues that regular hard drives have. This makes it perfect for traveling and other consuming tasks that can put a standard external drive at risk.
Pros:
- Rugged build quality
- Impressive performance and storage capacity
- USB 3.1 connection
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
4. Seagate Game Drive 4TB – Best External Hard Drive for Xbox
Pricing: $120
If you’re looking for an expansion drive for your Xbox, then the Seagate game drive is your best option.
It is specifically designed for the Xbox and delivers excellent performance for all your game storage. Just remember it is not built for portability, so treat it with care.
Performance and Capacity
This HDD comes equipped with a USB 3.1 controller for fast data transfers and decent read and write speeds.
The internal disc spins at 7200 RPM, and with 4TB, you can store all your games from all Xbox variants.
Build Quality
The classic green design of the original Xbox is what we see here, this gaming hard drive is the perfect accessory for all Xbox gamers.
It is compact so it’ll fit on your setup without much issue. The plastic body feels durable, sturdy and delivers a led light on the front to show activity.
Pros:
- Impressive build quality
- Decent performance
Cons:
- A little expensive than regular hard drives
5. Transcend Rugged 1TB StoreJet – The Best Built External Hard Drive
Pricing: $55
The Transcend StoreJet is a rugged external drive that delivers average performance throughout all read and writes tests we did, but it shines in the durability department.
It comes equipped with bumpers and a sturdy build quality that makes it one of the best drives for hardcore travelers and enthusiasts.
Performance and Capacity
This drive uses a USB 3.0 connection and spins at 7200 RPM that delivers an average performance all around.
It is not the best and not the worst either. It comfortably sits in the middle with being the most affordable, rugged 1TB hard drive.
Build Quality
This is where the StoreJet shines as it has a well-built, rugged body with rubber bumpers all around, which protects the drive from hits and drops.
If you’re a traveler looking to go around places after the pandemic, this drive will become the best choice you ever made.
Pros:
- Rugged build quality
- Affordable price tag
Cons:
- Average performance
Honorable Mention: LaCie Portable Hard Drive
The LaCie portable orange hard drive has various storage options ranging from 1-4TB. The device is compatible on your Laptop/Desktop. It is crush and water resistant and comes in the unmistakable orange colored padding so everyone knows you are a serious creator!
Other than its cutting edge design, the hard drive comes with a two year rescue data recovery service. Simply put, if the drive stops working, the manufacturer will provide a new hard drive with all the information stored in the faulty hard drive.
This type of Hard Drive generally suits everyone. It is an all around beast with adequate read and write speeds, and will provide you more than enough space to back up your files.
The Best Solid State External Drives for Video Editors and Creators 2022
1. Plugable 2TB Thunderbolt – The Best External SSD in 2022 for Video Editing and Storage
Pricing: $500
The Plugable Thunderbolt drive is the fastest drive on the list and delivers the best performance throughout all applications and tests.
The Thunderbolt connection over USB-C makes this an unbeatable drive that works with all Windows and Mac products.
Performance and Capacity
The performance is simply excellent and can deliver a general 2400MBs/1800MBs read and write speeds respectively, and with 2TB of space, you could save everything on it.
This means that you can transfer larger files instantly and expect some decent onboard gaming experience through using this.
The Thunderbolt 3 connection is impressive and works wonders with supported laptops and PCs.
Build Quality
The body is built with black plastic and comes with a built-in Thunderbolt-ready USB-C interface so that you can use it with all USB-C-enabled devices such as phones, laptops, tablets, and PCs.
The drive is compact and can quickly be taken anywhere you want to.
Pros:
- Lightweight, portable body
- USB C Thunderbolt support
- Superfast read and write speeds
Cons:
- Very expensive
- The memory chips degrade over time and can’t last as long as hard drives
2. SAMSUNG X5 Portable – Fastest and Most Portable External SSD for Video
Pricing: $200
The Samsung X5 Portable is probably the fastest and most affordable Thunderbolt-ready SSD, and it delivers blazing fast speeds while being compact for all your travel needs.
