The best external hard drives of 2024: Expert tested

A common mistake I often see is people purchasing the largest, bulkiest external hard drive they can find, under the impression that it's the best solution for their needs. Later, they find themselves with a huge, noisy device that occupies too much desk space and is inconvenient to carry to the office or on the road.

This is why I recommend the WD My Passport Ultra to those who need a compact, easy-to-use hard drive for a few critical files, or for moving data between systems, or for travel.

Over the years, I've recommended this drive to dozens of people, ranging from home users in need of a backup solution to amateur photographers and videographers facing disk space limitations. Everyone who has purchased one has reported back that they've been satisfied with their choice.

What sets this drive apart are two key features: It includes WD Backup software for PCs, which simplifies and optimizes the backup process, and it offers built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption, ensuring that data on the drive is secure.

Given the solid reputation of the WD brand and the quality of their hard drives, I have little concerns about premature data loss.

WD My Passport Ultra features: USB-C and USB 3.1 interface | 1TB to 5TB capacities | 256-bit AES hardware encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty

The SL500 breaks the mold with its size. It's thin, light, and roughly the size of a credit card at only 4.8mm thick. The solid aluminum unibody construction fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and slips unobtrusively into a pocket. 

The design not only protects the drive from bumps and scrapes but also does a fantastic job of dissipating heat. The SL500 is also fast, capable of reaching up to 2,000MB/s read and 1,800MB/s write speeds, making it easy to move large files. Performance on Macs and other systems that don't support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 may be significantly lower. 

If you're looking for a thin, light drive that allows you to record ProRes video on your iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, the Lexar SL500 is definitely worth a look. Plus, it can easily slip into a pocket or bag.

Lexar SL500 features: USB-C and USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 256-bit AES software encryption | 2.5-inch form factor | 5-year limited warranty

This is an external hard drive that James Bond would feel confident using to keep his secrets locked away. This drive has been certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 standards and features built-in 256-bit hardware encryption. So as to eliminate the need for software to be installed on the host machine, the drive has its own keypad for PIN entry.

But that's not all -- this drive is packed with features to keep the data on it secure from prying eyes. From the 256-bit AES-XTS hardware encryption, the wear-resistant keypad (so PIN codes can't be guessed from the wear pattern), the touch epoxy resin used to seal the components, to the brute force self destruct mechanism, this drive is as good as they get.

I have owned a number of Apricorn drives over the years, and they have all been exceptional in terms of performance and reliability. 

Apricorn Aegis Padlock Fortress features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 500GB to 2TB capacities | 2.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty 

This is the go-to choice for those who require an enormous amount of storage but want to avoid the extra hardware and setup complexities of an NAS (Network Attached Storage) system. With capacities ranging from 4 to 22 terabytes, the WD Digital Elements is perfect for even the most demanding data hogs.

However, don't assume that high capacity translates to a high price tag. The cost of the 22TB version breaks down to a reasonable $18 per terabyte. This makes it an ideal solution for individuals who manage or work with large media files, especially videos. It's a popular choice among drone pilots who do extensive filming.

Also: The best NAS devices

I personally relied on similar drives for many years before my storage needs grew and I transitioned to a NAS system. Throughout all those years, these drives never failed me; they consistently performed well until I required even more storage capacity.

The only downside I've noticed is that the drive can be rather noisy. Partly in my case this was due to me operating several drives on my desk simultaneously, but even a single drive can be far from silent on its own.

WD Digital Elements features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 4TB to 22TB capacities | 3.5-inch form factor | 2-year limited warranty 

While most external hard drives are destined for a sedentary life on a desk at home or in the office, this particular model is engineered for adventure. With its IP54 rain and dust rating, along with crush resistance up to 1000 pounds, this drive is ideally suited to endure the toughest environments.

Considering the inevitable drops onto hard surfaces that occur during outdoor activities, the drive is equipped with rubber bumpers and internal shock absorbers. These features offer added protection to the drive's delicate components.

However, it's important to note that this is still a hard disk drive, with spinning platters that store data. Despite the robust protection, any device with moving parts is inherently susceptible to damage from drops and vibrations. Therefore, exercising caution is advisable when handling this drive.

I have owned several ArmorATD drives and have found them to be exceptionally durable. They have been particularly useful for backing up data. I usually carry multiple drives with me, ensuring that important photos and videos are duplicated across several units for added security.

SanDisk Professional G-Drive ArmorATD features: USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 interface | 1TB to 5TB capacities | 3.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty 

This is the ideal budget-friendly choice for those seeking simplicity without the high cost or complexity. It's a straightforward drive that can be easily connected to a system as needed. Remarkably compact, it's only slightly larger than the 2.5-inch hard drives found in laptops, making it one of the smallest and lightest external drives available.

This drive is perfectly suited for individuals who manage small amounts of data, such as students or home users looking to back up essential files.

Furthermore, this drive comes from Toshiba, a manufacturer known for its excellent track record. Toshiba's drives are renowned for their reliability, and you can expect years of dependable service from this model.

Toshiba Canvio Basics features: USB 2.0/3.0 interface | 1TB to 4TB capacities | 2.5-inch form factor | 1-year limited warranty 

If you're worried about data loss, then this is the external hard drive for you. Why? Because it takes a regular external hard drive and adds a second drive. This second drive can be used in one of two ways:

• It can be used alongside the first drive, doubling the capacity of the unit.
• It can be used as a redundant backup of the first drive in what is called a RAID array. This way, if one drive fails or the data is somehow corrupted, the data remains safe on the other.

And I need to say this clearly: Drive failure is rare, but it happens, especially when you're transferring a lot of data (the kind of thing you might do if you are processing high-definition video, for example). If you have irreplaceable data, then an external hard drive like this is an important part of the solution when it comes to preventing data loss.

WD My Book Duo features: USB 3.2 interface | 8TB to 44TB capacities | 3.5-inch form factor | 3-year limited warranty