10 Best Portable External Hard Drives Of 2026
Portable External Hard Drives — Reviews, Recommendations & Updated Buying Guide September 2026
UnionSine External Hard Drive 500GB Ultra Slim Portable Hard
Why We Love It
UnionSine 320GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive
Why We Love It
WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive
Why We Love It
Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Storage
Why We Love It
Seagate Expansion Portable, 1TB
Why We Love It
WD 1TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High-Capacity Hard Drive
Why We Love It
WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows
Why We Love It
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB
Why We Love It
SSK 256GB External SSD Flash Drive up to 550MB/s Dual USB
Why We Love It
Seagate Portable Drive, 2TB
Why We Love It
Quick Pick
10 Best Portable External Hard Drives Of 2026
Quick Pick
UnionSine External Hard Drive 500GB Ultra Slim Portable Hard Drives USB 3.0 HDD Storage Compatible for PC, Mac, Laptop, Xbox, Xbox one, PS4(Black) HD-006
UnionSine 320GB Ultra Slim Portable External Hard Drive USB3.0 HDD Storage | For PC,Mac, Desktop, Laptop, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Super Fast Transmission-HD-2510(Black)
WD 5TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive, SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0, Plug-and-Play, Formatted for Windows, Black
Western Digital WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Storage, USB 3.0, Portable HDD with Software for Device Management, Backup, Password Protection, Works with PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Black
Seagate Expansion Portable, 1TB, External Hard Drive, 2.5 Inch, USB 3.0, for Mac and PC (STKM1000400)
WD 1TB Elements Portable USB 3.0 High-Capacity Hard Drive, WDBUZG0010BBK-WESN,Black
WD 6TB Elements Portable External Hard Drive for Windows, USB 3.2 Gen 1/USB 3.0 for PC & Mac, Plug and Play Ready - WDBHJS0060BBK-WESN
Toshiba Canvio Basics 1TB Portable External Hard Drive USB 3.0, Black - HDTB510XK3AA
SSK 256GB External SSD Flash Drive up to 550MB/s Dual USB C+A Memory Stick | 2 in 1,OTG,USB A+C 3.2 Gen2,High Speed,Zinc Alloy,External Solid State Drive for iPhone 15/16/17/Android Phone/MAC
Seagate Portable Drive, 2TB, External Hard Drive, Classic Black, for PC Laptop and Mac, 2 Year Rescue Services, Amazon Exclusive, Model STGX2000400
Buying Guide: Portable External Hard Drives
📋 Table of Contents
1What storage capacity should I look for in a portable external hard drive?
For most users, 1TB to 2TB is ideal for backing up photos, videos, and documents. If you work with large files like 4K video or high-resolution images, consider 4TB or more. Avoid under-128GB drives unless you only need to store a few files temporarily.
2What connection type is best for a portable external hard drive?
USB 3.0 or USB-C with USB 3.1/3.2 support offers the fastest transfer speeds, typically up to 5Gbps or more. For older devices, USB 2.0 is slower but still functional. Thunderbolt 3 is ideal for high-performance workflows but requires a compatible port.
3Should I choose a hard drive with a built-in battery or not?
A built-in battery is essential for drives that connect via USB-C and require power, especially for on-the-go use. Drives without a battery may need to be plugged into a power source or a powered USB hub for continuous operation.
4What are the differences between HDDs and SSDs for portable external drives?
HDDs are cheaper per gigabyte but slower and more fragile, while SSDs are faster, more durable, and lighter. SSDs are better for frequent use and mobility, while HDDs are better for large backups where speed is less critical.
5What features should I look for to ensure data security?
Look for drives with 256-bit AES encryption, password protection, and physical locks. Some models also offer automatic backup software or cloud sync integration. Avoid drives without these features if you're handling sensitive or personal data.
How we choose
Our editors are people who genuinely love testing and writing about products. We compare each product's real-world usability and strengths, then distill what matters most into our own "Why We Love It" points — so you get an honest, at-a-glance sense of what counts before you buy.