The USB-C port is great to see, and it brings compatibility with all devices with a USB-C port.
Performance and Capacity
The X5 delivers impressive performance with read speeds reaching a maximum of 2,800 MB/sec and write speeds reaching 2,100 MB/sec. This is amazing for all users looking for performance as their essential choice and comes in various storage configurations ranging from 500GBs to 2TB.
Build Quality
The build quality is decent; it’s not the best, but it’s the slimmest drive we’ve used and loved, and that’s perfect for everyday use.
Pros:
- Superfast performance
- USB C and Thunderbolt 3 support
- Lightweight, slim body
Cons:
- Expensive price tag
3. WD Black 2TB P50 Game Drive – Best Gaming SSD in 2022
Pricing: $330
The WD Black SSD is an overpowered version of its HDD counterpart.
Its build quality is impressive, and the performance it delivers is blazing fast. The rugged body makes it the perfect travel companion, and the blazing fast speeds mean you can play games straight off the drive with a primary USB-C connection.
Performance and Capacity
The SSD is shaped by performance with speeds up to 2000MB/s to decrease load screen times to get you into the game faster.
The 2TB capacity is a good starting point and is highly recommended to casual gamers.
Build Quality
The build quality is terrific, and it delivers a rugged all-black build that can seriously take a beating.
If you’re wondering about getting this drive for traveling and gaming, you should, as it’s a heck of a product.
Pros:
- Rugged build quality
- Built for gaming
- Blazing fast speeds
Cons:
- It is a lot expensive than regular drives
4. SAMSUNG T7 Portable SSD 1TB – Best SSD for 4K Videos and Picture Editing
Pricing: $160
The T lineup from Samsung has always been the go-to choice for SSDs, and the T7 delivers on it. This is the best SSD to use for video creation as it provides excellent speeds for recording 4K footage and is affordable considering its impressive storage capacities.
Performance and Capacity
The T7 delivers excellent performance with reads up to 1,050 MB/s and writes up to 1,000 MB/s on USB 3.2 gen two supported devices. The storage capacity is also good, and a terabyte of capacity for just 160 bucks is a steal, in our opinion.
Build Quality
The metallic build is stylish and impressive. It also acts as a giant heatsink for the memory chips, delivering stable performance throughout the video recording process.
It is also sturdy enough to be thrown into a backpack and be used every day without issues.
Pros:
- Impressive build quality with stylish color options
- Incredible speeds with USB 3.2 support
- Affordable price tag
Cons:
- Can struggle with some chip degrading issues with regular use over a long timespan
5. Seagate Ultra Touch SSD 1TB – Best Budget-Friendly External SSD
Pricing: $140
The Seagate Ultra is a decent budget-friendly option that delivers you the bare essentials for a 1TB SSD. It has good performance, a good lifespan, and decent build quality. Hence, if you’re in the market for a regular SSD with no bells and whistles, the Seagate Ultra Touch is your best bet.
Performance and Capacity
The Ultra Touch delivers decent performance with average speeds of 400MB/s and is also compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Build Quality
The build quality is unique and comes equipped with a soft, durable cloth material up top that makes it look premium and well built.
Pros:
- Affordable price tag
- Premium build quality
Cons:
- The performance is a bit low compared to different SSDs
We hope this buying guide helps you find exactly what you need. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we’ll make sure to get back to you!
What is RAID 1, RAID 0, etc.?
RAID is a data storage technology that combines multiple disk drives into one or more units for improving data security, performance, or both. You could use this with multiple hard drives or SSDs for a boost in performance and safety.
Which hard drive is best for long-term storage?
Generally, all hard drives provide a decent long-term storage plan, but specific hard drives rated for continuous usage are the best and can last you anywhere from 15 to 30 years or more. It all depends on how you keep the drive and how you use it.
Is WD better than Seagate?
No, Seagate and WD both make impressive hard drives and SSDs and deliver a decent performance to price ratio. It all depends on your use case, which will determine whether a Seagate drive would suit you better or a WD one will.
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