External Hard Drive Or SSD: Which Is The Best One For You

Finding the best external hard drive (HDD) or the best external solid state drive SSD has several factors to consider. You need to think about what type of files you will store on your device, how often you will use them, and what kind of portability you need. 

Important: When it comes to external HDD data recovery or SSD data recovery, no matter the device you choose, both can show signs of failure and require professional recovery services. This is why it’s recommended to have multiple copies of your data. We recommend always having at least two backups in two different mediums, like Cloud storage, RAID, or other external SSDs or HDDs.

Best external HDDs

If you need lots of storage space and you don’t mind if your device is a little slow, then an external hard drive is a good option for you. 

Best external hard drive for backup: WD My Passport

The WD My Passport is an excellent choice for users needing reliable backup solutions. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 6TB, it provides ample space for photos, documents, and other essential files. The device features USB 3.0 connectivity for fast data transfer speeds, making backups quick and efficient.

Pros:

• Portability: Compact design makes it easy to carry.
• Software Features: Comes with WD Backup software for automated backups.

Cons:

• Speed Limitations: While faster than traditional HDDs, it cannot match SSD speeds.
• Durability: Lacks rugged features compared to some competitors.

Best external hard drive for creative professionals: LaCie 2big RAID

The LaCie 2big RAID-1 is designed for creative professionals who require high performance and reliability. With options for up to 20TB in a RAID configuration, it offers redundancy and speed. The dual-drive setup ensures that data is mirrored across both drives, providing peace of mind against data loss.

Pros:

• High Capacity: Ideal for large file sizes typical in video editing and photography.
• Speed: Offers fast transfer rates due to RAID configuration.
• Durability: Built with a robust design suitable for professional environments.

Cons:

• Cost: It is significantly more expensive than standard HDDs.
• Weight: Heavier than portable options due to its dual-drive setup.

Best external hard drive for gaming: WD Black P10 Game Drive

The WD Black P10 Game Drive is explicitly tailored for gamers needing additional storage without sacrificing performance. With up to 5TB of capacity, it can accommodate multiple game titles while maintaining quick load times thanks to USB 3.2 connectivity.

Pros:

• Optimized for Gaming: Designed with gamers in mind; supports both console and PC gaming.

Cons:

• Speed Limitations: While fast for an HDD, it cannot compete with gaming SSD performance.

Best external hard drive for general use: ADATA HD710M Pro

The ADATA HD710M Pro is an excellent choice for general use due to its rugged design and affordability. This drive features military-grade shock resistance and IP68 water/dust resistance ratings, making it suitable for outdoor or rough conditions.

Pros:

• Durability: Built to withstand drops and exposure to elements.

Cons:

• Speed Limitations: As an HDD, it is slower than SSD alternatives.

Best external hard drive for Mac users: SanDisk Professional G-Drive ArmorATD

The SanDisk Professional G-Drive ArmorATD is optimized for Mac users who need reliable storage solutions with superior performance. It offers up to 5TB of capacity along with USB-C connectivity that ensures compatibility with modern Mac devices.

Best external hard drive for gaming

Games take up a lot of space. And you don’t want it to close without saving because your external HDD can support the game file. 

WD Black P10 is a good choice for Xbox One. It has a high-speed and storage capacity of up to 5TB. It also works well with PC gaming and PS4.

Pros:

• High Speed & Reliability: Fast read/write speeds suitable for video editing.
• Warranty: Provides long-term assurance of quality.

Cons:

• Cost: It has a higher price compared to other HDDs

Best external SSDs

External solid-state drives, or external SSDs, are the best option for users who require speed over storage space. Due to their resilience to damage, SSDs are also the best option for those who need to carry their devices with them.

Best external SSD for backup: Crucial X9 Pro 

The Crucial X9 Pro stands out as the best external SSD for backup due to its combination of speed and affordability. With read speeds up to 1050MB/s and capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB, it provides quick access to files while ensuring ample storage space.

Pros:

• Speed & Performance: Significantly faster than traditional HDDs.

Cons:

• Short Cable: Included USB-C cable is short

Best external SSD for creative professionals: LaCie Rugged SSD Pro & SanDisk Extreme Pro v2

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro is designed for creative professionals who demand reliability and high performance. Its rugged design ensures durability in various environments, making it ideal for photographers and videographers, while the SanDisk Extreme Pro v2 is known for its robust build quality and performance.

 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro

Pros:

• Rugged Design: Built to withstand drops and harsh conditions, ideal for outdoor use.
• Fast Performance: High read/write speeds cater well to demanding tasks like video editing or large file transfers.

Cons:

• Weight: Heavier than some competing portable SSDs, which may affect portability.

SanDisk Extreme Pro v2

Pros

• High Transfer Speeds: Fast read/write speeds suitable for large file transfers.

Cons

• Cost: It is more expensive than other consumer-grade options.

Best external SSD for gaming: Lexar SL660 Blaze Game Portable SSD 

The Lexar SL660 Blaze Game Portable SSD is designed specifically for gamers, offering high-speed performance (up to 2000MB/s) that significantly reduces load times during gameplay. It provides excellent value for gamers looking to enhance their gaming experience.

Pros:

• High Transfer Speeds: Essential for modern gaming requirements, ensuring minimal lag.
• Cost: Competitive pricing makes it accessible without compromising performance.

Cons:

• Limited Storage: While it performs well, the available capacities may not meet the needs of all gamers, especially those with extensive libraries.
• Bulky Design: Compared to other portable SSDs, it may be less convenient to carry around.

Best external SSD for general use: Samsung Portable SSD T7 Touch

The Samsung Portable SSD T7 Touch is optimized for general use and offers seamless integration with various systems. It features biometric security alongside high transfer speeds (up to 1050MB/s), making it an excellent choice for everyday users.

Pros:

• Security: Provides an extra layer of security with fingerprint recognition.
• Compact Design: Lightweight and easy to carry, perfect for on-the-go users.

Cons:

• Cost: The cost may deter budget-conscious consumers.
• Limited Capacity Options: Depending on user needs, the available sizes may not be sufficient for extensive storage requirements.

Best external SSD for Mac users: Samsung Portable SSD T9

The Samsung Portable SSD T9 is optimized specifically for Mac users and offers seamless integration with macOS systems while providing excellent speed (up to 1050MB/s).

Pros:

• Compatibility with macOS: Designed to work well with Mac systems, making it easy to use.
• Compact Design: Lightweight and easy to carry.

Cons:

• Cost: The cost may deter budget-conscious consumers.
• Limited Capacity Options: Depending on user needs, the available sizes may not be sufficient for extensive storage requirements.
• Limited Security Features: Unlike some competitors, it lacks advanced security options like fingerprint recognition.

If you’ve already decided that you prefer an external drive instead of a USB flash drive and you just need to choose between HDD and SSD, simply get the best external drive that matches your needs.

External hard drives are the most common type of portable storage device. They are usually cheaper than SSDs and offer a lot of storage space for their size. However, external hard drives are slower than SSDs and are not as durable.

External SSDs are newer than external hard drives, and they offer many benefits over their older counterparts, like speed and durability. However, external SSDs tend to be more expensive than external hard drives.

If you’re looking for a new storage device, you can also learn more about SSHD data storage, also known as hybrid drives. This technology offers both speed and large storage, making it great for high-performance needs such as video editing and games.