Best External Hard Drives for PC of 2026
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External hard drives have become an essential accessory for computer users who need extra storage space for their files, documents, photos, and videos. These devices are portable and easy to use, allowing you to store and transfer data between computers, laptops, and other devices. With a variety of sizes and capacities available, external hard drives are perfect for anyone who needs to backup or store large amounts of data. They also offer a convenient way to free up space on your computer's internal hard drive, which can help improve performance and speed.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 External Hard Drives for PC
Seagate 2TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate Portable Drive is a handy 2TB external hard drive that allows you to easily store and access your content while on the go. It is designed for seamless compatibility with both Windows and Mac computers, making backup as simple as drag and drop. Setting it up requires no software, just connect it to your computer for automatic recognition. Additionally, the included 18-inch USB 3.0 cable ensures plug and play convenience, allowing you to transfer files effortlessly.
UnionSine 1TB Ultra Slim Portable USB 3.0 Hard Drive
The UnionSine HD2510 Drive is a versatile external hard drive compatible with a wide range of devices, including TVs, gaming consoles, and computers, making it ideal for all your storage needs. Its improved non-slip design with rounded corners offers a comfortable and secure grip, so you can carry it easily without worry. Thanks to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility, you can enjoy lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, saving you valuable time. Plus, it’s simple to use with plug-and-play functionality, and the aluminium anti-interference layer helps protect your data and keep the drive cool during use.
ModusTech 1TB Portable External Hard Drive
The ModusTech External HDD offers ultra-fast USB 3.0 and Type-C connectivity, allowing you to transfer files at speeds up to 5 Gbps. This means you can back up large files like HD movies and games effortlessly. Its compact and portable design makes it easy for you to carry your data wherever you go. Plus, with a plug-and-play setup, you can start using it immediately without any software installation. With massive storage options, the drive caters to all your data storage needs.
UnionSine HD2510 500GB Portable External Hard Drive
The UnionSine HD2510 Hard Drive offers versatile compatibility, allowing you to connect it to various devices like TVs, game consoles, and computers. This ensures you can easily access your data wherever you need it. Its improved design features rounded corners and a non-slip surface, providing a comfortable grip during use. With lightning-fast transfer speeds of up to 120MB/s read and 103MB/s write, you can quickly move large files. Plus, the plug-and-play functionality makes setup effortless, as there's no need for software installation.
Maxone 500GB Ultra Slim External Hard Drive
The Maxone 500GB HDD boasts an ultra slim and sturdy metal design, making it both portable and durable. Measuring just 0.4 inches thick, its all-aluminium build ensures it remains cool and quiet during use. You will enjoy fast and stable performance, especially with your PS4 or Xbox One, as it supports USB 3.0 technology for speedy data transfers of up to 5 Gbit/s. Plus, it’s a plug-and-play device that eliminates the hassle of installation, allowing you to easily add extra storage to your computer or game console.
Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive
The Seagate Portable Drive is designed to work seamlessly with both Windows and Mac computers, making it easy for you to back up your important files with simple drag and drop. You just need to connect it to your computer, and it will be automatically detected without any need for extra software, saving you time and effort. It is compatible with Mac systems after reformatting, so you can use it across different devices. Plus, the included USB 3.0 cable ensures fast data transfer speeds, while still working with older USB 2.0 ports for added convenience.
Seagate 5TB Portable External Hard Drive
The Seagate 5TB Drive is an Amazon exclusive that simplifies file backups for both Windows and Mac users. You can easily back up your files using the drag-and-drop method, making the process quick and straightforward. Installing the drive is hassle-free as it connects directly to your computer and is automatically recognised, eliminating the need for software. With the included 46cm USB 3.0 cable, you can enjoy fast file transfers, ensuring that your data is moved swiftly and efficiently.
Sonnics 1TB Silver USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive
The Sonnics 1TB Portable Drive offers super-fast transfer speeds with its USB 3.0 connection, allowing you to move large files quickly and efficiently. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around, perfect for those on the go. You don’t need an external power source as it runs straight from any USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, giving you hassle-free use. Plus, it comes pre-formatted to FAT32, ensuring compatibility with both Mac OS and Windows systems, so you can easily share files across devices.
WD 5TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive
The WD My Passport Drive offers trusted, portable storage to keep your digital life organised and safe. Its slim design allows for easy carrying, making it perfect for on-the-go use. With built-in backup software, you can effortlessly schedule automatic backups of your essential files, ensuring that your precious photos, videos, music, and documents are never lost. Additionally, the drive features 256-bit AES hardware encryption, providing an extra layer of security through password protection, so you can feel confident about your data's safety.
Sonnics 1TB Blue Portable External Hard Drive
The Sonnics 1TB Hard Drive offers a USB 3.0 super speed transfer rate of 5Gbps, ensuring quick and efficient file transfers for your Windows PC and Apple Mac. Its ultra-slim and lightweight design makes it easy to transport, perfect for users on the go. You can connect it directly to a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port without needing an external power source, simplifying your setup. Additionally, it is formatted to FAT32, allowing seamless compatibility with various operating systems and devices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it worth getting an external hard drive for PC?
SSD external hard drives easily outperform their traditional rivals: the mechanical hard drives. This is because these external SSDs are faster, more durable, and efficient and have higher portability. They even manufacture external SSD for gaming now.
2. Can a computer run on a external hard drive?
While 500GB storage is more than enough for most users, you might run out of free space if you have lots of large files like movies, PC games, and editing files. Thankfully, you can always use an external hard drive to store your computer data.
During our external hard drive for pc research, we found 257 external hard drive for pc products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,388,849 customer reviews through our big data system to write the external hard drives for pc list. We found that most customers choose external hard drives for pc with an average price of £45.76.
The external hard drives for pc are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of external hard drives for pc, including Seagate, UnionSine, ModusTech, Maxone, Sonnics.
Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.